Reviews tagging 'Blood'

The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill

7 reviews

annniiieee_333's review

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? Yes

4.0

i really hated gaia at the beginning, when she would do whatever she was asked and gave in to every man. i then also thought she was really stupid for believing she was in love with a man she 'met' once. then i thought she was even more stupid for giving up her voice and putting her life on the line for this man she doesnt actually know. but the towards the end when she found eleanor in the room of paintings and eleanor spoke of just how badly oliver behaves, causing gaia to pay more attention, i started to love gaia so much. she became strong very quickly and i loved the way she

scared and killed her father

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexism, and Murder

Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, and Body horror

mchalleyster's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

1.0

I was intrigued by the retelling. However, this book was full of anger and rage toward men. It very much had an agenda, which at times was exhausting. I kept waiting for it to iron out into something redemptive and balanced.

But even the ‘redemption’ in the ending was bursting with vengeance and hatred.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Rape, Blood, and Eating disorder

Minor: Physical abuse and Pedophilia

words_and_dreams's review

adventurous dark emotional sad 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

4.0

🧜‍♀️Feminist retelling of 'The Little Mermaid'

Gaia, the youngest daughter of the Sea King is unhappy with her life. The underwater kingdom has a dystopian feel, women have no say and those that are deemed 'unattractive' are sent to live in the outlands, outcasts. She is betrothed to an older man who is a sexual predator. All of the women have repressed lives, controlled by the men. 
On her 15th birthday Gaia visits the surface as her right of passage. She there sees and rescues Oliver, a human boy and falls in love. The insta love didn't bother me as that tracks with teens. She makes a bargain with the Sea Witch to get human legs at a price. 

Although it was set in modern day, it still had that fairytale feel to it. I liked the portryal of Ceto the sea witch, a being of neither good nor evil and felt more authentic to the original tale. Gaia's journey is an interesting one as she comes of age, and her realisation that the surface world is not much better than the sea world. Men are weak and evil everywhere. 

It was a little on the nose at times but it is aimed at a younger audience. I loved the ending but wish it had been drawn out a little longer. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Blood

bookcaptivated's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: War, Murder, Death of parent, Suicide, and Sexual assault

Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Sexual content

cheye13's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Misogyny, Sexism, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault

Minor: Lesbophobia and Homophobia

brief period of blackmail involving sexual favors

kimmyv's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, Cursing, Child abuse, and Body shaming

autumnal_daydreams's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

2.0

Would have rather read the sea witches life story as she's the only feminist character.
 
This is a book that hits you over the head with inequality without having to do any of the heavy lifting. It has no time for nuance or developing deep characters or fully realising feminist themes.

If you love exposition dumps, being told rather then shown and black & white plots then feel free to read. 

The author is inspired by the Bloody Chamber and I would urge you to pick up Angela Carter's work instead. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism and Homophobia