Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

2 reviews

miss_berry315's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The audiobook is seriously one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to. The voice actor is phenomenal and does a great job of conveying emotions and differentiating between character's voices. I would recommend this book in any form to most people, but am always hyping up the audiobook specifically. 
The romance was a slow burn that builds tension, but doesn't take so horribly long that you're shaking your book begging these two grown adults to just kiss already. The two MCs have amazing banter and work their way to romance naturally. 
This book had an interesting plot (a man lives in a sword?? love it!), great side characters, and low-medium stakes. The majority of the book is spent travelling, and I felt like the last quarter of the book was a little bit rushed, but not enough to ruin the story at all! 

This is one of those low-medium stakes stories that a lot of people like to put into the 'cozy fantasy' category, but I have a hard time calling a story 'cozy' if any of the characters are put in perilous situations. 
Read the content warnings on this one for sure to keep yourself safe! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Violence, and Confinement

Minor: Gaslighting and Sexual assault

The sexual assault cw is mostly regarding the beginning of the book where it is stated and heavily implied that

they will force Halla to get married and force her to get pregnant in order to keep the contents of the will in the family. These things *do not actually happen* and are not spoken about in detail. The man that would be marrying her is not the one coming up with the idea, it is implied that he is semi-forced into the situation as well, though he is compliant as he too wants the money etc.

The suicidal thoughts are at the very beginning of the novel, and are the way the two MCs get introduced to each other. The thoughts/planning are coming from a place of desperation as Halla is

locked in her room with no way to get out and is being threatened with the forced marriage/pregnancy to her non-blood cousin. She feels that though she doesn't *want* to die, it would be better than the alternative. She draws the sword and meets Sarkis. This though process is not mentioned at any other point in the book, and no real attempt is made.

theirgracegrace's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Confinement, and Physical abuse

Minor: Xenophobia, War, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Body horror, and Incest