Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

Die Gesetzlose by Anna North

76 reviews

haseki_sultana's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.5

This book is a pretty quick read, with engaging descriptions and an interesting plot. The plot focuses almost fully on the main character; she goes through the most growth and the most focus is placed on her. The side characters get some focus which helps to explain their personalities and make them distinct, but there is no growth for them - they remain static in the narrative (which is absolutely fine; it suits the story being told - these are not the type of people to change much anyway). 

As for the plot, it takes place in an alternate reality from 1894-1895, where religion has put an even greater emphasis on women having children and being domestic - in this reality, people are so obsessed with children that there are many holidays concerning pregnancy and childbirth, Jesus is depicted as a baby, and women are routinely executed for not conceiving. The story follows Ada, a year into her marriage, when she and the people of her town realize that she is infertile. They run her out of the town and she has to find her own way in the world, at some point joining an all-female (but various gendered) outlaw gang. There's more to Ada's story and what drives her, but that's all spoilers. 

I would have given this book five stars, except sometimes there were passages about events that went by rather swiftly, leaving the reader wanting more. For the most part, the fast-paced writing style of North works really well, but I personally felt that certain scenes needed to be lingered on yet were instead passed over in mere sentences. 

Also, I feel it is worth mentioning: there are a number of LGBT characters; they are all treated with respect and handled well. However, one side character is killed off and technically counts as Bury Your Gays. For anyone who dislikes this trope, be aware that you'll come across it in this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Animal death and Murder

bury your gays trope for side character

laurenparham's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Abortion

forestthieves's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Cannot stop thinking about this book. It's been a while since I read a book with, what I felt, was accurate representation of a queer cast of characters, as well as an exploration on feminism and oppression. I fell in love with Ada, and her stoic and practical point of view, while also getting those break of emotions from her. I was fully invested in her story, needing to know what every day held for her, and the gang. 

I can see myself reading this book again in the future. I will always hold all of the characters in it dear to my heart. It was a challenging, but realistic, and exciting adventure. Would recommend this to anyone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility and Misogyny

Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Abortion

kirbybeaton's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, and Religious bigotry

vobots's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infertility, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Abortion

literaryelephant's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

There were a couple of things I would've liked this book to do/address that it didn't, and some of the info conveyance felt a little clumsy- the narrator asking nosy personal questions and the others just... telling her whatever she wanted to know. But even so, this was an absolute delight to read, heavy without taking itself too seriously, full of twists, and just such a fun world and cast to spend time with. I wanted it never to end, so I'm rounding my rating up for now! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Homophobia, Infertility, Misogyny, Racism, Medical content, and Suicide attempt

goldseamedglass's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Infertility, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia

Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Homophobia and Infidelity

noelanig's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Infertility, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Miscarriage and Misogyny

Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Transphobia

hollyenchanted's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful 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

Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Murder

The world North created is brutal and all-to-recognizable. Which makes the outlaws all the more heroic and interesting.

sarrasegway's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Racism