Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper

15 reviews

alicia_rene's review

adventurous emotional 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? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Infertility, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Torture, and Kidnapping

kwalla15's review

adventurous dark emotional fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying, Trafficking, Slavery, Lesbophobia, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Incest, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Infertility

ezwolf's review

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Suicide, and Infertility

Minor: Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Incest, Death of parent, and Blood

house_of_hannah's review

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

I have such mixed emotions over this book, as it is quite problematic. The relationship between the princess and the mermaid really should not happen. It says in the description that the mermaid was kidnapped, but I thought that meant she was already a prisoner in the palace, and not

forcefully pulled from the ocean by the princess and forced into captivity by her.

It only get worse from there with the princess

torturing the mermaid with starvation, and only viewing her as an animal. The verbal abuse is harsh, but then I felt queasy when the Empress, the princess' mother, actually has the mermaid's tail mutilated.

How is this supposed to turn into a love story from here ?

There's a side character that I actually rather like, and seems to be based off of a Tiefling from D&D; at least that is definitely how I viewed her. She is the only voice of reason in this story, and even says this to the princess, "

she is your prisoner. She cannot consent to you. She would reject you at risk of castigation or worse, but should she say yes, it is more likely out of fear than sincerity, given her new duties in this castle. You do not even know her name because it is all she has left. You and your family have taken everything else. The power imbalance is sickening, and you would be dishonorable to exploit her.

" Exactly ! This book is very self aware, which leaves me confused. 

There was one point where I was very close to DNFing this book. The story takes a very stereotypical turn when

the Empress decides that the mermaid is going to be a courtesan. Ambassador's from another country are visiting, and she is sent to "service" the one in charge. She is taken to a room where sexual acts are being performed everywhere. Her clothes are removed, she is groped, and I really thought that she was going to be raped. I was so angry, but luckily something happens so that she escapes the situation.

With all of this happening, I was actually pleasantly surprised by the writting. I did encounter several typos, but nothing that really took my out of the story. The actual romance between the mermaid and princess was also cute, but I had to ignore everything that had previously happened to enjoy it. I was also intrigued by the politics between countries and their dieties, and felt invested in the story. This is why I feel so conflicted, and will not be giving this a rating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Torture, Slavery, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Confinement

Moderate: Trafficking, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Self harm

Minor: Vomit and Death of parent

banrions's review

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Slavery, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Infertility