Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez

7 reviews

thekristinashow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is the second book I’ve read in my lifetime (so far) that has absolutely broken my heart into a bazillion pieces. 

I decided to read Out of Darkness as my February pick focused on reading 12 banned books this year, and I’m literally sitting here sobbing and speechless. 

This book is set in the 1930s in East Texas, and the storyline grapples with a lot of deep topics: racism, forbidden love, sexual abuse, physical abuse, school explosion, and more. 

I was completely enamored by the more lovable main characters - Wash, Naomi, Cari, Beto, and the nice supporting characters. But if you’re looking for a warm and fuzzy story, this ain’t it. 

However, if you’re looking for a powerful, layered story that sheds a light on some deep topics - this is it. Just grab your tissue box too. 

TW: all the trigger warnings…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Physical abuse, Rape, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Death, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Racism, and Sexual violence

mslaureeslibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Alcohol, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Torture, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

rhiannon814r's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Classism, Death, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Rape, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Sexism, Alcohol, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Abandonment

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Animal cruelty

craftyanty's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This book is dark and emotional, not a light read.  The school explosion was a small, gruesome part of the story which brings on the climax. Instead, it focuses on many different social issues as they would've displayed in the 1930s Texas and includes LOTS of triggers.  At times, events seemed like they didn't quite fit in the same story, but it was compelling enough to keep me listening. The author's note helped make the parts that seemed unrealistic more understandable. 

I feel like I'm all over the place with this book...
It's not quite 4-star read for me but 3 stars don't feel like enough either.  Part of me feels like the author chose the perfect title for this book, while another part of me feels like that title offers too much hope. Readers will understand. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Miscarriage

Moderate: Sexual violence, Bullying, Violence, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Death of parent

schausjk's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

I read this book for Banned Books Week because it was the #4 most challenged book of 2021. The book itself tackles a lot of tough issues, but who picks up a book about a school explosion expecting it to be light? That being said, the author did a good job of mixing in moments of joy amidst the characters' terrible situations. The pacing itself was too slow for me, and I did put this book down for an extended period of time because of that, but now that I've finished it I do think that elements of this story really are going to stick with me going forward.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Racism, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Hate crime, and Child abuse

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Murder, Child death, Classism, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcoholism

Minor: Torture, Animal cruelty, Blood, Fatphobia, and Misogyny

A school explodes due to a gas leak

lauren_rebecca's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Violence, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Child death, Bullying, and Death of parent

greeneyedrobin's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Violence, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Cursing, Bullying, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Sexual content