Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

23 reviews

malhale's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Torture and Physical abuse

erynpaige's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Racism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, War, Police brutality, Murder, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, Confinement, and Child death

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

readingpicnic's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Homophobia

emilywasbored's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Homophobia, and Child abuse

Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder

Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Child death

i_kin_cardan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

fictionalportal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Abandonment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Drug use

Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Murder

Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

plumpaperbacks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

4.5

As soon as I found out this book was sapphic, it went on my TBR. As soon as I started reading it, I was intrigued. Every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again. Rutkoski has improved significantly since writing the Winner’s Curse trilogy, in my opinion.

I loved Nirrim and Sid right away. The latter gave me Nikolai vibes, as both characters have an effortlessly confident and flirtatious façade they only let those they trust and love see past. Though I’m not nearly as in love with the Grishaverse as I was a few years ago, I still love Nikolai, and I love Sid even more.

The girls’ interactions had me smiling as soon as they met, and I loved seeing their relationship develop. I felt their affection deep in my soul, and I was so happy every time they had a moment that brought them closer. The yearning, the tenderness…. be still my gay heart!!! Every single time I read a book featuring a sapphic couple, I get immensely happy, and by the time I finish the book I’ve got a massive crush on at least one of the girls. This time, it’s Sid. Holy wow. Girl thoughts. Head lesbian. 😍

I felt so bad for Nirrim, and how the two people she was closest to were so abusive and manipulative. Seeing her come out of her shell, learn about the world, and become her own person was so satisfying. I want to give her the biggest hug, honestly.

The world Rutkoski created was unique and well-written. Readers are purposefully left in the dark for most of the book, slowly learning more alongside Nirrim, getting answers that also bring more questions. Despite this, I wasn’t confused or frustrated by what I didn’t know; I was intrigued by the possibilities and curious to see how she would tie everything together. In the end, there were multiple things revealed that I in no way saw coming. While not the most mind-blowing twists I’ve come across, they were still surprising, and set the stage nicely for the sequel.

Speaking of the sequel, I’m anticipating pain. Between the current state of Nirrim and Sid’s relationship and the events of the epilogue, I’m concerned. Very concerned. Also, the second book’s title makes sense now, and although I’m looking forward to said book, I just have a bad feeling. Like, I’m excited, but there’s a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach, because I’m desperately hoping for good things but expecting bad things.

I wouldn’t call this a new favorite, but it’s certainly a story I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend. Fingers crossed I can read the next book sooner rather than later!!

Representation

• sapphic protagonist of color
• biracial lesbian love interest
• sapphic romance (f/f)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, and Homophobia

Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Terminal illness, Child abuse, and Child death

Those tagged minor are mentioned throughout the story but occurred prior to it.

zoemaleah's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• 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

This book was so unique in both the writing style- the way the narrator tells the story- and the world building and fantasy elements. There is no info dumping in this book, despite it being set in a fantasy world, because the protagonist doesn't know much about the world she lives in. She explains only what she knows and only what she feels the audience needs to know, which creates an aura of mystery and interest that unfolds slowly, in a beautiful way, because of the protagonists initial reluctance to push beyond the wall that she grew up within. When you do learn things about the world, they are fresh and unique- different from most current fantasy books. From the magic to the culture to the mythology, everything is creative and feels original. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Blood

make_believer's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence

yvonne_cl's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Police brutality

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence