Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Gleam by Raven Kennedy

64 reviews

rasha_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Sexism

frantically's review

dark emotional funny slow-paced

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

3.5

The lit student in me, the critic, would like to rate this 3 or even 2 stars. Nothing happened. Just like in the last book. But the Aurip (?) stan in me won out.

You know, maybe sometimes we don't need a plot. Maybe some healing and some sex is enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Death

Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Addiction, Confinement, and Misogyny

Minor: Rape and War

mikasana's review

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.25

Best of the series (so far).

This is also the only series I feel has no definite beginning, middle nor end for each book. It’s more so just one sliver of a large overarching story that stems from the first book. There’s usually 1 definite moment that becomes the highlight of each book so far but again, beginning and end are all pretty blurry. 

This approach makes the world and its world-building pretty lacking with more questions than answers as book seems to stray away from. The majority of the focus is on its characters and their relationships/development. 

So despite all its flaws, the slowburn is immaculate. The payoff from book 2 into book 3 is delicious. I love the tension, the flirtations, and the push/pull between our FMC and her love interest.

I will say, however, my biggest gripes were some of the pet names that were used (I hate seeing “baby” as a term of endearment) and some of the raunchier scenes that just felt a little bit out of place with the rest of the book.

Overall the series has me hooked and despite its flaws I will be finishing all of it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Death, Drug abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Pregnancy

katreading111's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Gaslighting, Gore, Sexual content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Violence

courtknee_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Child death, Gaslighting, and Sexual content

crystalfaery's review

adventurous challenging 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Body horror, Physical abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexism, Kidnapping, Violence, Medical content, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

courtvander's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As rough as book one is, I now very much appreciate the raw feelings. Reading Auren break through the cycle of abuse is so powerful. This story really does teach you that you can have all the support in the world, but you have to be the one to break free from your cage.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use

jennybugg's review

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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: Sexual content

Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Domestic abuse

dani_reis's review

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Cursing, Death, Confinement, Abandonment, Child abuse, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Trafficking

Moderate: Mental illness and Bullying

erisedstraeh's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content

Moderate: War and Torture