Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis

17 reviews

jackiepreston's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma and War

Moderate: Torture and Transphobia

thoughtsontomes's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Torture

mogojojo1013's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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

5.0

This was so amazingly good. All of these characters are so diverse and three dimensional. The pacing is really good and the writing is beautiful. The amount of character growth that happens is just astounding, and we get great commentary on things happening in our world through this sci-fi lense. We get great looks at mental illness and disability as well which I always love seeing. I will need to get the second and third books in this trilogy immediately so I can find out what happens next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, and War

beebeewin's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.75

I enjoyed this book and the casual queerness built into an otherwise classic sci-fi tale. I love the multiple perspectives and the viewpoints from both sides of the war, as it got me so engrossed in all angles.  It built in me an excitement  to see how this series plays out as I want to see all the characters interact.  Linden Lewis built a beautiful world and I am excited to see how they build off it and how the characters dynamics change. Plus, the I found myself so conflicted in the end about the romance which I love because the twist totally subverts the tropes of most novels. Plus gay love in any form is super appreciated. 

I think why this book doesn't crack the 4 star region is simply because at the end all the realizations came almost too rapidly. I wanted the end to be drawn out with the extreme detail and thoughtfulness that the earlier part of this book had. I feel like I got to know the characters so well I just wanted a little more time to see them processing and really growing into the character growth we were shown.

With all of that I am definitely excited to read the sequel. The world that Lewis built is rich and I am excited for all the political intrigue and interactions of all these characters. I would recommend this book for anyone look for a fun sci-fi space read with lots of queer representation and some exciting potential for a sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, and Violence

planetesastraea's review against another edition

adventurous tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Minor: Sexual assault, Slavery, and Toxic relationship

brukneem's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Excellent world building, a realistic society that doesn't focus too heavily on the subjugation of women. It's certainly a plot point, but it's not creepily and suffocatingly detailed. And there is hope and revenge and EXCELLENT plot twists. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

salemander's review against another edition

5.0

comparing this book to the Handmaids Tale does not do it justice. took me a second to get into the authors tone and rhythm but once i did i couldn’t put this shit down. i know it’s not gonna turn out well since this shit is already dark as hell but please i want these characters to have peace so goddamn bad

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Medical trauma, Colonisation, and War

lanid's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Xenophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, War, and Classism

kaylamoran's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• 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

4.5

Outer space books and movies aren't usually my thing, but I really liked this!  It was super unique, and I didn't see the plot twist coming at all.  4.5 stars instead of 5 because I found Lito's perspective a little boring sometimes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Sexual assault, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and War

Minor: Racism, Transphobia, Vomit, and Murder

rebeccajost's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, and Classism

Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Torture, Medical content, Trafficking, and Death of parent

implied adult/minor relationship, regarding trasphobia & dysphoria:

surgical transition and changing of someone's body without their consent