Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

9 reviews

teri_b's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Steeped deeply in Irish myth and folklore, the book is also a retelling of the six swans fairy tale.

As always Juliet Marillier dazzles with her representation of the uncanny, the subconscious, the unconscious and weaves it into a harsh but in the end rewarding tale of a family being torn apart where the sister and her six brothers have got to find if they have it in and amongst themselves to mend what has been broken by others.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence

paigestooksbury's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

Wow, I love this so much! Complex, layered, steeped in myths and folklore, this book absolutely broke my heart and then gradually stitched it back together again. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Animal cruelty

hurricanyounot's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

I'd sell BOTH my kidneys if it meant I got to read this for the first time again.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Confinement, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence

Moderate: Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Blood, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Incest

MAJOR Content Warnings: In chapter 6,

Sorcha is brutally raped at 14 years old.

Minor Warning Explanation: This story takes place in a time when people got married MUCH earlier in life, and, for those in higher positions in power, would often marry cousins. There is also a pregnant side character.

ashatroyal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

This is a story! The way it was woven and unfolded was amazing. A mix of history, lore and fantasy. The author did not spare us of heartbreak, sorrow, pride or joy. This book gave me all the feels. I cried. I yelled out loud. Sorcha experienced so much at such a young age. Like she is such a strong FMC who you can’t help but root for. She was dealt such a hand and tasked with such a challenge to save her family. Her loyalty knew no bounds. Oonagh was so evil. Honestly, I cannot believe what Red did. I felt like he gave “Jenny” no choice. He put her in an awful position trying to protect her. I felt so bad for Simon and Fin. The Fair Folk are so cruel. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual assault, War, Violence, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse

deathmetalpainter's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad 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? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Confinement, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, and Death of parent

lisannerietveld's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Torture

booksandmo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, Grief, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence

matchai's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Confinement

Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia

Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, War, and Vomit

coincidental's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

By turn delightful and devastating both. I don't have the energy for lengthy review, but safe to say this retelling of the story of the girl whose brothers were turned into swans is a beautiful one, full of the majesty and magic of Ireland, and all the fierce power of love and strength of will against unimaginable odds. I loved it.

Important trigger warnings to be aware of: SpoilerRape, emotional manipulation and abuse, physical abuse, starvation and disordered eating, self-harm by means of work/stings from a plant, animal abuse/murder, death of a parent, general violence.
For those sensitive to animals done harm: SpoilerThe dog does die - one at least. There is harm done to animals and whilst it is not discussed in excessive detail, the protagonist's narration of it does not gloss over.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Moderate: War, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Self harm, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Death, and Child abuse