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seanml's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Mercedes is wild for this one. Arrows of the Queen, the first entry in this LONG series, was fairly simple and unassuming - it seemed like Mercedes Lackey wanted to write a happy novel about a magic girl and her magic horse. And then the sequel takes every little bizarre quirk from the first book and dials it up to eleven. There is occasional swearing of the misogynistic kind, blood, intense mental trauma, spurts of domestic violence, and sex scenes that tell you EVERYTHING, just using the vaguest language possible. Keep in mind - this is a series billed as young adult with a nicely drawn magic horse and a girl in a cape on the cover. Although it's not always the most entertaining, and the characterization isn't impeccable (It's 1987 YA fantasy), this book begrudgingly earned my respect. When the adult themes appeared out of the blue I thought they were bizarre and far too extreme, but then I realized - what better way to introduce adult concepts to children than IN a fantasy world? Where the main characters have a safe place to turn, and where things work out in the end. I'm surprised at its efficacy - especially since this book was largely talking and walking more than it was fantastical action sequences. 7.5/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Abandonment, Animal death, Abortion, and Misogyny
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