Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

6 reviews

lotecider's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was poetic, haunting, it's writing as intricate and fine as lace made out of gold and diamonds. There is a gorgeous mix of tension, mystery and magic. Although classed as a fantasy, there is more mention of things typically associated with fantasy as opposed to actual elements. However, the writing does create the presence of magic where it needs to, in certain points where it'  needed, it does seem otherworldy. 

There is a plot twist, and whether you see it or not depends on you as a reader. I personally didn't see it coming, which is a first for me, so I found that a pleasant surprise. There's also a subtle hint st sexual assault against a minor so please be warned before reading! 

It is a relatively easy book to read, and very enjoyable. The only qualm i had was going in expecting it to be more fantastical than it was. Another review stated that it seemed more like children playing make believe than an actual fantasy story which I agree with, but it grew on Me and wasn't necessarily a bad feature- it just took a few chapters before I got accustomed to the worldbuilding 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual assault

not_asha01's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Classism, Alcohol, Death, Blood, Animal death, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, and Child abuse

kaylamoran's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

I was so excited for this book because I loved the Gilded Wolves so much.  But this was only okay for me.  The cover is honestly better than the book itself.
Everyone seemed so delusional, I had to suspend my disbelief so much throughout.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

shrands's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

A bit of a slow starter for me - I really loved the writing style in places, but it could get slightly too flowery in places which made it hard to get into the plot.

It did really pick up though - this gave me Crimson Peak/Hill House vibes with added glamour. It's funny because I think if I had more experience with gothic novels I'd love this even more - but even with my limited experience with the genre I enjoyed it. 

It really took an extremely dark turn near the end, which is when it finally started to click to me that all of the magic and escapism is just the main characters' delusions in order to escape their own trauma.

Indigo - abandonment and loneliness, a desire for control over death and family that was taken from her when her parents died.

Azure - escapism from her home life with a mother who devalued her and a predatory stepfather

The Bridegroom - escapism from an abusive home and blocking out the trauma of losing his brother. 

Another detail I loved is that we never learn the name of The Bridegroom - as detailed in the book, names have power, and give people ownership over you. Also, the story isn't really about him in the end. It's about Indigo and Azure. 

Really great subversion from Chokshi as well, because I suspected they had switched places but then was like 'nah that can't be right, people would notice the difference' 

The more I think about the book the more I love it tbh

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Child death, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

emilydrojas's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

tinybluepixel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief