Reviews tagging 'Trafficking'

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

5 reviews

redheadorganist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Infidelity and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, and Trafficking

leonormsousa's review

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

4.0

TRIGGER WARNINGS 

violence, child abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, forced institutionalization, murder, slavery, trafficking, racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, panic attacks/disorders, blood, injury/injury detail, medical content, chronic illness, vomit, alcohol

REPRESENTATION 

 

bisexual MC, mixed-race (Black) gay LI with epilepsy 

 

REVIEW 

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was a refreshing, fun and surprising read. I was expecting just a light-hearted queer historical romance, but I got, on top of that, an adventurous book with more depth than I imagined.

Switching things up and starting with the ending, let me just say: I loved the author’s note at the end of the book. The author explains some of her research and clarifies what parts of the book are very much inspired by what is actually known about eighteenth-century Europe (the setting of the book). I thought it was such a powerful way to help the reader learn from the story and turn the novel into more than just a cute romance. 

Among the topics that are covered throughout the book (and some in the author’s note), we have queerness culture, race relations, epilepsy, misogyny, child abuse, politics and piracy; all really important and/or really interesting subjects that add layers to this great YA romance. 

As for the main plot, it is not your typical (historical) romance. It is filled with adventure and mystery and it even has a fantastical side to it, which was something that I completely loved. It all provided the perfect set-up for me to see the characters grow (and grow on me), especially Monty, while keeping me invested in the story. 

I’m not a big fan of friends to lovers, but this book was proof that when something is well done, it doesn’t matter if you’re not a big fan of the genre or the trope: it can still get you! Seeing Monty’s and Percy’s relationship grow as they learn how to love was just marvellous. For me, it was just a shame that we had to see a bit of the miscommunication trope (not my favourite), although I do think that it came to show the extra lack of confidence that can be felt in expressing your feelings in the case of queer relationships. 

While it didn’t completely blow me away, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was a solid 4-stars that found its way to my heart. And since Felicity was my favourite character, I’m very much curious to see how the author has approached misogyny and asexuality in the second book of the series, where she takes the lead. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

dzvenyslava's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racism

Moderate: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Trafficking

onefineelephant's review

adventurous funny reflective tense 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

4.0

8/10. I wasn't exactly swooning over this book but I did really enjoy it. I like the ending message that we would all be happier if we accepted our own and others' flaws. Monty had to learn to love himself. Felicity was a firecracker. Percy was a gracious love interest. I enjoyed the realistic sibling relationship. I also enjoyed the more tender moments. I'm not a fan of ambiguous endings but I understand why this book needed to have one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

lucy12345's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, and Kidnapping