Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

17 reviews

mxfahrenheit's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Animal death, Pedophilia, and Rape

Minor: Vomit, Torture, and Self harm

lesbe_reader's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Violence, Self harm, Misogyny, Gore, Death, Body horror, Blood, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship

bookishbutch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• 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: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Grief, and Confinement

Minor: Miscarriage and Self harm

typedtruths's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Violence, Sexual violence, and Self harm

Moderate: Confinement, Racism, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia

luckykosmos's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I planned to make this one last much longer than it did, and instead read it in a day. I'm a sucker for blood magic because of the idea of sacrifice intrinsic in that - so I find Immanuelle's place in this story intriguing, how her fate hangs between Bethal and the Darkwood. On the one hand, I think some themes were slightly underbaked - I would have loved more time with the Outskirters, since we were told that it was Immanuelle's father who made her an outsider in Bethal, and in the end we saw little of them (especially at the end). To that end, I expected race to be a more key player in this story, but nonetheless thought this was a beautiful, bloody commentary on sexism and the power men force over women. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood and Self harm

Minor: Violence and Pedophilia

lisacanteven's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is quite frankly literary magic. I see the allegory wrapped up in such an intriguing story. There are some really tough topics, the story is so worth a read if you can read through the triggers listed at the end of this review.

The first half of the book is some serious setup and world building. I never found myself bored during this, but I was ready for some action. The setup was very necessary to the plot, so don't stop reading. The first half of the book is much more character driven than plot driven. Once you reach that halfway mark, the story really (and I mean REALLY) picks up. I read almost the entire second half of the book in one day, whereas it took me five days to read the first half. There is just a lot to digest and retain during the first 160ish pages.

Immanuelle is one badass heroine. I loved her from the very beginning. Being by her side as she cleverly finds her way was the best adventure I could go on. She grows a lot in what can only be months' time, and I cannot wait to see who she becomes in the sequel. Yes, there is going to be a sequel. I saw it on the author's Instagram. She is working on it now, and I'm so thankful because I need more of these characters and this world in my life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Gore, and Death

Moderate: Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

alylentz's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• 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

This was just as spooky and atmospheric as I hoped it would be. I felt very drawn into the relationships and the characters. The only thing I was left wanting was--and I'm someone who never says this--I could have done with a little more worldbuilding... Bethel, the Darkwood, and the communities outside felt like a rough sketch, and I would have loved to have felt more immersed in the history and religion of the Prophet as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Self harm

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship