Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach

5 reviews

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Police brutality, and Body horror

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Classism, Sexual content, Vomit, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Blood, and Misogyny

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Outing, War, Alcohol, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, and Grief

nelldiaz's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-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

4.0

I loved the world of this book. I loved the nods to te ao Māori and other cultures. Yat starts of unsure of her place in the world and grows to be... well, a taniwha. The action was great, I could see this being an anime. The characters all had great personalities and the villans were a real threat. Can't wait to read the next one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gun violence, Homophobia, Biphobia, and War

Moderate: Drug use and Sexual content

Minor: Animal death and Self harm

augustar14's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

I loved the characters and their connections. I loved this world built with life itself, yet lacking fundamental connections to life and other. That was intriguing and well developed. The bin chicken insult- delightful. The characters and their relationships are well established. The world building is well done. 
Spoiler: The only thing I didn't get was

why Sibby was so mad at the main character for going back, as if the antagonist wouldn't have started releasing the spores and killing the city if she hadn't (cause he already was).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, War, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Death, Murder, Violence, Drug use, Gore, Police brutality, Sexual content, Stalking, Homophobia, and Body horror

Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Mental illness, Outing, and Suicidal thoughts

jazhandz's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Police brutality, and Body horror

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Gun violence

Medical experimentation - there’s discussion of willing/intentional body modification and of medical experiments as punishment.

jourdanicus's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective 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? No

I was so excited to read this book when I found it on NetGalley (where I read a free advanced copy) based on the cover and blurbs alone. "Fiercely queer?" Yes, please. A city built from mushrooms and other organic structures? Tell me more.

Immediately I was drawn in by the action. This plot moves quickly, and much of it is not explained right away. I am typically a character-driven reader so I really had to pay attention to keep up. The language in this book is so absorbing - almost poetic - that I decided it didn't matter and I had to keep going. Unlike in the character-focused novels to which I am accustomed, I didn't find myself getting to know Yat and Sen as much as following them along as Things Happened. And boy, did a lot of Things Happen!

The world in which Hainak exists is totally different from our own, but unfortunately with all too familiar social and political issues. Though not the best read if you're looking for escapism, this book is perfect for anyone who fantasizes about kicking homophobic butt with plant magic.

This story requires one to bring one's imagination. I experience some amount of aphantasia, so I felt I was missing out on imagining the world as vividly as the author intended (this probably won't be the case for most other readers). The world is totally original and creatively constructed. The story was told lyrically, almost rhythmically, with a writing style that will require forgiveness from more readers more strict about grammar.

I don't want to say too much more about this book. I went in knowing nothing other than the jacket summary. I recommend this for readers who enjoy setting- or language-focused books, and for anyone who requires excellent LGBTQ+ characters in their stories.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Gore

Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Transphobia