Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

13 reviews

katrinarose's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Another three star rating for the second book. Again, I did enjoy this book but its’ problems were too big for me to go up another star. First the good: I like Lily’s point of view and always found myself looking forward to her perspective. I enjoyed learning about the world before the crossing and trying to predict how the crossing would happen. The writing style was straightforward yet engaging and kept me picking the book back up even in slow parts. However, the magic made no sense. The sapphires seem to play a big part of the magic system since that’s how Kelsea has power yet it’s never explained in a way that justifies their power. It almost seems like Kelsey all of a sudden is unstoppable which makes her decisions even more questionable. The villain(s) were also very weak and unbelievable which kind of made the whole Kelsea storyline weaker. I have hope that the last book will really pull everything together but I can’t say at this point that I’d recommend this series to anyone, even though I have enjoyed it for the most part.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Racism, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Medical content, Slavery, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Classism, Blood, and Cursing

lady_sharp's review against another edition

The book is mostly fine, in that sewage is mostly rainwater. Most of it is perfectly competent court intrigue/post apocalyptic fantasy with interesting characters, but it'll occasionally float by that the man who told a teenager she was too ugly to rape is meant to be a charming rogue (and her reaction to this is to be disappointed he finds her ugly....tip to writers: teenagers are hormonal, not complete idiots), the only people of color are harem-owning slavers despite it making no sense worldbuilding-wise, the albino woman just exists for us to gawk at how unnatural she is, and the obsession with evil female vanity that would make a fundamentalist Puritan proud. I'll give it credit, it was well-written enough that I spent a truly inordinate amount of time thinking that these things would be challenged later on...but it seems not. And I don't think I could stomach one more scene of a woman going doe-eyed over a man that treats her like garbage.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, War, Religious bigotry, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Ableism

mazomazli's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

2.5

I’m really not sure how I made it to the end and still want to read the next book. I found a lot of the worldbuilding to be the main reason I kept going because I want to know how things came to be. However this book is very much packed full with triggering content, often done carelessly and thrown in for what feels like shock factor. The main character is not likable at all, though I’ve never liked her to begin with. Here are the following that the author did that doesn’t sit right with me: 
- constant obsession with beauty equaling goodness and fat phobia (only when the main character loses weight and magically takes on someone else’s appearance is she pretty) and the other evil queen would never be beautiful. How tragic to be ugly I suppose. 
- one of the most graphic homophobia scenes I’ve ever read. A gay church member is castrated and his wound is left to get infected. There was no reason to put this in. There’s no commentary it’s just to show how evil the new church leader is
- graphic rape and constant sexual assault. Graphic domestic violence in full detail. Repeatedly. 
- graphic self harm that is also deeply concerning because it seems the main character is always reopening her wounds by the slightest movements. There was no need to describe her start into it. 
- bizarre portrayal of a woman with albinism being magical and wicked and very sexual…?! That was deeply uncomfortable and I think ableist
- stereotypical orientalism with describing a neighboring king of having a harem with 20+ wives and how the main character was offered to be the highest rank
- improper “seizure” care where they held down the MC and put things in her mouth - huge no’s 
- slavery is used as a casual tool 
And so much more. 

Jonathan deserved better than to meet an end of self sacrifice. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Torture, Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Classism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Rape, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Blood, Homophobia, Self harm, and Violence

Moderate: Slavery, Vomit, War, Ableism, Abortion, Dysphoria, Animal death, and Racism

kalmia31's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, War, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Blood, Hate crime, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Trafficking

Moderate: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, Infertility, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, and Slavery

shinypurplepants's review against another edition

adventurous sad tense

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

3.75

The second entry into the Tearling series didn't hold me in the same way of the first. The realities of war made this one feel heavier and

the changes it brought to our Queen of the Tearling made it difficult for me to continue rooting for her. <\spoiler>

In addition, the dual narrative starring Lily, while a relevant glimpse into the Old World, felt like it slowed the pace of the book dramatically.

Overall, I would still recommend those that enjoyed the first book give this one a try with the caveat that it is quite different from the first entry in the series.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gore, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Religious bigotry, War, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, and Sexual content

imds's review

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Rape, Child abuse, War, Misogyny, Slavery, Physical abuse, Incest, Gun violence, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Violence, Death, and Confinement

Moderate: Racism

aklovekorn's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War

discoverelysian's review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

Be sure to check out the content warnings! It might not look like it you might want to proceed with caution

I certainly did not love the first book but since I joined a challenge to finish the dusty pile of my physical books, I feel obligated to see the end of Kelsea’s story.

And here we are, halfway to the end.

There was not much development between both of my feelings towards this trilogy and Kelsea’s characterization. You could argue with me that her character indeed developed, she has changed, and bla bla bla. But for me, she’s the same old Kelsea who still worrying about her look.

I thought that is the worst thing that could happen but no, this book is getting weirder as Kelsea’s fugues took her three centuries backward—pre-Crossing era—into the life of Lily Mayhew. I get why Lily is important but the fact remains that I got bored every time I need to go to the past instead of focusing on what’s happening in the present time.

I know Lazarus would agree with me.

This book is not all bad. We have Aisa—Andalie’s daugther—who is more fitted to be Queen. She’s brave, smart, and logical. I’m proud of what she accomplished and looking forward to her story in the final book!

There is also Father Tyler. He is under so much pressure, has seen the worst but his faith and courage save him.

I also wanted to mention Ewen because he deserves the world and Pen, my heart goes out to you, my friend. Both of them are good men and I hope they survived this bleak and dangerous world.

As the story progressed, the mystery around Kelsea’s father certainly got more of my attention. I have some theories but I doubt I can guess it right. I’m afraid when it will be revealed, the truth will shock me senseless.

So many secrets were slowly being unveiled yet there are so many more hidden. I just wish all the answers and the truth will be laid out in the final book.

The Invasion of the Tearling was not as good as I wanted it to be. Nothing impressive with the characters, especially Kelsea. I felt nothing towards her except frustration towards her silliness sometimes. The blending of dystopia, fantasy, and time turner were not seamless and it often left me bored.

The mystery, the unanswered questions are the things that kept me going. I will finish this series with a disappointing ending in mind. Just in case it’s true then the fall would not hurt as much.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Self harm, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

juliana_caterin's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0

4,75

I loved this book so much that I cannot believe it. It wasn't as great as the first book but still got 4.75 stars out of me, almost 5.
At times it felt slow, so be prepared to have to push through it, but it's worth it. As a little critique, it doesn't have the stronger plot of all times, since most of the time we spent with a problem that doesn't seem to be solved. And when we aren't talking and not doing anything about that problem, we spent it on "flashbacks" that had nothing to do directly with the story. That was annoying.
I loved how we got to see other characters' stories, and I want to hug Ewen so much, and I need more of Hall. I didn't love Kelsea as much as in the first book, she was kind of annoying throughout the entire book. And I love Penn. I love him, and Maze. But I have a bad feeling.
Basically, I loved every character!
It's heavily character-based, so don't expect the best magic system or plot. It's all about the characters.
Also, there was a twist at the end that... I didn't see it coming. That was expecting and I don't have a clue about how this is going to go from now on. No clue.

FINALLY, THERE IS A BUNCH OF TW! LOOK IT UP BEFORE READING! There are a lot of mess-up things, and I am not sure if all of that was necessary or just for shock effect, I hope that in the next book we can see the characters healing and making progress after all of this.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Homophobia

Moderate: War, Self harm, Trafficking, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Drug use, Death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, and Outing

terrabby's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

At first I was like "oh, a story from a different time period mixed in? with a whole different vibe? choices" but then it was really good and Lily ate up so... yeah. 

I still like Kelsea and her story though, but I found myself waiting for the Lily bits. It's a good book overall and I'm excited to read the third one in the trilogy. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Murder, Violence, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Hate crime, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Abortion, Trafficking, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Body shaming