Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

41 reviews

rhogosch's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious 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

Der fulminante Auftakt der Trilogie der ersten Ära auf Scadrial.
Die Welt fühlt sich dunkel und hoffnungslos an. Und allein die Tatsache das ich beim lesen eines Sandersons nicht eben jenes klassische Gefühl von „Epochalität“ gefühlt habe, sondern die Verzweiflung der Figuren, steht schon für sich. Der Ideenvorrat des Sanderson scheint unerschöpflich zu sein. So bekommen wir in diesem Buch nicht eins sondern direkt zwei Magiesysteme, oder vielleicht auch mehr, die sich nicht natürlicher in die Welt einfügen könnten. Wie immer gleichen sie einer Wissenschaft und erscheinen zu keinem einzigen Moment unlogisch. 
Die Figuren sind gewohnt mit viel Liebe zum Detail ausgearbeitet und jede für sich ist iconic. Wieder einmal kann man ihnen beim Wachsen und Überwinden ihrer Schwächen und Vergangenheit während des Lesens zuschauen, bzw. wie sie trotz aller Fortschritte wieder fallen und erneut am Abgrund stehen.
Das Buch wird zu keiner Sekunde langweilig weil es immer wieder Wendungen gibt die ich nicht vorhergesehen habe und schlussendlich zu einem ganz anderen Abschluss kommt als man am Anfang dachte. Und auch wenn das Buch scheinbar in sich geschlossen scheint ist die Saat für etwas viel größeres mit diesem Buch gesät worden. 
Kurzum auch dieses Buch ist mal wieder ein Meisterwerk.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Blood, Emotional abuse, Murder, Racism, and Torture

Moderate: Sexual violence

myrini's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Violence, War, Blood, Death, Slavery, Torture, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Classism, Sexism, Vomit, Child death, Sexual violence, Rape, and Racism

nflamel's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

If the single female character (and protagonist) was not the only one who is subject the male gaze, this would be a much better book.

It is still fun though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Rape, Racism, and Toxic relationship

samkilbride's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Xenophobia, Violence, and War

Minor: Sexual violence

brogancha's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence

jodean's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, War, Death, Classism, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Slavery

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Grief, and Physical abuse

Minor: Body horror, Ableism, Abandonment, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture

kermitkid's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.0

Fantastic worldbuilding. Intersting premise. Different type of fantasy book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Death, Violence, Torture, Trafficking, War, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Rape

unluckycat13's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Fascinating, horror-themed world brought down by predictable character tropes. Main character passes for well written FeMC in Fantasy but is surrounded by predictable tropes of sexual assault and romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Rape, and Violence

hectoralvf_'s review against another edition

adventurous hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

This is the second time I've read The Final Empire (well, the third, but the second was an audiobook and I didn't get much out of it), and I enjoyed it even more than the first time. Although the plot isn't anything new, the characters and worldbuilding are excellent. Moreover, having read the entire Cosmere, I've found many references and foreshadowing both from the book itself and the universe in general that greatly enhance the reread.

The structure is very simple and clear, but I have some issues with the "Sanderlanche." The beginning of the book is too slow, and the climax could be faster. The "Sanderlanche" of the last 15-20% is something I really enjoy, but it leaves the rest of the novel hanging, with the focus solely on building up the ending without any major moments of tension.

The characters and worldbuilding are outstanding. You empathize a lot with the characters, and the different points of view are very well done. Although I wish I knew more about some characters like Dockson.

The world is very well constructed, both in terms of natural and cultural aspects. The decay of Scadrial is conveyed very well in the narration ("Ash fell from the sky"), and the magic system is very easy to understand without losing depth and establishing limits and costs. "Every action has consequences".

Sanderson's prose is simple and easy to read. This is something that is often criticized, but I don't agree. It makes the stories very accessible and immersive, especially in long novels. In my opinion, writing is fundamentally about delivery, about appropriately conveying a story, and Sanderson excels at this. His straightforward writing style helps the reader focus on the characters and the plot without being distracted by pretentious language. However, my only complaint is that he tends to repeat certain words or expressions too frequently. 

As for the theme, I believe the story is about trust, in oneself but above all in others. I don't want to spoil anything, but this is very well represented.

In summary, it's a must-read. Despite some slow moments in the plot, the novel is very accessible, and the characters and world are wonderful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, Death, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, Gore, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence

destiny_jay's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Genocide, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Death, Violence, War, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Slavery

Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, and Grief

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape