Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - The Raven King

Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Raven King by Nora Sakavic

118 reviews

nikoops's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

As with the rest of this series, it’s hard to describe. The characters are engaging, the plot, ridiculous, and the writing decent. This might make it sound like you shouldn’t read it, and honestly? Despite the 5/5 stars, you probably shouldn’t.

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Self harm, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, and Violence

The Raven King picks up exactly where The Foxhole Court ends. The story remains in Neil’s POV, starting with the Foxes spending Halloween all together; it becomes apparent that it was definitely Riko behind Seth’s untimely death; however, with Seth gone, the team does seem to start to work together more cohesively on the court. They start to rank up wins, and there is hope for them to make it to the semifinals. Things start to go downhill when Nicky’s family invites him and the twins home for Thanksgiving. The invitation comes with the directions that the twins have to come or else Nicky cannot go. Desperate to see his family again and hopefully reconcile their differences, Nicky asks Neil to get Andrew to agree to go. Neil does, but not for Thanksgiving; Nicky’s family is accommodating. The meal comes with an unexpected and devastating surprise—they have invited Drake (Andrew’s former brother to be, had he been adopted by the Spears), and he is waiting upstairs secretly for Andrew. Luther (Nicky’s father) tricks Andrew into going upstairs where he is knocked over the head with a bottle by Drake and assaulted. Neil suspects Andrew is in trouble, when Luther mentions Drake, and goes upstairs with Aaron to see. They wind up breaking down the door to find Andrew being assaulted, Aaron winds up killing Drake. Aaron is arrested for the murder, but is allowed back until his trial due to Matt’s mother posting bail. Betsy makes the choice to have Andrew go off his meds due to the circumstances, which requires him going to Easthaven for 24/hr supervision as he comes off them. During this all, the team grows closer still as the team decides to stick together as often as possible—Aaron also gets to spend time with his girlfriend Katelyn. At the Christmas banquet, Riko tells Neil that he has to come to Evermore for winter break—he threatens Andrew’s safety should Neil refuse. Neil, of course, agrees to this, and is subjected to torture for the entirety of winter break. He returns to Palametto unsure of how he got there, with new scars, his natural eye and hair color back, and a four tattooed on his cheek. He calls Wymack for help, and reveals some more truth to him, the book ends on him wondering how their season will go, and how he will survive it.

riv_erb's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

ceramiclamb's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

lennie_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Please don't expect a coherent review because this is mostly overtired babbling but anyway...

If you think the first book is dark then oh boy do I have news for you!

The thing with these books is that despite the spelling / grammar mistakes, being confusing to read, the fact that it could probably do with an editor all fall by the wayside when stacked against wanting to know what happens to these damaged characters.
Seeing the mysteries of their lives unfolding, the horrific incidents they've been through / go through, the constant tension of when they'll 'go too far' just absolutely grab hold of you. Or they did for me anyway!
I read almost all of this book in one day; I stayed up until 2am last night to finish it.

And christ there are some horrible disturbing scenes in this book. But all I can think about is that I wish I had today off to read the last book 😅
What sorcery is this??

CW: violence, blood, vomit, rape, child abuse, paedophilia, toxic relationships, death, murder, kidnapping, torture, forced medication, drugs, alcohol, homophobia, religious

Content Warnings

cait's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

shivani_reads's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

~~ "It's about family. Not necessarily the one we were born with, but the one we chose. This one." ~~

Well, I'm still here, and I still don't know why I'm so into these books 🤷🏽‍♀️

While the writing has improved slightly compared to the first book, it's still not great. And there's still some problematic stuff in here, particularly in the way mental health and trauma are portrayed/dealt with.

...Yet these books continue to have me in a chokehold 🫣

One thing I noticed Nora has improved on by this point is her descriptions of the Exy games. Whereas I could barely understand the sport in TFC, I find I'm able to picture the games much more clearly this time around. Also, I'm actually enjoying it!? Maybe I do like sports fiction after all... What are these books doing to me? 😩

The found family aspect is really starting to shine through in this story. And it's actually really heartwarming to see all these broken individuals slowly learning to trust and care for one another 🖤

Also, as oblivious as Neil is most of the time, he and Andrew are flirting up a storm (in their own deranged way), and I am HERE FOR IT.

I've surprised myself with how invested I'm becoming in some of these characters. Andrew in particular is quickly becoming a favourite, despite the fact I thought he was a complete asshole in the first book. But learning more about him and his past has me feeling so sorry for him. His trauma is endless, and I just want him to heal and be loved 🥺

As with book one, PLEASE check the content warnings going into this! Because lord do they really come into play in this one. Ch.11 was particularly hard to get through - I sat shell-shocked while those awful events played out. I honestly felt so sick and was close to tears by the end of *that* scene.

And that ending, whew. I'm nervous to see how Neil is going to deal with everything he's just been through with the Ravens. And how Andrew will fare going forward, since his rehabilitation.

Also, fuck Riko Moriyama.

Still not recommending this mess, but good god am I in too deep to get out now. On to the finale!

Content Warnings