Reviews

A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa Sheinmel

marikaaaa's review against another edition

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

2.25

maayan03's review against another edition

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4.0

Takes a wonderful turn that is super unexpected and really makes you think as you read through the eyes of an unreliable narrator.

quefelicia's review

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2.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Gold starts as a typical unreliable narrator. She is institutionalized for reasons that are revealed in time, but one thing is clear from the beginning -- Hannah is considered "a danger to herself and others." She is kept isolated, not even leaving her room to use the bathroom. And then Hannah is assigned a roommate, Lucy, and she is determined to form a friendship that will prove to the doctors that she isn't mentally ill. Hannah believes that whatever event lead her to the institution was an accident and a misunderstanding, and she should be released.

I wanted to love this book, but it just didn't do it for me. I felt like pieces of Hannah's psychosis were revealed in the writing, but it was done in a way that made me think, "was that intentional or is the writing just repetitive?" I felt that the book didn't reach it's potential as an unreliable narrator story, nor did it take a deep enough look at a patient and her family coming to terms with her diagnosis. That said, this book will certainly have readers that love it, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to students.

wyrnn's review

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4.0

It was a really strange read.
The characters were interesting. So was the plot.
I liked that the didn't give everything away at the beginning.

iluvbooks18's review

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

4.25

This book was really good. Loved the unreliable narrator. 

emskidua's review

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5.0

I REALLY enjoyed this!!! I listened to it on audiobook and definitely am going to purchase a copy! A psychology centered book which in all about, very enjoyable and kept my attention the whole way through! And a book I can see myself recommending!

kaleighmadden's review

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dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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ameserole's review

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4.0

I loved the audio version of this!

A Danger to Herself and Others was so freaking good! No idea why I never dove into it before but maybe I was just scared? Again, no idea. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters throughout this book. They were all likable even and somewhat relatable.

For example, you will meet Hannah. She was a whirlwind throughout the entire book and definitely had be guessing everything in each chapter. There was so much happening in this book and it was highly entertaining and interesting.

Now this book had it's ups and downs. Whether it was Hannah's parents or what was actually happening at this institution. Some of the doctors were okay but others I just couldn't trust them. Hands down, this book was good.

jelowo's review against another edition

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

3.5

shaybe90's review

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challenging dark emotional 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

4.5