Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'

De verdwenen stad by Camilla Sten

6 reviews

sar_she_her's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

The writing is a mixed bag, nonetheless overshadowed by *atrociously* unredeemable representation of mental health and autism.

The use of those themes feels insensitive, exploitive, and gratuitous in a way that made me feel sick. Probably most painful portrayal of scapegoating I've ever read, just in very poor taste.

The great spooky mood-setting and abandoned/archival imagery could have been woven into a really good story, if only there had been better character development.

While the aforementioned poor decisions of representation were effective "shock-value" (at best a brutal commentary on exploitation of zealots and group-think) the storytelling could have been just as effective without the horrible representation.

Too bad, bc someone recommended it, and I was hoping to like it and recommend to my friends in Sweden. But now I certainly won't, especially with them being caring teachers and parents.

I'm truly surprised the mainstream was so enchanted by the good elements of her writing, and could so easily overlook and accept the horrendous facets.

What bugs me ultimately is having someone from a more privileged demographic sensationalize the exploitation of an underprivileged group. It's problematic and a form of misappropriation essentially having the credit go to, and focus be on, an artist who thinks something "would be a good idea" but at the cost of representing *others'* stories or trauma.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Hate crime

Minor: Mental illness

bookishgoob's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

the atmosphere of this book was definitely chilling. there is mention of sexual assault & in another part it is hinted that a character was sexually assaulted. the ending made me feel like there should have been a bit more. it felt a little empty but it was enjoyable and creepy nonetheless 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Violence

jodine's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Ableism, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt

thebakerbookworm's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? No

2.75

Okay, if you're looking for a spooky read, this book definitely fits the bill. It's the kind of book that I would not be able to handle in movie form—I couldn't stop listening to it because I just had to know what was happening or I wouldn't be able to sleep haha.

The narrator did a good job too. The blurb compares this book to two movies, and I think if I'd been familiar with those movies I probably wouldn't have read this...but honestly did not know what those movies were about lol. So this rating is my own fault; this genre is just not one that I particularly enjoy and, though I'm entertained while reading, I'm left with a "meh" feeling and a desire to start a different book immediately.

I was disappointed in the characters in this one. I never felt like I got to know any of them, not really. Even the main character doesn't have any tangible development. So I didn't really care about the characters as much as I would've liked. They made stupid decisions which of course had consequences and I just shrugged and kept reading.

Also, the "answer" to the mystery...was too unbelievable for me. I was left with a lot of questions about plausibility that I feel like were just ignored for the sake of the plot.

But like I said, this genre just doesn't do it for me—if you enjoy a good plot-focused mystery with spooky/creepy/horror elements, you'll probably like this one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Torture

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault

henrygravesprince's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, Pregnancy, and Rape

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Grief

Ableism against Autistic & Intellectually Disabled character including demonization,

rape, brutal murder,

and usage of mental age theory. There’s also demonization of schizophrenia & psychosis, including

characters shaming another for not forcing someone to disclose their schizophrenia, and a character being assumed violent due to having a history of psychosis

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casslibraria's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry