Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard

29 reviews

simmonsj's review

fast-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

2.75

With novellas, authors must focus on only a few key concepts. Here, the ideas of colonialism, romance (f/f)/abusive relationships, and a smattering of court politics prevail over anything else. The world was fuzzy and the characters felt flat. The main character was pretty naive - making rash, lust-driven choices; desperate for Mom's approval but believes her Mom is bad for their country. Eldris felt more fleshed out with at least some different facets to her. Giang just confused me a bit. 

The politics felt forced but they at least gave some plot to the story. The various random mentions of other countries was an attempt at world building but didn't quite do the deed.

The relationships were the real focus. There is a realistic show of an abusive relationship and a budding relationship of confusion and "how exactly could they be a couple?" feels. The fantasy elements are there so I guess this could be more a romantasy novella more than just a fantasy or just a romance. Overall it was ok, but it really didn't blow me away.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

pineapple_queen's review

emotional hopeful fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

futurejake's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia

drudeger's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Domestic abuse

tinyjude's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I really liked the writing style, the concept and the world presented, however it felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped, mostly with regards to the romance. I feel like with maybe 50 pages more it would have worked for me better, as the characters and relationships felt too surface-level for me to care. Still, a very enjoyable read of filial obedience and defiance, toxic love, manipulation, political intrigues and emotional strength.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Outing, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, and Racism

leahrosiee's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Homophobia and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Outing and Death

ceciliareading's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse

bex_knighthunterbooks's review

emotional 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

4.0

Contained some interesting ideas with a anti-colonial perspective of a small state trying to resist slowly becoming absorbed. Also interesting Sapphic relationship and a fun magical twist that helped the main character realise her value. The Vietnamese inspired setting had just enough detail to feel real and I would be interested in reading more from this world.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

purplepink951's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.0

On twitter one person wrote (and I copy) that "in Vietnamese culture, lil'sis/em is a standard pronoun for a woman who's younger than you and whom you're familiar with. It doesn't mean you see her as a blood sister."

My mistake was that I previously took that relationship as incestuous. Still, my rating doesn't change.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Colonisation, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

aconfundityofcrows's review

adventurous dark hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Outing, Abandonment, and Grief

Minor: War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Infidelity, and Religious bigotry