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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I first heard about this book from a fellow Bookstagrammer. Books like this are right up my alley, the darker the better IMO, so I didn’t know how I hadn’t heard of it before but I knew I needed to throw the rest of my tbr out of the window and read it right away. And I’m so glad I did. It was so worth the read.
While the subject may be extremely difficult and triggering for some, I found the writing incredible and the story well done. I binged this and finished the audio in two days because I couldn’t put it down. While my heart ached for Roan and all that she suffered, I had hope that her situation would improve.
As horrible as the subject matter is, I loved this book. Certain parts made me cringe, but in others I smiled and shared in Roan’s happiness. 4.5 stars
While the subject may be extremely difficult and triggering for some, I found the writing incredible and the story well done. I binged this and finished the audio in two days because I couldn’t put it down. While my heart ached for Roan and all that she suffered, I had hope that her situation would improve.
As horrible as the subject matter is, I loved this book. Certain parts made me cringe, but in others I smiled and shared in Roan’s happiness. 4.5 stars
dark
tense
medium-paced
This was an...interesting story. Also dysfunctional and disturbing (obviously knew that going into this since I'd read the synopsis). From a craft perspective, there were some well-done elements, which is mostly what kept me from giving this a one-star rating because the actual plot itself was not up my alley. It was easy enough to stay invested in Roan and easy to feel her growing dread and anxiety. Yet, there were too many pieces, especially as threads were being tied up at the end, that didn't sit right with me.
I'd picked this up because I'd seen some intriguing reviews about it, and I'd recommend caution for anyone else considering whether or not they want to give it a read.
I'd picked this up because I'd seen some intriguing reviews about it, and I'd recommend caution for anyone else considering whether or not they want to give it a read.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Roan is a teenage girl that is a competitive horse rider. She is following in the footsteps of her famous olympian father, Monty. Her father is also her coach and the two of them have an inappropriate relationship with each other. It isn't until Roan and a classmate Will get close that Roan sees how inappropriate things are and tries to figure out a way she can get out from under her dad's control.
A book about a father raping his daughter is pretty disgusting and it was hard to get through some of the parts of the book. I just don't understand how anyone could do that, but I know that it is something that happens. I contemplated stopping the book, but the writing wasn't horrible and I was curious to see where the author was going to go with the book. It's not an easy book to read and the scenes do get graphic at points. I think my thoughts during most of this book were "ewww."
A book about a father raping his daughter is pretty disgusting and it was hard to get through some of the parts of the book. I just don't understand how anyone could do that, but I know that it is something that happens. I contemplated stopping the book, but the writing wasn't horrible and I was curious to see where the author was going to go with the book. It's not an easy book to read and the scenes do get graphic at points. I think my thoughts during most of this book were "ewww."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape
3.5*
An arresting debut novel about survival, Dark Horses is at once uncomfortable, bold, and gripping.
An arresting debut novel about survival, Dark Horses is at once uncomfortable, bold, and gripping.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an incredibly compelling and emotional book which covers some very dark topics. If you don’t like to read about difficult subjects, especially when written in a graphic way, then this is not the book for you. I experienced the whole gamut of emotions at different points in this story, and I found the characters to be very well developed and believable if infuriating at times. I was very eager to get back to the book when I had to put it down and wanted to see how/if the protagonist would escape the horrible situation in which she found herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Incest, Sexual assault
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Eating disorder
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First things first - huge trigger warnings in this book. Please check them out.
This was an incredibly challenging read. I’m not faint hearted but I was physically shuddering and felt ill at times during this book. That being said, it felt purposeful and never like you were being told the graphics just because. I appreciate that.
I felt the ending was very rushed. There was a huge tension build up for 90% of this book, there was a release and you’ll have a reaction for sure, but then - it was rushed through to conclude. That let it down just a little for me.
This was an incredibly challenging read. I’m not faint hearted but I was physically shuddering and felt ill at times during this book. That being said, it felt purposeful and never like you were being told the graphics just because. I appreciate that.
I felt the ending was very rushed. There was a huge tension build up for 90% of this book, there was a release and you’ll have a reaction for sure, but then - it was rushed through to conclude. That let it down just a little for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma
Minor: Car accident
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated