Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O'Neill

9 reviews

noel_k's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

It is a book one must give 4 stars because it is a beautifully grotesque atrocity, reminiscent of Nabokov. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Abortion, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Toxic relationship

navitalks's review

dark inspiring mysterious tense fast-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

This is the best book I’ve read in the last few years. The writing is incredible and the story is never to be expected. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Abortion, Cursing, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic friendship

camrich's review

adventurous dark slow-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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Murder, Sexual violence, Rape, Abortion, Animal death, and Dysphoria

Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug use

s_lorenz's review

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Alcohol, Body shaming, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Abortion, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship

coffeecass's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape

Minor: Suicide and Incest

aellwy's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-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

5.0

This book is a beautifully written macabre

retelling of the The Goblin Market.

The relationship between Marie and Sadie is darkly enmeshed. They ruined the lives of others for their love.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Toxic friendship, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicide, Rape, Sexual content, Self harm, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal cruelty

lindseyhall44's review

dark slow-paced

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

4.5

When we lost our heads is a story of love, obsession, desire, and class, as Marie Antoine and Sadie Arnet’s passionate relationship changes the fate of 19th century Montreal.
For fans of feminine rage novels with strong characters, I would highly highly recommend When We Lost Our Heads

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Abortion, Abandonment, Rape, Suicide, Grief, Violence, and Self harm

Moderate: Bullying

smallestcat's review

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Abortion, Rape, Murder, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Minor: Abandonment, Suicide, Classism, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, and Colonisation

oliviasbookshop's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

So glad I got to read this novel ahead of its release in February 2022! It is classic O’Neill — filled with unexpected metaphors, magic realism, and unique phrasing you won’t find in any other novel. I enjoyed the historical setting, which is unlike any of her previous works. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic relationship