Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent

20 reviews

megsbeauty's review

4.0

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Audiobook

I think I had big expectations, given how the book was marketed on social media, and, at this point, I feel a bit depleted, as those expectations were not met. Who knows—maybe if I hadn’t been so hyped before I read it, the rating would be higher.

First of all, once again, I noticed a lot of psychological dissection of both main characters. I guess writing a dark romance, especially with M/M themes, calls for more in-depth characterization. Considering that the book also covers an age-gap and professor–student relationship, it became a whole hot-potato subject.

But that’s not all. There was a lot of dub-con and/or CNC content. I have a feeling that—like in God of Malice—I struggle with the story’s lack of a clear distinction between what constitutes rape and what is a power exchange during dub-con/CNC sex play. And I guess I’m not the only one...

Nevertheless, the book kept me on my toes. Yes, it was a bit long, and I feel it was unnecessarily stretched out. Tbh, I kinda skipped the epilogues. (Look how I used an abbreviation, and I’m much older than Kayden. I understand that this “language purist” trait is part of Kayden’s characterization, but I couldn’t connect with that particular personality detail. He is not Boomer, for Peet’s sake.)

This book broaches a lot of sensitive topics regarding mental health, sexuality (including the asexuality spectrum), and outing. Both characters seem to have personality disorders (though undiagnosed). If a reader isn’t comfortable with any of these subjects, I think they should avoid this book.

And in the end, I cannot express this enough: MIND THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

srmz's review

4.75

dark funny tense fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping

carm90's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence

elleyamir's review

3.0

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Outing

ya_el31's review

4.25

dark emotional funny mysterious 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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking

Moderate: Gun violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Torture, Kidnapping

bfweston30's review

5.0

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Torture, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder

Minor: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide

chelsealistens2books's review

4.5

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Toxic friendship

Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Grief, Outing

lovelyinnature's review

4.0

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

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God my boys toxic4toxic, possessive4possessive. I'm a big Gareth stan tbh. Wow the plot of this was off the rails so much happened I feel like I didn't really process it. It was insanely fun and interesting. It had some problematic stuff like I felt she kinda fridged women in both their backstories so yeah. Just a critique I don't think it's badly done just not ideal. All of Kayden's backstory is insane. I don't think I was ready.  Honestly when it's getting further and further into their dynamic I feel like shr actually improved a lot in writing them. Maybe it's bc theyre both so deeply moral Grey they fascinated me from the start. Anyway glad to have finished and can't for Kane's story and Yulian and Vanugh

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Murder

Minor: Rape, Torture

missbrightsidereads's review against another edition

1.0

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

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it is so bad I want to give you a zero. but that's not possible so I give you a one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Grief

remi_san's review

4.75

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Rina is her own competition. After GOF I was sure no book could come close, but ah... Then she give KTV... Oops KISS THE VILLAIN 🤣🤣🤣

The book was emotional, funny and the she really described gaz mindset of accepting his sexuality. 

Their bickering was🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝

Kayden was just a whole bouquet. 

Niko and Bran were like a desert🤌 in this book.

Struggled to hold the book cause t'was hoooot.

Can't wait for hunt the villain 😉 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Self harm, Blood