Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen

8 reviews

growintogardens's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Better than the first and the mc is growing on me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Murder, Lesbophobia, Violence, Sexual content, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Death, Alcohol, Outing, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Medical content, War, Racism, and Grief

thatchickengirl23's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Homophobia

Moderate: Murder, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Death

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, War, Sexual content, and Violence

purplepenning's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Such a great balance of classic gumshoe mystery, well-researched midcentury history, and skillful character development. Detective Andy Mills is finding his way, his community, and his calling — and I'm finding an arc of book 3 because these are some of the most satisfying mysteries I've read in a long time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Racism, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Hate crime, Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia

Minor: Sexual content

blackmail, threat of outing via explicit photos

mrshays's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Misogyny, Racism, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Outing, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual content, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexism, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, and Sexual assault

kal517's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, and Police brutality

Moderate: Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

laura_keoski's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Outing, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Violence and Racial slurs

Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, War, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts

bookenbee's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Police brutality

Moderate: Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, War, Sexual content, and Murder

Minor: Blood, Gun violence, Racism, Outing, Sexism, Medical content, Colonisation, Death, and Drug use

qace90's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.

When I heard there was going to be a sequel to Lavender House, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Plus I love that Rosen writes such complex, messy queer characters who aren’t necessarily good people, but their queerness isn’t why they’re not good people.

I really love Andy, his community, and the ways he’s growing since leaving the police force and finding family. This story especially shows him making so many connections and finding what happiness means for him as an out queer man when being gay is criminal, but being in the closet and invisible isn’t really an option anymore. Lee, Elise, and Gene are all such great friends for Andy, and his varied interpersonal relationships are always such a good part of the story.

As to the mystery, I think it was well done. I did figure out one element fairly early on, but other elements were a shock! Seeing the pieces all come together and trying to figure out what justice can look like when the cops aren’t on your side was another great element to the story.

All around this was such an engrossing story, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Andy now that the community is beginning to accept him and trust him. I love the blending of historical fiction with mystery and the way none of these characters are perfect people, but trying their best to thrive when being themselves can be so dangerous.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Sexual content and Gun violence