Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

124 reviews

bridgettetepper's review

adventurous 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? It's complicated

3.0

Some of the writing took away from the story (Repetitive lines, not much left for implication) but the character and story was cool enough to see past it. The beginning was hard for me to grab onto but a few chapters in and I saw the direction a bit better. Overall, nothing super surprising or unique but a good story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Racism, and Death

Moderate: Body horror

Minor: War, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse

carolined314's review

dark hopeful mysterious

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Trafficking, Body shaming, Slavery, Death, Classism, Torture, Violence, Murder, Xenophobia, Blood, Body horror, and Bullying

Moderate: Sexual assault and Confinement

kallania's review

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Please read fully before judging:

I've read a lot of books in my lifetime and I've never almost put a book down so many times in my life... from the get-go this book was sickeningly violent.. the religion in the book was simply a way to oppress the women folk in the most drastic of ways.. the main character is viciously and cruelly tortured while being emotionally abused and used by her captors... it was everything I could do to get through the section as i felt sickened for her.. 

That being said when she's freed from her would be grave the story changes into a beautifully interwoven story of treachery, betrayal, and the fight for freedom.. I loved the book by the end and couldn't bring myself to ever put it down until I finished it and couldn't wait for the next one to be published. 

This book is not for the faint of heart, if you have led a traumatic life, or know those who have, been prosecuted for religious beliefs, or been oppressed by a religion you don't believe steer very clear of this book. Honestly, if your even the type to look away during violent scenes on TV don't read this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Torture, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, Violence, Medical trauma, Misogyny, War, Hate crime, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Racism

demented_delights9448's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective 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

This book is not at all what I was expecting. It's so much better! No matter your ethnic heritage or skin color, you will find a character that resonates with you. This book oozes female empowerment. It tackles every religion, cult, and political structure that has ever blamed women for simply being women. It calls out the oppression that women face on the daily, encourages women to be themselves, and gives credence to our struggles, voices, bodies, and dreams. This is the book to have your teenaged daughters read. 

It has a decent pace, plenty of mystery that resolves, endearing characters, action, witty dialogue, and thoughtful exposition on top of believable world building. It can be a little dark emotionally, tackles very difficult topics, but is hopeful. At no point does this book blame all men as being oppressive. This is a book about equality for all: all genders, all faiths, all ages, all races, all sexualities. Romance is there but it's very low-key and it speaks encouragingly of all walks: from lesbianism to maintaining virginity to young men who don't want to hump every female thing in sight. 

It's a beautiful story set in a beautiful world with beautiful women and men battling it out against pure, unadulterated evil. There's even a dragon. What's not to like?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Genocide, Blood, Sexism, Misogyny, War, and Murder

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Child death, Body shaming, and Rape

Minor: Racism

Regarding content warnings, this book is not promoting such things. The author is drawing attention to them, illuminating these things as the difficult or downright heinous things that they are. This is a book for girls to learn that their voices are valuable and worth hearing. Surround yourself with people who value you as the living beings that you are. Value yourself.

jagodasbooks's review

dark sad tense slow-paced

4.0

I am absolutely horrified
this book should come with at least 3 page long list of trigger warnings

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Confinement, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Torture, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Animal death, War, Death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Vomit, Child abuse, and Child death

bubbabook's review

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

Th Gilded Ones is a dark fantasy novel, with diverse world building, complex characters, and an enticing mystery to unfold. Forna has written a compelling world, with a deep lore and yet I would say that the greatest achievement of this book is the real life truths that Forna has explored. This book is dark and violent, and does not shy away from depicting the brutal and shameful treatment the women of Otera face. Deka is our heroine and also a stand in for women in the real world. Without giving any spoilers, this book was a delight to discover- “We who are dead salute you!”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Body horror, Death, Torture, Child abuse, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Violence

mlkai's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

content but not impressed 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Genocide, Sexism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War

tiphreads's review

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

A powerful reckoning for those oppressed. Love Namina’s writing style and all of the passion and emotion emanating through the pages. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

inez_hunter's review

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, War, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, and Sexism

Moderate: Death of parent and Confinement

Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Rape

lpothan's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Rape, Grief, Pedophilia, War, Abandonment, Confinement, Genocide, Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Violence, Vomit, and Misogyny