Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

136 reviews

nataliaah's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Stalking, and Death

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, and Self harm

kelisabeth's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, Stalking, Murder, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Animal death, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Incest, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

4.5

Super enjoyed this one. I didn't expect the twist like at all, but I'm also garbage at trying to figure out mysteries. Mariana is a good unreliable narrator, and l liked seeing her growth by the end. The ending did feel a little rushed and not entirely tied up, but I liked the reveal of who the letter/journal writer was. I feel bad for all the girls in the book who are victims of death and manipulation. 
There are some heavy topics within so def check out content warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Alcohol, Body horror, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Rape, and Toxic relationship

caroline_mclaughlin's review

dark reflective tense fast-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? Yes

2.5

Disappointing and flat throughout. Way too many irrelevant characters who all have the same personality traits and are indistinguishable from one another. Literally every single character has daddy issues in the sense that they’re “gone”, which appears as both a major theme and the root of everyone’s issues. I’m shocked I was able to guess the ending though so early on, especially because the whole book seems built on pointless red herrings that make it clear something else is going on, but obfuscate all of the details to the point where it’s impossible to actually get a clear picture to try to come to the correct conclusion as a reader.

This is also why I’m annoyed with the specific use of premonition in the letter. Way too intentional especially when Fred is revealed to be following them, but has no payoff or purpose.

Also don’t even get me started on how the women are written and the stalker men. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Stalking, and Death of parent

amandacav's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

1.5

So disappointing. Overwrought, pummel you over the head metaphors, unnecessary characters and too many red herrings, too obvious foreshadowing, oblivious characters, flat out expository conclusions to the highest tension moments, disconnected plot points from the conclusion, so many loose threads.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Death of parent, Grief, Pedophilia, Self harm, Gaslighting, and Infidelity

snowyshoes's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

the book revolves around a therapist and recent widow who is investigating a string of murders on the campus of her niece. the book takes a bit to pick up, but once it does it is very interesting. the language can be a bit flowery and sometimes feels as though the author is trying to fill empty space, but that is easily excusable as the inner monolgue of a highly educated narrator/protagonist. the story is woven together well and is one of the few mystery/suspense/horror books where I could not guess the ending

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood

Moderate: Pedophilia, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Animal death, Child abuse, and Death

I mean, it's a book about murders. there are graphic and gory details.

the dead husband of the main character was involved in an incestious and pedophilic relationship with the niece

rachelannereading's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

2.0

This book is dark, check trigger warnings. It was poorly written with a story that was interesting but not well executed. The ending is extremely unsatisfying.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Self harm, Animal death, and Pedophilia

amelodyrose's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Self harm, Murder, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia

Minor: Emotional abuse and Drug use

ktbug711's review

dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Self harm, Stalking, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Animal death and Adult/minor relationship

cfoley's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Rape, Grief, Blood, Animal death, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Stalking, Death of parent, Pedophilia, and Mental illness

Minor: Suicide attempt and Self harm