Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Pomegranate

Overall, I liked the story that was told, it was really interesting to learn about ranita and her life up until the point. I did think that the 'big reveal' was underwhelming or we were missing it

her dancing in the garden, during the rain, in the middle of the night? What was the big deal? I felt like we were missing a scene there

Sometimes the writing was a bit much, hard to get through, being overly descriptive/wordy, but then it went away

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jenisreading's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

This book gets deep inside your head, makes you question what you thought you knew about prison, parenting, addiction, therapy. Ranita’s character is so well-developed; she is deliberate, insightful, and navigates her trauma with such grace. The writing is beautiful, and the timelines are cultivated meticulously. The metaphorical pomegranate is perfect for this complex character and story. Beware: trigger warnings galore here.

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krich's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

Helen Elaine Lee has written some of the best sentences, worth savoring and reading aloud. We walk through fire with Ranita, and every step is worth it. Every experience is handled with care. We also dance through a night garden, and climb into the arms of trees and freedom. There is such hope and such love in this book, why did I not read it sooner?

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schnurln's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

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alibookedup's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow...I was stunned by this novel. The synopsis grabbed me from the beginning, but I definitely can say I was blown out of the water. The writing is so mesmerizing and descriptive and poetic. Reading this felt like I was literally watching someone paint each individual brush stroke of Ranita's life that would undoubtedly come together into a painting of a magnificent, bleeding pomegranate. More so, the topics that this book covered were so tragic and hopeful and heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. It truly takes you on her highs and lows of successes and failures much like the everyday high and lows of someone struggling with addiction. Watching Ranita fight with her past, present, and future while facing society's injustices against being a black, queer woman and addict is truly a sight to behold. This book did a beautiful job of getting you inside her head and almost tangibly understanding what addiction and prison really is. Watching her also fight to better herself for her children and love was remarkable. It's a super tough story to read, but one that brings such important light to living with addictions, trauma, racial injustices, and the repercussions of choice.

Please note the trigger warnings posted!
(Addiction, alcoholism, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, sexual assault, rape, drug use, drug abuse, sexual content, death of parent, child abuse, confinement, racism)

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

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