Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

8 reviews

hippolyta_vi's review against another edition

I'm thoroughly enjoying this series, though I can't really put a star rating on it - a number won't die Libba Bray's storytelling justice. 

I don't belong to any of the marginalized communities she includes, but it seems like she really does them justice and that there was a lot of research and consultation involved in the making of the Diviners series. It's the dedication to her craft that will make me pick up the last few book in the series. 

One fault would be the length of the book. Some call for less perspectives, but I actually really enjoy multiple character perspectives. It keeps me on my toes. However, I could do with less of the POVs of random citizens falling ill or dying. I got it the first time, and the second time, I don't really need any more exposition than that. I guess it's purpose is to spook the reader? 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Racism

Minor: Blood

guessgreenleaf's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Xenophobia, Body horror, Murder, Chronic illness, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Torture and Sexual assault

sandsing7's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault, Blood, War, and Trafficking

k_galloway's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Murder, Racism, Drug use, Alcoholism, Blood, Classism, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Abandonment, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Violence, and War

Minor: Rape

kayleyc's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Ableism, Alcohol, Blood, and Hate crime

Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, and Trafficking

ellanarose's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Alcoholism, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and Violence

Moderate: Murder, Rape, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Addiction, Drug use, Hate crime, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

genny's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

5.0

Ahhh! I loved the first book, and this one even more. This, I think, was a "smarter" mystery than the one in the first book. It let the author give insightful commentary on homophobia, racism, PTSD, etc., while making it all part of the main plot. The 1920's setting feels integral to the story instead of shallow window dressing. All the talk about eugenics made my skin crawl. It was also a hit emotionally

; my heart broke for Wai-Mae and Louis

! If you pay attention, it's quite easy to guess the "twists" but they were still impactful. As always, I loved Bray's descriptions of the many neighborhoods of New York - like a screenplay...I can imagine this working very well as a live action adaptation. I'm very attached to the main cast now and I bookmarked way too many Sam/Evie moments, haha. The ending

with them all gathered together as they talk about their powers, and then Will and Sister Walker walk in...

was perfectly cheesy, like a nod to superhero team-ups. I'm only halfway through this series but already dreading its end!

Again, gotta give props to the audiobook narration. The cast has grown larger yet LaVoy was still able to give everyone distinct voices. This is the longest audiobook I've listened to, but every second was worth it. It is...the elephant's eyebrows! (Sorry.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Death, Gore, Homophobia, Suicide, and Violence

Minor: Blood, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, and Vomit

Racism against Chinese people is tied to the central plot and is experienced by one of the main characters (Lin); there's name-calling, race-segregated establishments, and talk of "cleansing" America of "inferior races" (including Black people). Flashbacks of Henry's past show homophobia from his father, which ultimately leads to (violence):

Louis being beaten to death

. Theta has flashbacks to an abusive relationship (w/ physical harm). Numerous people die throughout the book. Suicide:

Henry's mom suffered from mental illness and attempted suicide; Jericho helped a suffering soldier commit suicide.

Trafficking:

Wai-Mae was deceived into becoming a prostitute.

And I'm not sure this would count as alcoholism, so I didn't tag it accordingly, but Evie drinks heavily throughout the book and is often inebriated.

danaleelin's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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: Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Racism