Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

75 reviews

liliakwolf's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative 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

3.25

I think that Black Water Sister was very well written and I found the plot interesting. I loved the way that Malaysian culture was told in this book and felt that I learned a lot as someone who has very little experience with Malaysian culture, and all of the other cultures inside of it. I thought that this book also addressed generational curses and trauma very well and it felt very realistic, though it is a light-fantasy book. I would have given this book a higher rating, as I felt it hit all things well logically, it's just that for the majority of the book I wasn't super invested in the plot. That isn't to say that I didn't connect with the characters, I just wasn't super intrigued to find out what happened next, so it fell a bit flat there for me. I think that someone else could definitely find it more interesting in that regard though! There is a bit of heavy stuff in this book, so I recommend looking at the trigger warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Murder

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, and Death of parent

malimaan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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 was such a beautiful read.

The way it touched upon generational trauma and abuse and your relationship with your family. The ghosts and possession were a great medium to tell this story through and I loved reading about a culture that isn't as represented in modern media. 

It was amazing to read about how Jess finds her voice after years of trying to be perfect. The book explores her queer identity and her diasporan identity in such a great way.

The only thing I felt was a bit of a drawback, was that Jess' parents felt a bit flat, especially because they play a big part in her identity. They just felt like they were lacking something.

I really recommend reading this book! And I can't wait to read more by this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Blood

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism

anxiousnachos's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I recently did a video on TikTok about messed up 20 somethings who have no idea what they’re doing. Well this is that, but make it ✨fantasy✨

This is a fast-paced, deep dive into Malaysian culture and family history when Jess starts being haunted by her grandma. The family dynamics in this were so complex. Jess is both a closeted lesbian and a member of the diaspora, having grown up in the US, and this colours her relationships with the ghost of her grandmother and her living family.

We also get ghosts beating up shitty men, a controlling ghostly grandmother, and a chance to explore the world of Malaysian gods. A wonderful read!

Content warnings: possession, ghosts, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, assault, violence, strangulation, homophobia, racism, graphic attempted rape scene (page 322-324), rape (past, mentions)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

asphodelashes's review against another edition

emotional tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia

Minor: Xenophobia

rachelreadsrelentlessly's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia

Minor: Death and Outing

aardwyrm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

I burned through this one in a day. The characters are endearing in their messy ridiculousness, the plot rockets along, and it's one of those books where the setting is a character, full of life and brightness.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Outing

lucystolethesky's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny mysterious tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness

kimichai's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

starccato's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and Grief

Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism, Vomit, and Religious bigotry