Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Kraken by China Miéville

6 reviews

benjiprickett's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality

Moderate: Racial slurs

Minor: Violence

maggietron's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.75

It was a bit long for me, but I don’t regret picking it up. The author crafts a rich, textured, vivid world that’s as fun to talk about as it is to read about. The characters are lovable and the themes are interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

j_snova's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

cassimiranda's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

2.0

This is my first Miéville, and I hope it's my last. The guy is clearly intelligent, has interesting world building concepts, and knows how to write well. Unfortunately, this book was heavy on the plot and light on the character work. I have no concept of who the (many, many) POV characters are, the hero is generic and has no personality, and the protagonists are caricatures without distinct traits. On top of which, the women (all two three of them) are easily identifiable stereotypes. My rating is on concept alone, the execution is mediocre.

If you're looking for a fast paced, complex, plot-driven urban fantasy it might work for you. Avoid the audiobook though, unless you want to listen to 16+ hour movie trailer. And don't read if you understand why tribbles are troublesome. Miéville paints a scathing portrait!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Child death, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Police brutality

erikwmj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Kidnapping

Minor: Animal death and Antisemitism

chapis's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Torture, Violence, and Blood

Clever book.