Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore

5 reviews

merlesstorys's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense slow-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

4.75

My first introduction to a genderqueer person outside of the Hollywood biz as I don’t know one irl (at least as I know of) and it was really good.

I liked the writing style of Steven Salvatore as their depiction of queer youth today resonates with stuff I’ve experienced so far and they take a deep look at the feelings of their main character, Carey as well as the ones of their friends. 

Which brings me to the characters in this book and I honestly love them all so much, it’s indescribable. Carey with their love for music and musicals, Cris with his unbelievable Charme, Monroe with her amazing fashion taste, Joey just for being a good ally, and Phoebe with -again- her love for musicals. They all get their peaks throughout the book and that is just amazing - and the most important thing in “Can’t take that away” is the friendship, not the ‘boo-friend’… I love it.

Next to the starting situation: it’s such a good idea, to show the main character in their natural habitat aka music/als with their ambition to become Elphaba, and just as well as her, defy gravity. Pun very much intended. 

The only critic I have is that the ending is a bit too much for me. (Not the actual ending, but what happens after Carey and Cris are reunited. I don’t want to spoil more) 
This small section means unfortunately a quarter star down from five stars, but that’s literally the only thing I didn’t like.

Also, can we please talk about the hardcover artwork? It’s insanely gorgeous (please insert the Gaga meme here about being amazing etc. :D)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Dementia, Biphobia, Physical abuse, and Sexism

misssleepless's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Dementia, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Transphobia, and Vomit

thefightinside's review

challenging emotional inspiring medium-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

4.25

This book is very inspiring to young LGBT+ people who feel pushed down. The ending is--to me--a bit too-good-to-be-true, but the ending works well for the story's sake. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia

Moderate: Sexism

thereadersofrohan's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring 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: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia

Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Racial slurs, and Racism

imstephtacular's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Hate crime

Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing

Minor: Death