Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

70 reviews

flyingryndeer's review against another edition

adventurous tense 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Sexism

Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Confinement

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Grief, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Blood, Classism, Murder, Terminal illness, Misogyny, Violence, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexism

Minor: Miscarriage, Alcohol, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, War, and Infertility

xvicesx's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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

This was a recommendation from Mr B's Reading Spa, which came my way by the wonderful Rhian. It was an altogether deeply enjoyable book in ways that were quite surprising. Maia was an interesting lead character, with a whole load of baggage and a mind set on not letting it guide his way as an Emperor. It made him deeply appealing, and much relatable, in the way that any of us would feel about coming into a position of great power and being unwilling to abuse it. 

I enjoyed Maia's commitment to being a good Emperor, his willingness to admit his faults and his clever way with people. While he obviously comes into the story as an unexperienced ruler, he has all the hallmarks of a good ruler, and his difficult journey and embarrassments make it all the more relatable. Some very quotable scenes are owed entirely to his diamond of a fiancée, who deserves much credit for her brilliant turns of phrase!

Highly recommended.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Self harm

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Sexism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Miscarriage, Death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, and Toxic relationship

orvillefartenbacher's review

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

On paper, there are a lot of reasons I shouldn’t have liked this book. I am no stranger to lore dumps and enjoy being thrust into the middle of a story and figuring it out as we go. But- the pace at which complicated names and places were thrust at the reader is dizzying. I almost thought I’d DNF this book for that alone. 
Our MC (the most lovable MC I’ve ever encountered) is thrust into a world where he is completely lost and out of his depth. As I decided to let some of the titles and names wash over me, I felt the same. Perhaps this was a choice by the author, or maybe I just struggled, but it was immersive. 
Very little happens in this book. It is not a nonstop action piece, rather a series of interactions and a lot of body language. Overall I am pleased to have stuck it out. I’m not sure whether I’ll continue the series since by TBR pile is bananas, but I’ll keep it on my list for sure.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Racism, Child abuse, and Xenophobia

ladythana's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, Child abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Dementia, Sexism, Car accident, Death, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Misogyny

Minor: Miscarriage, Kidnapping, and Racism

ellen_is_reading's review

emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

This, I think, is my favourite book I have ever read. The world is convincing and full, even if we don't see very much of it. The people and politics and layers of court interactions are wonderful and engaging. Each character is lovable in their own way, and we get to deeply understand them. I love Maia more than I think I have loved any character before. I will hold this book dear to my heart for a long time . 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Death, and Classism

izzywoo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Racism, Grief, Violence, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders

tasseomancie's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious relaxing slow-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? No

5.0

This was a lovely read, and surprisingly cozy, despite the political intrigue, formal language, and intricate worldbuilding. I suppose the characterization has much to do with why I consider it a cozy read, as throughout Maia's rise from exile to emperor, he maintains his good heart. I'm eagerly looking forwards to reading the companion novels set in this universe, even though Maia is not the main character!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Suicide

The main character reminisces on the death of a parent and abuse by a guardian within the first 50 pages. There is a ritualistic suicide of a side character depicted in the latter half of the book, and ritualistic suicide is briefly mentioned in a few other places.

bleepbloop's review against another edition

3.75

sweet but absolutely zero nuanced character development. very black and white morality and soooo neoliberal. impossible to keep any names of people or places straight.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

pearrots's review

challenging hopeful reflective medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment