Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

4 reviews

bold_badger's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement

elderwoodreads's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.5

This is a lovely post script to The Folk of the Air series, the illustrations really made it extra special. I like that we both got prequel and epilogue Cardan. If I had any criticism it would be that I wish there had been a little more on the epilogue side. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Infidelity

Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Drug use, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

kynthebookworm's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

I think this was a great addition to this world. I love the writing and I really liked the stories told and how they tied into Cardan's own actions and development. 
I also loved seeing the tidbits of them in the mortal world and the amazing little dynamic the characters all share as a family now.
I would have liked to see a bit more about Cardan and his interactions with the court and his siblings when he was younger but I do understand they more than likely weren't included for the sake of telling the overarching story across all the shorts in this book.
Overall a great read if you enjoy the original trilogy and very quick I finished it in 4 hours.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Blood, Bullying, and Confinement

stllyltc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

This was another short side story mainly focusing on Cardan's POV and it had grounded emotions towards a reflection to one's self. Aslog came to taught him lessons and different version of stories till the second time they met. I was reminded of Balekin's words towards him about choosing a future but then its supposed to be choosing a path with bit of uncertainties that lies ahead. More than anything else, he hold his morales refusing to spill blood on his hands unlike the High Queen, Jude.

The book imparted that however horrible your past may be or how you may have been brought up, you have the power to make choices to your own life and nobody else can ever take that away from you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, and Violence