Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

60 reviews

laurennicold's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Animal death, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Rape, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Adult/minor relationship

queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

 "When the world denies you choices, you make your own." 

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan was excellent and I blew through it so fast! I love reading more diverse authors and exploring a world based on Malaysia, where the author is from. I also super appreciated that the book came with it's own content warning for violence and sexual assault. 

We follow Lei, as she is taken from her home in the countryside and forced into the court position of a Paper Girl, who are courtesans to the Demon King. Every year the King chooses 8 Paper caste girls to serve him sexually for a year, and then they take new positions in the court or are given to members of the court as wives. The girls chosen are slaves in the truest sense. Some see it as a sought after duty, but it is nothing short of human trafficking. 

I loved the world building in this. The Kingdom of Ikhara has three castes: Demon, highest and have mostly animal features that are vaguely humanoid; Moon, a fusion of human and demon characteristics; and Paper, the lowest for being completely human. I'm getting Furries vibes lol. 

The wlw romance in this is chef's kiss. There were some really touching moments along with some steamy moments. I love Wren. She is badass and strong and I would do anything for her. I also really loved the way the author brought in commentary about how easy it is for people to go along with their own oppression. 

This book is a message of hope for those who have been sexually assaulted. It shows how one can not only survive such suffering, but can eventually thrive with love and support. Find that person who supports you no matter what; be it family member , best friend, partner, whoever. 

The author also gives the same resources at the end of the book that I give being a domestic violence educator: 

RAINN (Rape, abuse and incest, national network) 
Call: 1-800-656-HOPE 
Chat: online.rainn.org 
Info: rainn.org 

Love is Respect--National Dating Abuse Helpline for Teens 
Call: 1-866-331-9474
Info and chat: LoveIsRespect.org
Text: LoveIs to 22522

National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline 
Call: 1-800-799-SAFE 
Info and chat: thehotline.org

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

rosies_book_shelf's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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: Rape, Murder, Death, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Trafficking

griff_c's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery

annir's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Rape, Kidnapping, Death, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Gore

whatsjessreading's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Violence

pomegranatemuse's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Emotional abuse

raydgaf's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide and Slavery

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Minor: Animal death

shelleyreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, Slavery, Animal death, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Infertility

ohheyandi's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

*inhales*
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery