Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

29 reviews

emgibby's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, Torture, Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

enbyfinley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.25

The plot was good in the way an easy read is. Because I listened to the audiobook, and he reader made this book waaaayyy better than it really was. 

 I did feel the flashbacks were irritating for me, jumping back and forth for very little information. I liked that Des and Callie were close until I reflected on the grooming vibe of a underage victim or abuse. Nope… for me.

I also found the FMC a bit whiny at times but I still enjoyed here the other 50% of the time when she was acting like an adult. The side characters felt so one dimensional and the reasoning for things didn’t feel like ACTUAL REASONS!

The spice was a good 3🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 but as the story continued, 

this book was not a story I will revisit or finish the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Rape

Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, and Alcoholism

Minor: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Vomit, and Torture

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

bangiebangs's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective 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

Enjoyable and funny read (except the Harry Potter references... those didn't age well imo), with a nice starting point. There are some pretty dark themes (sexual abuse), so be warned. I'm finding that I really like Laura Thalassas style of writing, so am expecting to like most (if not all) of her work?

The pacing is pretty good, and while some plot points are a bit obvious to the discerning reader (

that they are mates

) it's really enjoyable to read. 

Slight warning if you're sensitive to having a very young heroine (underage) fall for a much older love interest (supernatural, so... very old) - he holds back until she is of age, but still a tad cringe. 

Recommended if you like your morally grey MMCs, powerful MFCs, a gaggle of fantasy tropes, etc. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Torture, Grief, Rape, Alcoholism, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent

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

gg_reads41189's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

1.5

The pacing was so slow and we rehashed the same inter monologue the entire 375 pages

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Torture, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Body horror, Rape, Violence, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Racism, Pregnancy, and Adult/minor relationship

smellybooklady's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.75

Definitely an interesting plot, but it moved so quickly that it was hard to get invested in what was happening.

like Carnan could have been so much more frightening and like there was some time spent on the friendship with Ethereal. Why did we never go back to her? It’s like it was trying so hard but just missed some loose ends that would have helped make this a 4-4.5 star read.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Torture

Definitely an interesting plot, but it moved so quickly that it was hard to get invested in what was happening.

like Carnan could have been so much more frightening and like there was some time spent on the friendship with Ethereal. Why did we never go back to her? It’s like it was trying so hard but just missed some loose ends that would have helped make this a 4-4.5 star read.

earthsprite's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.25

Needs proofreading & a sensitivity reader, but enjoyable in the way romances are. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Racism

katvou's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture

Minor: Vomit