Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

9 reviews

fragrant_stars's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad slow-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

4.25

This book was truly a delight to read, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I only sort of wish the main character had been slightly less terrible to other people but by the end he did make up for it sufficiently in my opinion. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

axel_p's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.0

Elliot is literally me

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

To say that I loved this book feels like an understatement. I don’t think there was any part I didn’t like?? 

This is a coming-of-age story that turns everything you expect in a fantasy on its head while exploring all the different types of love. 

Elliott is the most abrasive main character, but he isn’t hard to love. He was so likable from the beginning when he admits what the rest of us think: when you have the potential to live in a fantasy story, you have to take it. But instead of being just like any other portal fantasy, Elliott learns life isn’t unicorns and rainbows… in fact, unicorns are kind of jerks. 

But the best part of this book was that Brennan admits there are so many ways to love, even when we feel unlovable. Elliott was rude, he had a difficult home life, and he didn’t know how to love the way he thought he should. Yet he found family, friends, and a place to belong while pointing out that violence isn’t always the answer. He explored sexuality and how important it is to value yourself. Love is special, and we should choose love, even if it doesn’t look like what we expected. 

The commentary on war, peace, and love were gorgeous; delivered naturally and without seeming contrived. I genuinely liked all of the characters here, and everyone grew up and faced different challenges in their own ways. Dark topics were given their due, but honestly, this was one of the coziest books I’ve ever read while confronting thoughts, emotions, and experiences that everyone has difficulty facing. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tetedump's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wizardowl's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

toadstoolsnshit's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense medium-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

4.75

I love this book very much. It’s very well written and explores themes that I wish other fantasy books would dare to delve into. It tackles systems of oppression, war, and ethnocentrism and superiority in a way that’s lighthearted, relevant, and not at all dismissive. The characterization is masterful, as well as the world-building— something that is rare to see in fantasy books, I’ve noticed. The only issue I had was with pacing, though I would say the issue was minor and didn’t impede my enjoyment of the book at all. I would recommend this book to a great number of people. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

samanthalh's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny medium-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

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

chloevienna's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

everyone please add this to your tbr….the ideal book for every genre and trope >>

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...