Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood

34 reviews

penny_m's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War

lesemaus2303's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

reka111's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Sometimes we must be led by duty, and sometimes by what is right....The trick is to know when these things are the same, and when they are not

Okay, now how do i put into words a whole life feeling? I mean, really. I liked this book incredibly, oh my goodness, every minute of it. 

I loved the characters, but especially Clytemnestra's passionate and well-developed soul, she is my favorite for sure. Helen, though likable, had actions i couldn't agree with, and what surprised me the most was that Menelaus was quite lovable on my part.

The plot was okay, it covered quite well what was supposed to happen but with minor changes. The time jumps were not distracting and the pace was adequate. The ending got a nice closure, I have no reason to complain about it. Overall, it brought the level I expected. 

I recommend it to those who love warrior women who raise their voices and attack back. For those who love Greek mythology and are able to read anything to get closer to these legends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Murder

Minor: Death of parent

spartanjess's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

I really enjoy Greek mythology and especially those that tell the tales from a different perspective. Knowing both of Helen and Clytemnestra, I was excited for Daughters of Sparta. However, I expected stronger female characters and instead they were portrayed in more traditional ways and acted (with the exception of murder) the way women were expected to act. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Physical abuse, Grief, and Murder

annemoon's review against another edition

emotional relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

shan_lou's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail

gabydoesgrowth's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism

alexiasophii's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I've been reading a lot of Troy retellings and this one is another on the list. I enjoyed it, it has a good pace and shows us closely the lives of the two sisters. Though I admit that the book did not make me like Helen (I still haven't found a book that does) but I did love Klytemnestra. And I'm glad that the author left out her fate, after the end. Ended it on a good note, instead of the actual tragic ending of the character. Overall, it's an interesting book that focuses more on their private life, inner monologues and feeling than the Trojan War itself. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Slavery, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Pregnancy, and War

stobo1kenobo's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Fuck, Agamemnon. Purr, Klytemnestra. I support women’s rights. But more importantly, I support women's wrongs. 

I enjoyed this book a lot! It switches back and forth between the third person perspective of Helen and Klytemnestra in a way that wasn’t confusing and allows you to get a sense of what both sisters are going through as they navigate growing up into wifehood and motherhood. Really enjoyed!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, and War

amobrien's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.25

I'm a sucker for mythological retellings — though I will say that Daughters of Sparta is light on the magic that I normally expect from mythology and sticks more to realism. I found this to be really effective for this story as it delves into the Trojan War and its horrors, and I think it allows readers to connect with the characters as people more than as mythological figures. I really enjoyed the way the story focused on the two sisters Helen and Klytemnestra. Though separated by their responsibilities and geography, I loved seeing the ways in which the sisters were similar as well as how they were different, and how both of their choices affected each other and their communities. Though this book is heavy at times, I found it to be a rather quick read. If you love Greek mythology, I definitely think this is worth adding to your list!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and War

Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, and Murder

Minor: Animal death and Injury/Injury detail