Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

38 reviews

merrnew's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Lore sounded interesting but the delivery didn't land for me.  I didn't like the main characters very much and honestly can't remember much about the book anymore. I finished but only because the pace was pretty fast.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use and Violence

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.

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

givemehappyendings's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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? No

4.5

I genuinely can not figure why this book has not popped off yet, IT’S SO GOOD. 

I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf for a year, on a whim I decided to read it, easily one of my top fantasy books this year. 

I ate this book up in DAYS

Our FMC is witty, sassy, growing into her power, and I dare say, a GIRLS GIRL. I genuinely love Lore so much and am so excited to see where her character goes. 

Bastian and Gabe are the perfect MCs to compliment a strong FMC, and WOOOOWEEEEEEE do we love a flirtatious prince and a religious man tempted by sin😮‍💨 

The world building is immersive but nothing too heavy for those dipping their toes into fantasy. 

It’s giving Cruel Prince level political intrigue, and the plot twists do not disappoint. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Animal death

Minor: Child death

puddleshoes's review against another edition

dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury

cdoubet's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Death, Torture, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Murder, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Violence, Confinement, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Genocide, Cursing, Grief, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty

Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

jaynovara's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Drug use, Child death, Animal cruelty, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Genocide, Confinement, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry

clairew97's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Murder, Gore, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Child death, Grief, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, War, Religious bigotry, Classism, and Death of parent