Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

131 reviews

_teacher_spice_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I so wanted to rate this a 5-star review, but I feel first, that the youngest sister was short-changed and the end just let the story fall where it lay without really allowing the dust to settle and for her own "true" ending. Also, without a sequel to fill in gaps/answer questions/complete stories, I find that I am left with my heart still broken in spite of some reassurance at the end. As a sister of three deeply invested in the bonds between sisters, I struggled with Juniper's ending and no definitive reunion and continuation of their sisterhood. Regardless, this book was beautifully written and such a journey for the heart.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Cursing

hexedmaiden's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism

Minor: Torture, Transphobia, and Abortion

brethetech's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

Oh my gosh I loved this book! From political commentary to raw emotion the story of these three sisters grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Confinement, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit

Minor: Sexual harassment

kgdailey929's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse and Torture

lemonwrlds's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

calicat42's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

jgalla's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

craftysnailtail's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I could see a certain type of person really loving this book, but it absolutely wasn't for me. The neverending tragic backstory reveals felt incredibly tropey. Show me a woman in this novel and she will be "strong" because she survived so much abuse. Everything in this book was traumatic, depressing, and often ended poorly for all the women involved. I understand the fight against injustice, but it felt too heavy handed for me. 

3.5 stars because the plot was interesting (though far too drawn out), and I enjoyed how magical knowledge is passed down through generations. I even liked the sisters themselves. But for a book with witches and lesbians, I thought I would've enjoyed it much more than I did.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

issamay's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal cruelty, Racism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Abortion

witcheep's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

This is a book with a lot to say on heavy topics of equality and human rights, from the point of view of the many oppressed groups of people: women, workers, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people – and witches. The representation of different identities is in this book is woven into the story respectfully. The Once and Future Witches presents a past where the rich white men rule the world and don't want to share that power with anyone. So they have made it illegal and therefore almost impossible for anyone to have power that could diminish their own.

 "Seems to me they're the same thing, more or less."
     "What are?"
     Juniper's eyes reflect the bronze shine of Saint George's standing in the square. "Witching and women's rights. Suffrage and spells. They're both..." She gestures in midair again. "They're both a kind of power, aren't they? The kind we aren't allowed to have." The kind I want, says the hungry shine of her eyes. 

The book shows the ugly reality of seemingly hopeless situations for anyone oppressed, but brightens it with the hidden hope that friends and fellowshp can bring into the picture. The main message of the book seems to be that surrounding oneself with loved ones, as well as relying on and caring for each other, is the best thing life has to offer to anyone. When your motives for action change from personal revenge to love for others, you have found true power. For power of the many is always stronger than even the power of the most powerful one alone, and the power of many is what is able to begin a change for the better, for more equal opportunities for all.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Torture, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Outing and Sexual harassment