Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Deerskin by Robin McKinley

66 reviews

bookwyrmm's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Retelling of a fairytale. Heavy trigger warning on it, but it was good. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

rosemac's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest, Miscarriage, and Rape

It’s a beautiful story about the complicated path of healing from trauma—but this includes the upsetting trauma itself.

jessicafee86's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

And what he saw was a Moon-haired woman in a Moon-colored dress with a tall Moon-colored dog at her side. She was barefoot, and her hair hung down her back in a single long plait. Her dress was so white it almost hurt the eyes, while the dog’s long curly coat was softer, silver-grey, almost fawn, like the Moon in a summer fog.

There are so many things that I could say about this book, it is one of my all time favorite books. I've read it at least 15 or 20 times over the years. It's a tough read for a lot of reasons, the content is very adult in nature and is a very tough topic to read about. The book is also a slow writing style and takes a bit to get started but it's well worth it. Some people have problems getting past the first part because of the *spoiler alert!* incest between her and her father and the seemingly calm way that she seems to handle it. But it makes more sense when you keep reading and is such a beautiful story. I've never come across a book like this one before, it's definitely not for everyone, but it's worth trying.

2018 Re-read Update: Been a few years since I've read this and it's still just as good as I remember.

2024 Re-Read: It's funny how six years can bring out different feelings. I had forgotten how many things in this book shaped me as a person when I was growing up. I don't think I will ever not love this book. Discovered it around 25 yrs ago and it's still the only book I've re-read consistently. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

planreadrepeat's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Incest, Rape, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

sierrainstitches's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Just… beautiful and awful and magical and heartbreaking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Blood

tasintom's review against another edition

5.0

Now one of my top 10 reads. And my new favorite audiobook. A fantastic story told so very well

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

loganrhps's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Wonderfully written story filled with hardship and hope. I got extremely attached to the main character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

sigynmoon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is a beautiful book. Absolutely stunning. It is deep and emotional and portrays trauma with a deep understanding. This was a truly empowering and healing story to read, rendering you raw and then comforting you afterwards. I also deeply appreciate the portrayal of friendship between people and animals and how these relationships were taken completely seriously and never came second. All in all, this book is instantly held as a favourite. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Incest, Miscarriage, Rape, and Death of parent

Hunting scenes are sometimes described in detail, especially one in particular, hence the graphic animal death. It is mentioned that a dog died after giving birth.

Ash is viciously attacked in a way that can be disturbing and is written brutally but survives. Ash almost dies again later in the book but again survives. All main dogs, including the litter of puppies, survive and live happy lives.

Whilst the rape is on page, it is not described. However, the wounds and pain that is described are still disturbing and the book focuses heavily on the trauma. I would say the miscarriage is the same. The death of the protagonist's mother hangs over the story and follows her quite consistently, however it is unclear if the protagonist mourns her.

athousandwinds's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest and Rape

Very slow fairytale retelling about recovery from incestuous rape. Dreamlike in tone.

whisper88's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Rape, and Blood