Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

192 reviews

victoriapi909's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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This isn’t the worst book in the series (the holiday novella is), but I didn’t care for this book. The first half is basically a retelling of Beauty & the Beast and the second half feels like it’s a completely different book because there is suspense and excitement. The second half also grossly incorporates nonconsensual/predatory sexual behavior, which SJM attempted to explain away in the second book. This was not a strong start to the series. If you want to read the series, you have to start with this book unfortunately but I wouldn’t reread this book or recommend lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence

moonbunny34's review against another edition

2.0

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Was the writing good? No. Was the plot good? Not really. Was it entertaining? Yes definitely.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual content, Kidnapping

Minor: Classism

gmcgowan10's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

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I honestly wasn’t expecting to like this book in a serious way, more like i would enjoy how ridiculous it was. it is ridiculous at times, but little did i know i would fall in love with the main characters. the best way i’m able to explain ACOTAR is as a ramped up version of Beauty and the Beast, just more violent and more sexy and about faeries :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder

Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery, Vomit

shanshanecker's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Please don’t stop on this one, it’s the entrance ticket to the rest of the series

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gore

Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Xenophobia

Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery

pjbu's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark mysterious sad 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

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Loved this book. Intro to fantasy. VERY violent. I’d prefer less violence and no more torture please. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism

caseym8's review against another edition

2.0

tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I only finished this book with the promise of an incredible 2nd book.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual violence

_meganrose's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting

bear_ridge_tarot's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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 This is a very popular fantasy book and I was expected it to be as good as advertised. While ACOTAR was an overall enjoyable read for me, the book had a few very glaring things it lacked. I enjoy a thick book with a lot of world-building, and this one fits that description. There is a rich history in the lands of Pyrthian, that I want to know more. 

But I don't like lackluster characters, and the MCs are lacking in depth. Their relationship also sorely lacks, and while it's obvious to everyone around them it is being forced, the allusion to a Beauty & Beast trope didn't work for me. I found the supporting characters of Lucien and Rhysand were more interesting to me than Feyra and Tamlin. 

This book also comes with a number of trigger warnings for me, including toxic/abusive relationships, ablism, Stockholm syndrome, and violence of multiple kinds. I will at least give the next book a chance to further develop the depths of the characters before washing my hands of the series, because I loved the world the story is set in so much. 

 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Classism

thetinybookdragon's review against another edition

2.0

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A "beauty and the beast" kind of story with an unexpected ending. I did not really care for the first half, as the pacing was very slow and focused souly on the relationship, that additionally feels way to forced.
I guess the author had a reason for that and maybe wants the reader to think that, but still.

It is also slightly unrealistic, that Fayre takes so long to solve the riddle. Maybe it's because she is to afraid of the consequences of her answer being wrong, but there is no hint given from the author, so I guess not.

I guess, it's a book for you, if just the enemies to lovers trope is your thing, if you want more out of your book, this one is not for you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Torture

Moderate: Gore, Sexual violence, Violence

ronan_lesh's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Sexual content, Death of parent

Minor: Child death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment