Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

دوشیزگان by Alex Michaelides

106 reviews

jilljac's review against another edition

2.0

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking

readeratheart98's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book kept me interested the whole time! I felt like I was constantly guessing who was the killer in the end and I like that I couldn't predict the ending. I was completely caught off guard by the motive at the end of the book, not necessarily the actual identity of the murderer. I wish that the other male characters of the book were fleshed out a little bit more. For instance, Fred had very strange behavior and I still don't know if he's just in love or a love-bomber. Also it seemed to me like it was never confirmed who in fact was stalking Mariana, because I'm still not sure if it was Henry or Fred lol. 

I wish that Sebastian's thought process was narrated from his POV more of why he chose Mariana. Maybe that's a good opening for a prequel or novella for this book.

This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I'll definitely want to read more from him!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood

Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

lucyatoz's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The Maidens by Alex Michaelides tells the story of Mariana Andros, who is returning to Cambridge University, where she met her late husband Sebastian, following the murder of a young woman, who was best friends with her niece Zoe. 

Tara was part of The Maidens, a society of ladies who congregate around the American professor Edward Fosca, who delivers engaging lectures on Greek tragedy. As other women who are part of the society are murdered in horrific attacks, does this lead back to a single man committing these acts? 

The twist at the end was as shocking as all of the many red herrings that could have led the story to a very different conclusion! Although an engrossing read, it was just not my "cup of tea". 

I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton library and listened to it on cloudLibrary. I read this for prompt 13, an academic thriller, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use

xxxstephnicolexxx's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use

elliotjackson's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I had trouble getting into this book initially, but I found myself entranced by the parallels of Greek tragedies to the characters. I do believe the heavy mythological themes and references tended to overshadow the plot at times and make it more difficult to follow, but they also served their purpose in making the book a reflection of life, death, and tragedy. I found it interesting how every character’s past could be interconnected to their present and the role they played. There was definitely an emphasis on the concept of how hurt people will hurt people, and that ultimately, nobody’s story is without its shades of grey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Death, Pedophilia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment

Moderate: Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility

marbar08's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment

mbwoconnor's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Why did I read this?!?! The author knows how to weave an incredible tale. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

laurengeorgia's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Grief

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Infertility, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Toxic friendship

nicoledelairs's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Hey what the fuck was that?

okay but when the author of the letter used the word "premonition" i for suurrrreeeee thought it had to be jack. Like???????? But okay finding out it was sebastion was a huge shock for me and makes me so sad for Zoe. She was groomed by this sick predator to become a tool for him

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Grief

Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

spoiler for the Animal Death CW: a character is writing about his past and details an incident when his father shoots his dog, killing it. The character had a strong bond with this dog and it is quite upsetting and senseless violence

Spoiler for the Child Abuse and Pedophilia CW: late in the novel it is revealed that a female character was groomed from a young age by a male character that was close to her and sort of like a father figure. It can be assumed that this male character has sex with the female character while she is underage. Since she is not old enough to consent, I also tagged CW rape.

thewildkat's review against another edition

2.25

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I guessed the ending pretty early on. Also, the resolution to the story was a bit lacking and didn’t really tell you what the characters came away with and ended at a weird moment that would have been interesting to see.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria