Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Trono de cristal by Sarah J. Maas

12 reviews

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

3.5

Since I've listened to the ACOTAR graphic audios three times since January (no, I haven't cheated and counted them as rereads...they're just my comfort books now), I figured it would probably be a good idea to switch it up and listen to the TOG audios. No graphic audios of these yet (although they are coming), so it's just the standard audiobooks read by the voice of the Maasverse, Elizabeth Evans.

I really do like the story of Throne of Glass; yes, it is relatively predictable and doesn't quite give you the full depth of the 'Life or death competiton' trope, but it's an easily digestible narrative with interesting characters and clear scope for more, which is perfectly acceptable for the opening salvo in a series. I just think it's unfortunate that  this was initially pitched as a YA series - it works, but it just feels like something is missing... it needs the extra grit, darkness and detail to bring out its full potential. 

As always, Elizabeth Evans' narration is very good - her range of voices for each character is fab; she is almost a one woman full cast! Although there are a few voices she uses that are just a bit too similar to those used in the Crescent City audios, so there were moments where I had to remind myself which Fae world I was inhabiting!

The main issue I have with this audio is pacing. I know a lot of people listen to their audios at quicker-than-normal speeds, but I just can't do it. I might be a speed reader, but I'm not a speed-listener! The upside is that I get to be fully immersed in the world. The downside is that it makes even the most pacy books feel a bit drawn out. In this case, I found the story dragged on just a leetle bit too long for my liking. I think this book suits my reading pace better, and I certainly got more out of the visual. 

But I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the series in this format. And then again in Graphic Audio format when they get her! SJM may as well have direct access to my bank account at this point...

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Torture, Blood, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Slavery

Minor: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, War, Xenophobia, Grief, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt

earthie's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

Extremely addicting book, though the writing at first feels very "I'm not like other girls" vibes. It got better, however, and honestly was quite a good listen. It felt cheesy and kind of kitchy, but honestly loveable in that kind of silly way.

Unique in some ways, but felt very much like the Tamora Pierce Tortall universe, both in writing and character development (and even plot, now thinking about it more). Fun in a way that isn't complicated.

I'd recommend this book for YA audiences, or adults who don't mind the mushy feelings of youth.

I love that the book has an overly talented female main character *and* that she is extremely unique in her talents and backstory. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Slavery, Murder, Violence, Death, and War

Moderate: Physical abuse, Confinement, Torture, Misogyny, Genocide, Classism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Islamophobia

Minor: Genocide, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Confinement, Police brutality, and Xenophobia

vishnork's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Death, and Gore

Moderate: Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Rape

violentpeach's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Gore, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Grief, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Slavery, Colonisation, and Genocide

Minor: Vomit and War

brittany_jean's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? No

3.0

Scarier than I expected. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Blood, Drug use, Xenophobia, Violence, War, Murder, Racism, Slavery, Death, Gore, and Confinement

cabalus's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

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

0.25

The author is a Zionist. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Gore, Child abuse, Hate crime, Death, Child death, Colonisation, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Murder, War, Xenophobia, Racism, Torture, and Violence

liliana_b's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Xenophobia, Drug use, Confinement, Murder, and Death of parent

syd_g's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Murder

Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

Minor: Death of parent

abby_can_read's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

📱
This starts out slow and a little boring. I liked the competition. I found the love triage boring by comparison. There is good worldbuilding and I do find the characters interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Slavery, and Xenophobia

nerdkitten's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief

Moderate: Colonisation, Torture, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Physical abuse, Body horror, Drug use, Medical content, Slavery, and Addiction

Minor: Animal death, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Rape, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Deportation, Genocide, Sexual content, and Sexual violence