Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys

18 reviews

pastorscratchy1reads's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Self harm, Racial slurs, War, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Genocide, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Deportation, Torture, Physical abuse, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief

Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Antisemitism, Cursing, Blood, Child abuse, and Alcohol

I just wish the ending was a little more clear. Like did Lina's father actually survive? What happens to Jonas? How does Lina find Andrius again?

mayakay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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 loved this book, I read it in one weekend :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Grief, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Child death, War, Genocide, Physical abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Death, Slavery, Police brutality, and Deportation

Moderate: Sexual assault, Hate crime, Sexual harassment, and Gun violence

Minor: Blood, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Cursing

Lina's mother did not have to die(!!!!), does she find her father(???), and does Andrius find her??

I need a sequel but this book cannot have a sequel.

sachiara's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-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? No

4.5

It was really good and so well written but also, absolutely brutal. The unimaginable atrocities these characters experienced were experienced by millions in real life who had their entire lives stolen. It has this really strong connection to art as the main character is an aspiring artist. I find that aspect really beautiful, how she was able to turn her work into hope that someone would find it and help. It is so incredibly heartbreaking, these people were unable to enjoy so many gorgeous parts of life that everyone deserves to enjoy. It definitely made me extremely grateful for everything I have. Would not read if you are going through a tough time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Deportation, Death, Torture, Slavery, Violence, and War

Moderate: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

t0rixoxo's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-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

Wow, I don’t even have words on how amazing this book was. The writing is so beautiful and raw you can feel what Lina feels in a way. I’ve never felt so strongly about a book like this! This is a great book to read to learn about the Soviet Union’s gulags/labor camps and the anguish they put their prisoners through. 
Almost all the characters are very lovable. I think it’s partly because you’re seeing what they have to go through and you feel sad and angry for them. Even the more morally gray characters able to be sympathized with in someway (but not forgiven, looking at you Kretsky 😒.)
Overall, this book is a 5 ⭐️ read. I would heavily recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Slavery, and Death

Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: War, Child death, and Vomit

lizziaha's review against another edition

3.0

I found it hard to connect with the characters, and the end felt unsatisfying. I almost wish that we had seen at least a little of the twelve years after the end of the book. And while this book is definitely not about romance, since romance was part of the epilogue, I wish we’d seen a little more of it throughout the book. I think that Sepetys always includes characters that don’t exist within comfortable lines of morality, but in this book it felt rushed and not fleshed out enough. I do kind of want to reread Joana’s story in the other book though. I didn’t remember enough from my read several years ago. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, War, Suicide, Torture, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Deportation, Rape, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Child death, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Antisemitism

Minor: Animal death

lostintheplot's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Gore

Moderate: Suicide, War, and Gun violence

Minor: Sexual assault

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-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? No

5.0

I read this as part of 12 from 12, another great rec! The book tells the story of Lina and her family during WWII as they are deported from Lithuania to work camps in Siberia, as well as sharing past memories which foreshadow events to come/mirror the current events. 

I liked the short chapters and it was a quick read that pulled me in immediately. The characters are well written and I especially loved how Jonas’ voice/dialogue changed as the novel went on.

I read this in a single day, WOW WHAT A STORY! It’s a sad, emotional novel but mixed into the dark passages is a glimmer of hope. I never knew this piece of history and I think it’s a book everyone should read and educate themselves about!

Definitely another favorite for the month ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Torture, Genocide, War, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault, Child death, Body horror, and Gore

Minor: Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape

sapphicreaderlucy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Death, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Genocide, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, War, Torture, and Gore

megs_baer's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring tense 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? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Torture, Gore, Grief, Police brutality, Trafficking, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Slavery, Classism, Colonisation, Hate crime, Racial slurs, War, and Child death

lesenilpferd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Deportation, Torture, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Gore, Violence, and War