Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

96 reviews

eilidhmacq's review

challenging dark reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Rape, Violence, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Infertility, Pedophilia, Incest, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault

Minor: Murder and Suicide

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

jdrosario_'s review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

oh my god oh my god oh my GOD i loved this book so much, i prefer it so much more to the first one AND AUNT LYDIA IS SUCH A BAE I LOVE HER SM on my god this book was so much more intricate and detailed and emotional than the first one on literally every level IT DESERVED A GRAMMY

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexism

cheriepie's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Rape

theimposter's review

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Incest, Suicide, Death, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Confinement, and Classism

kateburgers's review

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Police brutality, and Suicide

Minor: Gore, Miscarriage, Violence, Hate crime, Rape, Police brutality, Terminal illness, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Abortion, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry

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

skyeson2187's review

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Rape

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I decided to read this book because I read the first book for 100 books to read in your lifetime. The first book was brutal so I knew what I was getting myself into. When I finished The Handmaid’s Tale and I saw that she had wrote a second book about these characters, I was instantly intrigued. This book slightly confused me but I just want to give all these characters a hug and therapy.  

This book is still based around The Republic of Gilead and it is beginning to rot from within. At the crucial moment, two girls with radically different experiences of the regime come face to face with the legendary and ruthless Aunt Lydia. But how far will each go for what she believes? The three points of views are Aunt Lydia who is known for being the scary and strict leader, Agnes who is a young woman who has just joined the Gilead and Daisy, a young woman living in Canada.  

I had high expectations for this book and I felt like it fell a bit flat. I think there was a lot of pressure that she had to do well because of how good The Handmaid’s Tale is. I liked The Handmaid’s Tale because of the singular point of view of Offred. Then tension and the buildup. I usually love multiple POVs but with the jumps of location and what was happening, it was very confusing and chaotic. I was hoping this was from Offred’s point of view especially with how the first book ended. I don’t think this really added anything to the first book. 
 

I enjoyed the mystery of this book and the Baby Nicole side of it. I wished this book had stayed with the point of view of Agnes. I felt like her character was so good and I wanted so much from her. Especially with her journey as a young woman and being forced to marry someone she had no interest in being. It shows another point of view from Offred and how one willing comes to Gilead. I loved seeing Aunt Lydia again and seeing how she became the villain in the first book. I would have loved to have seen more of the Pearl Girls; I think that side of the story was interesting at times. 

Was this book needed? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it a difficult read? Yes.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Misogyny

Moderate: Pedophilia, Death, and Suicide attempt

magnan1mouse's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Blood, Suicide, Grief, Torture, Toxic friendship, Slavery, Body horror, Gore, Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Confinement

Minor: Toxic relationship, Cancer, War, Sexual assault, Murder, Incest, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Rape, Confinement, Miscarriage, Medical content, Cursing, and Classism