Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

2 reviews

ifoundcallie's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, War, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Genocide, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abandonment, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Child death

Minor: Chronic illness, Classism, Torture, Abortion, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Deportation, Animal death, Antisemitism, Pedophilia, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Terminal illness, and Vomit

unsweetener's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.25

This book is very much a historical drama and romance mashup, and I was hooked on the audiobook. A healthy suspension of disbelief is necessary for both the historical setting and occasionally the characters' behavior, but what can I say? The author taps right into the main characters' feelings and their world. 

The romance element is strong, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for something with a HEA or if you are uncomfortable with sex scenes (you could safely skim a large portion though). It's also not the most progressive couple; their dynamic is fun to read, but not exactly aspirational. There are some messed up family dynamics as well, but the messiness of the characters is what makes the story work overall.  Come for the angst, the improbable rescues, the genuinely gutting war setting, and

the potato/sex table

and you won't be disappointed.

A note on the audiobook: I really enjoyed James Langton's narration. Alexander's accent was inexplicably Scottish-ish, but it's probably better than an

American-Russian pretend translated from Russian to English accent anyway

; it was pleasant and distinctive enough to do the job.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and War

Minor: Child death and Domestic abuse