Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

9 reviews

sea_tea_books's review against another edition

I was looking for more historical information to learn something about ancient Rome. This focuses too much on

gore and rape

. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Sexual harassment

auggieval's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-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? It's complicated

2.5

not the worst book i’ve read this year but it leaves a lot to be desired in character development, historical accuracy, and attention to detail.

the plot mostly happens to the characters and none of them really change values or have them seriously challenged, with the possible exception of some of the side-ish characters (paulinus, the empress, etc.) i didn’t really notice this till i finished and went, “did anyone like… grow? are they better people now or just storied people?” and the answer is that they are storied people.

the author herself has a page devoted to her errors but there’s several i noticed in this book she really should add to her list.

i really enjoyed the setting, the saga framing, and inclusion of smaller details, but GOD does the author just drill them into your head. i can’t look at the word “russet” or hear someone talk about hair care again, ever, i don’t think.

lastly, literally no one here is talking about how grossly and persistently antisemitism is harped upon in this book! like!!! it’s so unnecessary especially after the 10th slur! keep in mind the author could have used any defunct ancient culture and went for this one. 

thea’s jewish heritage (and many other characters’) could have been so much more interesting as a lens if the author knew what she was talking about and if her characters interacted with their (apparently deeply held) beliefs at all.

i was gonna give this 3 stars but sigh :/ it’s enjoyable as long as you don’t write a storygraph review and think about it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Antisemitism

lehughes19's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

Page turner. I actually picked it up previously and couldn’t get into it, but this time I couldn’t put it down! It was shocking, entertaining, and emotion provoking. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Self harm, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, and Mental illness

hunkydory's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ylienna's review

adventurous dark 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Incest, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Blood

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Antisemitism

thefoxcharmer's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I am on the fence about whether to give this two stars or three stars. 

I would not call the writing masterful but it's not entirely cheap either. The constant switching of voice didn't really do it for me. It switched frequently, and often without much reason, from first to third person and among different characters. When in third person it would be from a single character's perspective and the only character in first person was Thea. I was consumed by this choice. 

Pick a voice (first or third) and stick with it! 

It reminded me of a gas station book. You know when you're on a road trip and need something to read so you pick whatever book looks vaguely interesting from the rack beside state-themed souvenirs. 

It could have been a good 100 or 150 pages shorter. The story itself could have really benefited from being tightened up. 

And yet I didn't hate it. I'm didn't mind it. Didn't love it. Will probably continue reading the series. Gas station books don't have to be master pieces to still be entertaining.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

its_van_vulpen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

This book is not for anyone who is sensitive to most triggers. This book has most all of them. Be careful, take care

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

azalia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Antisemitism and War

birkenstonk's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder