Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Song of the Forever Rains by E.J. Mellow

23 reviews

wordsasnames's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent

amyxx's review

dark 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Drug abuse

Minor: Emotional abuse

abookandaspotoftea's review

dark lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

sarahlizzie's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Self harm

ka_ke's review against another edition

challenging mysterious slow-paced

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

2.0

This book is irritatingly basic. There is no depth and no character growth. The name of the villain/love interest’s home is merely the product of lazy writing, and the plot itself is incredibly slow with little to know action. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail

allisonwonderlandreads's review

adventurous dark hopeful 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

2.0

In this fantasy romance, the world-building is superficial, and the story is light. The three daughters of the Thief King wield powerful, sometimes deadly, musical magic. The youngest, Larkyra, has a powerful voice. She must constantly control her magic lest any strong emotion come through in speech or song to hurt others. The sisters go on missions for their father, partially to protect his interests and also for some do-gooder reasons (think Charlie's Angels). Larkyra embarks on her first solo mission to discover how a potent magical drug is being smuggled out of the Thief Kingdom.

So what did I like? There's a magical being who contains both a brother and sister. They converse internally and have a gender-fluid exterior to reflect who is in the lead at that time. I loved the way this character played with gender. I liked the spin on fantasy/paranormal romance tropes that here we have a woman who is dangerous and powerful and an essentially clueless man who needs her help. And usually, we would expect the reverse to be true. I was also a major fan of the fashion. When Lark was appalled at herself for not packing clothes to properly suit the ambiance of her destination, I knew she was my kind of person. Finally, the sisterly banter is A+. They can't stop, won't stop no matter who else is around.

Unfortunately, my issues with the book ran deeper. At the very start, Larkyra undergoes a family tradition of giving up her magic and aristocratic privilege for a month leading up to her nineteenth birthday. My problem here is how performative it is. Yes, it's probably good that the three sisters don't just live in a curated bubble, but what does throwing them into the slums accomplish on behalf of other people, really? They still know it will be over in a month and that they'll have access to food, medicine, and a roof over their heads then. Lark even admits that she thinks her father would have saved her if she got in enough danger. Which, good. But also that makes the whole experience very surface-level. And at the end, Lark is meant to have learned powerful life lessons but isn't expected to put them to use in a way that would help balance the scales. I suppose she gets to pocket her newfound street smarts and pat herself on the back for now understanding that the scales even exist. While it was a relief to avoid toxic masculinity on a pedestal in this book, there is still an uncomfy vibe of high-handed paternalism from our aristocratic characters. The lower classes are meant to receive charity and benevolent leadership, passive while their betters volley power plays at one another. Also, I was frustrated that in trying to give that veneer of edginess, torture is presented as a sometimes appropriate means to an end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Murder, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Terminal illness

30something_reads's review

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book had really thorough and unique world building. The magic system was so whimsical. I loved the sister's relationships and witty banter they shared. Larkyra and Darius's relationship was delightful to read- A slow burn romance that was so sweet. Overall, this book and the world of the Mousai is utterly charming. I am excited for the next book and to see Niya's story unfold.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Sexual content

nannemonstera's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This is more a romance in a fantastical setting and i wish we could see more from the whole whole and The Mousai but it was a great read nonetheless 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Death of parent and Death

marciemarie's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.25

This was a fun read! I found the universe to be pretty original, and I really enjoyed the unique magic mechanics/world building. It’s well written and pretty quick to get through. The romance wasn’t my absolute favorite, but I’m glad it was  in the book because it did improve it overall. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief

bookkoookie's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Alcoholism