Reviews tagging 'Dementia'

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

5 reviews

sariereads's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Murder, Grief, and Mental illness

Moderate: Drug abuse

Minor: Dementia

mprinton's review

4.5

I really loved Ace of Spades, so I was so excited to pick this one up, and it did not disappoint. Àbíké-Íyímídé is so, so good at creating this kind of suspenseful story and plot with intricate characters and, always, an incredible plot twist.

I do think that I'm getting a bit tired (after only two books) of the reveal that everyone is a bad guy, and there's a secret society of evil people at work behind the scenes. I think that obviously these groups are stand-ins and metaphors for the very real system of racism (in the case of Ace of Spades) and patriarchy/misogyny (in the case of Where Sleeping Girls Lie), but it makes for a less interesting story if the author chooses to repeat the same structure with each followup novel.

That said, I will continue to read Àbíké-Íyímídé's books; she is an incredible writer, and her stories are so poignant, topical, and necessary. She tackles difficult subjects with each of her books, and she does so with care and mastery. An instant-read author for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Rape

Moderate: Addiction and Drug use

Minor: Animal death and Dementia

ghostlyprince's review

dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, and Rape

Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, Stalking, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Confinement, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Classism, Drug use, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Animal death, and Physical abuse

There's a scene where a pet hamster needs to go the hospital but it ends up fine

lausiusplau's review

dark hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Addiction, Bullying, Suicide, Death, Dementia, Gaslighting, Child death, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

zarap's review

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I was excited to read this book having enjoyed Ace of Spades, and while it could be recency bias, I enjoyed this one even more. Other reviewers who felt the book could've been shorter are right, but I was so invested I simply did not care. It took place in a vipers' nest, and it's not always clear who's the most venomous. The characters are going through messy shit and dealing with it in messy ways, and it worked so well for me. I appreciated the ending, though

since I already tend to like messy mystery endings that don't get tied up in a neat bow (when done well),

I can see why it might not work for everyone. Some of the characters felt underdeveloped to me and I felt the balance of hints and twists could've been better, which is why it's not a full five stars for me, but if Àbíké-Íyímídé keeps getting better from here, I'm sure she'll hit five stars for me before too long. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment

Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicide, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Dementia and Addiction