Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

6 reviews

mandi_lea's review

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Racism, Sexism, Pregnancy, Confinement, Drug abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Violence

pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

This need to be on every #GirlBoss book shelf...

A lite scifi criticism of white femme power spaces, the danger of trans exclusion and generalization of gender, and how the future must be inclusive for humanity's survival. Dashes of romance, mystery, thriller, and corporate intrigue. The story switches perspectives between a handful of characters, each experiencing different facets of The Inside, over the time span between 2050-2078. There are some steamy sapphic moments, but mostly the romance element is slow burn.

It was refreshing to see a white author tackle these subjects with care, earnestness, and precision. This type of call-out should not always fall onto non-white, non-cis/het folks!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Transphobia, and Confinement

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Sexual content, Ableism, Mental illness, Eating disorder, and Grief

Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Suicidal thoughts

dykebakery's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, and Medical trauma

wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Yours for the Taking takes sapphic novels and redefines them. I can imagine its characters asking 'Bechtel test? How primitive.' This book asks the question 'What if a white feminist is given supreme power and authority'- and the results are as disastrous and disturbing as you can imagine. In a world ravaged by climate change, a world destroyed by raging storms and too high temperatures, innovators create "Inside"; a safe zone for the select few financed by the world's billionaires. The story follows a group of women as they navigate this new world, the betrayals, love, and heartache they experience; and how dangerous a lack of intersectionality can be. This one is one to watch, and an important commentary on our social and personal dynamics in an ever changing world that never truly has our best interests at heart. A gripping narrative about power, race, and identity- and how even at the end of the world we divide and oppress each other. And what happens when we say enough is enough.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Death of parent, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Ableism, Classism, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Pregnancy, Rape, Transphobia, Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Drug use, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death

ash_poison's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

 

I enjoyed most of this book, except for its ending which left me dissatisfied due to the unresolved plotlines. The book concluded on a frustrating cliffhanger, and while I have questions, I won't delve into them to avoid spoiling the experience for potential readers.

Several issues stood out to me. The initial concepts introduced in the beginning weren't consistently developed throughout the story. Some monologues were overly lengthy and felt unnecessary. The book featured an abundance of different points of view (POVs), including four women highlighted in the synopsis and an additional three introduced later on. This accumulation of seven distinct POVs lacked clear labeling, making it confusing to follow. Moreover, the portrayal of perspectives from transgender and black women felt underdeveloped, particularly concerning the challenges they might face, such as the amplified backlash a black woman might encounter compared to a white woman in a position of power. Proper research into these experiences, particularly within corporate America, would have enhanced authenticity. Additionally, certain conflicts were resolved too hastily.

Despite these criticisms, I found several intriguing aspects. The book effectively weaved in satirical elements, providing a thought-provoking exploration of feminism and the essence of womanhood. As someone who identifies as a feminist, I found my understanding evolving while reading, thanks to the author's impactful influence. The author possesses a remarkable command of language, crafting immersive settings and evoking genuine emotions from the characters. Even the perspectives of the antagonists were engrossing, prompting me to reflect on my own notions of feminism. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Classism, Transphobia, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Medical content, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Body horror, Drug use, and Death

Minor: Cancer and Child abuse

bootsmom3's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Death, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Transphobia

Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Ableism, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic