Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo

10 reviews

bookishfads's review

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

You read this book and come across a sentence that pricks you like a thorn and has you staring at the wound. Beautiful writing.
I enjoyed this book so much I actually read it as slowly as possible so I can properly savor it. Some would say that's the intended way of reading. Leigh Bardugo has a modern approach to fairy tales - in a good way, although they sometimes come across as almost cringe-inducingly feminist (and I say this as a woman). However, a few "gatekeep-girlboss" moments here and there don't take away from the depth of her characters, the twists of her plot and the poetry in her prose - all in a very limited format of a fairy tale.
I loved the moments of female rage, something that is hardly noted in traditional stories. Fairy tales sometimes romanticize very... questionable behaviors and it's nice to see some typical tropes subverted and exploration of healthy vs toxic relationships. That being said, I do sometimes get weary of writers trying to "fix" folktales and overthinking and misunderstanding them (Cinderella being the best example). I had fun with this book, so I'd say Leigh Bardugo did it well. She goes for a more Andersen approach, where the story isn't like an oral folktale, but longer, more elaborate, with deeper characterization.
Bardugo may sometimes get into too much detail, with names of places and whatnot - this is probably to keep us in the Grishaverse, though we're not there, but in their stories. I understand why she and her publisher may have wanted this, but I think it limits the book quite a bit and the cameo of that one character isn't worth it. I guess it's cool to have a fictional world's anthology, but it hardly expands upon anything. So for my fellow Grishaverse fans who aren't too into fairy tales - just look up what happens. For people who love fairy tales but haven't seen/read anything about the Grishaverse - you may be confused at times, but I believe in you. For those who are into both - just read it already!

I understand people who gave it five stars, but certain moments took it down for me, plus the cameo and grisha-bait.

Me being shallow: the cover and the art are just gorgeous! The two-color palette made for a more clever result. I love the idea of the slowly forming margin, so each new page reveals more of the story, like a cheeky little spoiler right before you read it. The final illustration always a delight. I would love to see more books that go for the thorn/rose aesthetic and if they do, this book will be the bar they have to reach. I remembered how this was the first book of LB that captured my attention when I was at a bookstore: "the Six of Crows woman wrote fairy tales!"

Spoiler below for the cameo criticism

I also don't think that the Darkling, a man who spends the main trilogy haunted by the loneliness of his own immortality would have the "you can come if you want" attitude to his SISTER. You're telling me he wouldn't try to make her see his way? Show up when everyone leaves her and use his manipulative ways? Use the bell that can control her? The entire cameo, as fun as it was, felt cheap and didn't make much sense. Why do the Fjerdans tell the story involving the Darkling? Why is it so detailed? Did he write it himself? It would have been much more fun to see him as a recurring character in various Ravkan legends (and it would make way more sense) or have a few told by him. Make the fans work for the lore, don't spoon feed us that it's our beloved/behated villain.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Self harm, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Since these are fairy tales written in a very brief style, nothing goes into too much detail, although the writing is so emotional and impactful, sometimes these brief mentions can be upsetting enough on their own, so bear that in mind.

albyalbyalby's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

 Leigh Bardugo never disappoints with the Grishaverse, and the delightful and subversive takes on classic fairytales she gives in this book are underrated by her fans. The stunning descriptions give wonderful visuals that any reader will enjoy. Not to mention the beautiful illustrations throughout. Overall, highly recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Murder, Cannibalism, Violence, Death, Body horror, and Gore

Moderate: Sexual assault, Confinement, Child abuse, Incest, Child death, Blood, and Animal death

Minor: Pedophilia, War, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Xenophobia

rory18's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

A masterfully crafted collection of dark yet inspiring cautionary tales. There's no unreality trigger warning, but if there was one it would certainly apply for The Soldier Prince (heavy themes of grooming in that one, too.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Xenophobia, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, and Animal cruelty

Minor: Child death, Alcohol, Homophobia, and War

casdelvo's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Gore, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, and Alcohol

magdie's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

THE ILLUSTRATIONS PROGRESS ALONGSIDE THE STORY!!!! But in all honesty, I just loved it! I practically inhaled it in one afternoon after struggling to get through few pages of 3 different books the previous weeks. The genre just hit right ig. It's very whimsical but dark (it can get REALLY dark) and you can easily see the inspiration in popular fairytales, but it's not a retelling per se. They felt just right, enough fairytaleness, poetics and morals yet quite realistic characters. I also loved the tidbit easter eggs and references to other grishaverse books.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Classism, Bullying, and Abandonment

Minor: Incest, War, Trafficking, Miscarriage, and Pedophilia

kingspite618's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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

4.0

This is hands down one of the best folklore books I've ever read. Its diverse characters, plotwists and connections to the Shadow and Bone world was simply fantastical. These tales are a perfect mix of a disturbing, mysterious and fascinating plotline and endearing (or terrifying!) characters that are difficult to forget.
Definetely a must-read if you're a fan of the Grishaverse series! 
Do beware of triggers and very disturbing themes, though. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse

anielabooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

5.0

This book was absolutely beautiful. The cover and illustrations were gorgeous. The stories were captivating and reminiscent of classic fairy tales. I particularly loved “Ayama and the Thorn Wood” and “When Water Sang Fire.” The lessons taught in these books are very relevant and important for kids to learn but please read the content warnings before introducing them because some stories have dark scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed the way it connected to the world of the Grisha, as the S&B books slyly mention some of the folk tales outlined in the book. Overall amazing read and I recommend even those who haven’t read other books from the Grishaverse to explore this one.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Minor: Incest, Infertility, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and War

eriniven's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

jbabbm's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

I truly recommend this book if you want a peak of the Grishaverse before committing to read any of the books. These stories are great and pretty entertaining. Leigh Bardugo did a great job with these retellings of classical tales from our world.

This is also a great book to read if you have previously read the Grishaverse and feel nostalgic but aren't ready to dive back in just yet.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence

Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

rachrreads's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Sexism