Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Hanged Man

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Hanged Man by K.D. Edwards

25 reviews

b00kbab3's review

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adventurous dark inspiring

3.5

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winglesswarrior's review

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

5.0

No second book slump to be found here. We pick up with Brand, Rune, and their found family not long after the events of the first book with a chase through town when Max is taken. That's resolved fairly quickly, but the truth of what Max has been hiding has come out and Rune and Brand are tossed into the fray again.

I loved this one almost more than the first, because it really gives the characters the space to shine. Rune is finally coming into his own, learning that it's not just Brand and the very capable Queenie that he has to take care of, and is starting to see Max as family. His relationship with Addam is growing and by way of that Quinn. We get to see him really start to see how important his role is, and how he can do more than just toss himself headlong into danger and how his entire background has built him into these moments where he has to out think, out politic, and pull strings that he didn't even though he had.

The banter is still A+ and Brand and Rune are quickly joining the ranks of the Raven boys and the Monsters as some of my absolute favorite characters. They fight, they bicker, but the love between them is real, and the love between them and their little family is even better.

We get more characters this book with the intro of the Dawncreeks, including the viciously intense Anna and the adorable Corbie. We also get more insight into the mysterious Lord Tower, more of his Companion Mayan and meet a former Companion Corinne (which of course opens all sorts of questions about Brand and the impact of his bond with Rune).

The mystery and the emotion are even harder with this one (check those trigger warnings), but the reveals are worth it. Rune has his moment in the sun (hah!) and you can't help but feel proud of him.

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maevebillings's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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natalia08's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A great sequel to The Last Sun! I wish we would see more friendships like Brand and Rune's in books, it's just beautiful. Same with Max - found family is one of my favourite tropes, and it's done so realistically here. The banter was fun and natural, I enjoyed it a lot!
I'm a bit disappointed in the romance and Addam's character though - he falls flat, and the only purpose of his presence seems to be supporting Rune. I also have the same issue as with the first part: missing female protagonists. Multiple female characters were introduced in this book though, so I hope we'll see more of them in the next installment.

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mallorypen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

A fabulous sequel and holy cow, what a ride!

First and foremost: Josh Hurley does an incredible job as a narrator. His inflection and emotion, pacing and character choices made the listening experience gripping and deeply entertaining.

Secondly: as a sequel goes, I’d give this 5/5 stars. KD Edwards built on the world he created in the first novel while adding new elements and characters in a well-balanced way. We got to know the side characters from Book One more deeply; in the first book, Max felt a little less important than he should have been given how the novel started, but by the end of Book Two I was so emotional over Rune bringing Max formally into his family.

The relationships continued to build in a really lovely way. Addam feels a little too good to be true, but as that’s how Rune often sees him I don’t feel like it takes me out of the story. Brand and Rune’s relationship? Chef’s kiss. That said, I have yelled “BE A THRUPPLE ALREADY” at my speakers in multiple occasions, because c’mon. Rune has a soulmate and a boyfriend and the Atlantians are supposed to be laissez-faire about multiple partners, so I’m set up for that belief.

The concept of the ghost ship was exceedingly well done and appropriately horrific in its execution. All of The Hanged Man’s pieces - from taking away Rune’s ability to breathe unconsciously, to how he grew his mushrooms, to the carnage on the ship made him a formidable opponent and excellent Big Bad.

Also - I totally thought KD Edwards was a woman. I say that as the highest compliment, because oftentimes books written by men give me an ick in some way; how they write women, how they treat sex, etc. but not KD Edwards. Bravo!

I took off a half star because, like Book One, the climax of the story felt a little rushed in places and there were a few payoffs that didn’t quite fulfill the promise they made.

That said, this was an overall joyride of a story and I can’t wait for Book Three!

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