Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Rache im Herzen by Xiran Jay Zhao

138 reviews

readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Misogyny, Physical abuse, War, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Colonisation, Violence, Ableism, Blood, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexism, Grief, Gore, and Gun violence

dreklogar's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Amazing read, full of incredibly important criticism. Can't wait for more!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Death, Sexual assault, Confinement, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Domestic abuse

puffins57's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad 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? It's complicated

3.25

I’m extremely conflicted about how I feel about this book. It is very different from what I’m used to reading although I’m glad to have read it. I enjoyed the subtle until glaringly apparent shift from a rising power/redemption arm to a villain ark. I thought that was a very interesting narrative not commonly seen which I have an appreciation for. Another aspect I really enjoyed while reading was the general queerness surrounding the main characters and the representation of a functional and loving polyamorous relationship. I feel it was approached and explained relatively well and respectfully and is the first instance where I’ve read it so casually and deliberately in a published novel. The tension between the characters throughout was lovely as well. The ending was surprising tho made perfect sense. Looking back to what some characters said or did or took notice of it makes perfect sense but it was still unexpected on my part. I’m a bit upset by it but at the same time know I now need to go out and buy the next book to see how the story continues. All in all though, my favorite part of this book has to be the emphasis and exposing of such a misogynistic society (with clear commentary applicable to society’s of the past and of today) coupled with the sheer defiance and resistance of such beliefs and views. The consistent refusal to bow down to anyone undeserving or become the obedient expectation was very nice to see. There were many powerful and inspiring quotes along the way that I had to flag because of how impactful they were.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Addiction, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Body shaming

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

rtaire's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Body horror, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Sexism, Torture, and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and Gaslighting

dragonbornsandwaffles's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Death, Colonisation, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Sexism, Misogyny, Grief, Genocide, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Classism, War, and Violence

Moderate: Child death

dustghosts's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Torture, Gaslighting, Violence, Grief, Alcoholism, Death, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Sexual content

jaimc's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Death, War, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting, and Blood

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Death of parent

ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, War, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Body shaming, Grief, and Sexism

236girls's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

HOOOOOLYYYY SHIT HOLY SHIT this was insane??? THAT ENDING???? this harbors soooo much raw visceral rage for the government, for gender roles, and for people that have caused these characters so much trauma. anyway PLEASE overthrow the government! it's okay if there's a little murder, a sprinkling of patricide! but ffs do your due diligence on the history of the species you've made it your whole life goal to annihilate. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Violence

Moderate: Murder and Sexual assault

shector1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Genocide, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Colonisation, Alcoholism, War, Murder, Addiction, Blood, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault