Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Power by Naomi Alderman

220 reviews

allyjshand's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Power was darker and more graphic than I was expecting, although I can’t fault that as that’s more of a personal preference. I loved the premise and found the power subversions seen throughout the book clever although often challenging to read. I also enjoyed the format of the book with the different POVs, the emails, and images as they added something different. Having said that, I felt like the relationships between characters were sometimes weak, perhaps bringing them together sooner would have helped this. I also didn’t enjoy the ending as I didn’t really understand the characters’ motives. Overall a mixed bag and a three star read for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Gore, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: War, Death of parent, Cursing, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug use

bestkasescenario's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Loved it! The ending felt a little rushed and it didn’t feel “complete” but I still loved the book in its entirety. Excellent storytelling & I did find it a little Atwood-esque which made sense at the end to learn that Atwood mentored Alderman. Stoked to watch the show, I hope it lives up to the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Torture, Slavery, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, War, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

boombaeyah's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Super cool premise! I didn’t really care for the story itself but I love the concept overall! Interesting but not captivating (to me).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Murder, and Sexism

bookwormcat's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Rape, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Physical abuse, War, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

sapphireb22's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

1.0

This book was recommended as a dystopian book and it really was not good. Set in the future where a man is asking female to read his story. Story is set 5k years in past  depicting the rise of women in power over men. If you like books about rape, politics, and religion taking over this is your book. If you want to escape the reality of today and how it already has crap politics, rape, and pushy religion skip this!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexual assault, Rape, Suicide, Abortion, Child abuse, Murder, War, and Trafficking

pasadenaellie's review

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, Rape, and Pedophilia

mthornburg13's review

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Sexual violence, Sexism, Murder, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Drug abuse, War, Violence, Trafficking, Stalking, and Child abuse

cristinareading's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.25

First things first I want to say if you think this is a feminist book I very much disagree. This is a book about how women suddenly got the power to use electrical force and then become inhumane as a way of revenge towards men. As a feminist, this was difficult to read without getting sad. 

This book is well written but I base my star rating on how much I enjoy reading something and this was a difficult book to read. It had a very sad way of seeing the world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Drug abuse, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, Misogyny, Slavery, Sexism, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Violence, and Police brutality

paigerini's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I read this for class as a part of a book club with some of my classmates.

This book has multi-faceted, dynamic characters, a captivating plot, and an interesting concept of "What if only women had electricity powers?" This story shows how society would change (and fall apart) if women became the "stronger" sex, with all the political, social, and religious turmoil that comes along with it.

I've heard that some people criticize this book for being too pessimistic or portraying women as too destructive, but I believe that is the point. This portrayal is supposed to be exaggerated to further enhance how sexism plays a part in both our society and this apocalyptic one.

For me, this was an amazing read. I like that it is abrasive and controversial, as some of the best books strike up the best conversations. I should check out some of Alderman's other books.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Violence, Drug use, Murder, Sexual assault, and War

Moderate: Sexism and Trafficking

sbox's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Definitely a gripping book! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Sexism

Moderate: Trafficking, War, and Cursing

Minor: Racism