Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys

57 reviews

katrinaburch's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

What a book... I was a little worried because, while well written, I wasn't a huge fan of Between the Salt and the Sea. This book is much better and excellent. While not quite my favorite (That would be The Fountains of Silence), this was so good. My only issue is that

I wish we could have known if Lena's father survived. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Torture, Violence, Genocide, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Bullying, Deportation, and Rape

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. " 😭

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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

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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

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

tinaxx2's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Violence, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Death

worabora's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, and Child death

victoriaa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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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

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Content Warnings

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

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

carissa230's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

This book is set during WWII. You wouldn't know it from this book though. There were so many horrible things happening during WWII, but the world usually concentrates on Germany. A book set under Stalin is an interesting viewpoint and one we need. 

Lina and her family are being deported from Lithuania for "crimes". They have no idea what they did, but they haven't seen their father in a long time. While being transported on the train to the prison camp we meet many other families that are also being deported for unknown crimes. 

Lina's story is about survival. About the horror that humans can endure and survive. About the lengths that people will go to in order to survive. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping

Moderate: War and Rape