Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 3 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

2 reviews

theirnknight's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.5

While this book is treated like a romance, I can only read it as a mild horror. Not scary, but the 'relationship' certainly takes the tone of an attempt to placate the generally malevolent and manipulative love interest. Not to say the feelings of the protagonist are insincere, but there's a continued feeling of the relationship as a threat he's willing to embrace, rather than a genuine benefit to his life. It's less funny than the rest of the series, although I'd still consider it a comedy, though still engaging. I found the drama less captivating than the comedy, but still worth reading for those who like the style of the first book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual violence

Moderate: Stalking, Slavery, Gaslighting, and Violence

There's a very notable scene where the couple have sex. It's consensual by his word, but done out of necessity from the protagonist's perspective rather than mutual desire, and is painful and violent to the point that he almost dies.

keddy4306's review

dark funny medium-paced

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

3.5

If it wasn't for the

extreme dubcon

I would probably give this 4⭐️ I just can't overlook

papapa to save the world

This book does contain all of the good content.

Shen Qingqiu's soul is pulled back to his original body and he wakes up in the Holy Mausoleum of the Demon Race. Sqq meets Luo Binghe's daddy, Tianlang-jun, and snake-bro, Zhuzhi-Lang.

Lbh shows up to rescue Sqq, but gets beat up because his qi is depleted from trying to keep Sqq's mushroom body sustained for multiple days, then busting into the holy mausoleum and fighting two demons. Sqq protects Lbh and we get the sexy coffin scene of the book.

Our boys almost get away, but Sqq has been gargling too much demon blood and has Zhuzhi-Lang, Tianlang-jun and Luo Binghe's tapeworms fighting inside. Daddy demon and snake-bro take sqq and we get a bunch of funny throuple jokes. Liu Qingge comes to rescue Sqq and Lbh tags along. Hilarity ensues. 

We do all the character work for several characters, including the sect leader and Lbh's parents, then defeat the final boss and Lbh gets taken over again by the demon sword. Extreme dubcon happens and we papapa to save the world.

The story ends with

everyone happy and Bingqiu being coupley.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Abandonment, and Abortion

extreme dubcon