Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

4 reviews

justinenoon82's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-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? Yes

4.0

The unique magic system and political intrigue make this a standout fantasy novel, despite occasional pacing issues.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Slavery, Violence, and War

Minor: Sexual content

The book deals with themes of sacrifice, as characters must give up their "Breath" (a form of life essence) to perform powerful magic. There are also scenes involving political marriages and the threat of war between nations. The concept of gods walking among mortals and questioning their own divinity is a central element of the story.

abrataydabra's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

4.5

I really liked this book! It took me forever and a day to finish it, but the plot twists, characters, and world were all incredibly well thought out. I liked how Siri and Lightsong grew to find confidence and strength in themselves and their eccentricities and all the plot twists got me every time. I had to reread Denth’s betrayal like three times because I felt sure I was missing something or was hallucinating. 

Some reviews tout this book as not being Sanderson’s normal quality and, since I liked it well enough, I’m excited to read more of his stuff!  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Slavery, Abortion, and War

wickedgrumpy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

I don't really know how I feel about this one...  The world building was, as usual for the author, impeccable and the magic system compelling, if a little confusing.  It was more predictable than I would expect a political intrigue ridden book to be and the romance sub plot(s) were kind of uncomfortable and cringe inducing.  There were times I was really enjoying it, but I think the overall take away was pretty mid.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

cinhein's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

1.0

Single-handedly responsible for a 7 month reading slump.

The first Sanderson book that was genuinely a slog to get through.

It is distinctly mid-2000s in vibe (not complimentary).

The 'villains' being entirely justified but ThEy WeNt ToO fAr had to be tired when it was published. Now it reads like a bad joke. Sure, it would suck for the Main Characters but we've just spent 600 pages surrounded by characters doing their best to prove that they would deserve it.

And no, the sex slave-slaver romance will never work no matter how you try to justify it.

There are 3 good characters here, and I spent most of the book hoping that everybody would die violently else. Not a great response to trigger for a book with a main theme of 'war bad'.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Confinement, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Miscarriage