Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

33 reviews

bookkatbaddie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny slow-paced

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

5.0

My first 5 star book of the year and I’m SO excited to get the next one! This story has SO much potential to go so many places and I just love love love Callie and Des. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Murder, Death of parent, Child death, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, and Death

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, Stalking, Torture, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Child abuse, Child death, Gaslighting, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Animal death, Bullying, Mental illness, War, Grief, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Misogyny, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, and Self harm

chrisljm's review against another edition

dark 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? Yes

2.0

First of all, everyone who recommended this book is a sick freak. Because why are you people obsessing over this adult/minor grooming relationship. And even if you were to argue that they don't technically get together until the girl is an adult, it's still very strange how often they had to mention her being a "lovesick" teenager. Like that shit made me sick. It was also weird af that there was another (of lesser importance) adult male character that was dating a 16 year old girl. Although the focus was on him locking her in his basement, there didn't seem to be any criticism on him dating teenagers so it's kinda giving obsessed with grooming..

Second of all, why is a white author making a black character talk like that. It's weird enough she made her the stereotypical sassy black best friend, but the fact that the author sat there and typed "oh, naw, girl" as a part of her dialogue is kinda driving me insane. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Child death, Torture, Death of parent, and Confinement

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Slavery

crxwnpeach's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-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? No

5.0

It felt like an abridged version of ACOTAR and I LOVED IT. The pacing was perfect, check TW's before reading, but it was lovely. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape

Moderate: Death of parent, Slavery, and Child death

hclin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will plan to finish the series. I would be hard pressed to recommend this series because of the sheer number of trigger warnings it requires. I liked the spice and even the relationship between the two main characters as adults, but it was difficult to get over that

the romantic part of their relationship began when she was 16. This detracted from my experience as a reader.

I felt the world building could have been a bit stronger but I'm hoping it will get better in the next books (this could be because I'm less of a fan of urban/low fantasy though). My favourite aspect of this series is the concept of Callie being a Siren and the power and difficulties of this identity. I found it to be a unique take on magic/powers with interesting reflections about sexuality and feminism.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Confinement, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Rape

Minor: Slavery and Toxic relationship

jordanb11's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Slavery, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Murder, Blood, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping

thelongroadtosanity's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

"And mountains may rise and fall, and the sun might wither away, and the sea claim the land and swallow the sky. But you will always be mine." He runs his knuckles over my cheekbone. "And the stars might fall from the heavens, and night might cloak the earth, but until darkness dies, I will always be yours." 

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This book had absolutely no business sucking me into this world the way it did. 

Calypso, also known as Callie, is a siren living in a world of supernatural and humans. Wrapped around her wrist is over 300 magical beads, the physical manifestation of her bargains and favors with a Fae King called The Bargainer. One night he comes, calling in her debts to him. The Bargainer is in need of Callie's help to discover who is kidnapping fae and humans in his kingdom. 

Despite the story not having a ton of world-building, I instantly fell in love with Callie's character. She overcomes her childhood trauma and becomes a stronger individual because of it. I also enjoyed the tangled history of the Bargainer and Callie. It was refreshing that they had a history together for a long period of time before they overcame their feelings for each other. 

I was anticipating a bit more spice in this. Granted there were a few spicy scenes, but I definitely wanted more from both of them. Fingers crossed the next in the series will have a bit more of that. Also I would check trigger warnings before reading this, as there are references to some dark themes throughout the book. 

I have to admit, I only started reading this as a pallet cleanser in-between novels, and I am pleasantly surprised. The fast-paced storyline really had me hooked from the beginning and of course I love the Fae vibes this brought to the table. Callie's take-no-shit attitude was refreshing and I, of course, love the Touch-her-and-you-die troupe. This is definitely a decent read for fans of ACOTAR (Des definitely has some Rowan vibes from TOG). I was very happy (and slightly emotional) with this book. (06/2033) 

4 out of 5 stars 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Murder, Slavery, and Blood

xomandymoo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Slavery, Torture, Death of parent, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Body horror, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, and Kidnapping

icapturethecastle's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Rape, Alcoholism, Blood, Vomit, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Violence, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture

bekahzabel's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

4/5 🌟 I devoured it. Did I know it was going to be up my alley??? Pretty much.

I mean Siren b2b Dark Powerful King b2b Wings b2b Magically Binding Bargains????? Come on the concept was speaking to my soul from the get go. 

The dual time perspective in each chapter gave me insight, similarly to how a prequel would?? so I could see right when certain moments affected Callie then vs. in the present. I was 50/50 on how I felt about that. It felt like miscommunication, but upon completion I had better perspective & understanding. 

Does the dialogue get a little gushy and corny at parts? Yes!! But if liking that’s a crime, cuff me because I ate it up. 

I also have an aversion to a blonde MMC- not my type - but Desmond Flynn, there’s a first for everything. 

Tropes:

Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Paranormal & Fae World 
Dark Magic Broody Morally Gray MMC
~ WINGS ~
Second Chances
Fated Mates 
~ Magic Bargains ~
Slow Burn

This one’s for you😈

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Adult/minor relationship