noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.5
Joined a local book club and this was our first book club pick. I've heard from a lot of mutuals that this series was good but never heard any specifics about the series. Going in not knowing anything aside from the back of book description was a lot of fun.
Though she's only 19 I easily related and loved Oli and her BFF Sage. We get good world building and I love the way each relationship with each of the bonds is different but also constantly evolving.
I planned to read this slow...so I could attempt to space it out but...it was so good I devoured it. I was at 30% and the next thing I knew it said I was at 89%...at which point you have to finish. Right? haha
I'll definitely be jumping immediately into book 2 😎
Graphic: Physical abuse, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Violence, Bullying, Kidnapping, and Grief
taylormaria's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
bangiebangs's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Things I liked:
- the writing (notwithstanding occasional typos)
- the mysterious setup... this feels like a pretty new take (maybe I just havent read the book series similar to this one?)
- Gryphon. Also Atlas. They seem like rounded people who think before they act. (The rest of the bonds are just insufferably childish, self-centered dudes)
Things I disliked
- he world-building. There is some info about what these bonds are and how they work, but why, when do you usually learn about your bonds, how do you find them (like, some people are "waiting to find" them? Also, seems like you can reject a bond, what happens then? How is power heightened or acquired when a bond is completed? So many questions, but not in a good "mystery we will uncover" way, but more a "causes confusion when reading" way. Also, what is the Resistance resisting against and why? No idea. But they seem to be the baddies for some reason?
- the FMC's naivité. Annoying as hell. I'm personally not a fan of mysteriously self-sacrificing characters, especially when it is then used to explain some shitty behavior without much context?
- description of FMC through the book. She seems to have a normal (or even hot) body in the beginning, enjoying her food, and as soon as she is forced to do more physical exercise the fact her clothes don't fit and are too big gets mentioned a lot. I find that annoying.
- How old are the bonds? Like, all around same age, or some way older? Some are councilmen and uni professors, others students?
But overall... I read this quickly, and I was hooked. Spice is not happening here (0.5/5 for some drooling over hot bodies), but that's likely because this is setting up the series. Wished that I wasn't so confused half of the time when it comes to in-world politics, but hoping that things will clear up.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, and War
Minor: Abortion and Gun violence
sexual assault neglect (FMC is left without food for days on end, not being taken care of later in the book) FMC is violently implanted with a tracker (against her will)jackietanori's review against another edition
- 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
I really like a couple of characters; Oli, Sage, Sawyer, Felix, Gabe and Gryphon. Nox can go die in a hole for all I care.
Crying score: no.
Graphic: Torture, Car accident, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit
briochebun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have heard many many things about ”Broken Bonds” within the past year & I am so excited to be beginning this journey! :)
I want to start off by saying that I adore the premise of this novel — it’s very original + interesting!
While the characters are also intriguing — I can’t wait to delve deeper into their personalities — there were times where they came across as being a bit juvenile? I wish there was better communication amongst all of the characters & not an absurd amount of mentions about things that Oli could never even think to share with her bonds (or the audience, for that matter).
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I am excited to continue the rest of the series & see how all of the relationships progress, though! ♡
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Car accident, Murder, Blood, Confinement, Grief, and Torture
cait_reads2024's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Torture
Minor: Murder, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
bialves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Genocide, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Abandonment, Medical content, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
psydneigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Suicidal thoughts
amre23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, and Confinement
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, War, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
Minor: Car accident, Sexism, Vomit, Abortion, Gun violence, Medical content, and Torture
Abortion is mentioned in conversation not attempted. Coercion within a sexual assault/content scene.