Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

3 reviews

coymeld's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Rape, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

periwinkle_flora's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

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

3.5

The Belles started off as a interesting tale of a world filled with beauty - Beautiful people, pretty landscapes, and gorgeous magical powers. I liked the protagonist - Camellia - at first. She's determined, fearless, and creative, which makes her stand out from her sisters in the competition to work inside the castle as "the Favorite". As the book took us further on the main character's journey, it held onto my interest, yet the events made me frustrated. I wish Camellia did more. Her personality becomes flat and observant and doesn't grow or explore the world + systems around her. Regardless, I enjoyed the mysteries in the castle, but the main character really made the book "meh" for me.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, and Bullying

Minor: Death of parent and Grief

lagiven's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The prose of this book is the best part because it creates the perfect atmosphere for its world and parallels the obscene opulence that centers the Belles. At times, the writing is juxtaposed against horrifying scenes that make this book so fascinating and so disturbing. Most of the characters are solid although some are flatter, and the plot really picks up in the last third of the book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Body shaming

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Slavery