Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

With A Vengeance by Freydís Moon

14 reviews

graceheartsbooks's review

1.0

Edit: As of May 7th, 2024, I have learned things about this author that I don’t feel comfortable supporting so I am removing my review and taking this author off my TBR. I’m very disappointed as I loved their books up until point and I feel gutted knowing that they’ve lied about their identity multiple times. The gist is that they are not a trans latin author and are actually a white woman named Taylor Barton who has made several identities for herself. If you want more info, look at withcindy’s YouTube video posted on April 24th.

[I am only keeping my star ratings on the books so this can hopefully be seen by more people]

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Deadnaming, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Deportation

Minor: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic

moonyreadsbystarlight's review

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

I did read this but I no longer feel comfortable recommending anything by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use, Cultural appropriation, and Deportation

bangiebangs's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

4.25

4.25*
4/5 spice

Fantastic book, queer rep (esp body dysphoria is really well done, the MC is trans) which I really appreciated. A lot of latinx culture in here, including ghosts and religion, just such a cool read!
the spicy scenes are borderline hard to read (this demon fucks for *his* pleasure), but if you like monster spice you'll be happy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

authoroconnor's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

 Wow. Where do I even begin? Perhaps with the first thing I wrote in my notes: "Oh my gods?? Amazing?" 

I didn't entirely know what to expect when picking up this book. I don't remember adding it to my TBR but when I was gifted it for Christmas I was excited to tuck into the first book I've ever read with a trans or nonbinary protagonist. And I am so glad I did.  

From the start, Freydís Moon draws the reader into the main character's world, their prose sharp and powerful enough that we can empathise with Kye Lovato's struggles, their experiences, and their grief -- even if we have not personally been through some of it. While I am not Mexican or even PoC, I was deeply invested in learning tidbits of Kye's culture and history while also sharing some of their trauma and mixed feelings towards their family. The author does an excellent job at making it clear the story is for and about not only trans people, but Mexicans and PoC, and does not hold the reader's hand on the offchance they might not know the culture -- merely conveying the importance of the subplot involving Kye's family Alebrijes business and trusting the reader's intelligence and empathy will do the rest, which I appreciated as someone completely ignorant of the culture but not entitled enough to believe I should be spoon-fed that information. 

While some readers might find the nature of the erotica within this book to be disturbing, I immediately latched on to Kye's journey with Eli, absolutely charmed by the way Moon is able to depict all the elements that come with a healthy BDSM relationship -- consent, boundaries, and to what extent it can be used as a coping mechanism and exploration of personal identity. I found a lot of Kye's relationship with sex mirrored my own: the belief that pain was something I deeply needed, the use of 'subspace' to relinquish control in a life that offered me none, putting myself in dangerous situations as a form of self-harm and control-seeking. The evolution of Kye sexual relationship with Eli from relinquishing control to taking it back, all in a safe environment with no judgement, was poignant and resonated deeply with me.  

On the subject of trauma recovery, it is easy to believe that this story will end up another "broken protagonist simply needs a good dicking down to be 'cured'" cliche, but Moon takes that narrative by the throat and tears it to pieces. Even when their body is transformed to their most ideal self, the story makes it clear that their dysphoria is not magically cured as it is primarily caused by others' perception of them -- something my fellow trans people will understand intimately. The same can be said for their trauma. Kye's past haunts them from start to finish regardless of Eli's help, allowing the character full agency to take back their power and be reborn in a beautiful metaphor that will resonate with both trauma survivors and trans people alike. The prose and story both contain a beautiful mix of raw, honest truths and sweeping, vivid metaphor that had me utterly engrossed from start to finish, especially with the expert way every theme of the story is interwoven in its metaphors. 

The romance within this story is equal parts erotic, thrilling and heartwarming. There were multiple parts that had me smiling like a smitten schoolgirl with how sweet the dynamic between Eli and Kye gets, especially as the story progresses. Their dialogue feels natural, real; like they've known each other for lifetimes. The little bits of Eli's past we get given are tiny tastes of his true motivation that show us just how sincere and invested he is in Kye's life, and the ways they communicate had me chuckling aloud in places. Equally, their rocky, awkward friendship with Esther is adorable and wholesome, even while acknowledging they may never truly know each other closely.  

Without spoiling anything, the end of the story is one that quite literally had me grinning at my book at 6 in the morning, unable to put it down for something as paltry as sleep. While the story is primarily character-focused, the conclusion of the family business/ICE plot is so satisfying and thrilling. The post-it I marked the section in my book with literally just says "FUCK YES". Truly the ACAB conclusion we deserve. 

From start to finish, With a Vengeance is the trans power fantasy I didn't know I needed. It brought me to laughter, to tears, had me all but kicking my legs and twirling my hair. And right at the end of the book are the Acknowledgements -- their placement there rather than the beginning absolutely genius, as I found myself brought to tears one last time.  

To everyone who resonated with Kye Lovato: I see you. Your rage is a gift.

-Acknowledgements

To Freydis Moon: I feel seen. Thank you for making my first read of 2024 an absolute gif 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, and Deportation

amyreadsitall's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Deportation

aromarrie's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

this book is so so surreal; i will always love every moment i got to live in it 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation

salemander's review

freydis moon i worship at the altar of your fuckin literature. 

UPDATE: NEVERMIND!!! FUCK YOU “FREYDIS MOON” YOU LYING RACIST ASSHOLE!!! hope you never sell another book again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Dysphoria

jamielikestoread's review

dark emotional fast-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Transphobia and Murder

fromthefoxhole's review against another edition

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

ETA : I no longer support this author due to the wealth of evidence that they have been misrepresenting themselves as a POC author when they are in fact white.

More details can be found here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VDvDujeoisTBddhXYaWGi-8V0EUdFZ5Uc00f4tnWpSY/edit?usp=drivesdk

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation

ashlislibrary's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation