Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood

6 reviews

lesemaus2303's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Child death, Misogyny, Slavery, War, Blood, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, Grief, Rape, Violence, Infertility, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

aylabell's review

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

An interesting retelling of classic myth. It was a bit preachy in some places and the feminist lens felt a bit forced at times, but overall a beautiful take on Greek myth. Definitely makes more sense if you have decent knowledge of the mythos as there is lots of subtle nods to further mythology. Klytemnestra and Helen’s thoughts and feelings were hauntingly relatable for women through the ages and I felt a deep sense of connection and empathy to their plights. A must read for those that enjoy modern takes on classics. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Grief, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault

Minor: Child death

mothman19's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• 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: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Violence, War, and Blood

Moderate: Pedophilia, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Death of parent

Minor: Confinement, Abortion, Abandonment, Body shaming, Medical trauma, and Infertility

abfabulous17's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Death of parent, War, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Suicide, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Slavery

sadiesupercynski's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was heartbreaking for many reasons and in many ways. There were several dark and difficult themes explored, which is something I like in a book but may not be for everyone. 

Daughters of Sparta is a fascinating version of the magnificent Trojan war mythology, told from two new points of view: the women behind the scenes of the original telling, Klytemnestra and Helen. Through these points of view, you are given glimpses into the challenges, heartbreak, cruelty, loneliness, grief, strength, and regret these characters face due the suppression of women, the liberties of men, and the casualties of war. 

Rather than being characters or presence in this retelling, the gods and goddesses from the original telling are given a backseat as simple idols of a belief system, giving the story a more historical, realistic feel rather than a supernatural one. 

Be sure to check out the content warnings before diving in, as many heavy and triggering topics play a role in this story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, War, Violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Child death, and Blood

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Child death

alyssa_b_dub's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence