Reviews tagging 'Trafficking'

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

77 reviews

finleyworm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Self harm, Blood, Alcoholism, Addiction, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Mental illness

Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Bullying, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Self harm, and Trafficking

Minor: Car accident

lauryn_04's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Death, Medical content, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Self harm, Suicide, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Sexual content, Violence, and Bullying

deilas_journal's review against another edition

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking

bookswithlauren's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Determining an overall rating for this book was difficult as I am conflicted. On one hand, taboo topics such as self harm should definitely be explored and represented more in literature but on the other hand, it needs to be handled with accuracy and care because of the potential impact on readers.

There were things I liked about this book and things I did not like. Firstly, as much as I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone, I am glad the author is writing from personal experience. There is nothing worse that false representation, stereotypes and under researching when is comes to mental health representation within literature. The personal experience of the author made the incredibly important representation and experiences explored in the book real and accurate. However, despite the authors real life experience I don't think the topic was handled with the delicate nature it should have been. I do not think we should sugar coat mental health by any means but I also think the graphic descriptions of self harm throughout this book were unnecessary and extremely triggering. There were many points during the book when I question why the particular content I was reading was included. Paragraphs detailing different types of self harm, different mechanisms of injury and different implements to use in order to self harm were just completely unnecessary to raise awareness. Some ailments of the book read as a how to and I cannot comprehend why the author would include such things know how damaging it could be for those reading.

I also think there were too many main plotlines happening within the book that were never fully explored and it took hold of the main focus rather than it being on the main characters journey and experience during her recovery. The toxic relationship between the 17 year old main character and a 27 year old side character added nothing to the plotline other than yet another trauma and experience of manipulation and exploitation for our main character.  Focusing and really exploring just a couple of trauma's rather than all of them could really have improved the plotline and kept the focus on raising awareness about self harm, mental health and recovery.

There are not many books out there that approach the topic of self harm and that needs to change. I appreciate the representation and the awareness. However, I would be hesitant to recommend this book to anyone (especially anyone vulnerable or with personal experience with self harm) due to how graphic and triggering it is.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Rape, Self harm, Gaslighting, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

carley_vial24's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Self harm

Moderate: Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use

johannslauren15's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

I think this book really hooked me in the beginning, how the author could write so beautifully and intricately about the issues Charlie is dealing with. Also I think reading about a "mental institution" to help her and other women through their issues is super unique and fascinating. (I've never read something about this, cool to see how they coupe and deal with past trauma).

though I think past the 100 pg. mark it goes downhill and I got lost, confused, and bored/uninterested. I'm not just saying this because she has to live a "normal life" and fight against her addiction it just felt like a whole lotta nothing was happening and she was just suppose to wrestle with her own internal demons on her own. I think the author could have written this section still being interesting even with the temptation, thoughts, art, work, and her relationship with Riley. Maybe just my opinion though. Even how it ended pretty abruptly and felt something missing especially from Ellis, if you know then you know! ;-) (updated reviews part: I forgot to mention but honestly f*** Mikey like he can go suck a d*** or something. I'm sorry but this man barely did anything for her while also continuing to bring up Ellis and her past to trigger her more and distract her! Like wtf what kind of "friend" does that and runs away to play for his band then to get married while all he say to her is if she's going to be alright? I'm not just saying this so he will stop his lifd for her and not live. But still like what, excuse me but that's not a real friend. The fact, that in her past he doesn't sufficiently help her and she eventually will buy drugs for them is sold to be trafficked or whatever. Then he just tell her to be ok with this!!! =_=🙄 I like Evan better at the end at least he makes some progress, isn't a total dusch and is owning up to his problems not pretending to be perfect. If I had to give Charlie any advice it would to keep up with Evan and stay around Blue. Did anyone else got weird creepy vibes from Ariel? Ok it was just me, got it! 👍

still very convicting and helps to understand the issues and problems many people face. Please check trigger warnings and be prepared for some darkness. But very much love overall.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking

izypup's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, and Trafficking

Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Eating disorder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury

vanessacastillo's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

4.0

This book covers such dark and triggering topics so if you choose to read this book be very mindful of that. Other than that I feel like the author captured the darkness of mental health really well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Addiction, Car accident, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

meril's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

writingcaia's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

The title says it all. A girl torn inside and out, and the tortuous way to putting her pieces back together.
This a highly triggering book for any bad feelings, grief, depression, anxiety, body shame, sexual violence, abuse, emotional abuse, violence, substance abuse, it’s just hard like that.
It is also a testament to suffering and fighting to fix yourself, at least not to give up. 
It is also a nod to those who self harm, you are not alone, you can do it and stop, and be better.
I like the way the narrative flows along with Charlie’s progress, from the bowels of suicide attempt and major grief and trauma, to believing she can overcome it, then to knowing she’s failing and being unable to stop, until realising it is all part of life, and some do have less luck on the coin toss that is family and circumstances.
In the end it is a hopeful story. A story that truly shines light into dark places.
A hard ride but worth it. Enveloping writing that just flows inside.
Definitely will read more from the author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Violence

Moderate: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Body shaming, Confinement, Drug use, Medical content, and Sexual assault

Minor: Death of parent and Suicide

PTSD