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Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'
La Sociedad Secreta de Brujas Rebeldes by Sangu Mandanna
69 reviews
anelya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
You know, I really, really loved this novel. Except for the end. That kinda sums up the whole thing.
I loved most of the characters, especially the kids, and their relationships, especially the kids with Mika. I really, really loved the world-building, especially the way the magic works. What a delightful description; what a wonderful idea. I find myself jealous that I didn't think of it first.
However, the pacing and emotional tension were a little off.
Jamie first: For such a cozy, comfy novel, Jamie's horrific backstory came absolutely out of nowhere and was atrocious. I definitely experienced whiplash, and because of my own history, was immediately triggered, almost thrown into a flashback, and had to take a long break from the book. I don't know, it just came out of nowhere and really didn't match the emotional level of the rest of the book. I also, personally, feel like it wasn't the best approach to talking about that kind of trauma. I've seen other novels approach dark topics like that with more... not nuance, but... like... awareness? More sensitivity? I dunno, it just felt like a weird scene overall, just the way it was handled and the aftermath and how the conversation went down. It made me uncomfortable. *shrugs* Especially since this is like marketed or advertised or categorized as cozy fantasy, I would've needed a much softer approach to that kind of exploration of trauma.
The end: There's actually a lot to unpack here. Firstly, the pacing. So, obviously, due to the whole "five stage structure of storytelling" thing, there was clearly going to be a crisis at the end of the novel. And typically for novels with a romance element, there was going to be some crisis that came between the love interests. Considering how well-written other aspects of the novel felt, the crisis felt so contrived. It felt really weird. Like we see Mika as she grows, learns to trust, and learns to find a home at Nowhere House, and then... I dunno, her whole running away schtick which I thought she had kinda gotten past with, you know, all her supposed growth in the novel, shows up and I was just like... *sigh* Again, it just really felt so contrived, and kinda just... everything was going really well, but not in the way of just the characters being blind to issues that are simmering beneath the surface, like legitimately, things were going well. So when she all of a sudden runs away, it just didn't make sense with where her story had gone so far.
And then the actual end. Oh... Oh... : So the kids animate the bones of their dead guardian, whom they had just found out was dead. They don't cry. They just found out she's dead, they dig up her skeleton, and they animate it and... It's supposed to be this silly scene, but it did not at all match the emotional tension of the rest of the novel, which tried to take mental health and trauma very seriously. I know these kids had a complex relationship with their guardian, but still. She's dead. They should've had some kind of reaction, and for that whole thing to be played for laughs was just... really fucking weird.
I will forever hold this novel in my heart for the magic system. I think I'll honestly read it again, especially with the content warnings I now know (so I'll be better able to protect myself), and since I'll know what to expect from it, I think a reread would be lovely to properly appreciate the magic system. Because, again, it's such a wonderful and lovely idea. Such... It's so amazing. I honestly cannot do it justice, so if you wanna read about a beautiful description of magic and how it works with these witches, honestly, just read it. It's definitely to most enchanting way magic works that I've ever read, and it's honestly such an inspiration.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
beccaborrowsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
shannahtan's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
kuporeads's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
teabrewer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Emotional abuse
nikk_nac_reads_romance's review against another edition
Graphic: Colonisation, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
rexpostfacto's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
auteaandtales's review against another edition
- 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
I connected and enjoyed every single main character. The romance was cute, although I would have liked it to be a little more in depth. With everything going on, though, it did make more sense for it to be more of a subplot.
I don’t re-read books very often but I suspect I will be returning to this again in the future, especially when I want something comforting. The book equivalent of drinking a hot chocolate with rain pouring outside in the peace and quiet, cozy on a sofa with a blanket.
I did have some issues with it, despite my five star rating. These were that we were told about what was happening and what the characters were feeling, which was off putting. I like to be shown and not told, or spoon fed things that I can figure out myself. Another thing was that it was jarring to be in something so cute and wholesome and fluffy and then suddenly there was swearing and sex? Which I don’t particularly mind reading about, but it was so…out of place? It didn’t feel like it fit here, at all.
Minor: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
rwsmith's review against another edition
- 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
i loved the worldbuilding of the magic - just as you expect, and it aligns with all the familiar fairy tales, but with a touch of uniqueness to this fictional world.
the romance was also SO GOOD. ive never been into the romance genre, and i wouldnt say this is necessarily a romance novel, but the romantic plot was incredibly well done - relatable, funny, emotional, perfectly paced, and incredibly satisfying.
the representation in this book is lovely as well. the different races of the characters are simply stated, but the differences between each are acknowledged and deemed important at the same time.
anyone who loves love, magic, and silliness - and a happy ending - should give this book a read.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Homophobia, Grief, and Sexual content
_chrissyreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Minor: Emotional abuse