Reviews tagging 'War'

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

25 reviews

lay_kone's review

dark emotional tense slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, War, Death, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Violence, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Torture, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Trafficking

evaeyre's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

an amazing sequel! It’s not directly after the Handmaid’s tale and not in her perspective either, but in turn you learn about a newer cast of characters who are equally interesting — including Aunt Lydia! such a complex and inspiring character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Grief, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Sexism, Medical content, Trafficking, Torture, Sexual content, Misogyny, Violence, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Death, War, Domestic abuse, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Vomit and Transphobia

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

5.0

It took a minute to realize there were three POV but when I did, the story started coming together so nicely. I really didn’t want to put this down. I’m a sucker for a dystopian, corrupt-government tale, and this, much like The Handmaid’s Tale, didn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed getting a peek into Aunt Lydia’s mind. Atwood’s work continues to be timely and relevant and this sequel to the 1985 Handmaid’s Tale was equal parts fascinating and horrifying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Classism, Gore, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, War, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Infertility, Sexism, Violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, and Child death

samshort's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

3.75

It was enjoyable, although I think some plot points took away from the message of the first book. I think I prefer THT as a standalone. I did appreciate the exploration into new aspects of Gileadean society, although I would have enjoyed seeing different demographics represented. All the protagonists are white women.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Sexism, Child abuse, Rape, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Blood, Colonisation, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, Classism, Violence, Suicide, and War

nicekweenreads's review

dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I could not put this book down. Each character was so well built, her personality shining through in her own chapters amazingly. Aunt Lydia's were full of lies and manipulation. Agnes's were more innocent and prious. Daisy's chapters were filled to the brim with teenage confusion and rebelliousness. 

This book builds upon its predecessor's world with glorious detail. How does one become an aunt? Where do they live? Whay happens to daughters of commanders? How does Mayday work?

We finally have answers to these questions from the Handmaid's Tale. I think in someways, it can undo the since of dread the the ending The Handmaid's Tale left, but that isn't a bad thing. The core theme of the book is hope and hope it does leave. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Minor: Trafficking, War, and Rape

tigerkind's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Classism, Child abuse, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Child death, Gore, Infidelity, Cancer, Incest, Murder, Abandonment, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Slavery, Torture, Grief, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cursing, and Excrement

Minor: Xenophobia, Fatphobia, Vomit, War, Trafficking, Alcohol, and Mass/school shootings

aliciapiron's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Violence, Death, Sexual content, and War

kuromigal97's review

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, War, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Sexual harassment

dev921's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, War, Child death, Cursing, Incest, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Infertility, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Grief, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Medical content, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail

rholmes16's review

challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, War, and Death