Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Awakening by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham

707 reviews

petit_biblio's review

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Xenophobia

Moderate: Violence

chelseaisreading's review

2.25

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This reads like sub par fanfiction, I almost DNF’d quite a few times. Maybe if I was a teen this would’ve hit but, there is better fantasy/romantasy (although there was nothing romantic in this book) out there.
 Zodiac Academy is just really doing the most. They’re twin orphans, they’re long lost princesses, they’re at a magical school with every “Order” under the sun (werewolves, mermaids, vampires, etc.), oh and EVERYONE is hot, but also evil. Even the teachers! Like, there’s bully romance and then there is this walking red flag of boys and teachers constantly abusing them physically and emotionally?? And yet they’re always feeling a shiver of lust when these sexy psychopaths run in with them. 
Please don’t get me started with Diego. I thought JKR was bad with the “ethnic” side character but Diego calling the girls “chicas” and saying random Spanish words, was so cringey and only indicate quite clearly the authors have zero grip on that language. And other than their interactions with the other twin, this book is really not kind to any female character—they’re all jealous girlfriends or gossipy bitches. Boringgggg. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

Minor: Misogyny

wildflowersreading's review

DID NOT FINISH: 33%

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DNF. Bad writing. Too much bullying. Weak story advancement. Weak FMC’s. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

carotaro's review

3.5

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism

kovucat28's review

3.75

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

makahla's review

2.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Some parts of the story I liked and I’m interested in the plot, but it was way too cringy for me, and I really didn’t like the toxic/borderline rapey vibe around bullying and consent. 
I’ll keep going with the next one since I already downloaded the audiobook, maybe it gets better?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Rape, Violence

misslovelylayla's review

4.5

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Hear me out- this is cringey and campy AF, but it’s cringey and campy in a way that a DCOM or CW drama is, which I love. Definitely at the minimum, a new adult book. Some of the bullying was a bit much and made me cringe but I did really enjoy this and am starting the next book literally right now. A tbr, do we know her? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

nicetryenigma's review

3.5

challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Like having too much ice cream, my brain is frozen after reading. Good thing that's what I'm going for in my reading right now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Gaslighting

lamb_xo's review

1.0

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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There are a lot of scenes depicting humiliation and degradation, and the last 20 pages are the most horrible. These aren’t even triggers for me and I was disgusted. Just beware before picking this up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence

lae824's review against another edition

1.0

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: N/A

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Ugh I almost dnf’ed this book many times. The lack of consent and bullying was gross but somehow I ended up finishing and going for the second book…? It’s not well written, feels like some second-rate watt pad shit but here I am in book 2. Don’t read it or maybe do, idk 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism