Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings

7 reviews

howattp's review

1.5

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence

13oclockreads's review against another edition

2.75

dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

---

"Codename Villanelle," which is the inspiration for the hit TV series "Killing Eve," ultimately proved to be a disappointment, falling prey to the fallacies of the quintessential male fantasy.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Murder, Sexual harassment

crondeau_yvr's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark funny tense fast-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

---

Excellent read. I’m not a huge fan of spy novels, but having watched the first season of killing eve, I was curious.  This book was excellent and not at all like the show. The back story into Villanelle is fascinating. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Trafficking

emily_j_h's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence

Moderate: Suicide

hilarylouise's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder

sommer853's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

For Killing Eve fans, this book roughly follows the plot of season 1. There are large details and plot and character aspects that were changed upon adaptation, in my opinion for the better. Whereas Codename Villanelle reads like James Bond fitted with a fresh, unique and murderous protagonist that is much more plot-driven, Killing Eve is a lot more introspective, especially when concerning Eve's subplot and her reactions and emotions concerning Villanelle. The relationship between them is the key difference between the source material and the adaptation, and I would say the thing I missed most from this. I kind of missed out on Villanelle's motivation to mess with Eve besides protecting herself, and I miss the complexity in her character beyond a sociopathic, opulent killer as well. However, Codename is still a very satisfying and enthralling spy thriller. I usually judge mysteries/thrillers by if they motivate me to read the rest of the series, and in this case, I definitely do (both the Codename series and Killing Eve) 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual content

Moderate: Transphobia, Alcohol

Minor: Sexual violence

In the Shanghai sequence, there is a transwoman who is a sex worker. Other characters refer to her using transphobic terminology, including the tr-slur.

bronzeageh's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous dark 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder