Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden

25 reviews

jordynkw's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

my_a's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Beautiful writing and touching characters. The story and writing has not aged a day. I was shock when i saw its 23 years old! Some chapters were heartbreaking and uncomfortable to read. 

But I did often find it hard to follow the quick changes in timelines as they were very sudden and unclear.

I had no expectations when i started reading but wow I loved this book, really beautiful writing. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd Suga Lacey book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Grief

Minor: Infidelity

shansometimes's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

SUGAR is a novel about what happens when a 20-something sex worker with a rough past decides to move to a small, conservative Arkansas town to start over. I absolutely loved it, as it included so many elements that I'm always drawn to—a historical timeframe, female friendship, tension through controversy, commentary on Christianity, small-town life, and Black southern characters.

I was on edge throughout most of the book because the author kept revealing small, worrisome details and I couldn't imagine how these things were going to come to a head. I enjoyed following along as Sugar, the primary main character, struggled with her identity and formed an unlikely friendship with Pearl, her buttoned-up, church-going neighbor. Their friendship created a strong theme of redemption and healing for both women and forced the small-town minds around them to confront their judgments, sexism, and secrets. Watching Pearl and Sugar's friendship unfold among the twists and turns in this novel and imagining all of this happening in the 1950s was my kind of wild ride.

This book also reminded me of SULA, my favorite novel by Toni Morrison, in some small ways. If you liked SULA, I think there's a good chance you'll enjoy SUGAR as much as I did. Five stars!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Alcohol

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Minor: Religious bigotry

jennikreads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder

moniipeters's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment

treepaperbook's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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: Child death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

elleapple's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

winkieunc's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 The audio book just pulled me in. I was so invested in the story. My heart broke with these characters. I highly recommend it if you like books that make you feel something. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Murder

Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Slavery and Terminal illness

laurataylor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Murder

thegirlfromthemoon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Murder