Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Bronze Horseman

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

7 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.

Content Warnings

emptzuu's review against another edition

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The setting of the book is depicted with remarkable realism and attention to detail that immerses readers in the harsh realities of war. The palpable atmosphere, characterized by starvation and sickness, can be difficult to stomach at times, effectively conveying the horrors of the characters' circumstances. This grim backdrop serves primarily as a backdrop for the narrative's exploration of control and manipulation, rather than a conventional romance.

The initial encounter between Alexander and Tatiana, where he essentially stalks her, raises questions about the romanticism of their relationship. Throughout the narrative, Alexander's actions reveal a concerning pattern of control. During social gatherings, he imposes expectations on her, insisting she serves him tea and dictating her actions, with threats looming if she dares to defy him. His possessiveness reaches alarming levels as he becomes enraged when she shows attention to other boys.

The first sexual encounter between them, significant as Tatiana's first time, is fraught with dialogue where she expresses anxiety and hesitation, repeatedly asking him to stop. However, he disregards her requests, insisting and pressuring her further, showing insensitivity to her discomfort and boundaries.

What exacerbates the problematic nature of this scene is Alexander's fixation on Tatiana's youth and purity. He repeatedly questions her about her past experiences, displaying a disturbing obsession with her sexual history, which feels objectifying and uncomfortable, especially considering the age gap between them.

Alexander consistently undermines Tatiana's individuality and autonomy. He effectively erases her personhood, reducing her to a vessel for his desires and a servant to cater to his needs. And if this isn't enough, Alexander takes his egregious behavior to the next level. In a fit of rage, he physically intimidates Tatiana and asserts his entitlement over her body.

I married you so I could fuck you anytime I felt like it! . . . Anytime, Tania! What else do you think a soldier on furlough could possibly want? And if I hadn’t married you, all of Lazarevo would now be calling you my whore!

This culminates in an act of non-consensual penetration and while he eventually apologizes, the fact that he expects absolution after practically assaulting her is deeply unsettling. Tatiana's silence and lack of response speak volumes, and the reader is left feeling disgusted by his actions. It's no wonder that, at this point, one begins to wish for his demise in the war.

The book continues to depict unhealthy interactions between the husband and wife, normalizing and even promoting abuse and manipulation. The lack of condemnation for Alexander's actions and the constant apologies from the female lead for upsetting him further exacerbate the issue.

Overall, the book sells itself as a love story but portrays a dynamic where the female lead is only shown love when she behaves according to her husband's wishes, serving him and acquiescing to his desires without question.

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ifoundcallie's review against another edition

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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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heidimc's review against another edition

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emotional slow-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

1.0

This book was incredibly slow and boring considering the potential it had. The main focus was a “love story” which detailed the most unhealthy and toxic relationship I could imagine. The story line was flawed and either moved too slowly through arduous dialogue, or skimmed over what could have been exciting moments.

Content Warnings