Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson

14 reviews

harleyqueen's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.75

Would have been a 5 but the main climatic scene was a little short.  We follow on from book one "niamh' is now awaiting her coronation as high priestess leonie is on the search for her brother and hale is up to his tricks trying to claim reign on humanity 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Xenophobia

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

I really liked this right up until the last two pages when it went off the rails. Like the book that preceded it, it was enjoyable and entertaining. The writing was smooth and drew me in rather than complex and dense. It seemed more like YA fare but with non-YA explicit sex scenes. 

We learn a lot more about the character Ciara who was only briefly noted in the first book, and we gradually learn her history. She’s presented as a sympathetic character here although she was distinctly unlikable when introduced. 

I found this book too manipulative and preachy. I agree with everything the author is saying but I prefer to figure things out on my own. That said, I did appreciate the clear references to our divided society, conservative and xenophobic nationalism versus liberal acceptance and globalism. It was still too heavy-handed, though. Ultimately somewhat disappointing, mostly due to the ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

whoisrois's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.0

“Witches will not be a weapon of the state” bbygirl u are the state 😭🤧 way better than the first book tho 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Transphobia

taylormoore's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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, Gore, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Torture

Minor: Transphobia

pibbit's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Torture

Moderate: Domestic abuse

imds's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

sashahc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I read “The Shadow Cabinet” by Juno Dawson today.  It’s the follow up to “Her Majesty’s Royal Coven.”  It’s dark and intense and you have no idea who is going to die next and I couldn’t stop reading in. HOW MANY DOUBLE CROSSINGS CAN ONE BOOK HAVE?  Anyway.  If bloody British coven politics is your jam, here you go.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

hematthews's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping

keya_caivalur's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and War

Minor: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Genocide, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment

_litwithleah_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I enjoyed this book alot all though not as much as the first book. Some pars felt frustrating because storylines of cheracters simply stopped and i really wanted to see their develoment. Overall this was still an amazing read with good queer rep and a gripping story and interesting cheracters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Torture

Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse