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kyahs's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Rape, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War
a_bow's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
annniina98's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Excrement, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
colorismmysteryspouse's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Dysphoria
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Excrement
kimreads14's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
The overall experience of reading this book made my blood boil at all times. Forna's capacity to depict a patriarchal and misogynistic world that will make you question your own reality is masterful!
Forna offers a beautiful piece that pushes you to critically think about the state of our society.
The reason why I bumped it down from 5 ⭐️ to 4.25 ⭐️ is because from time to time the writing and the world-building felt a bit forced rather than carrying you inside Otera smoothly and with grace.
Also while I understand that Deka is meant to be special among even the Alakis, the way this was depicted sometimes felt a bit borderline of a Mary Sue character. Anyone who is used to reading books of this kind will admit that the MFC tends to always be special... However, it sometimes felt like Deka was way too special for no real reason other than pumping up the character's ego instead of moving the story along.
Finally, I was a bit disappointed with the brevity of White Hands' final explanation of who she is and why she did what she did. Parts of the story could have been shorter to give this more space, or pages could have been added.
Overall though, this book was beautifully written and truly makes you question how 'free' you are as a woman in society. I'm excited to get back to Deka and her friends' story with the next book in the series.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
emerentina's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
mj1588's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kallania's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I've read a lot of books in my lifetime and I've never almost put a book down so many times in my life... from the get-go this book was sickeningly violent.. the religion in the book was simply a way to oppress the women folk in the most drastic of ways.. the main character is viciously and cruelly tortured while being emotionally abused and used by her captors... it was everything I could do to get through the section as i felt sickened for her..
That being said when she's freed from her would be grave the story changes into a beautifully interwoven story of treachery, betrayal, and the fight for freedom.. I loved the book by the end and couldn't bring myself to ever put it down until I finished it and couldn't wait for the next one to be published.
This book is not for the faint of heart, if you have led a traumatic life, or know those who have, been prosecuted for religious beliefs, or been oppressed by a religion you don't believe steer very clear of this book. Honestly, if your even the type to look away during violent scenes on TV don't read this.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
yaelaed's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Rape