Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos

52 reviews

harbingermeow's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Pregnancy

Minor: Miscarriage

beth07's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

i really enjoyed this book, a great first (proper) read of 2025.

• i really loved ophelia’s character and especially her like reading talent like that’s very interesting 
• absolutely HATED that
  archibald
  man he was a freaking WEIRDO!
• the first 50 ish pages where
  Ophelia was on her home ‘ark’ was beautifully described and i really loved her great uncle and little brother
  , i hope we see more of them in following books. 
• definitely continuing the series!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Miscarriage

amelia_m's review

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Miscarriage

Minor: Fatphobia

bookishone's review

adventurous funny inspiring mysterious 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse

Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy

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

samchase112's review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

4.0

This fantasy opener sucked me in! I was initially intimidated by its size, but soon became drawn into the world and characters and intriguing, twisting storyline — the world-building was definitely the star here, and I loved it! There are certainly some issues, some of which I believe are due to the translation, but I’m intrigued enough to keep reading the series. With all the twists this one took, I have to know where the rest of the story will go!

This was also a company book club pick, and I’m interested to hear what others thought about it. An interesting discussion to be had, for sure!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Miscarriage, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicide

e_riahh's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Blood, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Murder

chasinggrace's review

mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

I was so excited for the premise of this book, but unfortunately I was disappointed. The first installment of this series felt like a prequel with one of the most drab main characters I’ve ever read. Her development from meek and clumsy to angry and clumsy took 490 pages, and her relationship with Thorn moved at a similarly glacial pace. This book was dedicated to Ophelia understanding court politics and having her innocence completely shed, whereas I was expecting more - more interactions with Thorn, for the main character to have a quicker mind, for SOMETHING to happen. But it’s 500 pages of her getting pushed around like a rag doll. This truly could have been condensed, and I wish it had been. 

The world is fantastic, I will say. It reminds me of a cross between Studio Ghibli and Bridgerton. 


While I’m not completely put off from the series, it’ll be awhile before I decide if I want to continue with Ophelia’s story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

a_islandcriptid's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Police brutality, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

siomhaw's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Genocide, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Infertility, Suicide, Vomit, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis