Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

133 reviews

gxldyjess's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark funny informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence

distilledreads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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OK. I get the hype. I read this in a 12-hour window of time, only stopping (ever-so-briefly) to sleep. 

First, a few of the things that bothered me, and what makes From Blood and Ash unable to be a five-star read in my books. 

The consent borders on questionable at times, before flinging itself right into questionable territory, which left me with a queasy feeling in my stomach; however, I will suspend my distaste for at least another book, with the hopes that our characters have a very frank and honest discussion that isn’t clouded by lust. Both characters were willing and active participants in every sexual encounter, but information was withheld that (in my opinion) might have affected the willingness. 

I would recommend looking into the content warnings before reading this as I didn’t (rookie mistake) and the first scene that came up slightly unexpectedly horrified me.

There are detailed descriptions of physical assault that is sexual in nature, as well as detailed descriptions of the shame Poppy feels which leads her to hide/deny the assault. Even though Poppy rationally tells herself that the assault isn’t her fault, she can’t stop the shame she feels in her body. I personally found this quite triggering.

The narrative is first-person, so what is happening to Poppy feels as if it is happening to you. Despite this graphic and horrifying assault…it is concluded in a way that I found gratifying. 

The plot twists were predictable through heavy amounts of foreshadowing, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I don’t believe that Armentrout was actually trying to keep those plot twists hidden from the reader, but rather softly nudging our sides and letting us in on the secret that our heroine couldn’t see in front of her. 

Finally, despite being the Maiden, forbidden to be seen by anyone, Poppy is seen by…a lot of people? Especially during one particular scene in which that rule that seems to govern her existence, just no longer applies. I understand why Armentrout used that trope in order to set up her story and move the plot forward, but it did irk me slightly how it was disregarded when it was no longer convenient. 

And yet, despite all that, I found From Blood and Ash an addicting read. Our male lead is absolutely a morally grey character, and while I don’t quite love him yet, I do love the snark and banter that occur between him and Poppy. I love Poppy as well, who is out living my dream: a bad-ass woman with impeccable aim with a bow and arrow, and a dagger almost perpetually strapped to her thigh. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder

skm's review against another edition

1.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I am so angry that I bought the sequels before finishing this book. The first half is alright, but the handling of physical abuse was horrible. The last line absolutely sums up the rest of the book: Poppy is given the illusion of choice, but the men have already made a decision regarding her life for her. Hawke's savior complex is gross, there are no likable characters in this book. The plot is nonexistent for the first 100 or so pages, then infodumped at random. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gaslighting

katiekinsduncan's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder

sarah_br's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder

Moderate: Misogyny, Kidnapping

bookishjenn15's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Blood

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death of parent

bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder

gg1098's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Murder

jocee's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book had me hooked from start to finish. I could not sleep because I was THAT invested in the story. If you love fun, sexy fantasies with romance, I recommend it. That being said, there were some cliches and plot holes.

I am so sick of massive age differences in romances! A 19 year old doesn't need to fall in love with man who is hundreds of years older then her.

Definitely not a perfect book, but one I loved nonetheless. If you don't like romances, this isn't for you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence

kelecoo's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault