Reviews tagging 'Torture'

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

40 reviews

artmuseam's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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

OHHH my goodness…that ending left me speechless!! holy shit i’m actually surprised at how good this book turned out to be! the beginning was kind of slow for some reason and left me a bit bored at times, but once i got past around page 100 i became deeply invested in this story. this romantasy is a bit interesting in that the main character, elspeth, is almost a villain herself because of the “nightmare” that lives within her, and it was interesting to see this play out throughout the book. i actually really liked her dark side for some reason; it made her kinda badass even though she can’t really help it. the plot itself moved very quickly and i really enjoyed the action and romance. i honestly can’t wait to start the second book because that cliffhanger!! left me appalled!! 4.5/5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual content

jlent41553's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

This book would be good for someone who enjoys series where having magic is a curse rather than a blessing; It would also be good for someone who enjoys series such as: The Serpent and Dove series, The Foxglove King, and The Dark Gods. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Torture, and Police brutality

There are some graphic scenes involving torture of secondary characters/citizens and hate crimes among citizens; (the scenes really help the reader understand the dilemma the MC’s face and are not just there for fluff)

mzquirk's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

laura_middlxton's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I loved the pace of this one! I cannot believe it took me so long to finally pick it up (although I am glad in a way as I can start the second right away!).

I read the first 50 pages and wasn’t immediately taken by it so didn’t pick it up again for a few days. However, once I did I literally didn’t put it down and read the rest in one sitting! 

It was such a unique story- after so long of reading fantasy you get used to the general themes. This was something as of yet unseen by myself- the magic system was new and the cards and their lore invigorating.

Of course, the tropes of enemies to lovers, found family, uniquely powerful FMC were there and those were predictable enough- but very enjoyed all the same 😂

We love Ravyn and Emory - I hope Ravyn finds his way back to Elspeth soon. I guess I’ll find out this evening when I read the next so …

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Stalking

Minor: Torture

emsavors's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

karapillar's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

cover2covertx's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Body horror, Physical abuse, Torture, and Blood

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

daylajane's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Blood

tays_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Self harm, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Infidelity, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury

pookiee's review against another edition

adventurous tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

the first YA and fantasy book i’ve enjoyed in a loooong time.

the magic system being like TCG/cards is so unique and gives me life! def the best part of the book. and the Nightmare is like Venom.

i really like how abandonment and finding a family elsewhere are portrayed. the romance is typical but nice.

this was going to be a 5! but the book drags in the last part and doesn’t conclude, just sets up a sequel—which makes me not want to read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment

Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Death of parent