Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

4 reviews

tamika_j's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book is a reminder of the movie Carrie but this is truly real life segregation, bullying and racism. A small town that hides its secrets from the wide larger population of the world and the rest of America. A small town that still wants to believe there world is based on whiteness and oppression. Being black in this town means you have to be good at sports or corporate white supremacy. 

Maddie was a girl who had a heart but was never accepted because of her race and home life, her father history of abuse caused him to raise Maddie and keep her hiding as he seen fit as a black country man. 

Be prepared for pain and revenge you want on so many people in this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Self harm, Mental illness, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Colonisation, Racism, Violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Stalking, Murder, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, and Death

emily_journals's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

If you love horror movies, especially those considered Classic Horror Movies (such as Carrie), READ THIS BOOK! And if you are able to read audiobooks, get the audiobook, you will thank me later. 

This book is told in an epistolary type style, where there's fragments of current day podcasts, court proceedings, interviews, and hospital accounts mixed in with the main story line. This book tackles so many good topics and themes and is such a good reimagining/retelling of Carrie. This story is told in many POVs, but the way these POVs are balanced is so expertly done as it doesn't confuse or muddle the story or characters at all. Each of these characters is so distinct and able to stand apart from the rest so well. Just absolutely perfect, I can't imagine anything making this book better. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Grief, Murder, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Racism, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Gun violence, Outing, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Self harm, Classism, Abandonment, and Toxic friendship

bites_of_books's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a fantastic book that delves into social horror. This is really about what fear can do to people who feel like things are getting out of their control. We follow Maddie, a young girl who passes as white and is suddenly found out to be Black. This starts a series of events that start with Maddie finding out she has the power to move things with her mind and end with a tragic prom night to top it all, many years later, a true crime podcast that's trying to find out what "really happened" that night. 

The supernatural aspect of this book was done so well, it doesn't overpower our main character and also gives us a lot of intrigue as to what really is happening with her powers. This has been described as a Carrie retelling and I feel like it keeps the spirit of Carrie while Jackson gives it her own twists and style. 

I listened to the audiobook, which was awesome because it has a whole production with almost a full cast, and really helped immerse me in the story. 

This is a very difficult book to read because there is a lot of outright racism, bigotry, mysoginy, etc etc. Do take care when reading, check for all content warnings! 

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys horror that focuses more on the horror that humans are capable of and also if you want characters who are multidimensional and who go beyond what you expect from them. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Body horror, Bullying, Grief, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Child abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Violence

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This is a "Carrie" retelling, and I've never read that book nor have I seen the movie. This was so brilliant though, I don't think I'm ever going to even need to read the original. This book didn't even read like YA for me, I really think that any fan of horror could pick this up and appreciate it. The main characters are complicated and well drawn, the character development (for better and for worse) is off the charts. I also really loved the podcast element that ran all through the book. It reminded me of the best parts of "Sadie" which is a book I loved in 2020. If you do pick this up, keep a tissue box nearby, mind your triggers, and enjoy.

Also: Tiffany D. Jackson I LOVE you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Racism, Hate crime, Police brutality, Murder, Ableism, Violence, Child death, Mass/school shootings, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Blood, Infidelity, Mental illness, Bullying, and Animal death

Minor: Slavery and Self harm

there is no mass shooting in this book BUT there is a mass murder and i felt like i had to note it somehow.