You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

12 reviews

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.75

Something was missing from this book for me, and I still can't quite put my finger on what it was. The novel covers Ines' whole time at Catherine House, which is 3 years. And that's a lot of  time to fit into a single ~350 page book. Part of my trouble with this may have been the time period. I think focusing on about 1 year at CH would have allowed a deeper connection with the week-to-week experiences of the characters. But I also understand that Ines' journey of finding out what was goin' on at this place would make sense to take several years. I didn't love that we don't
ever get the full backstory of Ines' life before CH
. I guess feeling like Ines kind of didn't care about anyone or anything made me not deeply care about folks either. I think the creepy "What the hell is going on??" feeling is hard to achieve because an author has to give a little and withhold a little. And I think there was too much withholding. I'm still not sure I get the whole plasm deal. So, for me, the end
was really unsatisfying. I am fine with an ambiguous ending, but when the whole book has felt ambiguous, it just feels like more of the same.
I would try this author again, but this one wasn't quite what I was looking for. Like why was Ines there? How did she get away with so much?
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

Actually love laugh love Yaya my absolute queen
Despite how long this took me to finish i did actually rly enjoy it lol
The pacing was good and the characters were good i just have liked a little more tension throughout and more info about the backstory

‘Nothing ever happened at Catherine’

‘I stared into the mirror. Days. I could see them all, all the days, reflecting into each other forever. Mirrors repeating against mirrors.’

‘You see the world sideways, like a stranger.’
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

celery's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

risaleel's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious 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

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

encryptedorchardpest's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

2.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

yaizacanopoli's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

marcostorin's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

5.0

This book was amazing. It hooked me at the beginning with its description of Ines' mental health issues and her academic troubles, that was like getting punched by a reflection. The descriptions are amazing, the vibe is immaculate and the suspense was great. At a few points I wasn't really sure she was going to make it, still don't know if she did at the end, but I choose to think she won. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

debussy's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

coolmombeck's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I can understand why many seem to dislike this book because it's not for everyone. The writing does seem disjointed, and the characters can seem unlikable. I see it as Ines is also disjointed and doesn't seem to be able to like or forgive herself for past mistakes. She believes that hiding at Catherine House and her addiction to sex will heal and help her forget her past. While, at times, the book seemed to drag, it was well written and kept me interested. I would read another book from Elisabeth Thomas, as I enjoyed this one quite a bit. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings