Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Glow by Raven Kennedy

4 reviews

glass_carousel'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year! Raven Kennedy has quite the talent for cliffhangers that leave you wanting more, and she provided with this book.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was that we got to learn so much more about Slade and his past. A lot of his past thus far has been left a mystery and I really like that we, and Auren, got to learn so much more about him. It was nice that Auren and Slade both acknowledged that they don’t really know much about each other. They are for the most part (very well acquainted) strangers, especially since Auren was still learning so much about herself and who she is after years of abuse. Auren’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance throughout this book and how it was mirrored by her use and acceptance of her powers was great to finally see after several books of her experiencing a lot of abuse and self-doubt. <i>Glow</i> was very much a transitional book, but even with this obstacle, Raven Kennedy still found a way to provide a compelling narrative that served a purpose to the characters. 

I usually am not a huge fan of the random POVs from minor side characters that happen throughout the book. I will be fully engaged in the main storyline until the chapter ends and I am forced into the head of a character that I don’t really care about. Despite my dislike of POV jumping, I really enjoyed the blossoming romance between

Osrik and Rissa

. Their story was one that I didn't mind getting a break from Auren and Slade to see. My main issue with POV jumping comes when the jump feels random and/or feels like it interrupts the momentum of the story. Queen Malina and Queen Kaila's  POVs are ones that felt like they interrupted the story rather than added to it. I understand that these characters and their narratives serve a purpose in the larger story, but I wish this information was conveyed in a way that didn’t feel so jarring and out of place. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this sequel and cannot wait to read the next installment.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Violence

Minor: Body horror, Rape, and War

ka_ke's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

Easily the best of the series, but that cliffhanger ending though!! The spice between Auren and Slade peaks in this book. But I knew during that ONE scene it was cause everything was going too well despite having 15% of the book left! Also why Argo?? The poor baby did nothing to deserve such treatment!   

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, and War

soniajoy98's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal cruelty and Xenophobia

eeeeva's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail