Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Valour by John Gwynne

8 reviews

isi__1's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This book had all of the positive elements of the first book (interesting plot, 3-dimensional characters, solid world-building), but without the slow setup. 
Although I do have to say that I don‘t think that the ending of book one was topped by the ending of book two, I do think that the pacing of this sequel was a lot more consistent. I couldn‘t stop reading! 
Even though this book isn‘t short, it is a breeze to get through. This is definitely made easier by the very short chapters, which manage to make any book go by way faster. 
There‘s a few new POVs added, but it wasn‘t hard to keep track of these new characters, because I was already familiar with the world, general direction of the plot, and the other characters. 

The only reason why it‘s not a perfect 5-star book is because I can see some improvements to be made in the pacing. Although I was never bored for long, there were certain scenes or subplots that did drag on a tiny bit, in my opinion. Don‘t get me wrong, this really wasn‘t a glaring issue & didn‘t happen most of the time. All I‘m saying is that I do feel like there‘s some room for growth. 

In any case, I can‘t wait to read the third and fourth book. Especially because people do seem to like these the most. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Slavery

Minor: Torture, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts

xta_07's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense medium-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? No

4.75

Things I muttered to myself while reading the last few chapters of this book: What? On no! And of course: NoNoNONONonono!  

While both the beginning and the end of the book were very exciting and fun to read, I had trouble maintaining my momentum through the middle. What truly carried me through were the characters. They shine in this story; they all feel incredibly real. I really particularly enjoyed

Cywens journey, and her budding relationship with Vedaris and Alcyon. Even though she is their captive, they end up caring about each other.

I also really liked Camlin finding his place in the “crew” and learning the value of loyalty. There are a few one sided “bad guys” but most of the characters have nuance and depth, which is something I really appreciate.

John Gwynne has a knack for taking a tangled spider web of a plot and weaving it all together in a beautiful tear stained tapestry. I am both exited and scared to pick up book 3!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Blood, Violence, Death, and Gore

Moderate: Rape, Torture, and Confinement

russelmcq's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

To me, this series just continues to quicken the pace. Breakneck style, short chapters, action packed. While I can see how some may not love the "stop to smell the flowers" type of prose, I really enjoy this series for what it is.

A violent, emotional upheaval that grabs you and shakes you.

As a newer fantasy reader and having gone from Tolkien to this, I can appreciate both sides immensely.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, War, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicide attempt, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, and Gore

ripxw's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Violence, Gore, and Torture

Minor: Sexual violence

kat1105's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Violence, Animal death, Confinement, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Murder, and Slavery

Moderate: Child abuse, Trafficking, Ableism, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual violence

jaedia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Violence, War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Death of parent, Blood, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Murder, and Slavery

Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Medical content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, and Rape

Minor: Torture, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Excrement, Fatphobia, Animal death, Alcohol, Vomit, and Body shaming

kylieqrada's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense 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

4.0

I am continuing to love this series!!! While I didn't adore this with the fiery passion that I did the first one, I still really enjoyed it. A few moments of fatphobia, bleh. But more character development for our strong female protagonists and some big reveals contributed to what's shaping up to be a potential new fave series. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia

seanml's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.0

 This bomb of a series continues! 8/10.

Highlights: Cywen, Camlin, Alcyon, and Veradis. And to top them all off, the tale of Maquin.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, and Torture

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Misogyny