Reviews tagging 'War'

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson

7 reviews

folkofthebook's review

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

i generally enjoyed this. the jewish mythology inspiration and horse races definitely appealed to me, and i liked both FMCs. there is a good start to that found family trope, but i wish there could've been more development between the group outside of the races. it was cool to see an aroace MC as well and bi rep. 

i'm interested in seeing where the author will take book 2.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Murder, Death, and Blood

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Alcohol, Antisemitism, War, and Death of parent

rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Violence, and Torture

Moderate: Gore, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Minor: Xenophobia and Death of parent

viking_flower_girl's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a dark and wild ride (literally). I love a good story with nods to ancient folklore and myths and with morally grey characters that you can’t help but feel and root for. The villains were also so hateable. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Animal death, Torture, and Murder

Minor: War

firefly99's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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? No

3.5

A dangerous horse race that must be won to save the family’s ranch - every horse girl’s dream plot. :) Add in magic, tragic backstories, and an unexpected discussion of the Jewish experience (implied based on description of the religion and history), and tyranny, and the question of means justifying ends. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Violence, War, Antisemitism, Racism, and Torture

Minor: Sexual assault

metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-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: Animal death, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, War, and Torture

Minor: Sexual harassment

obscurepages's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny tense fast-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

4.75

THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WTF WTF 😭😂

I've only read middle grade from Kalyn Josephson, so while I was expecting something good, I also didn't know much yet about their writing style in YA. But wow wow wow wow.

<b>The world-building was complex and enchanting, the characters were all compelling, the political intrigue was just suspenseful, the plot was carefully woven and definitely stress-inducing </b> 😭😂 I was actually a little afraid I wouldn't really connect to this book because it's about horse-racing. But damn, how wrong was I. Because this was more than just horse-racing. It was about the bad and ugly sides of humanity, the immense power that the elites hold, about our own desires, and coming to terms with our own power and growing in confidence. <b> This was just brilliant, riveting, and breathtaking. </b>

(I also just loved seeing aroace/demi rep, as well as bi rep from the two main characters 🥹)


This took me in a rollercoaster ride I never really expected, and for that, this book is one of my favorites this year 😭

Full review in my blog soon!

(Received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, War, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture

Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, and Grief

chronicacademia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Murder, Violence, War, Blood, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Torture