Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

3 reviews

mandersdraws's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

Ugh I need to read it again!! I feel like Hemlock Queen gets off to a sluggish (and maybe a little depressing) start, with the protagonist taking a passive role for a few chapters, but the action and tension really ramped up quickly. It wove a bunch of loose threads together from the first book into an intricate and rich tapestry, and it gave me even more ancient mysteries to think on while I wait for the next one!

I really love how the protagonist’s powers and relationship to the religion of the world allows us to peek into the ancient past. I love how it explores the fallibility of people, and of divine figures. I love that it calls into question the motives of the people writing our laws, our bibles.

And oh, I really fucking love the tragic romance. (I especially love the very real possibility of a “completed” love triangle here, my new One True Threesome). I love how tender some of the spicy scenes are. This shit is right up my alley!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Violence, Gore, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Classism, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Misogyny, Colonisation, Rape, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, and War

Mental illness tag because while it’s related to the fantasy elements of the book, the protagonist hears voices. That and possession are big topics of the book. Also warning for dissociation.

jezebe11e's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

3.0

I almost DNF'd this book. The first 100 pages DRAGGED. If I'm being honest, there were a lot of spots beyond that point that dragged, but the first 100 pages were just tedious as hell. 

Will I continue the trilogy when the third installment drops? Yes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Minor: Sexual assault

soniajoy98's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Sexism, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Drug use, Torture, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Confinement