Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden

24 reviews

jvbook_reader's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Kidnapping, and War

clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

This is an incredibly typical fantasy romance, and I ate it up as I am wont to do. I wouldn't say this is anything original - plucky heroine who has secret powers she doesn't understand the import of, love interest who appears evil at first and turns out to be morally complicated at worst, world-building that honestly makes no sense and smashes too many tropes together (this series honestly seems like one of the worst offenders of this so far, to be honest, and I am simply not okay with the kingdoms being named after gems, lol), but it certainly scratches an itch and is satisfying enough. This book executes a tried-and-true formula to a tea, and I loved it and of course will be reading the rest of the series.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

carlybomarly's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This is not just a pretty cover! 

The world building is just right, the magical system is easy to follow, and there’s a map! 

Gotta love when there’s a curse that fits specifically with the lore - “bleeding stones” fits the mood and world well. 

Full of my favorite tropes:

⚔️Romantasy

⚔️Enemies to Lovers

⚔️Stabby FMC

⚔️He falls first 

⚔️Slooooooooow burn

⚔️Dragons, shifters, and Fae, oh my!

Arwen is caught by enemy forces when trying to make sure her family has what they need. She suddenly finds herself working as a healer for the king her country is at war with. She has power that she doesn’t understand and has never pressed the boundaries of.  

The mysterious stranger in the dungeons with Arwen who quickly becomes someone she is drawn to. 

We learn more about Kane - possibly our new favorite shadow daddy, how strong Arwen already is, how strong she could grow to become, a prophecy that has all the key players on edge, some friends became family while others became enemies, and what it’s going to take to do the right thing OR just burn the whole world down. 

I could not get to book 2 fast enough! Keep in mind - this book is not very spicy, 🌶️ but it’s coming! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War

Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder

Minor: Kidnapping

doahdancer's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

Light reading with an enjoyable enough plot and characters. Nothing remarkable here, good or bad.

Writing was a bit stilted and characters were underdeveloped but perfect if you're looking for something casual that won't cause too much stress.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

literarymary95's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I stumbled upon this book through a suggestion video on Fourth Wing. I can see the dragon mention for this book, but it was barely a part of the story. However, I was really surprised by this book and loved this book. It kept me on my toes even though I guessed parts while other parts I truly didn't see but felt I should have.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture

ladybug12793's review against another edition

adventurous 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? It's complicated

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Violence

FMC has “close calls” for grape but never happens.

allisonk9's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment

kshertz's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? No

4.0

This is another romantasy that’s really wonderful. It’s intriguing, it has a bad ass femme hero, it has a brooding bad boy king, and lots of secrets. I’ve read these stories a few times and they’re always good. It wasn’t enough to get me to continue with the series, but worth a read!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

burlaproses's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Until the ending, I really liked this book and the strong chemistry between the main characters. The ending was confusing and seemed to introduce some unnecessary conflict.

Fingers crossed for a Mari, Gryffon, Rider throuple in book 2 though, assuming Mari isnt a traitor.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Minor: Violence

meg_read's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Sexual assault