Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos

75 reviews

valentine183's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, and Classism

beginagain_'s review against another edition

medium-paced

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

2.25

You know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, here I did that, but in reverse, as I was really fascinated by the cover. That is how my best friend gifted me this book for Christmas and I was so excited about that! But honestly, I really tried to like this book, truly tried to love the characters (or at least the main character) but I didn’t manage to do that. I often empathise with the characters, their emotions, what they are going through, but here it was basically impossible for me, unfortunately. 

This book tells you everything and nothing at the same time, it promises you some world building but most of the times it falls flat and feels static in too many moments. Nothing really happens, or at least nothing exciting or shocking; took me forever to finish reading it as I was either bored by it or bothered by the actions of the characters and the blatant misogyny.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence

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

---

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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Child death

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

---

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

r_gale's review

adventurous tense slow-paced

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

1.0

Read as a recommendation feoma friend Started off really well with intresting characters, lore, and magical abilities and object.

Loved the wimsy of the original setting and characters but soon turned into a court dynamics drama that I just found really long and tiring. 

The main character is made to wade thought endless shit in the journey that is meant to strengthen her in Resolve and character and better explain the working is the world. But just seems like chapters of filler to get the next book workout much pay off. 

Will not bother with the next in the series 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Vomit

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

---

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

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. 

---

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.

crondeau_yvr's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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? No

3.0

The audio book narrator is excellent I’m just not convinced by the story yet. But of course I have to read book 2 now because I have no idea what’s going to happen next. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence

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

---

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