Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

34 reviews

avialaeleigh's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This is a really great romantacy read. Funny and witty with just enough angst to not make it too frilly. I like that we kind of flop back and forth from present and past times so we see how Des and Callie met and used to be but also how they are now and everything. 

Also the surprise soulmates thing was a nice touch. Did not see that one coming. I also like that we get that bad boy, broken girl trope as well as strangers to friends to enemies to lovers thing that they have going on. 

Also the banter, really great made me laugh a lot and pause my audiobook to really make sure that I heard the narrator correctly. Both of them have some great one liners. And there were also moments that I was truly sad and also those that I wanted to hit them both upside the head cause they were both being idiots. 

I'm really interested in seeing where the rest of this series goes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

kayceeisbookish's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

britbrit29's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Murder

Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, and Death of parent

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

chrisljm's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

2.0

First of all, everyone who recommended this book is a sick freak. Because why are you people obsessing over this adult/minor grooming relationship. And even if you were to argue that they don't technically get together until the girl is an adult, it's still very strange how often they had to mention her being a "lovesick" teenager. Like that shit made me sick. It was also weird af that there was another (of lesser importance) adult male character that was dating a 16 year old girl. Although the focus was on him locking her in his basement, there didn't seem to be any criticism on him dating teenagers so it's kinda giving obsessed with grooming..

Second of all, why is a white author making a black character talk like that. It's weird enough she made her the stereotypical sassy black best friend, but the fact that the author sat there and typed "oh, naw, girl" as a part of her dialogue is kinda driving me insane. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Slavery and Fire/Fire injury

emgibby's review

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, and Kidnapping

enbyfinley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

2.25

The plot was good in the way an easy read is. Because I listened to the audiobook, and he reader made this book waaaayyy better than it really was. 

 I did feel the flashbacks were irritating for me, jumping back and forth for very little information. I liked that Des and Callie were close until I reflected on the grooming vibe of a underage victim or abuse. Nope… for me.

I also found the FMC a bit whiny at times but I still enjoyed here the other 50% of the time when she was acting like an adult. The side characters felt so one dimensional and the reasoning for things didn’t feel like ACTUAL REASONS!

The spice was a good 3🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 but as the story continued, 

this book was not a story I will revisit or finish the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, and Abandonment

Minor: Physical abuse, Torture, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy

hclin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will plan to finish the series. I would be hard pressed to recommend this series because of the sheer number of trigger warnings it requires. I liked the spice and even the relationship between the two main characters as adults, but it was difficult to get over that

the romantic part of their relationship began when she was 16. This detracted from my experience as a reader.

I felt the world building could have been a bit stronger but I'm hoping it will get better in the next books (this could be because I'm less of a fan of urban/low fantasy though). My favourite aspect of this series is the concept of Callie being a Siren and the power and difficulties of this identity. I found it to be a unique take on magic/powers with interesting reflections about sexuality and feminism.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Slavery and Toxic relationship

bangiebangs's review

adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Enjoyable and funny read (except the Harry Potter references... those didn't age well imo), with a nice starting point. There are some pretty dark themes (sexual abuse), so be warned. I'm finding that I really like Laura Thalassas style of writing, so am expecting to like most (if not all) of her work?

The pacing is pretty good, and while some plot points are a bit obvious to the discerning reader (

that they are mates

) it's really enjoyable to read. 

Slight warning if you're sensitive to having a very young heroine (underage) fall for a much older love interest (supernatural, so... very old) - he holds back until she is of age, but still a tad cringe. 

Recommended if you like your morally grey MMCs, powerful MFCs, a gaggle of fantasy tropes, etc. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Death of parent

xomandymoo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder