Reviews tagging 'Incest'

Deerskin by Robin McKinley

47 reviews

sigynmoon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a beautiful book. Absolutely stunning. It is deep and emotional and portrays trauma with a deep understanding. This was a truly empowering and healing story to read, rendering you raw and then comforting you afterwards. I also deeply appreciate the portrayal of friendship between people and animals and how these relationships were taken completely seriously and never came second. All in all, this book is instantly held as a favourite. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, Death of parent, and Incest

Hunting scenes are sometimes described in detail, especially one in particular, hence the graphic animal death. It is mentioned that a dog died after giving birth.

Ash is viciously attacked in a way that can be disturbing and is written brutally but survives. Ash almost dies again later in the book but again survives. All main dogs, including the litter of puppies, survive and live happy lives.

Whilst the rape is on page, it is not described. However, the wounds and pain that is described are still disturbing and the book focuses heavily on the trauma. I would say the miscarriage is the same. The death of the protagonist's mother hangs over the story and follows her quite consistently, however it is unclear if the protagonist mourns her.

athousandwinds's review

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Incest

Very slow fairytale retelling about recovery from incestuous rape. Dreamlike in tone.

whisper88's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Incest, and Blood

attolis's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Rape

ashleyjapan's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Incest, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma

Minor: Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Miscarriage

belovedsnail's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A dark retelling of Donkeyskin. Powerful, upsetting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Incest, and Miscarriage

andressa's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

I honestly loved this book. I was rooting for Lissar and Ash so hard, and I was so invested in their well-being that I cried several times. Lissar's journey of healing from her trauma isn't over by the time we reach the end of the book, but we know her ending is happy because she chooses to pursue her own happiness, however long that takes and whatever it looks like. This book is hopeful in a way that's so realistic and wonderful. 

Heed trigger warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Incest, and Sexual violence

maria_s's review against another edition

challenging dark tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Animal cruelty

Minor: Animal death and Death of parent

the_one_krissy's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I'm an emotional rater, and this little re-imagining of the Donkeyskin fairytale was an instant 5-star read for me. Anything that hits me in the feels like this is 5 stars automatically, no questions asked, no explanations given.

As you should know if you're familiar with the fairytale, it deals with extremely heavy, traumatising and painful themes like rape and incest, but I think it handles those respectfully, and overall the book has an atmospheric, almost dreamlike quality to it. Still, for anyone easily triggered by depictions of sexual assault, this book may be too much, so I'd recommend proceeding with caution. Lissar goes through absolute hell in this book.

I loved the characters and the new spin to the old fable. I loved the overall feeling of this book. I loved, loved the dogs! And there's a prince who's kindhearted and hardworking and cares a whole lot more about keeping a litter of motherless puppies alive than he cares about appearances or playing court. My heart! Ossin may not be the handsomest heir to the throne out there, but is he EVER the loveliest!

McKinley's books tend to resonate well with me in general, and this one is by far my favourite.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Incest, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Animal cruelty

arrkon's review

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Content Warnings

Minor: Incest