Reviews tagging 'War'

The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli

22 reviews

bibliodiaries's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad 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

There was a lot to this book that was easy to guess which made it a little less fun to read. The magic was interesting but I still feel like there is more too it than was explained. I like the characters, the relationships made sense as well as their motivations. The world felt both familiar and Victorian as well as completely new. I wish there had been more from Gedions POV. I felt like his experiences added a ton to the story. If only we could have had an Alex POV too. The storytelling was so good I couldn't put the book down and finished it in a day.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, War, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction

xapoptosisx's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.75

All I need to say is I read this book in one sitting and I need the next book now.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, Addiction, and Classism

Moderate: War, Sexual violence, Grief, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

mr05e's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

This book had a great set up to be an amazing story, but it ended up falling short for me. 

The world-building didn’t seem very well thought out. Some of the details made it sound like it was a Victorian-inspired fantasy story, but then the author uses words like “leggings,” “bralette,” “sundress,” and “hooded sweater” (what’s wrong with just a cloak 🥹). Those parts would take me right out of the story. 

I also wish Rune was given more time to shine as a vigilante-witch! It’s just explained that she has saved a bunch of witches from prison and helped them escape. I wanted  part of the plot to be her saving people and being a badass. It’s a lot of talking about what her plan is and her internal struggle as a witch in hiding. Just wish there was more of her taking action/vigilantism to supplement her internal conflict. 

The plot twist with

Verity actually being Cressida in disguise

was a bit predictable so I found myself wanting the characters to hurry up and get with the program.

And sadly, I think we all knew Alex wasn’t going to be long for this world, the enemies to lovers plot is obviously going to favor the enemies lmao

 

The  enemies to lovers aspect of this romantasy was solid, probably the best part of the book. A little more “cat and mouse” action would’ve made it even better (aka more scenes where Gideon and Rune interact as blood guard vs crimson moth,

like when he sets up the trap in the mines

). I feel like it would’ve added more interest to their enemies dynamic. And once we get to the actual “lovers” part of the trope

it was well written: good balance of angst, consent, communication, intimacy, and spice that definitely made the way they parted ways at the end more emotional as opposed to just being fanservice-y

 

📚TLDR: Good enemies to lovers plot, just wished the characters and the world they are in were fleshed out better—more “show” and less “tell”.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, and Murder

Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Gun violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: War

Male victim of sexual/emotional/physical abuse

dcnireads's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture

Moderate: Genocide, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Slavery, Addiction, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and War

Minor: Misogyny

taylor500's review against another edition

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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, War, and Murder

Minor: Rape

novel_nibbles's review

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Absolute perfection. My favourite read so far this year 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Drug use, Death of parent, Drug abuse, War, Self harm, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Hate crime

raindrops333'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and War

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Drug use, Blood, Violence, Classism, Gore, and Religious bigotry

also_micah's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood and Death

Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Torture, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and War

rachelblair's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Classism, Violence, Death of parent, and Death

mysticserenity's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I was completely blown away by this book. Unfortunately I cannot go into how much without giving too much away. Wonderfully executed. If you want something that engages a troupe and makes it better you are in for a ride. Fair warning this society is doing, and has done, brutal things to each other. It’s at times shocking and devastating. Definitely dark and dangerous. That ending crushed me. I cannot wait for the next one. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, War, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Death, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Murder, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Hate crime