Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

19 reviews

lemonwrlds's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation

intentionalreadinglife's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective 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? No

5.0

I am so glad that I ventured beyond my typical reading to discover this hauntingly beautiful love story set in the darkest period of Korean history. Hur doesn't shy away from the atrocities and perils of power, urging readers not to look away from it, because "books that confront disturbing historical events are crucial. It is imperative to confront history because it repeats itself when ignored."

At the same time, Hur highlights the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the lengths to which we'll go for the ones we love. The friendships forged through suffering are just as important to the story as the romance. That said, the relationship between Iseul and Daehyun is  so romantic! There were key moments in the story that reminded me of the film adaptation of "Last of the Mohicans." (If you liked that movie, you'll absolutely swoon over this novel. )

I'll be thinking about this book long after the final page.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Grief

Minor: Death, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder

praxagorathesmophoria's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A story of love, both romantic and familial, against a dark and dangerous period in Korean history. The relationship between Iseul and her sister, Iseul and her friend Yul, Iseul and old retired investigator Wonsik, and the romantic relationship between Iseul and Daehyun, are all rich, vivid and create a beautiful story that asks in the face of Evil, what ate you willing to do for those you love.
As the author says, this reads like a period KDrama, and I would love to see it get adapted 1 day, but the visuals the writing created are perfect in themselves.  
Also highly recommended reading along to the author's curated mood playlist on Spotify. Creates the perfect reading environment. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment

Minor: Incest, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Torture

This book deals with the historical atrocities committed by a particular king during Korean history. Please read the content warnings in the front of the book. But understand that these are all dealt with inappropriate and well-thought-out and well treated ways..

qeenb33's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative fast-paced

• 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and War

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Death of parent

Minor: Child death, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, and Suicide

aielinnae's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Absolute power corrupts absolutely whether it’s in the Roman empire or present day dictatorships or 16th century Joseon. I’m not usually a June Hur fan, but immediately from the description, I was interested in this piece of Korean history not really well-known. The plot is not focused on describing the horrors King Yeonsan inflicted on his people, but the terror and fear is shown adding to the suspense and tension of the narration. Iseul is a commanding heroine doing everything she can to right her world and if it makes others’ better as well, that’s a bonus. Her constant courage and determination counters the usual Western stereotypical  views Asian female characters in a way that is subtle and refreshing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Rape

justinekorson's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I throughly enjoyed all the characters in this book and the plot (minus the TW aspects of it). Iseul was funny and fiercely confident in an almost foolish way. I loved how she threw herself into things with barely a thought (as I feel I do the same at times). I also loved how she gave the people she didn't like nicknames instead of trying to learn their actual names. I thought that was really funny of her. I also enjoyed Prince Daehyun. He was charismatic and clever when he needed to be. The plot twist at the end really got me there. I was so stressed about the outcome of the story. Wonsik and Yuel were great characters too. 

I'm really glad I ended up buying a special edition version of this book! It's going to look so pretty and I'm excited to add it to my collection.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

cortanasreadingnook's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thanks to June Hur and Feiwel & Friends for sending me an ARC through Netgalley! This does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. Out on May 14, 2024! 

This was a remarkably heart-shattering high-stakes tale of mystery and treacherous court politics with a longing-filled slowburn romance. Iseul and Daehyun reminded me a lot of The Red Palace trope wise, but this was unexpectedly a tale of violence and tragedy and is a historically accurate story that serves as a reminder of Korea’s darkest periods. 

A Crane Among Wolves transports a reader back into the beauty of the ancient Joseon Dynasty of Korea while narrating an equally dark murder mystery behind the scenes with bits of romance on the side and lots of little twists. Not only does June give us a new romantic pair to be emotionally invested in (with a handsome and clever prince by the way), but this story also concentrates on the bravery and strength of women, especially that of the main character, and openly challenged misogyny and sexual abuse. The characters were day I say, all strategically placed like game pieces on a board, with their own peculiarities and flaws to complement each other that fueled this story to the end. I would, with no hesitation, always recommend this! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape

mrsclappreads's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Blood

poppy_warphan's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Review to come 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent