Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

12 reviews

tiredenglishteacher's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.75

This is a classic Kate Quinn in that it has a very lengthy exposition, takes a long time to get going, and feels at times confused about the ultimate plot BUT the last 100 pages were very exciting and engaging. Unfortunately you have to plow through a lot of seemingly random exposition to get there. Middle dragged on forever. Gory. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Antisemitism

b0rn_2_read's review

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Sexual violence

snowsnakes's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Death

halkid2's review against another edition

challenging informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

MISTRESS OF ROME turned out to be an unexpected and very pleasant surprise! Too often I gravitate to historical fiction about people and eras I know quite well. But the Roman Empire is not familiar territory and that made reading this novel a delightfully engaging experience. Awarded four stars but I'd probably go as high as 4.5. 

This is the first book in author Kate Quinn's five-novel series entitled The Empress of Rome -- about Rome during the first century of the Common Era. Drawing on a mix of actual historical figures and fictional creations, Quinn has crafted a completely absorbing story with all the elements you could want in a good read. Cruelty, corruption, and vexing moral conundrums. Old grudges, ambitious rivals, secret plots, Vestal Virgins, and sexual obsession. Superhuman gladiators, masters and slaves, spite, and illicit love affairs. 

Main characters include:

• Roman Emperor Domitian (51-96): a talented administration with a private cruel streak.

• Thea (fictitious): one of the few Jews to survive the mass suicide at Masada, now enslaved and considered a talented singer. 

• Arius (fictitious): a brutal gladiator forced to perform at the Colosseum games, whose success grows out of his ability to harness his deeply rooted anger.  

• Lepida Pollia (fictitious): a spoiled heiress whose older husband/Senator buys Thea to be his wife's personal attendant.

The book revolves around how all four of these characters (and a few others) interrelate over the years, as fate causes them to leave and return to each other's orbit. All of them wielding different levels of power at different moments in their lives. 

I loved this chance to become immersed in the complex politics of the Roman Empire. Now, having thoroughly enjoyed MISTRESS OF ROME, I do plan to continue with the other books in this series. And I look forward to them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

lehughes19's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative 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

4.5

Page turner. I actually picked it up previously and couldn’t get into it, but this time I couldn’t put it down! It was shocking, entertaining, and emotion provoking. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Self harm, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, and Mental illness

kamrynkoble's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this one. It’s my first novel set in Ancient Rome, and I loved the setting. I’ve been to Rome and the coliseum which only made it more special.

I found myself rooting for these characters, and truly hoping they would get what they wanted. I feel attached to them, especially Thea, after watching her endure so much over the span of many years. I love a book that can make me do that. 

I also enjoyed the multiple POVS. All of the different characters took me a second to understand, but I was impressed by how the author managed to weave them all in. This is such a high-stakes setting that I was on the edge of my seat often. 

The ending was particularly good. One “twist” made me turn my head away and cover my mouth in shock. The rest was so tightly plotted from there, and I liked that this had such a good resolution chapter. 

I’ll definitely read more from this author!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, and Slavery

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Pregnancy

hunkydory's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

thefoxcharmer's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I am on the fence about whether to give this two stars or three stars. 

I would not call the writing masterful but it's not entirely cheap either. The constant switching of voice didn't really do it for me. It switched frequently, and often without much reason, from first to third person and among different characters. When in third person it would be from a single character's perspective and the only character in first person was Thea. I was consumed by this choice. 

Pick a voice (first or third) and stick with it! 

It reminded me of a gas station book. You know when you're on a road trip and need something to read so you pick whatever book looks vaguely interesting from the rack beside state-themed souvenirs. 

It could have been a good 100 or 150 pages shorter. The story itself could have really benefited from being tightened up. 

And yet I didn't hate it. I'm didn't mind it. Didn't love it. Will probably continue reading the series. Gas station books don't have to be master pieces to still be entertaining.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

its_van_vulpen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful 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

3.5

This book is not for anyone who is sensitive to most triggers. This book has most all of them. Be careful, take care

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

azalia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Antisemitism and War