Reviews tagging 'Animal death'
Juntos en la hoguera by Alicia Botella Juan, Isabel Ibañez
19 reviews
httponyo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny
thebookaholic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first section of the book was just weirdly paced, I didn't feel drawn in or attached to the characters (I found the MC sooo insufferably annoying and out of touch to the point of it drawing me out of the story because I couldn't get on board with her points of view on things) and I just was not very interested in what was happening so found it super difficult to want to pick up the book and when I did, I was reading in very short stints. However I still wanted to finish the book and found that once I reached the 250ish page mark, I was a lot more drawn in. There was more happening, faster pacing, the characters started revealing things which improved the plot etc. and from there it got a lot better (except the time when (very small spoiler)
Spoiler
amongst all the other shit going on, Zarela complains about fucking washing and drying her hair saying its 'the worst thing in the world' like GIRL GET A GRIPOverall, I did like the setting and some of the side characters, but really struggled with the MC and that took away a lot of enjoyment of reading for me. If you're super intrigued by the plot and can handle explicit POVs and scenes related to supporting animal hatred/violence/killing for sport (not saying the author supports this or anything, but a lot of the book is actively pro these themes in regard to dragons) then I would say give it a go, keeping in mind that it gets a lot better in the last third of the book.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Alcohol, and Murder
elizajaquays's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent
meeshell128's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Sexism, and Misogyny
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I basically listened to this book in one sitting because it was so on the edge of your seat. I needed to know what happened next! Ibañez does such a great job with world building, and even if the plot was a little predictable, I found I didn't mind. I was engrossed in what was happening and the chemistry between Zarela and Arturo. So well done.
All in all, if you think you'd like an aged up version of How to Train Your Dragon with Spanish influences, you'll definitely love this book!
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, and Confinement
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Zarela Zalvidar is a character who kind of sneaks up on you. At first, I disliked her initial attitude towards the protestors who oppose dragon-fighting - a traditional sport in the fictional land of Hispalia, rather like bullfighting in Spain - but I understood her fear of dragons. But as the novel progresses, her determination, toughness, and stubbornness made me root for her. And it did seem that she
Spoiler
changed her attitude at the endOf note too, is that Isabel Ibañez takes care to show us that Zarela's opinion is not the only one to be valid, and she does that with the character of Arturo Díaz de Montserrat, Zarela's reluctant trainer and
Spoiler
eventual love interestIt is here that I need to warn you - do not read this book if you are hungry. Ibañez describes food - Spanish food, in this instance - in a way that truly makes your mouth water. I'd like a slice of toasted bread with Jamon, tomatoes, and a generous slathering of olive oil, please.
Having said all of the above, there were ways in which I think the novel fell ever so slightly short. The climax - although I loved the way in which the tension slowly built - felt ever-so-slightly rushed. And the eventual villain reveal was a bit unbelievable, which I thought could have been helped by Ibañez showing us more of his character. The timeline also occasionally confused me (
Spoiler
how many years ago did Zarela's mother die?But that ending? Where Zarela ended up
Spoiler
dancing with the dragon instead of fighting itA good YA read for anyone who is a fan of spicy slow-burn relationships and Spanish culture.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Medical content, Sexual content, Blood, and Child death
Scenes of immolation causing death via dragon fire,Spoiler
including Zarela's motherSpoiler
sex sceneemmakchapman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Vomit
roget's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, Emotional abuse, Excrement, and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Terminal illness, and Vomit
More info on the SA tags:Spoiler
****There are scenes where the Zarela assumes Arturo is resisting out of trying to make a decision for her, rather than because he just doesn’t want to kiss her or be close to her. In these cases, she does push him for more after hearing a clear “no,” and while the specific “women are owned by their male relatives” context should be taken into account (because that impacts cues in romantic situations, even though it should not), I wish those scenes had practiced the same respect for consent that we see Zarela herself offered by Arturo. On paper, she does assault him, even if the tensions and plot and everything don’t make it out like she did. (Tldr: it’s the surprise kiss/I know you like me tropes). Even if he wanted more, she should have respected the “no.” I don’t think the writer intended the scenes to carry that sort of negative meaning, but it’s important to mention. This writer isn’t the first or thousandth author to use these tropes romantically, but I think it’s important to talk about when it comes up. I loved so much about this story—the setting, the characters, the world—but I wish those moments had been done differently.stardust_heidi's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief