Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

128 reviews

sparklefarm's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

oh i LOVED this. Queer magical noir anyone?! Excellent audiobook narration. Exquisite. Chef's kiss. Why is this only a novella.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Blood

Minor: Car accident and Death of parent

laurareads87's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.0

A well written novella with a cool noir atmosphere. Overall, I would say that I liked this novella and would definitely read more by Polk (this was my first experience with their work). That said, I did find this novella had a few too many ideas squished into it given its length. I also found myself more interested in background aspects of the setting – such as the types of magic that exist in this alternate history, where magical capabilities seem to be a blend of both inherited and learned– than I was in the central plot. The ending fell flat for me. 

Content warnings: homophobia, sexism, misogyny, violence, blood, death, gun violence, forcible confinement / institutionalization 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Blood, Gun violence, Violence, and Forced institutionalization

quirkykayleetam's review

dark emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I have such mixed feelings about this book.

The writing was gorgeously atmospheric, the relationship at the heart of this lesbian noir literally to die for.

And I loved the first half!  It felt like the best of the speakeasy scene from Master of Djinn mixed with all the lost possibilities of Supernatural the TV show told by a voice I longed to hear on audio.  But when things became more blatantly about patriarchal control, I longed for more nuance in its perspective on religion.

The end hit hard, right where it was supposed to, but never felt exactly the way it should.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Murder

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Lesbophobia

stacyaj's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Violence

micheala's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

3.75

This was an interesting alternative history paranormal mystery. 

It's very short (only 135 pages) so I can't really say much without spoiling things. I will say that overall the mystery was interesting, however there was one key piece that Helen should have noticed much sooner, and her not realizing it felt like a blatant plot convenience. 

Content warnings for time period (1940s-ish) homophobia, misogyny, mental institution (characters commited against their will), electroshock therapy, adversion therapy, death, possession,blood and gore - most of these are not described in great detail, but they are present and discussed on page

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Child death, Car accident, and Death of parent

bashsbooks's review against another edition

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
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is incredible. Short but dense, every word is well-spent. It's difficult to paint a compelling fantasy in such a short work, and adding on the fact that it's period piece makes it doubly impressive. Cannot recommend enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, and Gun violence

Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, and Car accident

Minor: Death of parent and Misogyny

reutermiriam's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

I wanted more character development! Would have loved to spend more time with these characters 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Minor: Homophobia

takarakei's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

• Noir
• Sapphic romance
• Chicago speakeasies
• Photography
• Magical realism 
• Novella
• great audio narration

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Car accident and Death of parent

wyllora's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Really enjoyed this- a noir story featuring some of my favorite magical elements: angels, demons, possession, pacts, and blood magic. :-) If you're reading this you probably read the summary too- but I'd avoid it bc I didn't know the content going in and was delighted and surprised to organically discover it.

 I only wish it was longer and the magic and world was more fleshed out! It was fleshed out enough for the story it was telling--but it intrigued me enough that I wish it stayed longer on the world and pieces of the mystery. If some things had been better established early on, I also think it would've captured more of the mystery staple of trying to figure out what's going on along with the characters. As it was, we're more along for the ride, but it's a nice ride, I like it.

Would love a sequel or more entries into this world!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, and Homophobia

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Police brutality

stardustandrockets's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This novella reads like a sapphic Supernatural fanfic and I'm here for it! Not going to spoil anything, but if you're at all a fan of SPN before things took a turn, this is the novella for you!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Gore

Minor: Car accident, Violence, Torture, and Murder