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veneta_2805's review
funny
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75
soft_girl_era's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
This felt like another author entirely. I found it to be lacking. Missing Small’s signature rich history and lush settings.
🎙️ Recommended listening speed: 1.7-2
🎙️ Recommended listening speed: 1.7-2
mburnsides's review
DNF ~114 pages
CW: Rape, Child Molestation, Victim Blaming, Death by Childbirth
CW: Rape, Child Molestation, Victim Blaming, Death by Childbirth
I'm not finishing this book because the treatment of the "bad" female characters by the main characters is disgusting and astonishing. Main man, Valerian, literally gags and rapes his wife, Calandra, because he wants children and <i> its her duty as his wife</i> immediately after she tells him she doesn’t like sex because she was molested at 8 years old. The other characters, including main woman, Aurora, constantly shit on Calandra for being feminine and caring about ‘frivolous’ things (despite that being what was encouraged for her to like) and for not wanting children. The main family also owns slaves. There was an attempt to make the historical presence of slaves palatable for a modern audience, but it comes across as more of a "yes we own slaves, but it's ok cause we care for them, but no we won't let them go free, cause we need them to make money."
None of the characters, except George, are likable or half-way decent people. The plot is slow and boring. The treatment of Calandra is horrible.
There’s a lot of victim-blamey stuff in this book, as well as sister masturbation and rape. I don't care about either Valerian or Aurora anymore, and don't wanna read through the insanity Cally is being put through. I don't care if the book is "historically accurate." It’s fiction; anything could happen. Rape and victim abuse/ hate does not need to be included.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Vomit and Child abuse
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