Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Ascent to Godhood by Neon Yang

5 reviews

athetos's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

In this final novella, we finally learn the backstory of the Protectorate, and how she came into her power. The point of view is from Lady Han's drunken retelling of her history to another character, after the Protectorate has died. Lady Han has a vulgar and comedic voice that was a delight to read, and she was a character I was very much interested in learning more about, so I'm glad she was the chosen narrator. She was bought from her family to be an entertainer, then stumbled into the Protectorate's circle, where she became enamored with her. We all know how her tale will end, as we know exactly how evil the Protectorate can be, but the journey there is a gripping read. I became fascinated with both characters, and how they were tangled together. It's crushing to know that the Protectorate is of course using Lady Han, which just made her admiration and love of her all the more tragic. It's not entirely backstory; there's a few tidbits at the end about the current state of affairs that give enough answers while still encouraging the reader to imagine what the future of this world will be like. All in all, I can't recommend these novellas enough. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Cursing

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child death, Child abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Infertility, Violence, and Suicide

beebeewin's review

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

Another good installment in the Tensorate series! Like the third book, I appreciated how this story fleshed out the world more, while still staying lightly connected to the previous plots. It is refreshing to have such a casual queer story, a slow burn rebellion tale, and a backstory to a character I hadn't thought about before. Once again, Neon Yang writes a short but impactful read. Sad that I finished the series but interested in reading more of their work. Overall, Yang writing improved across the series and the character exploration felt deeper and more realistic. I didn't necessarily love or deeply connect with this installment's characters, especially to fully understand their motivations. That is the sacrifice of a short novel, but I would definitely recommend this series for anyone looking for a short and enjoyable science fiction read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Transphobia and Murder

Minor: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Infertility, and Toxic relationship

tahsintries's review

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infertility, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Child death, and Rape

Minor: Infidelity

omnombailey's review

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 Absolutely excellent. Loved the backstory involving the mother of the twins. And to have it told as essentially a bar story after her death from a lover was quite interesting. I only wish it was longer! I hope this doesn't conclude the series, because I would love to read more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Infertility, Grief, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Drug use

Minor: Suicide and Sexual content

ellanarose's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Toxic relationship