Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

59 reviews

courtney_a1986's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.5

Much faster paced than Folk of the Air, and yet parts of the story dragged for me. I’m not sure if it’s because of how good Jude and Cardan were, but Wren was just not as…interesting to me. Still magical, still well written, just not as engaging. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

milafranken's review against another edition

adventurous

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence

lindsaykrahreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Where to begin, where to begin? I love stepping into the lands of Elfhame; Holly Black’s world is lush and intriguing and just addicting, it’s like a drug. I love Wren and Oak in all their deceptions and connections. I cannot wait to dive back in with The Prisoner’s Throne to conclude this story!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Alcohol

natashalg's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

I could not put this book down! I loved reading about the adventure/quest of the characters, and in my opinion, I prefer it to the court politics of earlier novels. The ending has left me reeling, and I cannot wait to start the second book and see how it ends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Blood

Moderate: Violence and Abandonment

Minor: Death, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

diana_raquel's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Kidnapping

Minor: War

karambit's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Infertility and Alcohol

seastheday's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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 really enjoyed this first book in the duology spin off series. Although It was not as good as the Cruel Prince, it definitely a great read. And it kept world-building in a gentle way that was easily built into the characters interactions as well as the plot. I saw a review that said there was a character assassination. I do not find this to be true. If you paid attention at all, every clue was there right from the beginning. So, I will no longer be taking book rec’s from someone that literally cannot pay attention to foreshadowing. 
      Anyways, this is worth the read. I’m excited for the next one! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Death

Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Vomit and Death of parent

noellegrace8's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Unlike some Folk of the Air lovers who were disappointed in the lack of Cardan & Jude or a similar relationship dynamic, I was blown away by Black's ability to formulate a completely captivating story with far less use of such a dramatic love duo. I personally think Oak and Suren are a lovely duo, albeit less romantically present in their story than Jude & Cardan were in theirs. I actually think it's much harder to write a great story without the easier elements such as romance/sex & violence, so this book was next level in my opinion. I found myself hurting for Suren so many times to the point that I actually teared up, loving her adherance to kindness, and pleasantly surprised by plot elements. And the casual drops/updates about Jurdan and their reign? Love that. I just love Elfhame so much. I hope Holly Black keeps writing about it.

I give Saskia Maarleveld 5/5⭐️. Her narration was great, with distinction between characters and what I thought was a wonderful depiction of Suren's character through cadence & voice choices. Additionally, unlike many women narrators, I didn't find her male vocal imitation to be cheesy or too much. It did kind of bug me that she said soo-ren instead of ser-ren though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War

wintert_ide's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse

nexusthegreat's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? N/A

5.0

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. I actually loved this book so much that as soon as I finished it, I was already flipping to the first page of prisoners throne. The plot twist was something I saw coming for quite awhile, but not that character development and ending!! Like, what?? Absolutely, one of my favorite books.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Physical abuse and Kidnapping