Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

35 reviews

kbowles24's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Confinement, Child death, and Animal death

Minor: War, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy

natashaleighton_'s review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Deliciously dark and gloriously intriguing! Hannah Whitten’s prose was once again a breathtakingly vivid and atmospheric treat for the senses, merging magic, court intrigue and a deliciously addictive (forbidden) romance that utterly ensnared me. 

I adored protagonist, Lore despite her flawed and often selfish tendencies. But her upbringing (raised by poison smugglers) and the necessary secret keeping when it came to her abilities (to control death magic,and even occasionally raise the dead) really showcases her need for self-preservation. When first introduced, Lore’s a sharp witted and incredibly guarded character who rarely trusts anyone, but as she spends more time with warrior priest, Gabriel and roguish Prince Bastian, we begin to unearth a slightly softer, more vulnerable side that I found incredibly endearing.

Bastian and Gabriel, as characters were both quite endearing and in depth as well, as we delve into their pasts and understand the actions and motivations that have shaped them. I liked Bastian who’s flirtatious and outgoing demeanour could rival even Cardan and Jacks at the height of their charm . But, I have to admit it was the brooding but loyal, duke turned monk (Gabriel) that managed to steal my heart.

His chemistry with Lore was palpable and their intensity together was spectacularly swoonworthy. It did get some love triangle esque vibes between Lore, Bastian and Gabriel so interested to see where (and how) things develop.

It’s definitely my fave of Hannah Whitten’s books soo far and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Drug use, and Child death

Minor: Death of parent, War, and Sexual content

givemehappyendings's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

4.5

I genuinely can not figure why this book has not popped off yet, IT’S SO GOOD. 

I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf for a year, on a whim I decided to read it, easily one of my top fantasy books this year. 

I ate this book up in DAYS

Our FMC is witty, sassy, growing into her power, and I dare say, a GIRLS GIRL. I genuinely love Lore so much and am so excited to see where her character goes. 

Bastian and Gabe are the perfect MCs to compliment a strong FMC, and WOOOOWEEEEEEE do we love a flirtatious prince and a religious man tempted by sin😮‍💨 

The world building is immersive but nothing too heavy for those dipping their toes into fantasy. 

It’s giving Cruel Prince level political intrigue, and the plot twists do not disappoint. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Animal death

Minor: Child death

puddleshoes's review against another edition

dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury

cdoubet's review

adventurous dark tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Death, Torture, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Murder, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Violence, Confinement, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Genocide, Cursing, Grief, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty

Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

jaynovara's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Drug use, Child death, Animal cruelty, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Genocide, Confinement, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry

clairew97's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Murder, Gore, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Child death, Grief, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, War, Religious bigotry, Classism, and Death of parent

dkgreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

I really liked the concept of this one. The magic system was cool, if a little morbid. The tension of the maybe love triangle was a smidge weak, but I definitely know which team I’m on if things get any stronger in further installments. Definitely excited to see where this series is going to take us.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Violence

Minor: War

mattiedancer's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

Writing: 4.25⭐️/5 

The writing was more than serviceable: it was woven into the narrative, supporting it without taking away from it. Several times while reading I found myself enthralled by the words themselves. At other times, the writing was sufficient, technically lacking nothing but in want of something more. 

Characters: 4.5⭐️/5

The characters were incredibly fun to read without feeling like caricatures. I loved Lore’s mind, loved to see her interact with her world in such a unique way. And, though the guard-and-prisoner-forced-together trope could feel tired, I appreciated the nuance that refreshed it. I liked reading about Gabe and his history. And our two male interests were distinct and individual, with Bastian, the King, contrasting strongly against Gabe. 

Plot: 5⭐️/5 

A spy born in the catacombs is traded to the King in exchange for a legal contract after she reveals herself as a deathwitch, a person who can manipulate the essence of death. How can you not love that plot? Or, at the very least, be enthralled by it. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this plot, and I eagerly await the sequel. 

Who Should Read This Book? 

• Fans of darker, but not dark, fantasy books
• Fans of love triangles
• Those looking for an interesting high fantasy read with a heavy focus on gods
• Fans of fantasy romances where the love interests are forced together
• Fans of an intriguing fantasy world

Content Warnings? 

• Drug abuse, murder, child death, death, death of parent, torture, blood, confinement, 

Post-Reading Rating:  4.75⭐️/5

I would like to see the next book please.

Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Violence, and War

krystlethegreat's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Bastian is the best fantasy genre prince since Cardan (Folk of the Air series)! He carried much of this book on his back and had me laughing so often! 
I thoroughly enjoyed this book on audio - what a narrator! Each character had a distinct voice, from one narrator! A total thrill to listen to. 

My only complaint is: There is soooo much going on, that I didn't get to explore each thing as much as I wanted to. Magic, poison running, catacombs, citadel, monks, Gods, kingdom, world beyond the kingdom... We get the gist of why each is important to the story, but I hope the next book immerses us in each of the areas more. (I'm in full support of a longer book!)

Overall, I couldn't stay away from this book and can't wait until The Hemlock Queen!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Religious bigotry, and Drug use

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, and Abandonment

Minor: Violence