Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Vita Nostra by Sergey Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko

8 reviews

aisteb12's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, and Suicide attempt

themis_biblos's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Just like Sasha's field of study, there is no sufficient way to describe this book. Like a dream it only makes sense while you're immersed; once you close the book and wake up, what just made sense two seconds ago becomes weird and somewhat eerie. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Alcohol

Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt

maur_damar's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content

thesawyerbean's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective slow-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

4.75

How do I even begin to describe this book? I am sitting here trying to digest what I just read, awe-struck, troubled, befuddled.

This was more an experience than a book - you were drip-fed the tiniest morsels of information, learning as much as the protagonist Sasha did at each moment, never being explicitly explained the concepts and yet finding yourself enthralled and cognisant within them later on. You grasp and plead for meaning concurrently with Sasha, and unfurl another dimension of complexity yearning to be discovered.

This book was brimming with magic, dark fantasy, science, philosophy and metaphysical themes. I do not think I am intellectual enough to actually fully understand this novel, but it was certainly a delight to try. In parts I was very confused and had to reread whole sections, but honestly it kind of added to the atmosphere. Fans of dark academia like me would appreciate this read.

There are words that are simply trash, refuse, they turn into nothing immediately after they are spoken. Others throw shadows, hideous and pathetic, and sometimes gorgeous and powerful, capable of saving a dying soul.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

naomi_k's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual content, and Alcohol

inquoate's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse

fireside_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Vomit

Minor: Abortion and Alcohol

sarah984's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It feels like you are going through Sasha’s metamorphosis alongside her. I feel like this must have been a beast to translate, considering how much of it is about language and very abstract concepts. Still, overall it was clear and evocative but emotional. Unlike many others here, I loved the ending. 

I docked a star because some of the sexual violence/coercion early in the book felt really unnecessary (with Lisa most of all, but the part where Sasha basically has to lose her virginity for homework too). If you can stomach that though, and you're interested in a strange cerebral story about a person growing beyond her limit, you might enjoy this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Ableism, Drug use, Fatphobia, Rape, Trafficking, and Abortion