Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons

9 reviews

noshakira's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

Excellent world-building and intricate storyline. The dual perspectives of the story adds a unique element. I ordered the second book when I was about halfway done with this one because I knew I'd love the remaining story. 

The only difficulty is that some names can be hard to pronounce (as with most fantasy novels) and keep straight, as many are similar or characters go by multiple names for differing reasons, so it's easy to get confused and I'd have to continually remind myself who was who.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Confinement, Murder, Death, Classism, Violence, and War

Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Trafficking, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Incest, Infidelity, and Kidnapping

vigil's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

i can see why this book wouldn't work for everyone but it did for me. i absolutely devoured 500 pages in three days, in the time where i'm still slagging through an arduously obnoxious 291 pages of another book as of writing this review. i love storytelling that comes to you in puzzle pieces (though the author graciously gives you exactly what you need, if a plot point hinges on previously given vague information) and odd narrative structures. i love stories where the world feels truly lived in, where you are given so much worldbuilding and lore, especially stories that just have so much going on in them, whether its in the scope of the main plot or not. Because of this, i did enjoy the footnotes (not to mention here, the footnotes had a plot purpose and explanation that i found satisfying) despite generally being a footnotes hater in fiction. i'm very impressed with this being the authors debut novel, and i will definitely be continuing with the series. 

also, mild critique / wants for further installments

this book was very obviously interested in sex and sexual abuse in a way i found thoughtful, but somewhat wanting. i found the execution to be well done, but i would enjoy a deeper exploration of the topic, especially from one of the sex workers / slaves, since i think their perspective was sorely lacking in this book. however, i do hear that is something that is followed up on in later installments, so i'll withhold judgement on this front. i would also like more handling of khirin's trauma as well. i understand why it couldn't be lingered on for too long for practicalities, but as we enter territories regarding relationships for him in the coming books, i think it would be a good way to tackle it more. despite everything, it still seemed to haunt him over the novel, but wasn't addressed much. 

also shout out to jenn lyons for creating a male protag i actually enjoy. not very many cases! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture

Moderate: Homophobia and Incest

adragoninspace's review against another edition

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Murder, Trafficking, Body horror, Death of parent, Sexual content, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual violence, and Vomit

ruthlessreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

Lots of things I loved about this book, including the world building and the interesting magic system. However, I’m always filled with distaste when systems of slavery are present, regardless of whether or not the text condemns it (this one does condemn it). The plot of this book is largely dependent on these systems of slavery and it was hard to enjoy the book for that reason. I gave 2 stars purely for the talent of the writer, which shines through at every turn, and the quality of the actual syntax. That said, the content just didn’t do it for me and idk that I’d read another book by this author. Also, not nearly enough dragons for a book with a giant dragon on the front. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Classism, Murder, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, and Cursing

Minor: Incest, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship

anni_swanilda's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gore, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Kidnapping, Blood, Body horror, Alcohol, and Incest

Minor: Rape

andromeda_1998's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

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

4.0

This book took me a long time to read and the funny thing is that I didn’t mind. The book is written in a very cleaver way and I would really recommend it. But before you start reading it, beware! This is one of those books you need to finish before having an opinion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Trafficking, Rape, Genocide, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Death, War, Mental illness, Gore, Violence, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Incest, Grief, and Gaslighting

anapthine's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

1.5

I really didn't enjoy this book, especially due to its tone. It was so boring and had so much sexism. Women were essentially 'slaves' and were property of men. Most of the time I had no idea what was going on and none of the characters were that likeable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Deadnaming, Confinement, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Murder, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, War, Torture, Blood, Cursing, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Rape, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Misogyny

Moderate: Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Biphobia

Minor: Pedophilia and Pregnancy

lilifane's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

5.0

I don't know what to say, this was the perfect read for me. 

It's a story about a boy, Khirin, who grows up as a musician's son and thief. Until his insatiable curiosity and an enormous amount of luck (..not so sure if good or bad luck though..) turns his life upside down. 

This book has all the things I love. Adventure, mystery, prophesies, incredible world building, political intrigue, conspiracies, secret identities, diversity, queer representation, magic, drama, a lot of humor and an endless amount of plot twists. 

There are also things that might not be for everyone, but that I live for. Like the narrative structure. The story is told through 2 unreliable narrators (with hilarious narrative voices), they take turns telling each other parts of the story. It's ... complicated, you as the reader are thrown into a complex new world and have to figure out how it works on your own. (Although there is a glossary, I don't recommend reading it, there is not much help there but some spoilers if you check too early) Characters have epiphanies and strong reactions, and you just think "What the hell just happened? What is going on?" Eventually, you figure it out.... although it's difficult without drawing a chart of all the characters and their relationships to each other. It will be a messy one. 

It's a dark story with lots of violence and death and torture and gore. But it's also one of the funniest books I've read in a while. It's a weird combination, but the humor took away lots of the darkness. Otherwise, it could have been a very depressing read. Instead, I had a great, enjoyable reading experience. The dialogues are to die for, very witty, I laughed out loud so many times. But I also got attached to several characters and got more emotional than I thought was possible. 

Then there is the chosen one trope. I've become a little tired of it in the last few years. But the way this trope is handled here is very refreshing. And Khirin is such a fun chosen one to spend time with. 

There are also short chapters. It was such a quick read and I literally couldn't put this book down. I love how, although it's so convoluted, everything fits together perfectly at the end. Every time I think about a tiny detail, it just makes sense. Every character's decision and reaction is logical or at least understandable from the character's point of view. 

Oh, and there are footnotes. And they are everything! I was even sad there weren't more. 

There was one thing that bothered me personally. Because I'm a huge fan of prophesies, I was a little disappointed that we don't actually get the full picture here. We just get bits and pieces of the prophecies and hints. But I really hope it's because there is more to come in the next few books. 

Speaking of the next few books. I can't believe this is a debut novel. I can't believe this was published in 2019, and I haven't even heard of it until recently. I can't believe there are already 4 books out in the series, and the fifth and last one comes out next week?! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, War, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, and Slavery

Minor: Rape, Incest, and Infidelity

caseythereader's review against another edition

I realized I no longer had any idea who was who and how they were related to each other and that I no longer cared. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Incest