Reviews tagging 'Violence'

かがみの孤城 by Mizuki Tsujimura, 辻村深月

24 reviews

katesoddy's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.75

I cried. I will admit there was a moment when reading when it got quite dark and reminded me of a video I once saw that really disturbed me, but it was resolved quite quickly.
That being said I  could not put this book down, read it in just over a day (with breaks to go to work and little sleep). 
It is a sad book, but most upsetting in the last third(without spoiling too much that is when you find out a lot). 
It is interesting reading a book that is clearly not meant for children, but is about middle-school children (I won't lie living in a country that doesn't use the term middle schools I did have to look up how old the characters are meant to be) some of the topics it explores are unfortunately the reality for some children, and some of the most important themes, such as bullying and fear are devastatingly prevalent. 
The book itself is not hard to read, it is just hard to take. 
I would recommend not finishing this book at 4am when you have work in the morning, especially if you are like me and will need to watch something more light hearted to ground yourself.
Unironically, I do not know what to do with myself.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Death and Violence

Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence

tiriol's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Chronic illness, and Bullying

Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Violence, Toxic friendship, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, and Death

edgaranjapoe's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Mental illness

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, Sexual assault, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Pregnancy, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts

nitroglycerin's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

odditiex's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Violence

alteirence's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective 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

3.5

Japanese literature has always been a hit or miss for me, and this one is no exception. The overall story was okay. I feel like this story wants to bring dark theme to the fairy tale story, but the execution failed to meet my expectations. It lacks of depth both in the fairytale and in the psychological/social aspects. Or maybe this is because I only read the translated version I couldn't get myself indulged into the story except for the 1/4 part towards the end. I like the ending even thoughthe plot twist is predictable, I also like how everything and everyone is intertwined. Overall it's an okay read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Bullying, Violence, and Child death

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts

chikin's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Death of parent, Bullying, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

ynotlime's review against another edition

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, and Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence

scout_jones's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

Really interesting and compelling story, a light touch of fairytale magic grounded in real issues that young people face. Lovely character and friendship development. Relishes in some good old tropes and defies others.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Child abuse and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault

marleywrites's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

When I first started this book, I wasn’t sure if I would like it. But I finished the book ten minutes ago in tears and knew I needed to write this review immediately. 

This book is heart breaking, wonderful, and filled with love, mostly of the secret variety. 

I was so moved by every child’s story and I felt so emotionally attached to all of them by the end of the story. I enjoyed how everyone had a chance to share their story, and how alike they all were despite their differences. 

The fantasy world created in this novel is incredible and the way it all just makes sense by the end is gorgeous and perfectly achieved. This book has easily earned a spot on my favorites shelf and will forever hold a precious place inside my heart. 

I will also be looking forward to reading any other English translations that exist by this author!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Toxic relationship and Violence