Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

20 reviews

penguingin's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Violence, Infertility, and Misogyny

aeglaeca's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I didn't expect this book to end the way it did, but I'm very happy that it did. Well worth the read, but be warned that it's difficult to read at times (content, not prose, although the prose is very antiquated as tbe book is set in the 1660s). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage

maecave15's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• 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

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

Minor: Alcohol, Violence, Chronic illness, Rape, and Miscarriage

dexkit10's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Violence, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Gaslighting, Incest, Sexual assault, and Death

edatta's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

A tense historical novel, though definitely not a thriller. The courtroom scenes were infuriating!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Violence

Minor: Child abuse

glitchkitsch's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Murder, Racial slurs, Sexism, Infertility, Racism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Rape

Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Death, and Alcoholism

Minor: Toxic friendship, Abortion, Animal death, and Acephobia/Arophobia

Triggering content is period typical. It's historical fiction taking place in colonial New England, if you aren't prepared for sexism, racism, and a theocratic society, maybe skip this novel. The ending has

a satisfying payoff for the main character, though.

darkanddreary's review

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.75

the ending was amazing! it just took way too long to get there 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Violence

prtt949's review

emotional mysterious sad fast-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? No

4.0

If thou are afraid to read a book with old English, prithee take the chance to give this one a read. Seriously though when I first picked up the book, I was worried it was going to be like reading Shakespeare with language we do not use today. I kept reading though it and for some reason after about 25% into the book you barely notice the language and the book is one of those books that are hard to put down as you really have a connection with the lead character Mary Deerfield. 

Unfortunately, if you know anything about history you pretty much know what happens to anyone accused of being a witch. I do not think this is a spoiler at all.

The characters are rich, the setting describe nicely, and the pace of storytelling is quite fast. I really enjoyed this one. I gave it 4 stars as I usually reserve (recently) to books that change me as a person. Really great book and I hope to read other stories by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence

linddykal's review

dark mysterious sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Incest, Murder, and Miscarriage

The sexism, mysoginy, etc. is in a historical context of the times, not the bias of the author

clevelandy99'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was an excellent book! Quite the page turner— I couldn’t put it down (or, pause the audiobook I should say.) The plot was excellent, surprising and fresh. The characters were complex and believable.

 I think one of my favorite aspects of the book was the way the author handled the historical context— while context and vocabulary was steeped in the time the book is set in, it wasn’t as dense as puritan writing often was. This allowed for a more immersive experience when reading from the modern perspective. I loved that experience. 

Another favorite aspect from this book: I loved Mary. I rooted for her the entire story. Sometimes characters make “wrong” decisions that can be really frustrating, but I was on her side even when I disagreed with her tactics. 

This has been one of my favorite reads in a long time! Definitely recommend it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Violence

Moderate: Colonisation

Minor: Blood, Racism, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts