Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

L'impero del vampiro by Jay Kristoff

102 reviews

nancy_sch's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

0.25

A messy mash-up of other stories told with other people’s song lyrics, an abundance of adjectives (some of which should be adverbs) and misogynistic, homophobe swear-phrases in every other line. 
For all that, the 700-odd pages are just the preamble to the actual story that’s still to come.
Hard to believe this passed a plagiarism test. 
Hard to believe they’re not being sued for copyright infringements. 
Hard to believe an editor checked this or publisher might think this worthy of publication. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Toxic friendship

marinevdm's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Homophobia and Religious bigotry

asecretplant's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t expecting this to be my jam but I fucking loved every second of it. Definitely worth the read 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Homophobia, and War

vilde_a's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

Absolutely devoured this book! Perfect for a holiday when you have time to get into it quickly. The visuals the author manages to tell is absolutely stunning. The world building is believable and felt deep enough. The occasional illustrations in the book is a very nice treat!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and War

Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Classism

georgeeporge's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense 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

4.5

I haven't read a proper fantasy for ages and this was *chefs kiss*. I devoured it — and it is by no means a small book! Gabriel is a great antihero, the world building is amazing, the horror aspects were well integrated. I also really enjoyed the interview style of the narrative, it meant we were guided through jumps around the timeline rather than thrown around in a chaotic mess. Also loved the artwork pages dotted throughout, a nod to the interviewer.

It's only not a 5* because the male gaze was a tad off putting at times, and although the author is trying to be an ally to the queer community, they fell into the same tropes often seen in male written fantasy — over sexualised and hugely stereotyped.

Luckily the storyline was too good to be put off and I am desperate to read more from this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Violence

sunsetsyd's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.5

Empire of the Vampire was the first fantasy book I've picked up in a while and it was the perfect welcome back to the genre. The interwoven timeline, found (and lost) family, and most importantly - vampires! What more can you ask for?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence

Minor: Homophobia and Misogyny

faehistory's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

A well-written take on vampires that walks the line between horror and fantasy. Gabriel manages to be a flawed character who never quite crosses over into being unlikeable and I found myself emphasising that even when he makes poor choices. The setting manages to be dark and bleak without crossing into so dark you find yourself apathetic. 

Some of the bigger twists you can perhaps see coming if you have read a lot of fantasy because they fit the narrative conventions of this kind of book but are still well executed and some do take you by surprise. 

There is a really interesting thorough line about the difference between faith and organised religion which ties into Gabriel's main arc. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Classism

chaptermaggot's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Rape, Torture, Pregnancy, and Classism

rubyredders's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

3.75

This is one of those books where it can be enjoyable but is definitely not for everyone. If this book ever gets a adaptation I know it is definitely getting that adults only rating.

That said the writing is good! The characters aren't all likeable, hell Gabriel the main character took a good while to connect with because man living in a grimdark world and it has not treated him all that kindly - HOWEVER, I did find myself feeling for him after seeing all he's gone through.

I did find that I only really connected with Gabriel and Dior by the end though. The number of characters Kristoff killed off I just stopped caring for other characters because hell he's probably gonna knock em off quick enough anyway. Plus, all the characters in the first third are kind of assholes to Gabriel. It's that kind of world in this book. I sadly saw some of the twists coming before they were named but it's more reading the plot beats and the setting

The high fantasy elements were well done but I did find myself rolling my eyes at how #Goth it got at times. I didnt hate it though, just noted aha the scene is being set and knew the author was enjoying themselves here. The descriptions of the world helped build a wonderful atmosphere and tension, I coudl really feel the coldness of the world.

The pacing was way stronger in the later book than the start for sure. This book is a hefty 700+ page monster and while I understand the need to set the scene, let the story breathe and characters and world build....I kind of wish the book was cut down a bit? Or maybe even split into another book. There were parts in the middle that felt a bit of a slog and somewhat unnecessary to the overall plot. The author has a trilogy planned but seeing the second one is also a Big Ass Book, I can't help but feel like it'd be more enjoyable, not to mention a more comfortable physical read, if there was less of it.

The time skip elements were really well done! I don't always enjoy this but they were clearly marked out and obvious when there was overlap, along with the way the story wove together as you read along these different times in Gabriel's life.

The level of swearing in this took some getting used to - more because of Gabriels attitude than the actual swearing itself. Like ok, buddy we get it you're a tough guy. This is a cold and unfeeling world I know. 

The vampire elements definitely play up the horror elements of vampires than are common in modern works but the basic elements are the same. The clan elements were fun as was the

there is a secret FIFTH bloodline who are hated by everyone and they have blood magic?! Ok, I'm listening tell me more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Homophobia, and Misogyny

Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment

florian's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and War

Moderate: Animal death, Homophobia, and Grief

Minor: Rape