Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

14 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

vesper93's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.5

A bit of a slow start as you wonder how all the separate characters are going to intertwine, but then becomes gripping. I didn't want to put it down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence

Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Was absolutely jonesing for Lepida to die throughout 2/3rds of the book. She was SO horrible!! Was so glad when she got her comeuppance

kduffy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny informative 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Murder

megan_mac_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark sad medium-paced

3.25

Whew, this book is way more violent than I'm use to reading. I could have done without the violence and gore, and there were some characters I abs lutely hated, but still was invested in the story and some characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Incest and Suicide

Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

kamrynkoble'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

4.5

4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this one. It’s my first novel set in Ancient Rome, and I loved the setting. I’ve been to Rome and the coliseum which only made it more special.

I found myself rooting for these characters, and truly hoping they would get what they wanted. I feel attached to them, especially Thea, after watching her endure so much over the span of many years. I love a book that can make me do that. 

I also enjoyed the multiple POVS. All of the different characters took me a second to understand, but I was impressed by how the author managed to weave them all in. This is such a high-stakes setting that I was on the edge of my seat often. 

The ending was particularly good. One “twist” made me turn my head away and cover my mouth in shock. The rest was so tightly plotted from there, and I liked that this had such a good resolution chapter. 

I’ll definitely read more from this author!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, and Slavery

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Pregnancy

chelsealynnmcmanus's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, and War

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

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