Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson

22 reviews

heidijomann's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This book was a lot of fun as someone who 1.) Is familiar -ish with the folklore and 2.) Grew up near enough to Texarkana to not have to constantly google all of the regional references and plants. I think it could have been really frustrating otherwise. 

Overall the vibes were great, very dark and spooky in a folk-horror way. I think it would make a fantastic movie. My biggest critique is that it felt unedited and a little bit sloppy. Still enjoyed it though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Trafficking

Moderate: Animal death, Rape, and Vomit

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Self harm

directorpurry's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Confinement, Infidelity, Slavery, and Trafficking

mblanke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Child death and Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcoholism

criticalbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

kirstendo's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Violence

Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Abortion

froyobaggns's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

it took me a few chapters to get into the story. you're dropped in and you are immediately in it. there were certainly some hard to digest moments of abuse, pain, and trauma, but it really was a very enjoyable story.

bearish's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Twin Peaks: Bayou Edition, Dark Southern Grimdark, Found Family, Access Intimacy, Extremely Shitty Cop(s), Ominous Water Fowl, Slavic Folklore, the George R. R. Martin School of Character Development

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Sexual assault

jmdeal's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault

negcol's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Child abuse

Minor: Animal death and Trafficking

literaryliaisons's review against another edition

3.5

The Boatman's Daughter is a case study in Southern gothic atmosphere, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in the uncomfortably humid yet lush backwaters / "bottoms" of the Alabama bayou, this horror-dark fantasy hybrid weaves Russian folklore and bog witchcraft with the mundane evils of mankind. I had high hopes for this story, and for the most part I enjoyed the read! I am definitely a fan of Davidson's descriptive and borderline lyrical style.

If you enjoy the "Southern gothic" aesthetic, or if you enjoy reading about traditional witchcraft (think less Harry Potter and more bog witches in scary swamp shacks), then you should absolutely pick up The Boatman's Daughter. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which had a great mixture of lush descriptions of the bayou setting with compelling characters and an action-packed story arc.

However, be mindful of some TW content, namely (brief) mentions of r*pe/sexual assault, forced drug use, and a few scenes featuring brief but graphic violence.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence