Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older

6 reviews

eni_iilorak's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, and Mass/school shootings

erin_362's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This started out a bit slow but I got drawn in very quickly and I loved it, the whole book is full of culture and and it was incredibly diverse within the story I just loved it :) 
The action was cool and

when Mateo activated the full extent of his power it was so cool and the fighting scenes got a lot more interesting so

I can’t wait to see any fighting scenes in the sequel :) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Racism, Violence, Vomit, and Colonisation

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery

antonique_reads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Colonisation

scarlettskyes's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

kayladaila's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Colonisation and Classism

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Vomit, and Police brutality

2treads's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

—"la mentors mata al mentiroso." The lie kills the liar.

Older's story practically vibrates with music, culture, and identity. Living in a piece of modern Bronx, the people of San Madrigal hold tightly to their traditions of story, religion, and language. So when the opportunity arises to go back home, tensions rise and threaten to split the community apart.

What drew me in was Mateo, awkward, shy, and intensely talented with music; his relationship with his aunt(s), friends, and the complexities of who his people are and their continued survival in a world not attuned to their magic.

He was able to keep the momentum and mystery that surrounds the destruction of their island and the ways in which a return or arising can be achieved. But there exists dark forces that seek to use the powers and kinds of our heroes for their own goals. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder