Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Magia kąsa by Ilona Andrews, Anna Czapla

6 reviews

eb00kie's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, and Torture

Minor: Violence

thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.0

This was a relatively successful first outing with Andrews. I've heard really good things about this series, and I can see why people love it so much. I had been warned that the first book was the weakest, and I can also see how that could be the case. There's a lot of info-dumping in this book, as well as just some general clumsiness surrounding world building. However, the world itself is quite interesting and unique, and Kate is a very compelling main character with a strong narrative voice. There are aspects of this that are very dated (specifically the use of some language that would not go over well if written today), and the plot is relatively predictable and tropey. However, if you enjoy urban fantasy like I do, this is still a good time, and I have confidence based on what I've heard about the series overall that things will only improve from here. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, Death, Body horror, and Gore

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Stalking, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, and Sexism

Minor: Sexual assault, Fatphobia, Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Suicide

Mentions of beastilaity, use of the G slur (used in the main text to describe MC's appearance) and the R slur (used in the first bonus chapter to describe MC's behavior).

wickedgrumpy's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This is a re-read.

It's a solid start to the series.  I had forgotten how gruesome some of the content can be but it effective paint the picture of apocalypse adjacent times.

The mystery was exciting though knowing the culprit made it a bit frustrating when they were trying to figure out who the baddie was.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, Grief, Incest, Pedophilia, Confinement, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Child death, Infertility, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Misogyny, Police brutality, Stalking, Torture, and Sexual violence

rorikae's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.75

'Magic Bites' by Ilona Andrews is a fun and fast-paced urban fantasy book that starts the well-renowned Kate Daniels series. 
The story begins with Kate learning that her mentor has been killed and found alongside the dead body of a vampire. As she searches for his killer and what truly happened, she becomes embroiled with the Pack, including their leader, and what appears to be a far larger scheme that I am guessing will play into the longer series. 
I found this book fun and very quick. If you're looking for something that's easily digestible, a good audiobook, and with fantasy elements then this could be a great pick. I am interested to see where this story goes next as I think as a first installment it is really setting up a much larger story that will take place across the entirety of the series. If you're interested in urban fantasy and for some reason haven't picked up the Kate Daniels series yet, I definitely think it's worth a shot. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Grief, Violence, Blood, Death, Torture, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual violence

raen99's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Gore, and Body horror

Minor: Kidnapping, Torture, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury

nicoleme1212's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Sexual assault, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, and Sexism

Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Incest and Pedophilia