Reviews tagging 'War'

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

29 reviews

sparklefarm's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

Gay tension! Secret witches! Murder mystery! (need I say more?)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Murder, and Forced institutionalization

meganpbell's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.75

Magic, mystery, queer romance, and criticism of class privilege suffuse this atmospheric Edwardian-inspired fantasy! In a world at war, a doctor with a hidden past and secret magical abilities allies with an alluring gentleman to investigate the murder of a patient and a pattern of inexplicable killings by the very veterans he heals, only to discover true evil may not reside across enemy lines but in all of that which powers the empire at home.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Kidnapping, Medical content, Colonisation, Classism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Murder, Homophobia, and War

raptorq's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

Moderate: Murder, Blood, and War

Minor: Violence and Genocide

espiargrant's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

Overall, this book was a good time, though by no means perfect. The writing style was clear and flowed easily, and I liked most of the characters. The world-building seemed well-thought-out, but not explored as much as I would have liked. 

One issue I had with this book was that it kept the reader in the dark about certain things for too long to really have a sense of what to care about. I also felt that the ending was extremely rushed, and I wish that Tristan had had more development. He was absent too often and when he was present, he didn't have much agency in the story, which dampened the romance for me.

That said, this was still a fun, magical story with a cute queer romance, and I'm glad I read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, War, Medical content, and Murder

Moderate: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Homophobia

Minor: Drug use

kaykayjay's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Well that was a good read. Flew by. Got a somewhat lighter Nk Jemison vibe. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Torture

ninjamuse's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death, and Murder

Moderate: War, Emotional abuse, Classism, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Grief

purplepenning's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit

Moderate: Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Torture, Slavery, Medical content, Homophobia, Drug use, and Emotional abuse

archcon's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

I loved this book. The beautiful writing and descriptions pulled me into the world better than anything I've read in a long time. The world details that were just there and not necessarily explained made it feel natural that I should know them and, again, pulled me in. And then the romance. Tender and sweet and organic.

As someone interested in WWI, I enjoyed the clear parallels and the interesting new aspects added to the familiar parts.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, Forced institutionalization, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Confinement, and Mental illness

Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and War

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use

ticktock's review

adventurous challenging mysterious 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? It's complicated

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Death, Violence, and War

hailstorm3812's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

 This is excellent. I enjoyed it so much more than I though I would. I am so compelled by stories asking if trying to change the system from inside works, and even if it doesn't is it worth it to make that small amount better. The trap of family, duty, and morality that he has to juggle is so interesting. Finally I love the romance. It hits so hard. It's about the PINING. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War

Minor: Homophobia and Child abuse