Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

L'ospite by Emma Cline

42 reviews

padancer's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

One star because I pity Jack and half a star for trying
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

seizuredreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

And you know what? I was tired of her bullshit too. When I say that FL made dubious decisions, reverse it back to me then double down? Yea that’s her. Like Alex was insane for that. I kept saying to myself…often. Not in an enjoyable kekeke moment either.  She makes her own luck then topples it all down. Go figure. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mai99's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.75

Das Ende ist sehr unbefriedigend. Und dadurch wird das Buch in seiner Gänze irgendwie gut, es zeigt den kontinuierlichen Kampf ums überleben und wie kleine Gewinne im Leben für den nächsten Tag eine Realität sind, die Alex lebt. Langfristige Lebensplanung und große Ziele gibt es nicht, kann es gar nicht geben. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

fatfrog's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

izzy_v's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The book was fine in terms of writing and being easy to read quickly, but the whole story felt pretty pointless. The ending didn’t clear anything up and it was confusing why anything happened, there was no resolution (not in a thought-provoking way, just an unsatisfying way).  Nothing redeeming, just shitty situation after shitty situation. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sailorluna's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ashlynregan's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Things happened but nothing changed. This was more of a character study than a novel tbh.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kenrya's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

gladosisreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book had a great premise and brilliant opening 100 pages, but after a while started to feel a little episodic and repetitive. The main character is wonderfully dislikable, but there is little to keep you gripped over the full 300 pages. Still a fun, tense read that's perfect for the beach or train. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

streberkatze's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book works the same way as a train wreck: Unpleasant, but you can't look away. Not a single likeable character to be found, and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the entire time. But it didn't, and that made the ending really underwhelming, unfortunately, as others have noted. The book would have benefitted from a more high-impact ending, as it really feels like this is what it's building toward. I highly recommend the audio version. It gets across the claustrophobic and uncomfortable atmosphere incredibly well.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings