Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

41 reviews

takarakei's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.75

This read like a very pointed story directed at The Author Who Shall Not Be Named…Which like I’m here for! A world like ours but there are witches (the witches are in power) the warlocks (aka men) are like a separate thing. Set in the UK…. And the whole plot revolves around inclusion of trans people (or lack there of) in a binary system.

It felt a tad dated or basic in terms of discussions of trans people, but that’s definitely my opinion as someone who knows trans/non-binary people irl and interacts with the community. For the average person perhaps this will be a great starting point to trans inclusion and why it matters especially in feminism.

I wish the magic system was explained a bit better. The witches seemed to be able to do almost anything which just seemed a bit too convenient at parts. I would also say it generally leans much more character driven vs plot even tho there is some plot. I did appreciate the multiple POVs cause I think that structure really worked for this story. I can’t say whether I will continue the series or not

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and War

Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Dysphoria

dragongirl271's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Outing

Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Racism, and Self harm

lettuce_read's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity

bessadams's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Racism, Murder, and War

Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Death of parent

kaceyjoy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Homophobia, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Outing, and Abandonment

Minor: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia

ashley_reya's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

I’m always a fan of “there is a secret magical underbelly to the world we live in” kind of stories. So witches + modern day UK just felt like a good time. I was right! 

Dawson writes a wonderful story of how sisterhood, ignorance, and fear can truly muddy the waters of a coven. A coming of age of mixed with the trials and tribulations of an older group of friends. It’s always so refreshing to read stories of older friend groups/people not in their twenties hahaha.

Women fighting may play into the patriarchy, but TERFs can burn. 🔥

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, and War

Minor: Child abuse

raccoonteeth's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Outing, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism

katharina90's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed the themes, like the politics and dynamics at play among the covens and witchy parts of society, but the plot really didn't wow me. It was a little boring. 

The book has LGBTQ and BIPOC rep but I would have liked for Theo to play a bigger, more active part in the story.

I listened to the audiobook and Aiofe McMahon is a favorite narrator so that helped get me through the book when the story dragged.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Racism, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Abandonment

sulaasg's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

I love this book. Absolutely one of the best witchy books I've ever read. The magical lore feels tangibly real. The female power focus is compelling, the smaller consequences of power (such as most sentients being veggie/vegan). I appreciate that the female characters are proper three dimensional people, each with their own flaws and blind spots, though they're still lovable. The author doesn't shy away from the characters responsibility for their own actions and fate. 
The development of each character from their first introduction to where the end the books feel believable. 
Thank god I came to this book after the second had already been released, otherwise I'd be furious at the wait. 
I know some people have found the book politically 'in your face' but I actually enjoyed that about this book. It's feminist, and about female empowerment from an international standpoint and it made the book all the more enjoyable and empowering for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Transphobia

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racism, War, and Injury/Injury detail

There are several chapters written from the point of view of a TERF. This is unpleasant reading, but crucial to the story. It's worth reminding yourself the book is written by a trans woman.

fae_sarelfi's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The description is misleading.  The story is less about in-fighting and more about intersectional feminism/inclusivity/bigotry.  It surprised me, and I was THRILLED.  In the end, I think we don't get to know the Chosen One character as much as I would like, and I also think it doesn't stick the landing in the climactic moment as far as the integrity of its themes.  Arguably, theme development depends a little too much on preaching and not enough on fruition.  But the plot is developed well and the writing is mostly good.  Characters are unique individuals, but many feel flat.  The magic is fun, a little lacking in pizzazz.  I look forward to the sequel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent

Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, and Self harm