Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

99 reviews

thestarsaresad's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

I can’t decide whether I’m glad or regretful to have read this book. The way that the human experience of war, grief, family, and love is written was so good.

On the one hand, I’m glad that I read this book, because I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Iris and her relationships with Roman, Attie, and Marisol. I loved seeing her development throughout the book, mixed with both courage and fear in the face of war. On the other hand, I’m absolutely devastated that I subjected myself to reading this book and having to feel the emotions of Forest dragging Iris to safety at the expense of Roman. There’s no doubt that that scene was written well though, the anger and absolute stress I felt had me racing to finish. I so desperately wish I could read the second book so I can see what happens. I just wanted a happy ending, but I guess war proves otherwise.

 

OH HOW HAPPY I AM TO DISCOVER THAT THIS IS ONLY A DUOLOGY AND THE SECOND BOOK IS ALREADY OUT. THANK THE BOOK GODS.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War

kiwij96's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Easily one of the most captivating books I've read in a while. The story was written effortlessly and I loved the letters and the way that Iris and Carver developed their relationship without ever having met. It was also an emotional read, heavy on the grief and the war. It had me hooked as a reader for a solid 85% of the book.

However, where it eventually fell short was after that 85% mark. It got to a point where the plot - though already quite fast paced in some places - felt rushed, as if this 14-chapter-per-part aesthetic was what limited the author to progress the plot further in less time. Also, I know it is a YA, but Iris and Roman definitely felt a lot older. 18 and 19 just wasn't believable after a point, and the Young Adult genre still would have held if they were in their early to mid 20s.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and War

Moderate: Child death, Gore, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual content and Classism

katemcm2's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Although this book does have a secret identity trope and a fair amount of mutual pining for each other the pace doesn't make it seem excessively drawn out, like it does in other YA novels. The characters are likeable and the magical typewriters were my favorite part. I want to know more about the grandparents and their friendship and backstory. I also think the addition of the dieties and lore was a little much because we don't get a resolution at the end but maybe it will all come together in the sequel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death of parent, and War

Minor: Alcoholism

unboundbooklover's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, and Alcohol

myahthebookfiend's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

A good book. Really. I throughly enjoyed the storyline, characters, and romance. In all honesty, I have zero critiques, but that might be the problem. I like a book that's not perfect, and although I wouldn't go so far to say this book was perfect, it maybe fell a little short from my expectations. Everyone, and I mean everyone, talked this book up everywhere, swearing it was the best story ever. While it was great, I can't say it was the most amazing literature to grace my eyes. But yeah, I adored the writing and concept, so there isn't much wrong. I suppose the only thing "wrong" is a feeling I have. Kind of hard to explain that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse

saskiahill's review against another edition

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

gpfot's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism

abicaro17's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Holy shit..... Well Rebecca Ross it's on sight girl! Iris is a reporter competing for a columnist spot against fellow reporter, Roman. As Iris writes letter to her brother who's away at war, she tucks them away inside her closet. These letter end up in the hands of her rival, Roman, who begins to write her back. As war tears across the country and propaganda and misinformation reigns supreme, Iris and Roman create a magical friendship through letters. I adore this story! It's just magical enough to be not realistic but not too crazy as to be hard to understand and follow. Iris is a strong and yet logical and likable character. She makes normal choices and thinks through her issues before jumping into action. Roman is adorable and this conclusion makes me mad af. Like gotta go read Ruthless Vows brb. My only issue with this book is that the start is slow and the world building isn't explained very well until later. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

renee_fae's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

kermittuesday's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-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

Used the word raiment far too much. Just say clothes every once in a while. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Gore, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Sexual content, and Vomit

Despite the amount of triggers I listed, this is not a horror book but it does involve war so it has this stuff. The sexual content is very minimal but because it’s a YA book, you might want to know it’s there.