Reviews tagging 'Incest'

De Negen Levens by Diana Wynne Jones

6 reviews

eclipseoforion's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

One of my favourite books from my childhood, and it's been perfect in getting me to enjoy reading something again. For the first time in a while I found myself wanting to read instead of playing a video game or watching youtube

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia

Minor: Child abuse and Incest

the_cheerful_necromancer's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Ported over from my now-abandoned Goodreads:
Glorious fun! I was lucky enough to discover the Chrestomanci series right before I aged out of their target audience.
Wynne Jones' world pulls me in perfectly every time; every single setting feels wonderfully real and charming, if you'll excuse the pun. These are definitely comfort books for me and Charmed Life is no exception. It's a great little tale of strange new beginnings, surprisingly dark circumstances, and stepping out of someone else's shadow. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Death of parent

Minor: Child death, Incest, and Racism

Readers should note that this book, unfortunately, falls into the all-too-common trend of "fat people are usually mean or unpleasant." There are some 'plump' characters who are good or morally grey, but unfortunately it does play into this trope all the same. Otherwise, I've not rated any of the themes as "severe" as none of them are graphic, they are all age-appropriate. However, note that the main characters are orphans and the main character's sister is emotionally abusive. [child death]:

the main character has nine lives, and lost one in childbirth (being born) and another when his sister made him sick by magic.

The main characters' parents are mentioned to be cousins.

draven_deathcrush's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.0

I liked the story more than Howl's Moving Castle, but there were a lot of weird comments in this book. I mean, it is older, so that's probably why. It just caught me off guard sometimes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Incest

Moderate: Child abuse

growintogardens's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Incest, Racial slurs, and Grief

lavender__'s review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is so cool. It's the 4th book I read by DWJ and I think it might be one of my favorites. I did not expect that plot twist with 

Gwendolen. I honestly felt kind of bad for her right until the end. I mean, I still feel bad for her and think Chrestomanci could've handled her situation way better, she was just an arrogant kid acting out bc of (her ego admittedly, but also) bc she was someone who very clearly thrived under adult/authorial support and validation. Which is to say, I can not believe she did what she did to Cat at the ending and apparently throughout the entirety of their childhoods?? How did she even figure out the deal with Cat? (when i think about it, Gwen calling her new siblings fat might've been a red flag about her personality) /

With that said, Cat technically exactly "push the plot along" up until 

Gwen leaves

but his neutrality (for lack of a better word) with everything is constantly criticized by the characters. His ""pushover-ness"" is a major character flaw. And honestly, i didn't mind it at all. He still felt pretty likable to me. 
I'm very happy to have read this book, it's been a while since I've consumed a book so hungrily. I finished this books in 2 days. I even stayed up until 2am. I was going to mark the hours I spent reading it on my library's summer reading program, but i waited too long, so I had to mark how long i read it on a later day (I can't mark the hours on that've already past, it has to be on the same day). If you like stories that have enchanters, siblings, mystery, and a multiverse this is the book for you

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse and Incest

I can't believe I forgot this book has incest, it honestly left my mind. ok so the parents of Gwen and Cat were first cousins and that's partially why they were shunned by the family (it was also magic related i think) it was just there for a few lines but still. It doesn't really add anything to the story, but it Is there. I also added child abuse just bc Gwen gets harshly spanked and Cat gets his ears boxed but its not major or anything

novelyon's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, and Death of parent