Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Wise Child by Monica Furlong

1 review

riccii's review

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia and Religious bigotry

Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

None of the child abuse happens between the main character and Juniper (her caregiver/adoptive mom) The physical child abuse and domestic abuse happens mostly off screen, and is referenced in conversations between the main character and her best friend. Mostly in the sense that they reference that his father beats him. There is one flashback scene where the MC's biological mom burns her with a hot poker, this is not described in a lot of detail. There is one other scene where the MC mentions that her biological mother once slapped her. The gaslighting also happens between MC and her biological mother. The animal death happens at a feast. The _dorans_ come together at the feast of beltane. A young stag is described as coming into the circle and offers itself up. Its throat is slit in a sacrificial manner and its flesh is cooked and shared as part of the ceremony. Confinement happens in the climax of the book. Torture is mentioned to possibly happen to Juniper, as part of a witch trial. But it is never specifically shown, explored or confirmed in the narrative. There are two on screen deaths: the grandmother of the MC dies in the first chapter. The second death and the medical content happens in chapter 16. Someone in the village is mortally wounded by a cart running him over and slicing his thigh. MC is called upon to help. She is able to relieve the characters' pain but unable to save him.