Reviews tagging 'Blood'

The Gifts That Bind Us by Caroline O'Donoghue

14 reviews

veggiestrawenjoyer13's review

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

3.75

Personally, I liked this book more than the first one. All the new plot points tied in really well and didn’t feel randomly added in, they felt planned. The modern media references continued to throw me off, but there were less so it was easier to read. I really enjoyed the conflicts and personal struggles each character went through. They felt realistic and relatable. The plot twists towards the end of the book had my jaw dropped and I didn’t know who to trust. I would say the only thing that I disliked was (minor spoiler about a new character’s background) 

Manon’s source of power. Gods were never mentioned before this, so it felt very random. It seemed like a way to give the group a super powerful ally (because they desperately needed one.)

Otherwise, I think the plot moved at a good pace and I enjoyed all the characters. It’s not a literary masterpiece, but it’s still a really good sequel and a nice casual read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Transphobia, and Self harm

Moderate: Misogyny, Dysphoria, Homophobia, and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury

runes_reads's review against another edition

challenging 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? Yes

4.75

The cover art and art within the book was gorgeous just like the first one. This takes place directly after All Our Hidden Gifts, with a lot of similar themes. There are some differences in the content warnings, so I would look at them.
There are a few storytelling differences between this and the first book. I feel like this one didn't focus on character flaws as much, but it still was a pretty big focus. We got some more lore/knowledge about the magic in this one, which I really liked. I felt that the protagonist, Maeve, had less character development than in the first. This wasn't a bad thing, she still had a lot.
I'm very excited to read the third book in this trilogy!

Most of the characters are in the equivalent of United States senior year of high school in the story. There's a recurrent worry for them about change and the future, something any teenager can relate to. Please look at the content warnings for this story, it's a YA, but a heavy one. I'd recommend it for ages 15+, so upper YA, verging on New Adult but not quite there.

I read this one in one day, I couldn't put it down! (Also it was a library book so I had a time limit, lol). I haven't decided on a star rating, definitely 4 stars at minimum. I think it's a 4.75 for me, there's nothing wrong with it, and I would highly recommend it. It just wasn't life changing for me personally. It was a great read, and I'll definitely remember it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Sexual content, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Cursing, Confinement, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Deadnaming, and Death

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit

meganpbell's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.75

This series is just so fantastic at capturing the feelings and growing pains and interpersonal challenges of the teen years, all while fighting religious fundamentalism with witchcraft, queer love, and the power of friendship. This installment especially excels with representations of queer, racial, neurodivergent, and disability marginalization—and with portraying the suffering so often behind the worst actions—and it’s just a fun ride!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Deadnaming, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, and Death

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content

geminireader's review

adventurous 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

This is easily one of the most creative and truly fun series I’ve read. It is not a light-hearted series - in fact, this particular book covered many grim and triggering topics. But the book still remains so whimsical and interesting, even if it does trudge into dark territory. I have endless praise for the author. I never know exactly where this series will go and the threads of the magical elements and problems alongside common teenage problems is woven so beautifully together to create a truly excellent young adult novel. I did take off a star only because some parts felt a bit rushed and some problems get solved a little too conveniently. I think this is aligned with the nature of the world and the series but still, can be a bit of a downfall when book-long problems are solved within a page. Regardless, if I convince you to give this series a go: I am a paper book only reader, and I have purchased the third book in hardcover just so I can read it. That’s how much I love this series and how much I want to know what happens! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Blood

sifairi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, and Rape

bumblebeejet's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Self harm

Minor: Suicide attempt

mcdal's review against another edition

4.5

Not enough Roe. Could’ve been another 5/5 if there was more Roe. Aside from that, I have no notes, only incoherent screaming 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Confinement

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Biphobia, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Stalking and Ableism

kstericker's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-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: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Transphobia

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Hate crime

thewoodlandbookshelf's review

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Death, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, and Forced institutionalization

abigailc0x's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

This was even more all over the place than the last good like i really wanted to know how it ended but also so like ??? at points
also there were a couple of plot holes or like just missed opportunities for something to happen like things i thought would be significant just weren’t 
but overall i did really like and knowing me and holly can talk about the funny lines in this once she reads it is nice to know so really probs a 3.5 stars but a low one at that

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Homophobia, and Transphobia

Minor: Blood, Deadnaming, and Sexual assault