Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell

6 reviews

maxnightshade's review

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt

zoec24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The insta-love bit in this was weird but I get why it happened-the bit where they don't get married instantly and don't have full on insta-love is great, which is such a low bar but still a relief. Just seeing Aurora be capable and skilled is great-huge improvement from sleeping for most of the time. The character development was great too and I love how they explore how weird the insta-love/her entire life was and make it more realistic and

end with her as a decent ruler

. Liana was pretty great too.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Grief, Toxic relationship, Murder, Abandonment, and Death of parent

hbeighey's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Violence

fool_ofabook's review

adventurous dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Much much darker than I would have expected. This book tackles alot of serious and very real mental health issues/obsticals, and does not shy away. I was relieved and grateful at the hope found throuought, and especially at the end of the story. Aurora Rose may had had a grotesque awakening to reality, but I wanted her to have a second chance to live. The very verrrry end was slightly rushed, considering the pace of the rest of the book; however- it was a very brave story, told from one of the most underrated princesses. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Confinement, and Mental illness

stormywolf's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

 Coming to the tale of Sleeping Beauty, which features one of my least favorite heroines but one of my most favorite villains, I had mixed feelings. Would the heroine be elevated by having more time and depth added? Would the villain be re-imagined with a(nother) sympathetic backstory? Would this story reside in my dreams, or haunt my nightmares?

Read my full review at The Wolf's Den

Overall, this one hit me a lot harder than I ever expected one of these Twisted Disney stories would. It still has its fair share of things I didn't like, things that felt tonally off, and things I felt could have been given a deeper exploration, but on the whole I appreciated the thought and care given to the main subject. Aurora Rose was taken from a passive role as a damsel in distress, now re-imagined as a character with gifts and curses (given & natural) who has to fight demons (literal & internal) in order to overcome evil and find her place in the world. If you're okay with some dark subject matter—specifically murder, childhood trauma, and mental health issues—I would highly recommend checking out this Twisted Tale. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Mental illness

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Animal death and Rape

The word "rapists" is used once, but given no context or further thought.

A majority of the story focuses on the main character's depression, with a couple scenes describing her suicide attempt (knowing she was to be cursed with eternal sleep, but willingly going through with it).

catrasbookclub's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse