Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

65 reviews

callistag1's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Drug abuse, Blood, and Drug use

Moderate: Genocide, Death, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Terminal illness, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail

mandersdraws's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I found this book absolutely gripping. It immediately grabbed me because the protagonist is an underworld spy (and with a terrible secret, my weakness as a reader lol), but slowly but surely Whitten sprinkled in world building and character tidbits that got me absolutely hooked. Characters feeling the pull of ancient magic. Lore seeing underneath Bastien’s princely facade. Gabriel stuck between his guilt, his sense of justice, and his desires. A mystery that revolves around the remnants of old gods. 
Simply put, I love this shit!! I read it twice, once with an audiobook and then again with an ebook. It got me theorizing and highlighting the text like I’m trying to solve a cryptogram. I don’t even mind the love triangle (though I do hope it manages to subvert some of the cliches and tropes we expect with love triangles) 
Edit: I’ve also read the sequel, Hemlock Queen, and I can’t wait for more! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Blood, Cursing, and Gore

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Murder, Drug abuse, and Vomit

Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Terminal illness, War, and Body shaming

Manipulation is a big theme of this book.

chaptermaggot's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Classism, Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Addiction

Minor: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, and War

kbowles24's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Confinement, Child death, and Animal death

Minor: War, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Deliciously dark and gloriously intriguing! Hannah Whitten’s prose was once again a breathtakingly vivid and atmospheric treat for the senses, merging magic, court intrigue and a deliciously addictive (forbidden) romance that utterly ensnared me. 

I adored protagonist, Lore despite her flawed and often selfish tendencies. But her upbringing (raised by poison smugglers) and the necessary secret keeping when it came to her abilities (to control death magic,and even occasionally raise the dead) really showcases her need for self-preservation. When first introduced, Lore’s a sharp witted and incredibly guarded character who rarely trusts anyone, but as she spends more time with warrior priest, Gabriel and roguish Prince Bastian, we begin to unearth a slightly softer, more vulnerable side that I found incredibly endearing.

Bastian and Gabriel, as characters were both quite endearing and in depth as well, as we delve into their pasts and understand the actions and motivations that have shaped them. I liked Bastian who’s flirtatious and outgoing demeanour could rival even Cardan and Jacks at the height of their charm . But, I have to admit it was the brooding but loyal, duke turned monk (Gabriel) that managed to steal my heart.

His chemistry with Lore was palpable and their intensity together was spectacularly swoonworthy. It did get some love triangle esque vibes between Lore, Bastian and Gabriel so interested to see where (and how) things develop.

It’s definitely my fave of Hannah Whitten’s books soo far and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Drug use, and Child death

Minor: Death of parent, War, and Sexual content

bookboxbabe's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

5.0

when i die, bury me with this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder

teaand_tomes's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

5.0

A dark yet stunning tale that masterfully interweaves elements of magic, mystery, and drug addiction into a dense web of political intrigue. Every element of Whitten’s narrative is unique and beautifully crafted, making this a standout in the realms of romance and fantasy. Her writing style is nothing short of commendable, and this book sets a high bar for the rest of the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Animal death

Minor: Sexual content, Cursing, and Blood

manaledi's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.25

This book started slowly but had some interesting developments and I'm very curious to see where book two goes. A fairly hit you over the head with it religious imagery on themes like separation of church and state. I thought the poison element was interesting but wished mortem was laid out more clearly.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Death, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, War, Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, and Grief

mlottermoser's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-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

3.0

Poison society with magical elements and political intrigue. Death and reanimation are used frequently in the story. (Horse/Small Child)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Animal death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Death, and Alcohol

ee1000's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Wow wow wow, this book was a ride. I had just finished the “For the Wolf” series and picked this series up right afterwards and honestly I loved that series but this one is so far, better. 

First, the magic and world building is top notch. The betrayals, the trust built between characters (some who deserve it, others who don’t) is exceptional. I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen next and who was good and who was bad. Even at the end I wonder who is going to come out of the shadows and show their true nature next. 

The characters are fabulous, I haven’t read a book in a while that features a potential love triangle and honestly after this book I still don’t know if there’s a main love interest! I haven’t seen a love triangle done this well… ever really. I loved all the characters and each one has secrets and bad decisions that bring them to the end of the book. 

I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new fantasy series that will keep you guessing until the end!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death