Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

2 reviews

lex24's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-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

2.0

I rarely review books I did not finish, but "The Bronze Horseman" warrants an exception. Spanning over 800 pages, I read more than two-thirds before quitting and was left so frustrated and disappointed that I felt a review was necessary. 

What I Loved: The first part of this book was incredible, earning an easy five-star rating. Paullina Simons masterfully crafts a vivid, immersive world where you truly feel present with the characters. Her prose is beautifully descriptive without becoming distracting. The emotions, struggles, and triumphs of the characters are palpable, making for an engaging and heartfelt reading experience.

What I Hated: The second part of the book felt like it was written by a completely different author. The characters became 2-dimensional and unbearable, and the narrative was bogged down by lengthy, gratuitous sex scenes, that added nothing to the story. The dynamic between the protagonist and her love interest, already problematic, devolved into something I found deeply troubling. Despite my efforts to push through, even resorting to skipping sections, I ultimately couldn't continue. The shift in tone and content not only disappointed but also detracted from the excellence of the first part.

In conclusion, this started as a five-star read but lost its way, leaving me frustrated and unable to finish the story. Proceed with caution.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, and War

ifoundcallie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal death, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic