Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

The Axeman's Carnival by Catherine Chidgey

5 reviews

kirstym25's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Animal death, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Body shaming

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

bjlinard's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

 The Axeman’s Carnival is set on a New Zealand sheep farm and is narrated by a magpie named Tama. It sounds unusual but for me it worked. I was captivated by his voice and delightful personality from the first page, and willing to go with his odd mix of avian and human traits. Three intertwined storylines focus on the realities of farming including financial pressures, the pros and cons of becoming famous on social media, and domestic violence. I felt Tama’s voice stopped this book feeling too heavy. His inappropriate repeating of what he overheard and his misunderstandings added more than a dash of humour, while in no way minimising the issue of domestic violence. My one criticism was the ending which felt a little too contrived and convenient. I’d love to know why it ended the way it did, instead of the way I felt it could have, and which would have been more in keeping with the rest of the story. A thoroughly enjoyable read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Animal death

daffodilcherry's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-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

A book that held my attention through its wonderful prose and the charismatic presence of Tama, the magpie we live this world through. 
Wheelhouses: animal pov, family drama, beautiful prose, upcoming tension, viral internet sensations. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Animal death

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

Minor: Racism

hollyprickles's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abortion

Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Animal death

Minor: Domestic abuse