Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

7 reviews

jessicadoom's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

This reminded me of playing a Call of Cthulhu game in the absolute best way. The novella progressed really nicely with just the right amount of mystery and romance. The relationship between Helen and Edith? *chef's kiss* Just beautiful and a wonderful little palate cleanser before I move on to something longer.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Violence, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Homophobia, Murder, and Sexual content

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Grief, and Misogyny

Minor: Lesbophobia, Self harm, Sexual content, Alcohol, Car accident, Vomit, Homophobia, and Death of parent

lefay_'s review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

i love women!!!!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Mental illness, Blood, Gun violence, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Car accident, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, and Homophobia

lycheejelly's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Death, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Death of parent

emily_mh's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Usually I’m not a fan of paranormal stories (e.g., urban fantasy, angels and demons type stuff) but I really liked it here. Polk fit in some nice depth to the world which is always a challenge in a novella. I especially appreciated the history we were given of the angels as this fleshed out the angel characters well. I also liked how the politics between the various supernatural factions had such direct influence over the plot and characters. I will say I was a little confused whether the supernatural/magical world was hidden or the norm for all humans everywhere. 

The story was so easy to fly through. The plot was fast-paced and investigation-driven, the latter essential in a murder-mystery for me. It was also clever, the resolution satisfying. 

I got a good sense of the MC Helen and was fully rooting for her. She’s a puzzler and a thinker, she’s driven, but most important she loves HARD. My heart was in my throat seeing the lengths she would go to to save and protect her loved ones. 

Unfortunately I didn’t totally get the romance between Helen and Edith. I didn’t feel the depth of their connection like most other readers have seemed to. But it wasn’t a biggie for me overall. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Drug use, Gun violence, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Car accident

Minor: Addiction, Sexual content, Homophobia, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Cursing, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol

Moderate: conversion therapy, eye trauma Minor: gambling, loss of a loved one, self-injury

maeverose's review against another edition

3.0

This is one of those books that I’m conflicted on how to rate, because objectively it’s a very unique story, well written, and I can absolutely see why people love it, but for me it was just mildly entertaining.

It took a few chapters to grow on me, you’re kind of dumped into the story without any world building, which is a pet peeve of mine. I was unsure about the writing style at first but I got used to it. I liked the humor. I usually struggle to connect with pre-established relationships but Helen and Edith’s love for each other was very sweet and very believable. I’m still left feeling like the world and magic system wasn’t fully explained, but I think that was intentional. That stuff isn’t really the focus, and with a novella there’s only so much time you can spend on that. I understood what I needed for the plot to make sense. So I have nothing to critique, it was just okay for me.

Though I will admit the ending made me a bit teary.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death, and Gun violence

Moderate: Misogyny, Car accident, Confinement, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Medical content

Minor: Sexual content

Brief mention of conversion therapy and electroshock therapy to treat catatonia, and non detailed eye trauma

booksthatburn's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

I loved this whole thing. It's paced excellently, tells a great story, and is in a world conveyed succinctly. If you like queer fantasy/mystery  novellas with life and death stakes, try this. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Gore

Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Death, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Sexism, Mental illness, and Cursing

Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Self harm, Car accident, Torture, and Alcohol