Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys

37 reviews

brittsbooknook's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

What an eye-opening, heartbreaking story portraying the experiences of the Lithuanian people during this time of WW2 (and on) at the hands of the Soviets.

POV - Lina, back & forth between her present time and her memories of before their wrongful imprisonment in Siberian labor/prison camps.

Lina's mother - what a heroic character. She did not let bitterness overtake her.

"His eyes found mine. "I'll see you," he said. " 😭

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault

The ending was abrupt and then jumped ahead in time. I did want to read about how characters were reunified, but that being said, the way it ends makes you feel all those years and time that were lost to people.

danileah07's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Antisemitism, Deportation, Suicide, and Sexual assault

Minor: Excrement and Vomit

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

---

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 ❤️

---

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

victoriaa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Child death, War, Suicide, Death, Police brutality, Violence, Torture, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Slavery, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

literary_lady602's review

dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense fast-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? N/A

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death, Murder, Animal death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death

susylamb's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

😳😳
Wow! Wow! 

This is the saddest/ hardest story I have ever read about the Stalin/Hitler reign. Incredible these stories of Lithuanians who did not give in. 12 years in prison camps, death, and sickness. The brutality that humans can inflict on other humans is heart wrenching. Yet, they fought for their freedom and for their stories to remain alive. I believe it honors their story when I can read it. 

Read the author’s note at the end! This was her family/ her history that she wants people to not forget. 

I have recently discovered this author, and I am thankful for what she is bringing to light.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

Holocaust brutality, death,

ioanabooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Police brutality

Moderate: Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicide, and War

bailey63's review against another edition

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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Child death, and Confinement

Moderate: Sexual assault, Genocide, Blood, Excrement, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, and War

lena_margarethe's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Deportation, Genocide, Violence, and Child death

Moderate: Physical abuse, Gore, Grief, Medical content, and Hate crime

Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and War