Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

11 reviews

ms_deelicious's review against another edition

1.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Did AI write this?

Starting this review by saying this book was not for me. Perhaps I expected something more/different from the description but the story, writing, style, editing and overall the language is simply disappointing.  I understand that from a business pov, publishers are aiming to put out the next script for streaming so I’m choosing to believe that I’m simply not the target audience for this TV series script created to please and feed the algorithm. On a personal note, I also do not understand how male using violence against female can still be the main plot, it doesn’t matter if it’s gods, monsters or anything other.

There’s the classic love triangle but make it monster-queen + her dominant, sadistic and abusive ancient maker + a PTSD-suffering god/man. They’re all physically powerful yet in dire need of therapy to balance their mental well-being and thus that of their world. Add to that a sparkle of good vs bad, family drama and some attempt at world building. There are different creatures but it seems that the LGBTQIA+ box was ticked by the fact that characters all had female & male lovers and orgies in the past which appears beyond shallow. The dialogue between the characters felt very superficial without any depth or even an attempt to use words in an eloquent way. The story reveals itself thru flashbacks of the main characters, however their present day conversations and internal monologues are beyond misogynistic. Additionally, there is a lot of very explicit violence that at times felt like a splatter movie. 

This book creator should have been given professional support from their editors & publishers.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment

I think this book should be rated 18+

ashadow's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A dark, emotionally intricate tale where myth meets heartbreak. The world-building is dense and rewarding, the romance slow-burn and soul-deep. Dianna is a heroine forged in sacrifice; Liam, a broken god learning to feel again. The betrayals hurt, the spice is earned, and the emotional payoff is unforgettable. Stick past the slow open — the reward is immense. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, War

Minor: Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Torture

The betrayals by Drake and Ethan wound deeper than blades. Dianna, who sacrificed everything, is betrayed by the very people she protected. Gabby’s death redefines her identity, and the shift in emotional power — with Liam becoming her support — sets up a powerful reversal for book two.

georgiaisreading's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I didn’t personally connect to this story and the main character’s relationship, I did think Dianna was pretty funny and badass but something about the story fell flat for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder

Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, War, Injury/Injury detail

liaantje's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Holy fucking shit, halfway through I was already scared cause I couldnt imagine how there where 3 more books🫠 I am scared of the future, and I need more of these 2 idiots with too much power.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent

Minor: Drug use, Vomit, Medical content, Classism

dcnireads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional funny 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Pandemic/Epidemic

linhsreadinghour's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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: Complicated

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I love this series so much!!! This is a reread and everything came flooding back. I do think it takes a little time to get into the book because it’s urban fantasy, with modern lingo and Dianna as an FMC may put people off but I bloody love her. She’s so morally grey and villainous but deep inside, there are feelings and characteristics that add to the complexity of her character. It’s also refreshing to see new creatures. Deffo try and keep going. Love the romance and relationship so much, the slow burn is so satisfying 😭😭😭 My fav romantasy series still stands, book 2 is where it’s at tho, so I cannot wait.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

picaresquedreamer's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment

lauanecampos's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark emotional sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder

radiantgeode's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail

jen_sten's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War