Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys

6 reviews

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

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

5.0

I read this as part of 12 from 12, another great rec! The book tells the story of Lina and her family during WWII as they are deported from Lithuania to work camps in Siberia, as well as sharing past memories which foreshadow events to come/mirror the current events. 

I liked the short chapters and it was a quick read that pulled me in immediately. The characters are well written and I especially loved how Jonas’ voice/dialogue changed as the novel went on.

I read this in a single day, WOW WHAT A STORY! It’s a sad, emotional novel but mixed into the dark passages is a glimmer of hope. I never knew this piece of history and I think it’s a book everyone should read and educate themselves about!

Definitely another favorite for the month ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Gore, and Sexual assault

Minor: Rape, Antisemitism, and Injury/Injury detail

jamiejanae_6's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation

_mya_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Antisemitism, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

sammymilfort's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

chivalryxsword's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

 

Spoiler-free thoughts: Truly one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was so sad, but felt so important. Honestly, I think everyone should read it. Also, the copy I had of the book has lots of educational resources which made me super happy! It could easily be used for history classes and honestly should be. This is the second book that I’ve read by Ruta Sepetys and my already high opinion of her was once again proven true. 

Characters: 5/5

I truly believe this may have been some of the best well written characters I’ve read in a book in a long time. Every single character is complex and reacts to their trauma in realistic ways. Some of them are downright mean to others, but they remain sympathetic because Ruta Sepetys makes sure they are. Lina, the main character, remains strong through the horrible things she goes through but her reactions to what happens to her is also realistic. My personal favorite character in the whole novel was Lina’s mother, she stayed strong for her kids and became the leader of their group of people. The villains felt like villains too, and even when they’re “sympathetic” they aren’t immediately forgiven. 

Writing Style: 5/5

Ruta Sepetys knows how to throw an emotional punch. The writing style of the novel made me feel like I was going through an emotional roller coaster…I cried several times. One of the most interesting parts of her writing style is it’s written in third person omniscient, but the writing feels like your seeing what Lina is seeing. I think this is a really good idea for the topic of the novel. The ending felt “incomplete”, but I personally thought that matched the tone of the book perfectly. Speaking of tone, the book’s tone felt like it matched how traumatic it was. It remained serious and sad throughout the whole thing, but there were moments of happiness and hope that felt so real, it hurt.

Plot: 5/5

This book was so sad overall, so it feels a bit weird to be giving the plot any rating at all. But I think this book is one of those that are important everyone read. Despite the hurt of the book, I was glad I read it. Ruta Sepetys is a self-proclaimed “Seeker of Lost Stories” and I think she did a wonderful job doing that. The plot remains heavy and does not shy away from the horrors that these characters endured. The build-up to what was happening was short, but I think that was a good decision, when a book is as serious as this you don’t need too much exposition to set the tone. This story was character-driven and not necessarily plot-driven, but that doesn’t mean the plot wasn’t good. It felt like everything happened for a reason, there were no throwaway scenes. All of it was important.

Overall, a really, really excellent book that I suggest everyone read. Usually I would do a recommended for here, but I think this is such an important book that even if you don’t like this kind of thing, you should read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Antisemitism

terezsch's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Story of Lithuanian people deported to Siberia, emotional, descriptions of the working camps, despair, very good description of the psychological evolution of the charachters. Not unnecessarily descriptive. Important and not so often talked about consequences during WW2.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief

Minor: Rape