Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

5 reviews

lanid's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious

• 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Grief

emily_mh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.25

This was a really entertaining read as it was just almost constant action. It had a diverse cast of loveable characters who shared realistic and endearing relationships with one another. The magic system was fascinating and quite mind-bending at times, definitely keeping me on my toes. The ending was also really satisfying, although I kind of wish it wasn't a standalone as by the end I wanted to spend more time in Eldra with the characters.

The only reason this isn't a five star read is that the beginning is quite jarring, which had far-reaching consequences. You're dumped in the deep end where the group of rebels have known each other for years and have been caught infiltrating the Citadel, which means the action begins right away before you get the chance to understand the characters and their relationships, which are already fully formed without your observance. It made me feel quite disconnected from them for a large part of the book and as such I couldn't give it 5 stars in the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Child death, Murder, and Blood

Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Torture, Cursing, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Alcohol

toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

I loved this book! I really liked the story telling style and switching perspectives and the way relevant things were revealed as they became relevant. The characters and world were super interesting and the story and resolution felt very complex and balanced, just like real life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Mental illness, Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Confinement, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Gun violence, Torture, Police brutality, and Physical abuse

angelareads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Dementia, and Gun violence

Minor: Addiction

booksthatburn's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beneath The Citadel plays with identity and memory to tell a riveting story of intrigue, revolution, and desperation. It's unapologetically queer in a way that feels like finally breathing, blending sweetness and exasperation to make an amazing ride.

I'm so happy this book exists, and I hope to read many more like it. The characters have complex relationships with each other that are informed by their queerness but not wholly defined by it. I only mentioned it so much because it feels amazing to read a story which doesn't treat straightness as a default. Another thing I haven't seen before is a teen friendship between former lovers where there's no jealousy about one of them moving on to exploring new relationships. I'm always looking at how YA books handle relationship triangles, and I like how this kind of dodges that entire premise while also keeping some of what makes that dynamic fascinating as a trope. As for the flow of the book, there's a really good mix of figuring out the tumult and constant stress of the main action, while also having quiet intimate moments where everyone gets a moment to breath and reassess.

I love the book, I love the premise, I love heist stories... I wish this were a series, but I also feel like it would be a betrayal of the conclusion of the book to try and have a related story in this space. It would be interesting to read more things in this world, but due to its nature as a portrayal of the last gasp of a dying and defunct societal paradigm, it's probably for the best that it's standalone.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Death

CW for violence, death.