Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Rache im Herzen by Xiran Jay Zhao

138 reviews

ender24's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

DAMN.

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ajhling's review against another edition

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

5.0

This book is not just gold tier, but platinum tier. It's such a great book that I have technically brought two copies of - the paperback (which I brought first) and the audio (which I brought so I can listen while driving or playing video games). I have all intentions of buying an E-Book version in the near future so I'll always have a copy on hand. 

This book has characters that are mostly grey at best, and down right evil at worst. Our protagonist is a ball of rage and is someone who would be seen as the villain in many works of fiction. I love it. Even her romantic partners are on the verge of being villains in other works of fiction. 

My favourite part besides the plot and our protagonist and her romantic partners, and the world as a whole?

The fact that there's no explicit sex scenes which have impregnated the publishing industry these days. Meaning you have a book that treats its readers like the older teens and adults that we are without having to worry about sex scenes because it's aimed towards an older teen, recent high school graduate age range, which apparently means sex most be included un the eyes of modern publishers.

I'm so hoping that the lack of explicit sex scenes continues onto the next book/s in the series (though even if they were present I'd still buy/read them anyway).

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miggyfool's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective 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

4.0


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sophieweirather2007's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Just because you have the capacity to do something for someone, it doesn't mean you have the obligation to, especially when they won't even appreciate you for doing it.
- Qieluo - 

What was that!? Befor reading this, you really should read the trigger warnings. It's really not an easy and lightheaded story. Not at all. But it was soo good and a lot of important topics were covered. It's a very feminist book and is packed with a lot of action. I wasn't prepared for the plot twists and the end was intense!

In some parts I really felt uncomfortable to read it. I heard about this book especially because of it's queer popularity, but this part, I really missed. I thought there would be more about that. I would've liked, to find out more about the world. Also more about the enemy and their culture. With the main-characters I needed some time to conact with them.

But know I'm astonished how complex the characters are, how morally grey. You cannot really say, that they are the good guys. No one is in that world. And that's just great. I adore Zetian, Shimin and Yizhi. I love Zetian, the main Main-character, because she is a feminist badass who gets want she wants. As she should ❤️. 

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audiem's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0


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gabydoesgrowth's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-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

3.75


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local_hat's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75


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caitlinemccann's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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

5.0


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angelofthestars's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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fuchs_galaxis's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

I really liked it, but wasn't sure I was going to up through the first half. Fits very firmly within its genre, with some interesting innovations. I enjoy the focus on Chinese culture and how that flavors a lot of the decisions made. 

The ending
is definitely a fun shock in-universe but isn't super surprising if youre genre savvy.


Also
I find it a little too bury your gays, but I have hope that arc gets redeemed. </spoilers>

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