Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

83 reviews

olivesnook33's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I was definitely expecting something different from this book. The description, and even the cover, had me thinking that I was going to be in for a non-stop thrill ride full of mystery and suspense. The opening chapter delivered that but then there was, and were repeated stretches, where it felt as though nothing was really happening. Elin could have been such a compelling character if only one of the two tragedies that were constantly plaguing her was the issue. And she might grow and become who I was envisioning her to be by the end of this book over the course of the next book so I will hold out judgment on her until I see how things play out.

Pearse constructed a tight narrative, she brought the setting to life, her ideas about the plot were great and her use of red herrings was great. That being said, I felt like there was too much happening. For me, when that happens, I tend to not feel that the stakes are high, I feel like some things *have* to be resolved before the final act or the big reveal so I know that there will be yet another lull and those lulls, for me, made me find the book likable but not lovable.   

The "mysterious ending," did perk me up a little bit and I'm hopeful that the next book in the series will make me love Elin and be a little smoother in terms of story and plot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Medical content, Murder, Sexual assault, and Violence

imiinbook's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror

soniaa5's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Rape, Medical trauma, and Deportation

erinkins's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Medical trauma and Rape

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really interesting murder mystery. I didn’t know the bad guy until it was revealed and honestly hadn’t even considered the culprit for that role. I couldn’t put this one down — stayed up til the wee hours reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Infertility, Medical content, Torture, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

iamkatebwhite's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Torture, Medical trauma, and Sexual assault

bekah1210's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Medical trauma, and Death

Moderate: Rape and Child death

Minor: Mental illness and Abortion

korolevakotykiv's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Medical content

magical_mads's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

The characters were very unlikable and frustrating. There were at least four or five plot twists within the last 100 pages. The motivations behind the murders made no sense. And then there was a feminist twist thrown in at the very end so that the author could make some social commentary or some thing, which was handled very poorly (in my opinion). I’m so disappointed because this kind of premise/commentary is 100% sent the thing that I normally go for. But this book is a no for me.

Also, I hated how in the topic of rape was treated in this book. It felt like it was shoved in as a last minute plot twist. It should never be treated like that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Stalking, Torture, Gaslighting, and Gore

Minor: Infertility, Rape, Abortion, and Sexual assault

basil_plant's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma and Rape