Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

24 reviews

blandblanket's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Confinement, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Abortion, and Death

Minor: Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Vomit

The book -- as marvelous a read as it is -- does handle a lot of heavy topics that could be too much for some readers. As it deals with topics of classism/racism/colorism/sexism, there are many instances in the book that talk about those topics and the struggles that come with them -- physical, social, and mental. The main character does talk quite a bit in medical terms and performs/assists in medical procedures. There is content re: physical/sexual assault and allusions to it. Though not explicit or detailed, it could be sensitive to some readers just to read/hear references to those sort of events.

xoodlebooks's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Vomit

Minor: Infertility

scribblesandsuch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

This book is incredible. It is so much and everything more. I feel lucky to have read it. It covers graphic and difficult topics, but the plot has so much momentum I was able to move with it. It felt inexplicably real but just enough fantasy for it to be bearable- I don't have the words for what this book means to me in this moment. I think it is a special read that will stay withmee

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Mental illness, Medical content, Hate crime, Domestic abuse, Slavery, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Blood, and Abortion

This contains heavy topics, please take care of yourself as you read it, but if you can, I think it is worth it

therainbowshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this book even though it's more dystopian than I typically enjoy. The world-ship & society are vividly portrayed, & characters are interesting. It's not an easy read, set in a space society where slavery and the subjugation of black people is alive and well. Black people live in terrible conditions in lower decks on the space ship. They are expected to report to work daily in the fields or elsewhere (such as working in the radiation-heavy deck of their small sun), and their lives are closely controlled and monitored by white guards watching their every move and doing nightly headcount to make sure everyone is where they're supposed to be. 
I enjoyed having a neuro-atypical protagonist & LGBTQ+ characters. Aster is a delightful character who spends most of her time thinking in very literal and straight-forward ways. Her strong understanding of medical science isn't her only useful skill, and her way of thinking helps her crack tough codes and to survive. 

Content warnings for suicide, rape, spousal abuse, oppressive abuse, racism, mental illness, loss of a parent, and other topics that may be difficult for some readers.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Sexual violence, Torture, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Slavery

Moderate: Mental illness, Confinement, Sexual content, Ableism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Terminal illness

Loss of a parent, loss of a friend