Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry

58 reviews

nee_shelf's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• 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

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Pregnancy, Vomit, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Sexual harassment, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders

alexandraloveee's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Animal death, Mental illness, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Bullying, Miscarriage, and Child abuse

theliterarylair's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

2.0

A pretty disturbing read- check the TWs. 

This has all the tropes of a fast- paced thriller. If you are thinking about reading it, however, I'd recommend The Push by Ashley Audrain instead; it has more complex character- development and the overall story is more well - rounded. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Child abuse and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

lifeofchrstnlvly's review

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

I therefore conclude that Janie, the sociopathic 6-year-old child, was not the red flag: Christopher was.

Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.

Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.

As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.

And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

lish02's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Animal cruelty, and Addiction

lazulisky's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Animal cruelty, Violence, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Infertility, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Child abuse, Blood, Death, Vomit, and Mental illness

Minor: Eating disorder, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Confinement, Sexual assault, Drug use, and Medical content

bekahzabel's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The Perfect Child is told in alternating points of view. Focusing on a couple who’s struggled with infertility, a social worker assigned to a strange child abuse case, and a seemingly innocent mysterious child.  

All the Bauer’s ever wanted was a baby. When a mysterious young girl shows up at the hospital with terrible injuries, she wins over Christopher Bauer’s heart. The Bauer’s decide to take Janie into temporary foster care, with the intentions of helping her transition and adjust to a better life. As Janie’s behaviors and past begin to unfold, things seem to get darker at every turn and crossroads. 

Boy oh boy, things got pretty dark between these two covers. Very hefty child abuse and violence trigger warnings. 

For me, The Perfect Child had me white knuckling my kindle, and salivating for the next page. Even though I guessed some of the twists, this dark tale was a great read for me. My only qualm is how abruptly it wrapped up. 4/5 stars! 🌟

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Infertility, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Murder, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Medical content, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Animal death, Self harm, Miscarriage, Death, and Medical trauma

alreinwarth's review

Just no. This feels like it is demonizing mental illness and childhood trauma survivors. And then the brutal animal cruelty was just too much for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Animal death, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Self harm, Abandonment, Excrement, Murder, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Medical content, Miscarriage, Confinement, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Violence

amaranth_wytch's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Self harm, Torture, Violence, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, and Medical content

Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Ableism

agapemanning's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death, Infertility, Abandonment, Animal death, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Child abuse