revived_reading's Reviews (128)

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Hallie Rubenhold

5.0

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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The way Hallie Rubenhold writes, you can feel every single emotion she tries to convey. From dread to a bit of hope to powerless. 

This book opens your eyes not only to the lives of these 5 women, but to the lives of many, many women in the Victorian era. 

Hallie Rubenhold truly gave back these women their stories and their lives. She gave them the respect they were never given. She gave them justice. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Bessel van der Kolk

5.0

emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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As a psychology major, this books is a wonderful read. It’s chock full of information on trauma, from the neuroscience and history of trauma research to just a few of the many treatments of trauma. Dr. van der Kolk dedicated his career to trauma research and really put care into writing this book to share this information that, unless you were to read academic journals, is not readily available to the general public or trauma victims. 

After taking the months to read this book (seeing as the content is very heavy and there is a lot of material), I learned so much. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Car accident

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping

This has very triggering content, seeing as this book discusses trauma. To put the research of this book into perspective, Dr. van der Kolk tells the stories of some of his patients. None of which is pretty, but it has its impact and use within the book.

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

Holly Black

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Learning about Cardan’s past really lifts the Folk of the Air trilogy. Not to mention, I loved how it contained things beyond Queen of Nothing. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Violence

Minor: Sexual content

The Queen of Nothing

Holly Black

4.75

adventurous emotional funny 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: Complicated

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I absolutely adore the ending to this trilogy!! Holly Black truly outdid herself. This has become one of my top favorites! 
As with the others, it’s a 5 star book, aside from some odd phrasings here and there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Alcohol, War

Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy

The Wicked King

Holly Black

4.75

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Absolutely loved this book! However, as with book 1, the only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because I felt some of the wording was a bit odd. Otherwise, another amazing read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Sexual content, Torture

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Death of parent

The Cruel Prince

Holly Black

4.75

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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There were some times in the story where I was quite confused with the wording, which is the only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars. Overall, it made me squeal and scream and want to hurl my book at a wall. That’s when I know it’s a good book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Incest, Self harm

The Dark Days Deceit

Alison Goodman

3.5

adventurous dark emotional 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: No

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This book was great, however I felt that the ending was quite abrupt. There was an unexpected plot twist that I felt came seemingly out of nowhere. It didn’t quite make sense. 

The Dark Days Pact

Alison Goodman

4.75

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The Dark Days Club

Alison Goodman

4.75

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I absolutely adored the effort that Alison Goodman put into the historical accuracy! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Death of parent

Eliza and Her Monsters

Francesca Zappia

4.5

inspiring lighthearted 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: Complicated

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So technically, I rate this book 4.5 stars. Spoilers ahead so be warned! My only complaint is how the reveal came to everyone around her that Eliza wrote the comic. It was a bit… sudden, in my opinion and that made the rest of the book feel a bit odd. Particularly the final 2-3 chapters. Otherwise, this book was absolutely phenomenal. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts