Reviews tagging 'Child death'

A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos

49 reviews

minbyrnes's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

I have mixed feelings about this one because it's so slow, and it feels like nothing is happening even though so many things are happening, but I like it?? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Physical abuse

Minor: Child death, Death, and Drug use

jessversteeg's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Murder

Minor: Child death, Transphobia, and Abandonment

abrataydabra's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Child death

dmteralie's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-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? No

4.0

This book is really odd but kept me reading. It’s weirdly mundane for a fantasy book. Almost slice of life. I hated most of the characters except the main character. Not in that they were poorly written way but in that they are bad people way. It’s really more about world building than the characters themselves. I finished the book with more questions than answers and honestly excited to read the next one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Child death, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Murder, and Toxic friendship

godelewa's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

hazeyfails's review against another edition

3.5

It took me a while to get interested because everything seems to be going so wrong. It was like reading "a series of unfortunate events" but this at least has a couple lighthearted moments. I almost left it on my DNF pile but decided to give it a second chance and now I think I'll actually pick up the rest of the series. It's dark in the lightest of ways.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

amelia_m's review

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Miscarriage

Minor: Fatphobia

emerentina's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

nat20charisma's review against another edition

5.0

An incredibly unique setting unlike any I have read before! I love the main character Ophelia. She is clumsy and gives librarian vibes, but she is also incredibly smart and strong. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Pregnancy

Minor: Child abuse and Child death

The pregnancy is not the main character, but it is an important part of the story of a side character.

shaimanshamoon's review

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A Winter's Promise is an enchanting start to The Mirror Visitor Quartet, filled with rich world-building, political intrigue, and a unique magic system. The protagonist, Ophelia, a quiet woman who can read objects and travel through mirrors, is forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and mysterious Thorn. As she navigates the treacherous court of the Pole, the plot unfolds with slow-burning tension, uncovering secrets and hidden agendas.

The intricate universe of floating arks is vividly imagined, and the magic system feels fresh and essential to the story. Ophelia's character development, from shy and awkward to resilient, is a highlight, while Thorn's layers unravel slowly. The pacing is deliberate, and while some may find the action lacking, the novel's focus on political maneuvering and suspense is rewarding.

Though the relationship between Ophelia and Thorn

develops at a glacial pace (wish they'd fall in love!), their

dynamic adds depth. Thorn's frequent scoffing, like the "he growled" in some
books is funny to me

Overall, A Winter's Promise is a beautifully crafted fantasy that will captivate patient readers.

Rating: 4/5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism