Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

14 reviews

rchulin1's review

dark sad fast-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? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Death of parent, Confinement, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship

puffins57's review

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is hot. I very much enjoyed the scenes and the content (although definitely triggering please check TW before reading this book). That being said, the dub-con early on was very much plainly rapey and even though it later more clearly developed  into cnc, some of the earlier moments were slightly hard to read (Although the first hallway scene was incredibly hot and did leave me immediately searching for my boyfriend…). I very much enjoyed the character intros/cross-overs for those who will be stepping into the spotlight for the later books; I thought this was very well done and adds a slight sense of continuity between books despite the shift in main characters that I know is going to hook me and keep me wanting to continue the series. I also thought it was also really cool how the author incorporated various emblemas of Aladdin and character names while also completely changing the story.
I loved the way Jafar emphasized the importance of a safe word and aftercare for those he was with- while there were many questionable parts of this book I always love seeing those things incorporated. The Underworld was also something I wasn’t expecting to find so hot yet very much did. Oh and Meg- more specifically Jasmines attraction to Meg and everyone’s enthusiasm to have a threesome was lovely to see. One of the only real major issues I had that took me out of the book a little bit was the way jasmine calls and jafar requests to be referred to as “Daddy”. Now I loved how he called her “Baby girl” and honorifics aren’t usually a turn off for me by any means but the way they used Daddy was a bit much for me and just seemed odd and a bit out of place. 
My absolute favorite thing about this book is how Jasmine is able to finally step into her own power all by herself. As wonderful as it is to have someone search for you and defend you and come to your rescue, I love seeing the character growth and see the woman finally get the power she deserves. Also the fact that she can be so powerful yet also be Jaguars sub was a lovely inclusion :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

icy_queen's review

dark tense

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Murder, Blood, Violence, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Emotional abuse

veryvexatious's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.0

After reading the dark Olympus series, this one didn’t really live up to the same quality but I still enjoyed the book. I’m hoping now that the characters have been introduced that the story will pick up more like the dark Olympus books did. The smut was a lot sexier but use of the words “daddy” and “baby girl” made me cringe massively. Still looking forward to the rest of the series and hopefully it improves a little bit. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Death, Misogyny, and Violence

Minor: War, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Vomit, Child abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Sexism, and Physical abuse

thecatconstellation's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.75

Is this an amazing book? No. Was it fun and hot? Yes. Quick erotica read if you’re into kink. The plot was not very good or interesting, but character interactions were good. A note: I switched from the audiobook to the ebook about halfway through in large part because I hate the male narrator’s voice. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Confinement, Murder, Misogyny, and Cursing

Minor: Rape, Blood, Vomit, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol

art_books_chemistry's review

dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

If I had read this before reading Neon Gods, I don't think I would have bothered with any more of Katee Roberts work. After how much I loved Neon Gods, Desperate Measures was a severe disappointment. I even found grammar and spelling errors (cobbled instead of hobbled sticks out the most to me) that I didn't expect. There was more actual spice in this book which was good. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the storyline but everyone's tastes are slightly different, this just didn't fit mine for the most part. I'm intrigued with all the fairytale/mythology crossover and am interested in reading the series further to see which other villains are introduced and if Katee's writing gets better (it also felt mildly repetitive at points with using the same phrases) since the Dark Olympus books were published after these and I found the writing there better. 

I do still recommend this for those who like the down and dirty dominant mafia boss falls for the princess type of story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Death of parent

bookspot's review

dark fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Child abuse, and Sexual content

ruthiedr89's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping

Minor: Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Trafficking, and Sexual assault

daringreader13's review

dark funny inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexism

Consensual nonconsent- explicit

plumpaperbacks's review

dark medium-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

3.5

[ETA, September 2022: Rating lowered from 3.75 to 3.5 stars.]

While my favorite of Robert’s books is still Neon Gods—I don’t think anything can top that one—this was still a good book. I liked Jasmine, liked watching her break free of her cages and grow more confident over the course of the story. I quite liked Megara and Tink, and am excited to see more of them. As for Jafar, I was mostly indifferent toward him, though I can appreciate his subtle character development. Great final plot twists—I was NOT expecting that betrayal or that murder—and a satisfying ending.

A couple of extra thoughts unrelated to my rating: I wasn’t a fan of Jasmine calling Jafar “daddy” (it’s weird to me, sorry not sorry) or of Jafar’s narrator in the audiobook. His voice was really low and raspy and honestly kind of creepy. Thankfully, he didn’t have very many chapters.

Representation

• queer protagonists of color
• queer side characters (some are also POC)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual content, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement

Jasmine grew up confined to her father’s estate, and was often emotionally and occasionally physically abused by him.