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kbookish's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Minor: War, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, and Rape
teri_b's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
hannahollihan's review against another edition
- Rape of a child, the fae know it’s going to happen and don’t do anything and think she needs to suffer in order to grow and break the curse, then she is GRATEFUL she gets pregnant from the rape. Our MC has no agency, she is a tool for breaking the curse and hasn’t been able to make her own decisions or choices almost the entire book. Only the first act of rebellion at the beginning. I was enjoying this and even after the rape happened but the more I think about it the more frustrated and angry I get. ALSO the dog dies. Wtf????
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
hurricanyounot's review against another edition
- 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
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,erinreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Animal death, and Sexual assault
daniparvu's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Racism and Rape
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, and Sexual violence
crispycritter's review
4.25
I first read this book in either 2001 or 2002, as a pre-teen/young teen. I picked it up at my local library, where I used to spend everyday after school. I went on to read the rest of the Sevenwaters Trilogy and loved these books so very much. I credit them with getting me into the fantasy genre. I spent a long time away from fiction, not feeling like I had the time to read fiction because who has time to read for fun as a grown up? I'm happy to say I finally found the time to re-read this after a long time away. These are my thoughts re-reading this book after TWENTY (yikes) years:
Juliet Marillier is still a brilliant writer and gifted storyteller. Beautiful, moving prose. Characters you will love with your whole heart and characters you with hate with every fiber for your being.
But I have found that I was not nearly as comfortable with some of the plot points as I was when I first read this book, as a kid. I don't know if this is because some of these things went over my head, if I just forgot the impact they made on me at the time, or if my sensitivity has changed after so much time and life has happened. In any event, here are some major content warnings you should be aware of, that I will put behind a spoiler tag:
These books will always be so special to me. However, they are in the same vein as A Song of Ice and Fire, where very bad things happen to good people with little respite. And that's no longer my idea of a good time. Read with care.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, and Violence
maises's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Overall, I think this retelling was an interesting exercise that reflected on suffering for a loved one. Needless suffering is huge in classics like this, since old fairy tales specifically reward suffering like penance. But every hardship Sorcha endured never really had any rhyme or reason to it, and I think that just made the payoff from her pain actually feel like a relief has been lifted from my own shoulders, just as a reader. I don’t recall feeling so enthralled at a climax I knew the exact outcome of before! Also the villain(s) were pretty villainous. I appreciate when fiction has bad guys so bad that I want to dive into the pages and choke out somebody.
So I do not really think I am all that interested in the rest of the Sevenwaters books, firstly because I think this is already a strong standalone Six Swans retelling (and I think the only retelling in this series?), and secondly because I am not the biggest fan of second generation main characters… However, I do have Son of the Shadows so if it comes to that…! In any case, I may be browsing Marillier’s backlog soon to try out something else.
Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence
ashatroyal's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual assault, War, Violence, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
missgarceau's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Vomit, Animal death, Death, Torture, Child abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, and Sexual assault