Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

3 reviews

jenny_librarian's review against another edition

funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I was surprised by the turns this took. Up until the last minute, it almost seemed like there wouldn’t be any “big bad” the way we’re used to in fantasy YA. It was quite interesting to explore more of the typical school drama in a fantasy way, though it did drag on a bit and became boring at times.

I like the exploration of depression and self-harm. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than I’ve seen in other work. Same for the adult/teen relationship. I was extremely worried by the fact that the author kept mentioning their age difference. Any new mention made it more impossible for them to realistically be together without irking the reader (as it should be, because teacher/student relationships are PROBLEMATIC). And the ending does feel very much Twilight-era, and I don’t doubt they’re gonna end together (🙄) but it at least tried to show that these relationships are unhealthy.

I’m debating whether or not to continue the series. Also, love Christian. Hands down my favourite character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny

Moderate: Kidnapping, Torture, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Ableism

betweendotsandletters's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

Sagen wirs mal so, mein Lesegeschmack hat sich sehr verändert, seit ich die Vampire Academy Reihe zum ersten Mal gelesen habe.

Ich achte mittlerweile auf so viel mehr, was mir damals nicht auffiel. Es ist für Jugendliche geschrieben und das ist sicherlich ein großer Grund dafür, warum ich für mich nur sagen kann, es war entertainment und okay. 
Das slutshaming und generelles Lästern und Runtermachen der weiblichen Charaktere hat mich doch immer wieder gestört. 

Die Anziehung und sich aufbauende Spannung zwischen Rose und Dimitri wirkte auf mich überhaupt nicht mehr so überzeugend und spannend wie ich es in Erinnerung hatte. Eher stellenweise ein wenig plötzlich und wenig entwickelt, was die Entwicklungen am Ende (obwohl ich wusste was passieren würde) plötzlich und etwas unverhältnismäßig erscheinen ließ. 
Mir ist klar, dass das hier weniger ein Review über die Schwächen und Stärken des Buchs als vielmehr ein Resume meiner Re-Read-Erfahrung ist. Und dazu gehört eben eindeutig auch, dass sich mein Lesegeschmack verändert hat und mich Teenie-Fantasy-Romanzen aus den späten 2000ern nicht mehr so mitreißen, wie mit 13 oder 14.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Sexism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Death, Violence, Body shaming, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Animal death, and Mental illness

Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence

balter's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

0.75

This is probably the worst book I’ve ever read. From slut shaming to pedophilia this book has it all. The characters are mostly unlikable and one-dimensional and the dialogue is cringe-y at best. The main character/narrator is funny, at least, so it gets a portion of a point for that. I read the entire thing waiting for the book to start making sense and it never did, I do not recommend this book at all.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Biphobia, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, and Sexism