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Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'
Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O'Neal
3 reviews
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have such incredibly mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I absolutely loved the representation. As a spoonie myself (for all you healthy people, that's what some of us with chronic illnesses call ourselves), it was really refreshing reading about others who deal with some of the same challenges that I do. From obnoxious MLMs telling us we can solve our health issues with essential oils, to the way it's so easy to fall into depression when going through flare-ups, to just feeling all the feelings (and all the pain). I appreciated it so much because I felt seen in so many ways.
I thought that creating a "chronic illness" out of lycanthropy was incredibly creative. It definitely manifests itself similarly to spoonie symptoms with "flare-ups" each month, strange changes in the body, not feeling yourself, etc. This low fantasy that read more like contemporary was really well done!
On the other hand, it was so slow. I couldn't believe how long it took for the werewolf discovery to occur. I'm used to contemporary novels being about 6-8 hours tops on 2x speed narration. This one was almost 11 hours on 2.5x speed! And the reveal didn't happen until 3 hours in! I was baffled. I also found it really annoying to listen to the Discord chat conversations - reading a physical copy would've been better for that (that's not a diss on the book, just a personal thing while listening to an audiobook). It got obnoxious every time someone did a keyboard smash or shared a link because hearing "adscxzhuiweufbjdksfj" read aloud is just... ridiculous-sounding!
In addition to that, I definitely felt my age. The fact that the oldest person in the chat was 25 (26?) and I'm several years older than that right now had me feeling distinctly millennial grandma (cue laughter). Yes, I realize this was YA (though I guess it's more technically NA since the main character is 19), but I hoped I'd be able to relate a bit better. It just really screamed gen-z.
I would definitely recommend this in a physical format for spoonies looking to feel seen and for others who want to learn more about what it's like to have different chronic illnesses.
On the one hand, I absolutely loved the representation. As a spoonie myself (for all you healthy people, that's what some of us with chronic illnesses call ourselves), it was really refreshing reading about others who deal with some of the same challenges that I do. From obnoxious MLMs telling us we can solve our health issues with essential oils, to the way it's so easy to fall into depression when going through flare-ups, to just feeling all the feelings (and all the pain). I appreciated it so much because I felt seen in so many ways.
I thought that creating a "chronic illness" out of lycanthropy was incredibly creative. It definitely manifests itself similarly to spoonie symptoms with "flare-ups" each month, strange changes in the body, not feeling yourself, etc. This low fantasy that read more like contemporary was really well done!
On the other hand, it was so slow. I couldn't believe how long it took for the werewolf discovery to occur. I'm used to contemporary novels being about 6-8 hours tops on 2x speed narration. This one was almost 11 hours on 2.5x speed! And the reveal didn't happen until 3 hours in! I was baffled. I also found it really annoying to listen to the Discord chat conversations - reading a physical copy would've been better for that (that's not a diss on the book, just a personal thing while listening to an audiobook). It got obnoxious every time someone did a keyboard smash or shared a link because hearing "adscxzhuiweufbjdksfj" read aloud is just... ridiculous-sounding!
In addition to that, I definitely felt my age. The fact that the oldest person in the chat was 25 (26?) and I'm several years older than that right now had me feeling distinctly millennial grandma (cue laughter). Yes, I realize this was YA (though I guess it's more technically NA since the main character is 19), but I hoped I'd be able to relate a bit better. It just really screamed gen-z.
I would definitely recommend this in a physical format for spoonies looking to feel seen and for others who want to learn more about what it's like to have different chronic illnesses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Mental illness, and Medical content
tristonleeann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It is a great, inspiring, relatable book if you struggle with chronic illness. I am few years younger than the main character and have a different chronic illness, but I could still really relate to how she is struggling both mentally and physically while trying to come to terms with her new reality and trying to learn to cope with and manage her symptoms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Body horror, Blood, Gore, Cursing, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts
It might just be the most chaotic book I’ve ever read. It includes a group chat fillies with chronically ill, gen z people that is both a mess and can be emotional when they talk about their struggles.kisahofswords13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really liked this. I thought it was funny and original.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, and Ableism
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