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beccaand's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Infidelity
whitneyfoster's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Bluebeard's Castle is marketed as a "feminist retelling" of the French folk tale of Bluebeard. I honestly did not get the "feminist" part of the retelling. The protagonist seemed to be pretty obsessed with men even though she had a career and her own money.
I understand that the writer was trying to realistically protray what its like to be in an abusive relationship, but the protagonist seemed quiet passive. She wasn't even trying to help herself. The book seemed to read like a teenage diary entry. I love him, no I hate him, no I love him! I have read a lot of stories that more effectively portray domestic violence.
Despite the cover, this novel takes place in the modern day, which I think the writer forgets at times. Other than random mentions of modern conveniences like Google, it seems like the author wants this to take place in another era.
One thing I would change about this novel is to shorten the descriptions. There would be 2-3 pages just describing a room in the castle. I skimmed a good bunch of it. I did find myself caring about the characters enough to know what happens and I don't regret reading the book. I'd recommend this for anyone who loves gothic fiction/thrillers and/or dark romance.
Graphic: Sexual content, Gaslighting, Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit and Blood
elizalk's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, Death, Animal death, Eating disorder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Vomit, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Rape, Stalking, Suicide, Torture, and Confinement
marinalikeaboatyard's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Colonisation, Torture, Addiction, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Sexism, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
thisischels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Classism, Death of parent, Murder, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
mhantzsch's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Torture, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder, Blood, Domestic abuse, Addiction, and Infidelity
Minor: Animal death
literally_mint's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Animal death, Stalking, Infidelity, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
katietregs's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
That said, I did find that it started to drag a bit at the 3/4s mark.
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
This book is meant to paint a sympathetic picture of how women become trapped in abusive relationships.catherineneeds's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Stalking, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Murder
princess_araya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexism, Sexual violence, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Animal death, Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit, Physical abuse, and Death of parent