Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

7 reviews

gen_wolfhailstorm's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Blended reading with this title!

The Details: 
Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Unabridged 

This was heartbreaking. I had to slow down half way through and read a little at a time because it was so upsetting.

The suddenness of how quickly Enchanted was able to go on tour with Korey and how quickly she began to see the cracks in the supposed fairytale was devastating.

This was such a genuinely difficult read, especially knowing how much this happens in the mudlsic industry and how compliant those within it are. Its either they ignore it or are blatantly actively taken advantage of these young people that are supposedly under their wing.

The power dynamic between Korey and Enchanted was messed up from the start, but I find it hard to feel some sort of way about the parents as I feel like they were blindsided just by allowing their daughter to follow her dreams... it just so happened those dreams were within the power of a cruel, predatory man.

The scenes with Enchanted at the mansion were really difficult to read and when she began to doubt her sanity I just near enough broke down because how many times is a young Black girl going to be told she's crazy for speaking up. Simultaneously I was second guessing her reality too, feeling guilty for it, be because of what she was being subject to, what she was being fed (literally and metaphorically).

Tiffany D. Jackson portrayed a dark and deeply upsetting narrative, giving voice to the many young women who have lived this, trusting in the goodness of people and their love, in the act of chasing their dreams. This was a sad perspective, but one I'm glad I have finally read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Pedophilia, Body shaming, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Excrement, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Trafficking, Violence, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Stalking, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Minor: Classism

jaz_gets_literary's review

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Classism, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Excrement, and Addiction

criticalbooks's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Excrement, Misogyny, Violence, Child abuse, Classism, Drug abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Stalking, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Racism, and Toxic relationship

bookybadger's review

dark emotional tense fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking

Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Confinement, Drug use, Excrement, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Racism

Minor: Body shaming and Bullying

leahlovesloslibros's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

When 17-year-old Enchanted Jones auditions for a reality singing show that she hopes will launch her career to stardom, she gets an even bigger surprise: legendary pop star Kory Fields takes an interest in her. Over the coming days and weeks, she is secretly in communication with him, until she finally tricks her mom into taking her into the city and meets up with him again. Korey convinces Enchanted's parents to let her take voice lessons with him, with the promise of her recording an album once she's ready. In the meantime, she goes on tour with him and even performs onstage in front of big crowds. The more time she spends with Korey, the more Enchanted starts to see his dark side. By the time she realizes she wants out, it's too late; she's in too ddep and Korey won't let her go. Then one night the police show up. Korey is dead, and Enchanted is the prime suspect.

This book was dark and beautifully written. As someone who is not an individual of color, I cannot personally relate to Enchanted's racial struggles, but the author (also a woman of color) does a fantastic job of portraying the daily hurdles that Enchanted faces while being the only black girl (other than her sister) in a private school. I felt that I could really understand some of the constant barriers that Enchanted faced as a POC. 

In addition to racial issues, there are huge social issues at the center of this book, specifically misogyny, grooming [of a minor], emotional abuse, physical abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, rape, and more. While they were hard to read about, Jackson depicted the scenes tastefully and without glorifying things. 

Grown is a book that is (unfortunately) so necessary in this time, especially with the #metoo movement. I hurt for Enchanted, but rooted for her the whole way through. Overall, this is a story of strength and empowerment. I will keep talking about this book and encouraging people to read it in the hopes that it will help others to feel empowered as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Body shaming, Cursing, Confinement, and Alcoholism

Minor: Excrement

TW/CW: grooming of a minor

liketrees's review

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

I think this is my favourite of Tiffany Jackson's books so far--a super propulsive read. The flash-forward sections were not that effective for me, but it was helpful to know that we were starting out with some kind of violent crime scene.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Blood

Minor: Excrement and Murder

gm_vak's review

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Stalking, and Toxic relationship