Reviews tagging 'War'

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

24 reviews

callidoralblack's review against another edition

adventurous emotional

• Loveable characters? Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Gore, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, War, Alcohol, Blood, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Classism, Death, Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, Physical abuse, Torture, and Pregnancy

rory18's review

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.75

Only took off a quarter star because there was some weird nonsensical tense-switching. (At least in the audiobook)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Ableism, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Body horror, Confinement, Torture, Blood, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: War, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping

Minor: Sexual assault, Animal death, and Sexual content

The abuse Wren goes through really has ABA/abuse of an autistic person vibes, and she's autistic coded IMO even if it's not explicit.

starrywrxtes's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

THIS DAMN BOOK. Wren is my love, I will defend her always 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Gore, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Death, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Torture, and Violence

may4la's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child death, Child abuse, Gore, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: War, Violence, Slavery, and Self harm

Minor: Cannibalism

isfantasi's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, Child abuse, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Gore, Drug use, Torture, Confinement, War, Slavery, and Alcohol

Minor: Infidelity, Cannibalism, and Child death

susanpevensie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, and Violence

Minor: War and Sexual assault

themichellegray's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

An average spin-off to The Folk of the Air trilogy that seemed only to be written as a way to capitalize off its predecessor's success. While this story added more lore to Faerieland's monarchy and explored the repercussions of a changeling's upbringing, there are far too many critiques to be ignored.

First and foremost, Oak's characterization was so wildly unbelievable compared to the beloved child we met in TFOTA. I understand this book takes place 8 years after QON and Oak has been forced into a dangerous position but there wasn't even a hint of the wholesome little boy we once knew. Nine year old Oak refused to learn proper swordplay and never showed an ounce of romantic interest in then-bridled Queen Suren. Holly Black simply copy and pasted Cardan's characterization onto Oak's teenage personality but toned down the cruelty/hatred.

Wren's storyline held so much promise since she had such a heartbreaking past to explore. Unfortunately, her characterization became convoluted amongst her confusing decisions and the forced romance. I never became invested in Wren because it felt as-if Holly Black didn't know how to explore the multi-faceted narrative when she's so accustomed to writing bad-ass female leads.

I went into this book expecting the author's clever twists and schemes but instead received a slow-paced quest and predictable ending. It wasn't as bad as the Modern Faerie Tales but nowhere near as captivating as The Folk of the Air trilogy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, and Torture

Minor: Alcohol, Sexual assault, War, and Vomit

mitsuris's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

this book was so fawking good like.. i love wren so much shes incredible i loved seeing her development throughout the story and i teared up a few times while she recounted her childhood :C also love how descriptive holly black is bc i can vividly imagine everything as though i am in elfhame myself aghhhhh excellent read 10/10 will recommend to everyone i know <3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror

Moderate: Confinement and War

lindseyhall44's review

adventurous dark 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

Although The Cruel Prince trilogy will always hold a special place in my heart, the Stolen Heir was a great follow-up. Black is a masterful writer and phenomenally brings readers back into the dark and beautiful faire. Although it’s not necessary to read the original books first, I would highly recommend, since The Folk of the Air is absolutely increidble. Ultimately would highly recommend! 

I’m very nervous to see how Jude and Cardan will play a role in this next novel, but at the same time excited to see where it goes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Blood, Abandonment, Murder, Child abuse, Death, Torture, and Violence

aysha_blake's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Grief, War, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent