Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

5 reviews

tiffanne11's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.75

Girls in Otera are two things, either they bleed red and are deemed pure, or they bleed gold and are sentenced to death. 
Deka has never fit in and is looking forward to being deemed pure and finally belonging. But her entire world is turned upside down when her town is attacked on the day of the ritual. Her blood runs gold, and everything changes. 

As a whole, this story was compelling. It used fiction to describe and address real systemic issues, while also creating a world and characters that draw you in. 
However, the big reveal was not shocking and it was mildly frustrating how long it took for it to happen. 
To me, there is no reason for there to be a sequel or to read it. All of the main loose ends were tied up, and there isn't anything pulling me into continuing the story. The reader has all of the information we need to put it down and be satisfied. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Racism, War, Blood, Murder, Sexism, and Trafficking

Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Gore, Hate crime, Genocide, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

teabella's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Overall loved the story and how it unfolded. a bit repetitive in some parts but was very engaging! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, Body horror, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Torture, Vomit, and War

yulecogs's review against another edition

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, War, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Slavery

nerdybirdy101's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

*Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC.*

This book was fabulous! The writing and the symbolism were done wonderfully! The author is clearly talented and understands how to write a compelling story. If you like fantasy and strong women leads, then you will enjoy this book. My only complaint and why this book received 4.5 out of 5 stars from me is that it seemed like the author rushed some of the dramatic scenes at the end. The ending of this book could have been the final ending of the story and while I did not want a cliffhanger ending, the book had more happily ever after ending than we have problems we need to deal with in the rest of the series. I think I would have rather the action that happened at the end of the book be extended and have the ending be more mysterious where the readers are dying to pick up the next book. I definitely want to continue on with this series, but I am not obsessing over the next book as much as I would have been if the ending would have been a little more open-ended. 

So, you should read this book if you like fantasy and feminism! The author is a master at writing and weaving together the plot. There are many content warnings and I suggest you research all your triggers to ensure that you are able to read this. Content warnings include child abuse, sexual abuse, misogyny, and more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

emerynmader's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Racism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit