Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Hidden Pictures: A Novel by Jason Rekulak

94 reviews

cort_kaye's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, and Drug abuse

vivisms_82's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

21 yr old, several months sober Mallory gets a job as a nanny to a 5 year old child named Teddy. Mystery and strange occurrences ensue. I truly liked this book. An unexpected page turner for me - it is part paranormal/part domestic thriller and I was quite ok going along for the ride and buying it. Is it perfect? No. I mean

The red herring mystery of Annie and Willie was a bit bonkers. I mean two mysteries?? I don't like rubbish coincidences like that. Weird.

I have noticed on a few platforms this book has been given low ratings due to

Teddy really being a girl

I can respect people being pissed if this was used as a comment on

children and transgender

, however I don't believe this is so - this is quite important in bringing the story together and (to me at least) makes it plausible ie

is used to protect Caroline and Ted from detection should the police come knocking - I mean a child goes missing, the first thing they broadcast is the gender "missing 2 year old girl" etc. They are on the run and by making Flora appear like a boy is to keep their crime safe for goodness sakes! Not some hidden anti-trans meaning!

. It completely makes sense and is not some leftist author preaching his anti-woke views. I think some folks have read too much into that. I also don't like JK Rowling or agree with any of the harmful narrative she feels compelled to expel - HOWEVER I don't think a reference to Harry Potter is the author giving a nod to her or the hidden spoiler showing support to her either. I think it is simply used so the plotline works. I work with books all day - HP is a go to even for people that don't read at all - they will pick it up for a gift, for themselves or read it to someone. My point is I think it is used simply due to its huge popularity - everyone has heard of it even if they have never read it; the author was just trying connect those scenes to the reader. 

I will say I do however agree that the casual fat shaming with the mamma was weird and uncool.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Infertility, Kidnapping, Violence, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Car accident, Addiction, and Death of parent

devonsonnessa's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

I loved this book because it took place in New Jersey and Philadelphia, so I was able to relate a lot and it made me feel like I was really there. This book was really good! The only thing is that the twist was a little odd. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Drug use

Minor: Mental illness, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol

madisonjordan5693's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, and Addiction

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Kidnapping, Car accident, and Infertility

starrfishandcoffee's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Murder, Drug use, and Violence

Moderate: Kidnapping and Dysphoria

kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Death, Murder, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Racism

Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity

valkyriecain82's review against another edition

dark 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Drug use, Murder, and Drug abuse

Minor: Racism

princess_marie's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Addiction, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Car accident, Grief, and Kidnapping

Minor: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Infidelity

wytnie's review against another edition

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

I really liked this book and didn't see one specific part of the ending coming! having the pictures that Teddy drew was a super nice touch and I would definitely read more from this author!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Car accident, Child death, Grief, Infertility, Kidnapping, Death, Stalking, Addiction, Gaslighting, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Murder

mplumm1322's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

A mysterious imaginary friend and advanced pencil drawings detailing a crime. 
A read that kept me pulled in and trying to unravel the mystery. I did not expect the end and I appreciated the story’s continued hold on the supernatural. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Addiction