Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Guest in the House by E.M. Carroll

10 reviews

broughtbybrokenminds's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

 No one draws drippy gooey body horror quite like Emily Carroll! The use of pops of color throughout the book as the fantastical seeps into Abby’s everyday life has a mesmerizing effect that draws the reader deep into the story. I loved the suburban gothic vibes that embraced depicting the horror of a mundane existence in equal part with the supernatural horror. Experiencing life through Abby’s perspective as a woman who feels uncomfortable in her own body and like a guest in her own home, fuels the creeping dread that unfolds as her obsession with the ghost of her husband’s first wife grows. This was a fascinating mystery that will leave you questioning what was real and what was imaginary, with gorgeous artwork that will stick with you long after you close the last page.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship

Minor: Suicide and Cancer

flamesocks's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Murder, and Toxic relationship

foxclcves's review

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Gore

Moderate: Dysphoria, Sexual content, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Minor: Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Self harm, Violence, Alcohol, and Gaslighting

violerwolf's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

Gorgeous art style, gorgeous writing, absolutely do not understand the ending and I don’t think I ever will. And I think I have to be okay with that.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Suicide, Sexual content, Murder, Gaslighting, and Death

katizwitchy's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 The art was beautiful and haunting, though I have to say I think I'll have to read it a few more times to really understand the plot. I want to say that the ending was disappointing, but I think I just haven't really digested it yet. Such a compelling ride up until that abrupt stop and wow! I will be thinking about her for a long time. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Gore, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Suicide

ecallahan's review

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Toxic relationship

theabee's review

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Grief

Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, and Suicide

trailmixraisins's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I, like many others, found the ending to be a little confusing, and I had to reread it multiple times. But, as others have also said, the art is beautiful, and it's an amazing vehicle for the storytelling. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Suicide

Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

whatisjordyreading's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gore, and Self harm

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Death

Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy

jamieleepilk's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

"A haunting is like anything else in life. Impossible to prepare for. So it's better not to have expectations." I've been a fan of Emily Carroll for a while ever since reading 'Through the Woods' a few years ago. 'A Guest in the House' is a brand new horror graphic novel that is breathtaking. With some of the most hauntingly beautiful spreads & panels I've seen in a Graphic Novel in ages! 
A Haunted House novel that deals with trauma, loss & loneliness. Emily is very much in a league of her own. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Body horror, Cancer, Death, and Toxic relationship