Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

124 reviews

adrienreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious 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

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One of my favorite Bardugo books so far - incredible read, I loved it more than the first in its series. 

This book is dark, but if the first book was too explicit/intense for you, this one definitely felt "lighter", more-or-less. Still dark and horrific, but there was far less (on-screen at least) sexual violence, and overall I had a much easier time with this one. Again, still not "light reading" by any means, but worth noting. 

If you've loved Bardugo's other books, this one scratches that same itch, and more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Classism

Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Slavery

stephliljazz's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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: Complicated

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As second book in the Ninth Gate series I am just hooked to this story. I cannot wait for book three I hope it comes out sooner than later! I don't know how to describe the book without spoilers so I'll just leave it with a couple quotes.

"People shouldn't have to march through the world fighting all the time."

"I will serve you till the end of days."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism

Minor: Classism

ilsevdhout's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Police brutality

Minor: Racism, Slavery

diaashka's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder

Minor: Hate crime, Slavery, Suicide, Police brutality, Suicide attempt

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Leigh Bardugo’s dark and deliciously creepy follow up to Ninth House was an emotional rollercoaster of a read I didn’t want to end! 

Continuing on from the events of Ninth House, Alex is stronger and far more comfortable in her position at Lethe —the secret organisation (and governing body) who oversee and control the rituals that allows Yale’s notoriously secretive societies to practice magic. And ready to start making some demands. Like saving her mentor Darlington. 

But Lethe’s decision to sweep last years’ events under the rug—and their refusal to consider Darlington’s possible survival in Purgatory—has Alex plotting the riskiest of schemes. To break into hell. And steal back Darlington’s soul. 

Still, even the best laid plans can go awry, and unfortunately for Alex she may just be out of second chances…

I loved this just as much as the first! The dark, gritty undertones are still as deliciously compelling as they were previously, but the ominous sense of foreboding that pervaded the narrative has been amped up exponentially. However, when paired with the rather lively pace and almost unending plot twists (with ever increasing stakes for Alex and her rag tag group) it begin to get a little overwhelming. 

Especially with soo much going on: the secret plot to save Darlington, a spate of (possibly paranormal) faculty deaths , as well as Alex’s not so distant past finally catching up to her. There was a lot to take in.

But the way in which each element was  cleverly and intricately woven in was pure magic— and the emotion and suspense in THAT ending definitely made up for my initial apprehension. 

If you’re a sucker for exquisitely in depth character development, then you’re in for a treat. As, besides Alex and her emotional journey (from pessimistic and overly distrustful girl into a determined and self-confident individual) we get to explore supporting characters such Detective Turner and Pamela Dawes in soo much more depth. I also really enjoyed the compelling and fascinating way their backstories were presented, which made for a rather immersive if slightly unusual experience. 

And I can’t forget Darlington! I loved getting to see him again , though I do think his appearance was still far too brief for my liking (even if he was naked for most of it.) I did enjoy exploring his interactions and newly shifted dynamics with Alex—who is far more comfortable in her role (and ghost seeing powers) than the last time they were together. 

It’s still pretty dark in tone (there is alot of death and violence including a pretty graphic animal death, so be warned), but I loved the found family-esque vibes we get this time around. It definitely added a touch of much needed coziness and made Alex’s decision to open up feel far more emotionally significant. 

Overall, a splendid second instalment that perfectly sets up the next book—which I’m already eager to get my hands on! 

Also, a huge thank you to Gollancz for the giveaway 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood

Minor: Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide attempt

srobs24's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Murder

Moderate: Self harm, Slavery

thalia16's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence

Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Slavery, Suicide attempt

bookishmillennial's review against another edition

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Idk I tried because I believe in letting folks redeem themselves but NAHHHHHH

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide attempt

frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This is dark and full of tense but enthralling action and characters.

To me it was more enjoyable than NH.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse

Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Slavery

enyltiak's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

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As with the Grishaverse, I find myself so comfortably tucked into Alex's world—of Yale, of Lethe, and of magic. I'm brokenhearted to have to leave it. These books are a new favorite, a perfect read for anyone who enjoys magic, mystery, and darkness. This book had me gasping aloud, crying, slamming it shut in anxiety, and jumping up and down at clever steps and reveals. A masterpiece of modern fantasy and a must-read for any "dark academia" lovers. <3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis