Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

31 reviews

lucianagrimm's review

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

Wild and Wicked Things had beautiful imagery and lore surrounding its setting on the mysterious Crow Island. The landscape and its history are strongly embedded in the course of the plot. I loved the character of Émmeline but found Bea to be rather unlikeable. I struggled with the pacing. The slow burn as it was a mix of fast and slow and was difficult for me to keep up with. Overall, I liked the story and its establishment of breaking the boundaries of post war taboos with, not only witchcraft but also, queerness. Despite not explicitly detailed, the accents and traits of the queer characters are done really well, especially through their fashion and body language. I was slightly disappointed with the ended and had hoped for more information as to where the characters went next.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, and Death

darquedreamer's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

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

2.5

Meh. I think this one could have been a lot shorter, and a lot more exciting. It didn't feel unique, and definitely didn't feel atmospheric enough for the time period, or vibes it promised. The characters were not really well developed, or likeable (especially Bea), and some of the plot felt like it came straight from a certain movie about witches, (not naming it because, spoilers). I just didn't love this one like I had hoped to... 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Blood, Toxic relationship, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Death

lego28's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Blood, and Death

minimaiasaura's review

dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Drug use, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Violence

Minor: War, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Classism, Abortion, Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

epithetofthemoon's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage

Minor: Rape

tors_tomes's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

Bea is honestly the worst. </spolier>

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Drug use and Death of parent

Minor: Abortion

neens_m's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Blood

Minor: Abortion

marcostorin's review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Murder, Blood, Misogyny, Violence, Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, Infertility, Rape, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Drug use

clothildev's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

I was honestly bored by the end and wanted it to be finished already
I wanted more romance and less pointless ghost fighting, we only get crumbs of sapphic romance and selfish Bea walks away without a second glance at the mess she made???
Not impressed, which is a shame, it was promising

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Grief, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Death of parent, Abandonment, Death, Toxic friendship, and Child abuse

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: War

ramunepocky's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I have been excited about reading this book for a long time and I am delighted that it didnt let me down at all !!! It was dark and bloody and very witchy !!! Ik Wild and Wicked Things is often described as a retelling of The Great Gatsby with a witchy twist, which idk enough about to compare it to having never read the book myself, but it was certainly a wild ride and has made me interested to read The Great Gatsby !!! I rlly rlly enjoyed this book, as stressful as it often was in places, and how everything seemed to constantly escalate and every "solution" just became a further problem. The magic system was extremely intriguing, especially the use of blood magic, and how every magic had a different scent and taste. I was very curious about Nathan's abilities and how hard that must have made the world for him. I also found the concept of the Debt and Giving very interesting too. 

I enjoyed the switching perspectives and appreciared the fact that both Emmeline and Annie had very distinct voices that made it clear who we were following even without the chapter indicators. I liked watching Annie grow into her magic, become stronger willed and more morally questionable. 

I hated Bea with a passion, she was extremely selfish and the cause of so many of the problems and yet she wasnt willing to claim responsibility for any of it. She was constantly blaming everyone else for her problems and the way she acted. I did feel a little kinder towards her at the end, but I will stand by the fact that everything is Bea's fault.

I also found learning about the history of Cross House and what Cilla did to the orphans and how it shaped them to be both interesting and horrifying, and I am so glad that we got to see Emmeline put an end to that.

And my favourite character died, which is just the standard really, so am I surprised?? No, but I had hoped for better for them, especially after all the signs of them dying were there, but I had hoped that the cards were wrong.

Wild and Wicked Things is a bloody tale of magic, murder and intrigue, and I enjoyed it thoroughly !!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: War and Pregnancy

THERES ALSO THAT WEIRD LINE OF NOT QUITE SELF HARM BUT ITS ALSO BLOOD MAGIC SO THEY LIKE PRICK THEIR FINGERS, CUT THEIR PALMS ETC TO USE IT