Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham

35 reviews

mahitdzmare's review against another edition

dark lighthearted mysterious 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Outing, Gore, and Body horror

Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, and Homophobia

applejacksbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book start to finish. I love the dark academia, thriller-y vibes of the story, but I wish there was a little more suspense built into it. Finch and Selena are adorable together, and I am happy with the ending overall.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Car accident

Moderate: Outing

lucyshucy's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.25

girls, simon, and nerosi (the three genders)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Car accident, and Death of parent

Moderate: Outing and Toxic friendship

Minor: Alcohol

thetinytrashcan's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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? No

4.25

For a debut novel this book is executed extremely well. I loved all the characters in the book and appropriated that all the ensemble characters had important roles to play in the plot. Though most of the characters could have been explored more I never felt that any of them were bland or unnecessary which made me fall in love with this book. I loved the premise presented in the summary and found that the book did a pretty good job executing the lore of the story and presented background information in interesting ways that kept me engaged the whole time. The only reason this is book lost points in my book is because it wasn’t as much of a dark story as the summary presented and I don’t feel that it completely reached the mood it was trying to create.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Grief

Moderate: Homophobia, Outing, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Suicide and Toxic relationship

meleac07's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This book was absolutely BRILLIANT!! I fell into this reality with the characters and found myself connected and drawn to each character for all of their quirks and complexities. Each character was unique and so well thought out. I can not put into words the joy I felt from reading this. Coming from a queer person, the representation in this book is such a breath of fresh air. This book put me through a rollercoaster of emotions. From the cheesiest of lines to the most grotesque scenes, I found myself utterly swept away by the beauty and tangibility of Kayla Cottingham’s writing. So excited to read whatever she puts out next.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Gore, and Gun violence

Moderate: Murder, Outing, Torture, Grief, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Biphobia

diadoodle's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent

lil_rachie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Gore

Moderate: Murder and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, and Car accident

btorsi's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

first solid 5 star review of 2022. this book was marketed as wilder girls meets it and it delivered in the best way. at first i thought the writing and pacing was a little juvenile but by the end i wanted it to be 800 pages because i couldn't accept it was over. incredible opening lines. i loved it so much i can't formulate actual thoughts other than "HOLY SHIT". sapphic horror is my new jam.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body horror and Outing

Minor: Toxic friendship and Animal death

nightmare_maven's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Car accident

Moderate: Mental illness and Outing

nerp's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body horror, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Death of parent, Gore, and Murder

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders