Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - Muerte y fortuna

Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Muerte y fortuna by Margaret Owen

21 reviews

poodily's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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

4.0

Content Warnings

mxmarta's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny mysterious 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

5.0

I loved everything about this book. I started reading it in 2022 but then too much time passed and I decided to re-read from the beginning so I didn't miss any of the finer plot points.
The plot, the pacing, the characters, the enemies-to-lovers vibe are *chef's kiss*
Most of all, the demi/ace spec representation by two of the main characters was amazing to read, it was the first time I read something with an ace spec character POV. The book has a lot of queer representation, including trans and non binary people, and it's especially well done in a fantasy medieval setting, although some of the mentions are only in passage, it was refreshing to see it so seamlessly done.
The only thing that left me mildly unsatisfied was the very last chapter, since it was

an epilogue but I wanted more dialogue between the two main characters after they finally got through everything and came out on the other side finally on the same page about being with each other (in particular, a passage that was just the narrator relaying what they said to each other... Much less squee worthy read like that instead of the actual scene!!! But it was just a small thing, so I still give it 5 stars because it really did not take from the story at all)

, but it was also 1:30am and I stayed up late to finish it so it may have been influenced by that.
I'm excited to read the next book, and that this was the first book of the year!

Content Warnings

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a surprisingly heavy story using folktales/fairytales and the typical princess imagery as a backdrop to a sinister situation rife with magic. It's a tale of growth, of hurt and healing, of reclaiming autonomy, and ultimately of justice. Seriously enjoyed it but def recommend anyone to check out content warnings first.

Content Warnings

grace_yin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

5.0

Content Warnings

nanacai's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging funny tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

terrik_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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

4.25

I haven’t been a reader of the YA genre for a while, mainly because I think most books do not delve in-depth into their characters. Little Thieves, though, was exactly the opposite.

For a YA book, and as a book in general, I loved the complexity of Vanja’s character. There are literally so many parts to her. First her actions can come off as childish. But when we get to know her backstory, I came to sympathise with her, wanted to protect her, and came to really hate some characters in the book.

The romance in this book was so refreshing to read. It was necessary for the plot to move forward and it helped to unravel the last few layers to Vanja that really showed us who she was as a character. I also enjoyed that there was a gradual build up to their romance that made it feel more real (for lack of a better word).

Apart from the character developments in this book, I would say that the events that took place were all well spaced out. Everything had its own time and place.

That said, I think that the world wasn’t built up as strongly as it could’ve been. We are never really given a crash course of the sort about how humans coexist with the gods and other spirits. We don’t know how magic works and who has them. I didn’t mind it that much, but there were gaps that made me go ???.

The reason why this book doesn’t get a five star rating for me is because Vanja’s character doesn’t seem to really match her age. At 17, she draws butts for fun and she seemed too shy with the topic of sex for someone who’s lived such a hard life. (And, well, at 17, sex wasn’t a topic I shied away from).

Overall a great book!

Content Warnings

tinysierra's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“To the gremlin girls,
I would like to tell you something inspiring, but the truth is, when life closes a door for us, it doesn’t always open a window. The good news is: That’s what bricks are for.”

Little Thieves is a work of art. From the gorgeous cover, to the illustrations inside, to the way the story is broken up into 7 tales, to the writing itself. I love how even the Author’s Note is written with care. Be sure to check the trigger warnings! Hanging is mentioned a lot as well as sexual assault/harassment.

This book was confusing to get into at first. In this aspect, it reminds me of how it felt starting Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology without knowing anything about the Grishaverse.

Little Thieves was hard to slug through in the beginning, but it did pick up and then I didn’t want to put the book down.

I loved the writing style with the way Vanja told the story like a fairy tale.

I love the humor and wit.

You get to really see Vanja’s insecurities and growth through her narrative. You can see how her trauma affects her perceptions of the situations she goes through.

I loved all the characters, even the side ones!

The romance was amazing, too.
I don’t think the word demisexual is said on page but both the main characters are demi <3

“I’ve read fairy tales, of course, and listened to plaintive love songs, but I never understood why anyone would wake up after a hundred years and marry the prince who broke into their bedroom for a kiss. Or dance with a stranger once and decide to spend the rest of their lives together.”

There’s also wlw and some other LGBTQ+ rep that’s normal in this world. There is lesbophobia but in more of a “the princess is supposed to produce an heir” kind of way.

I love Vanja and Emeric so much <333 a cat and mouse chase… yes please!!

Update ~ 07-14-2023

Reread before I get into Painted Devils. I definitely found it less confusing and easier to breeze through the second time around.

Update ~ 03-13-2024

If you’re a big fan of Vanja and Emeric’s relationship, read Painted Devils immediately!!! I swear it doesn’t suffer from “second book syndrome.” It’s so amazing.

And check out Margaret Owen’s instagram account (@what_eats_owls) for more art and memes of the characters!!

Content Warnings

sarahaf712's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Content Warnings

oddduck's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

I like stories that are assembled with the precision of a watchmaker. Every detail matters. Each tiny piece works together to move forward. If one thing is even slightly off, the story doesn’t work the way it should.

This is one of those stories.

500 pages is getting to be on the long side for me, so I was expecting a little bit of drag. There was none. Every single scene in this book is there for a reason and 500 pages practically flies by. Yet it also didn’t feel like we were moving too fast at any point.

The plot came at just the right pace and with just the right amount of detail that it all came together perfectly in my head, without me figuring out the end too soon/easily and without me feeling frustrated because I didn’t have enough information until the very last second. I figured out part of Adalbrecht’s plan shortly before Vanja and Emeric did, which was ideal timing for me. And everything I hadn’t figured out fell into place as it was spelled out. This plot was like a carefully conducted symphony and it went off without a hitch.

I also loved all the characters, even when some of them weren’t particularly likeable. There’s such a clear motive for their actions that though I may not agree with them, I understand and feel sympathetic for them (except Adalbrecht and Irmgard, they’re both just terrible – that’s a compliment though). They were all so beautifully written, but Vanja and Emeric were the standouts for me.

Vanja’s character arc was incredible. I, admittedly, have a soft spot for characters who have been so hurt they think the only way to protect themselves is to close themselves off and harden their heart, and Vanja is no exception. I love this type of character because it’s moving to see them learn to love and be loved again (even if they’re dragged into it kicking and screaming, like Vanja). The way she grows over the course of the story - going from hating/resenting Emeric, Ragne, and Gisele to calling them her friends and making peace with her past and wanting Emeric to catch her - is brilliantly done. It feels natural and inevitable.

I fell for Emeric in exactly the way Vanja did (er, that is his façade, not the kissing part). It was absolutely delightful to find out how wrong my impression of him was. Like, I actually laughed out loud at the reveal and I’m gleeful just thinking about it. I liked the façade, but the real Emeric was even better. He’s smart and flawed and eager to prove himself and he cares so deeply. He’s just such a great character and Vanja’s many descriptions of him are both correct and hilarious.

There’s also the obligatory shout out for the art, which was done by Margaret Owen as well. She’s talked about a lot of the symbolism and composition of each piece on her twitter, and it’s definitely worth a read through. The art on its own is beautiful, but her explanations of it make it even better.

There is so much else to talk about in the book - the structure, the fairy tale, the casual queer rep, the demi rep (!), the magic system, the rest of the world building, the creatures (Poldi!) - and it’s all so, so good. Honestly, I loved every single thing about this book and I could talk about it for hours. The highest praise I can give it is this: I want to take this book apart like it’s a clock to see how it works. What an absolutely phenomenal book.

Content Warnings

sambutwithbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? Yes

4.0

This was super fun- I loved the demi rep and the story never really ever lost steam. I do wish the ending had been more but that felt like the only weak part of the book.

Content Warnings

More...