Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

39 reviews

gretchenplz's review

adventurous dark tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

I am reluctantly giving this book four stars because of the fabulous ending, despite a very slow first 400 pages.

Aelin continues to be the bane of my existence, and just an overall disappointing FMC. SJM lays out characters who have the potential to be deep and complex, but then either surrounds them with yes-men or chooses to portray them solely as evil. Aelin got the first treatment, despite her being highly hypocritical, arrogant, and vapid, and I'm somehow supposed to buy in on her being a good queen one day. I don't think so. It's so much "Rules for thee but not for me" with her, and I find it to leave such a bad taste in my mouth. She hasn't shown any character growth at all, in my opinion. Her only growth is that of her powers. 

I'm so beyond disappointed with how SJM has treated Chaol's character, but I shouldn't be surprised. SJM seems to be unable to write characters with any sort of complexity or depth, or approach the good vs. bad debate with any nuance (this is why you will catch me defending Tamlin at all times). She chooses to frame the characters that she decides she's tired of writing as simply "bad" with no hope of redemption or personal growth (the only time she has succeeded at this is with Nesta, and that "growth" was only achieved by sacrificing her powers!!!! I'm sorry, wrong book, I'll stop). Her characters are too black or white, and it is exhausting. 

Lysandra literally made me cry, Manon is bae forever, and Elide is growing on me so much. I adore Aedion, and I can't wait to see what happens with Lorcan. I know I'm supposed to like Rowan, but I just find him lacking substances beyond "I worship Aelin and would do anything for her" at the moment

Also, the "sexual tension" is just cringeworthy at this point. The way the characters are crafted... it just doesn't have the same... effect... that it did in ACOTAR. Please, Sarah. Just let them bang it out in the first ten pages of the next book. 

In the last 100 pages, you could have told me that this was the last book in the series, and I would have believed you. Everything could have been wrapped up and tied with a neat little bow, and my brain cannot comprehend how there are still nearly 3k more pages left in this series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Slavery, and Rape

laura_nel13's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Slavery, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Vomit, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Genocide, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Torture, War, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Grief, and Excrement

undecidedpersonality's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Medical content, War, Confinement, Slavery, Abandonment, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Ableism, Pregnancy, Genocide, and Sexual violence

Minor: Classism, Sexual content, Child death, Colonisation, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse

sugarwookiee's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Murder, and War

Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, and Grief

Minor: Child death

imds's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Medical trauma, Murder, Trafficking, War, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, Grief, Self harm, Slavery, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Ableism, Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Vomit

nerdkitten's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Colonisation, Ableism, Cursing, Medical content, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Sexual content, Misogyny, Torture, and War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Child death, Death of parent, Excrement, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Rape

lauren_ridgeway's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage

Minor: Rape

mollydollydoodah's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

This was my favorite book out of the series by far. It trapped me in with all of it’s action and adventure and so many plot lines that all tangle up in each other, and I simply couldn’t stop reading. I read this series right after reading the ACOTAR series, and as much as I have enjoyed reading these books and their strong-willed, deeply intricate characters, I was incredibly spoiled by acotar and therefore had been missing an unknown mirrored aspect so far in this series.

I have always loved Celaena for her cunning and brilliant plans, her wit and strength and courage, and her secretly soft heart as she has risked so much to save other people’s lives even as a cold-hearted assassin. I have been awed by her unflinching bravery, her undying loyalty, and her overall bad-assery throughout all of these novels, but I am stunned by her as Aelin. I loved how SJM switched from referring to the narrative of Celaena to Aelin in this novel, demonstrating to readers right off the bat all of the growth she has done. I originally mourned the loss of Celaena Sardothien, having become attached to that persona, as Aelin herself had (obviously not with the same intensity, but you get the point), and I was left clawing at the scraps of the name. But as I progressed through the novel, reading of each task, plan, hope, action, and word from her mouth, I realized I love Aelin much more than Celaena. Don’t get me wrong, I do not fear Celaena, her actions, or her past (I mean I probably would if I saw her in person because omg she seems so intimidating ngl even though I’d want to be friends or something idk), but Queen Aelin Ashryver Galathynius is like a pheonix standing in the flames of who Celaena was, reborn much more powerful and capable and strong after all of the hell she’s been through. I am awed by the journey that SJM has taken us through, as every piece and occasion seems so necessary to where we have ended up at the end of this novel, and it seems as though I’ve spent a lifetime with these characters. Chaol seemed so right for Celaena at a time, but through all of her growth, all of his own journey, a reborn Aelin being with Rowan is the perfect match, & I’m so happy they have each other. I love the way that they accept all of each other’s flaws and pasts and idk literally all of it, they’re so cute. Seeing Aelin slip back into her Celaena persona in order to face the aftermath of Arobynn’s death, I was startled by how much Aelin has grown. Because SJM developed her character growth so well, I didn’t consciously compare Celaena to Aelin until it was done for me, and I was awed just by how truly different Aelin has become to the girl that was Calaena. I positively adored all of Aelin’s plotting and secret plans— plans that were constantly withheld from the readers as well! This was thrilling, because I never really knew what I would get next, but I knew that something was brewing as she constantly snuck out at night & did hinted at things without giving the readers full knowledge. I adored the shock that came from everyone at the will reading, because I experienced some of it as well! Through all of Aelin’s cunning plans and straight up badassery, I was reminded of my beloved, darling, Feyre. The detailed descriptions and lack of blatantly telling readers what the plans running through Aelin’s mind during certain crucial action scenes were so much fun to read, as it felt as though I was truly immersed in the scene, watching these plans unfold along with the other characters. The battle between Aelin & Manon reminded me so much of Feyre & the Middengard Wyrm because of the brilliance of both scenes, and I positively adored the resemblance. Speaking of Manon, I am in love with her character development. Despite my feelings in the last novel, I very much enjoyed reading about her journey and I am thrilled with how her story has connected with Aelin’s, and all I can wish for is that they become very close allies one day soon. It was so interesting seeing how Manon’s thoughts, feelings, and actions shifted throughout the novel as she stepped away from her Grandmother’s overbearing shadow and she allowed more humanity and morality to seep into her so-called ‘nonexistent heart’, and I will never not appreciate a badass woman that can hold her own in any battle & takes no shit. Kaltain’s subplot was heartbreaking and so interesting, as I had no idea how her story would end up. When Elide & Manon ran into her as they were fleeing, I was convinced for a split second that she would stand in their way, & that although she had broken free of the demon, she had been overtaken by the darkness of her shadow flames. I was in awe of the way that her story ended, and I think that it was perfect, and couldn’t have happened any other way. It was so effective, both for the plotline itself, as well as for readers. I am so intrigued about how & when Elide & Aelin will connect, and how long it will take Elide to realize that the Celaena Sardothien she searches for is her queen. Sorscha was a great character, and I was excited to see how she would have grown throughout the series, and it was sad to see her die. She was exactly what Dorian had needed at the time, and I desperately hope he can heal from all the trauma and wounds he has been through, and that perhaps he can find someone else to love. It made me giddy to see Rowan’s perspective of how connected he is with Aelin, and to read all his little personal comments about how much he wished that he could touch her & all of that stuff, I thought it was so sweet. Also, I adore their enemies to friends to lovers route, it makes perfect sense for who they are. I’m excited to see where the future takes them, and I’m so glad they have each other to support and protect and love. I adored the introduction of Lysandra, and how Aelin’s court has been building into a family. Everyone has done so much growing throughout this novel, and I adore everyone’s character development.  There was so much action in this novel, especially towards the end, and it was remarkably thrilling.

I was utterly enthralled, pages rapidly flipping as I took in every riveting word. It reminded me of why I love acotar so much, and it was brilliantly written. I could definitely see SJM’s growth as a writer in this novel, and I am so excited to read what happens next. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, War, Blood, Grief, Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Rape, Medical content, and Stalking

_mad_reads_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence

kat1105's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Cannibalism, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Stalking, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, Excrement, and War

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content