Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

47 reviews

avvai's review against another edition

informative reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Addiction, Abandonment, Rape, Sexism, Racism, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship

seawarrior's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.0

This was a highly engaging book that I enjoyed reading, despite the fact that it was long and the characters often behaved in ways that were protective to the point of destructive. I felt that Gonzalez did a wonderful job of illustrating how family conflicts extend outwards and create even more troubles in the wider world. Yet, she ensured each character was written with enough tact that the messages in this book rarely came off as preachy. While the book did feel somewhat melodramatic at times, the reader is prepared with understanding for why the situations the characters are in have become so severe. I would be wary about recommending this book to others since some of the subject matter is distressing. However, I don't regret reading it myself or feeling invested in the characters' lives.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Rape, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

javafenn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

I want to start off by saying the narration is phenomenal! Especially Olga’s. There was so much growth for both Olga and her brother Prieto and the end left you satisfied. The whole book was a roller coaster of emotions and drama. It was great to see a perspective of New York from the eyes of Puerto Ricans. You get a feel for the culture and the familial ties they carry plus the racism and stigma they face as Americans to a foreign land that also happens to be American. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Infidelity, Misogyny, Colonisation, Abandonment, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Racism, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Infertility, Homophobia, and Outing

ginnybarns's review

challenging dark funny reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Rape, Drug abuse, and Racism

emmstuke's review

challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Outing, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

gracescanlon's review

challenging emotional hopeful 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? N/A

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Addiction

Minor: Drug use, Racism, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Classism, and Death

kdailyreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Homophobia, Rape, Xenophobia, Racism, Suicide, Alcohol, Violence, Terminal illness, Colonisation, Drug abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, Infidelity, and Classism

Minor: Abortion, Infertility, Racial slurs, and Pregnancy

tanishah's review

emotional tense medium-paced

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

2.0

I really wanted to love this book. I loved the New York and
Puerto Rican references, the history woven into the story. But,
this was a bit too ambitious. I have to agree with some
reviews that said some of the information felt heavy handed.
Olga and Prieto are complex characters, but they weren't that
likeable for me to be invested in their development. There
was opportunity to make Blanca more than just a villain but
ultimately the author did not choose to do so. This book could
have been shorter, and the ending felt very rushed. I was
happy for this book to end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Rape, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, and Death of parent

bandysbooks's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

This is a story that reflects on a family,  politics, and culture. Olga is struggling with relationships, abandonment issues, and figuring out her direction in life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Grief, Outing, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship

sar_a_i's review

emotional inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Outing, Homophobia, Addiction, Suicide, and Racism