Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Raven King

⚠️⚠️ Check TW even more with this one than the first one jesus CHRIST- ⚠️⚠️

I saw some youtube breakdown of this series with the title "these books brainwashed me" and I couldn't agree more. I am now more than halfway done with the series and I still cannot for the LIFE OF ME decide what I think about it ??? Does it make me feel more miserable than my 1-star ratings ?? Absolutely. Do I think about it just as much as my 5-star ratings ??? Definitely. Is it "meh" enough to give it a 3-star? Absolutely not.

It's still absolutely fkn terrible. Every single character is awful and cannot be rooted for. Everyone is lying and causing trouble for everyone else. The "found family" is not family-ing, and yet, as I have now finished the second book, I feel like actually crying over that ending and what happens to the characters? It was a Long Time since I felt this much dread about what a fictional character has been put through, and like I said in my review for the first book; I've had my fair share of messed up mafia!au fanfics but what the ✨️ f u c k ✨️ is ✨️ t h i s ✨️

I had a break of like, a week, where I didn't have time to listen to the audiobook and found myself looking up edits, fanart, cosplays and SONGS that related to this series ('Below The Belt' - Point North feat. Set It Off, for anyone wondering btw), and couldn't stop thinking about it for DAYS. And yet I have never had any piece of media make me feel this bad and anxious ever ??? What the FUCK did Nora PUT IN THIS ?

In the midst of looking up other content of this online I also "accidentally" spoiled myself of the biggest ship in this book and ??? I cannot see it. I mean, yes I can see it but h o w. I mean, yes I know exactly why and how but W H Y ? Absolutely not. -10/5 stars. Maybe possibly The Most problematic toxic fictional couple/ship I've seen in a Good While.

I only have one book left now. I'm sure it'll be just as terrible and overdramatic and intense as the previous two and I'm absolutely sure I'll be as miserable and undecided on a score on that one. This series will haunt me for months to come. I'm pretty sure I'm in shock still.

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tylercrow's review against another edition

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tense

3.0

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enkeli190's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad 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

4.0

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marimaia's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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

5.0

he was their family. they were his. they were worth every cut and bruise and scream.

A tradução pt-br continua horrível como no primeiro, mas isso à parte, continua sendo meu tudo. Ver a evolução do Neil e da relação dele com o Andrew e com os outros foxes… sempre me deixa emocionada.

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aschuylerlizard's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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

4.0

this was like riding a rollercoaster

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addssubract's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

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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

4.25

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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

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