Tag Archives: Sexual Assault

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny. But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Ableism & internalised ableism
  • Sexual harassment & sexual assault mentioned
  • Alcohol consumption & abuse
  • Drug use (smoking)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety, panic attacks & nightmares
  • Amputation (protagonist is missing her finger)
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Torture recounted
  • Car accident recounted
  • Drowning & attempted drowning
  • Flood recounted
  • Animal death mentioned

*Context : A secondary character is kissed without consent and has plans to kidnap and hold her captive.

They Called Us Exceptional by Prachi Gupta

An Indian American daughter reveals how the dangerous model minority myth fractured her family in this searing, brave memoir.

How do we understand ourselves when the story about who we are supposed to be is stronger than our sense of self? What do we stand to gain — and lose — by taking control of our narrative? These questions propel Prachi Gupta’s heartfelt memoir and can feel particularly fraught for immigrants and their children who live under immense pressure to belong in America… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Sexual assault
  • Domestic abuse
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation

After That Night by Karin Slaughter

Fifteen years ago, Sara Linton’s life changed forever when a celebratory night out ended in a violent attack that tore her world apart. Since then, Sara has remade her life. A successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves, she has finally managed to leave the past behind her.

Until one evening, on call in the ER, everything changes. Sara battles to save a broken young woman who’s been brutally attacked. But as the investigation progresses, led by GBI Special Agent Will Trent, it becomes clear that Dani Cooper’s assault is uncannily linked to Sara’s… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Graphic rape & sexual assault
  • Domestic abuse
  • Suicide
  • Drugging
  • Physical & psychological torture
  • Stalking
  • Animal cruelty mentioned

Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, there is secret spice magic that awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. Sixteen-year-old Imani has the affinity for iron and is able to wield a dagger like no other warrior. She has garnered the reputation as being the next great Shield for battling djinn, ghouls, and other monsters spreading across the sands.

Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother, who tarnished the family name after it was revealed that he was stealing his nation’s coveted spice–a telltale sign of magical obsession… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Attempted sexual assault
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Murder
  • Torture
  • Disappearance of a sibling
  • Poverty
  • Animal death

People to Follow by Olivia Worley

Welcome to “In Real Life,” the hot new reality show that forces social media’s reigning kings and queens to unplug for three weeks and “go live” without any filters. IRL is supposed to be the opportunity of a lifetime, watched closely by legions of loyal followers. But for these rising stars–including Elody, an Instagram model with an impulsive streak; Kira, a child star turned fitness influencer; Logan, a disgraced TikTok celeb with a secret; and Max, a YouTuber famous for exposés on his fellow creators—it’s about to turn into a nightmare… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Sexual assault recounted, off-page
  • Anaphylactic allergic reaction
  • Murder
  • Bullying

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

Flor has a gift: she can predict, to the day, when someone will die. So when she decides she wants a living wake–a party to bring her family and community together to celebrate the long life she’s led–her sisters are surprised. Has Flor forseen her own death, or someone else’s? Does she have other motives? She refuses to tell her sisters, Matilde, Pastora, and Camila.

But Flor isn’t the only person with secrets. Matilde has tried for decades to cover the extent of her husband’s infidelity, but she must now confront the true state of her marriage… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Infertility
  • Attempted sexual assault
  • Miscarriage

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Geeta’s no-good husband disappeared five years ago. She didn’t kill him, but everyone thinks she did–no matter how much she protests.

But she soon discovers that being known as a “self-made” widow has some surprising perks. No one messes with her, no one threatens her, and no one tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It’s even been good for her business; no one wants to risk getting on her bad side by not buying her jewelry… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Misogyny
  • Classism
  • Fatmisia & body-shaming
  • Rape & attempted rape
  • Sexual assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Alcoholism
  • Murder of a husband
  • Acid attacks mentioned

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

Daisy sees dead people—something impossible to forget in bustling, ghost-packed Toronto. She usually manages to deal with her unwanted ability, but she’s completely unprepared to be dumped by her boyfriend. So when her mother inherits a secluded mansion in northern Ontario where she spent her childhood summers, Daisy jumps at the chance to escape. But the house is nothing like Daisy expects, and she begins to realize that her experience with the supernatural might be no match for her mother’s secrets, nor what lurks within these walls… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism mentioned
  • Fatmisia & body shaming discussed
  • Sexual assault of a child recounted
  • Grooming
  • Physical child abuse & neglect recounted including confinement, off-page
  • Suicide mentioned, off-page
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Teen pregnancy mentioned
  • Body horror
  • Loss of autonomy (possession)
  • Animal attack (birds)
  • Animal death (goat), off-page

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.

When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene’s temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge–on the young woman. Punished for Poseidon’s actions, Medusa is forever transformed… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Rape
  • Sexual assault
  • Infidelity
  • Murder

Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Tegan Sheffield’s annual end-of-summer beach party is the only way to start their senior year. At least that’s what Jake Healy tells his girlfriend Jessica Sanchez.

But when a video prank from the party goes viral and a body is discovered at the beach, Jake and Jessica find themselves at the centre of a national media storm and a police investigation.

It’s a race to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Date rape
  • Sexual assault
  • Revenge pornography of a minor
  • Abusive relationship
  • Toxic friendship
  • Panic attack
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Drug use mentioned
  • Physical injury (minor)
  • Emesis mentioned
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Disappearance (theme)
  • Physical assault