Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

4 reviews

elspethmigliore's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

i really enjoyed this! i’ve read this book around 5 times now because it’s so unique and interesting, and it never fails to impress me. like i was actually obsessed with this book 4 years ago. i will say that the most recent time i’ve read it, i found it to be very difficult to get through and kind of boring, but i think that’s because i know the story so well. 

all of the characters are hilarious and unique and i very much appreciate monty’s growth. i’m excited to finally read the rest of their stories. 

definitely reread material ✅

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Chronic illness, Medical content, Gore, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Blood, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Child abuse and Slavery

Minor: Abandonment and Panic attacks/disorders

elleandon's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Ableism, Abandonment, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Outing, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Vomit, and Racism

aplatt's review

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is fun and full of potential, but I can’t help but take issue with the way it discusses racial issues. In taking place in several European countries in the 1700s, the book quickly stumbles into the conversation of race as one of the main characters is black. I think there were about a million other ways the racism in this era could have been exemplified better without the use of racial slurs and yet the author felt she must resort to it. 

Some might argue that it’s historically accurate, but seeing as it’s a historical fiction novel about three upper class/high society British citizens who manage to make their way across the European continent with no money and no worldly experience outside of the boarding schools and palaces they grew up in, it think the author could have taken the liberty to not use this language. 

Furthermore, I loved the main relationship at first, and I still find it adorable, but I can’t bring myself not to dwell on how toxic it is. Though the story ends in a vow to be better, the mental health of one of the main character does not allow him to be a good partner and it is to the detriment of his better half who stupidly forgives him time and time again. 

Overall, the story is cute and full of ridiculous adventure if you’re able to look past it’s screaming faults. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Ableism

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Homophobia

Minor: Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders

clairestream's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Medical content, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Slavery