Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

10 reviews

drtx_bwt's review against another edition

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

5.0

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bujo_bellel's review

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adventurous hopeful informative lighthearted fast-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 is a really cute cozy read and I think I finished it in less than 20 minutes. The art is soo pretty and I quite enjoyed the plot. I think the lesson we learned is quite valuable and I think it was a really great read.
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serendipity421's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted 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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lilybear3's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A lot of us can relate to Sophie in that at least one point in our life, we've felt like we couldn't do anything right.  We also probably felt like we had to prove ourselves.  I love that there are magical elements and that it's a light fantasy, yet so relatable.  The description says it echoes Studio Ghibli and I definitely got that vibe in the character designs and
the dragon shapeshifts into a human and can't remember their past
.  I love Wendy's art style in the design and colors.
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qrschulte's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book! It was so cute and emotional. The emphasis on generational trauma and apologizing for hurting people really resonated. And the art was adorable!
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odditiex's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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

3.75

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brogan7's review

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A nice little book about becoming yourself and the challenges of developing an identity among other people.  Some interesting examinations of negative self talk and the possibility of healing.

I wish the plot points had been a little more developed...the characters a little more nuanced.  Might the older cousin/mentor figure have had a bit of a sharp edge, a bit of impatience?  Might the love interest have had a bit of inconstancy, or might she have been slightly irritated by him?  Not to change their characters completely, but to give them something to work with, layers.

The denouement seemed unrealistic to me in terms of the adults either taking responsibility for their emotional manipulation, or apologizing for it.  I think coming into adulthood often requires us to figure out how to work with adults who never acknowledge their interpersonal damage, and it's unrealistic to portray such changes of heart...as well as giving the impression that by the kids standing up for themselves, the adults will do the right thing, which is not only inaccurate it could be dangerous in the case of violent parents.

A beautiful book, she'll be one to watch for, and I loved the big hair!
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christabelle_v's review against another edition

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

2.25

I hate to give low star reviews. The art itself is beautiful and I can see why it gives Studio Ghibli feels in terms of art style. Sadly, I feel the dialog was odd, stiff,  and not natural. It doesn't flow and there were multiple times where I felt I had missed a page. The characters don't feel fully real; I don't know enough about Sophie to be truly invested. The aunt is very mean and verbally abusive
that I found it hard to believe she simply changed in one moment. As soon as I saw Sage she had the stereotypical "cool one in the family" look but I felt she didn't understand Sophie. I didn't understand the magic lessons either, one minute it looks okay and then Sage is yelling at Sophie to stop and Sophie is crying. I didn't understand Sophie had anxiety until I looked at reviews halfway through the book. I thought the red bubbles were some evil voice or something given that it's a magical setting.  I felt her shaking and crying and the jagged thoughts weren't introduced properly
. Perhaps it was because the entire book was dialog rather than narrative (except for beginning part) that this didn't come across well. It took me three squares of art to realize Sophie was communicating to her family using a mirror. And the grandmother's anger felt odd in the pacing of the story.  Perhaps if it had moments of Sophie speaking to the audience or more narration it would have flowed better but it was still hard to connect to the characters and the dialog felt awkward.  I'm sorry I didn't like this. The art was nice though. 
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ednam0dewannabe's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.5

I really enjoyed this light graphic novel, I seriously needed a breath of fresh air. I would have loved it if certain important plot points had been given more time but despite that I found it an entertaining and quick read in which I didn't take any breaks. I recommend it to anyone doing the Asian Readathon.
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willowmae's review

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adventurous lighthearted 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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