Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Muse by Jessie Burton

6 reviews

fizzboz's review against another edition

mysterious sad 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? No

2.25

I was sorely disappointed by this book. After pushing through the stumbling beginning chapters, I was confronted with a change in narrative, and this accelerated onto the book's golden hour - the middle section, where the plot 'thickens' and the reader is gripped by mystery. However, the often beautiful prose and inspiring narrative is hastily tied together in the final chapters, with a sudden switch in values and an ending embued with fulity. I would give this book more credit for its highlights - complex narrative which slowly unravels, and the exploration of British Empire and migration - were it not for the fatal conclusion with passing comments on the inevitability of deception and transient nature of relationships; these themes were explored throughout the book yet with little subtly or maturation. The individuality of the characters' personalities felt unnatural, almost exaggerated, and did not pair well with the numerous triggering, graphic moments.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Gun violence, Self harm, and Sexual harassment

abbieinwonderland's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, and Murder

smileyblue's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Enjoyable. The part that has stuck with me most is the mood of southern Spain right before the Civil War.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Suicide, and Violence

Moderate: Gun violence, Terminal illness, and Murder

Minor: Racism

vanadiumbean's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.75

Wish they had been gayer, you know?

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War

dlrosebyh's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Pedophilia, Torture, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction and Domestic abuse

Minor: Drug abuse and Racism

tericarol21's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Suicide