Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Alas de sangre by Rebecca Yarros

92 reviews

srs_bookworm's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

kellyofcali's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

Super fun fantasy/romance read! I'm excited for book two. If you're into the genre this is a great one, well written and a fun world with spice but also a genuinely good story - and DRAGONS, of course!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Genocide and Gore

devincold's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

2.25

This book reads like a fantasy-flavored reimagining of Divergent. It's a fun read that feels predictable throughout. If you're looking for a romance novel and you like a fantasy setting, this might be a good option. If you're looking for enemies to lovers and LGBTQI+ representation - I would look elsewhere.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and War

rmlknisely's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship

andmingmingtoo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.25

This book reads like the novelization of a blockbuster action movie. There are pros and cons that come with that.

Pros:
-The general premise is really fun. I was excited to learn more about the dragon, magic, and government systems of the world
-The action sequences actually felt tense, and they definitely felt like they would be cinematic if in a visual format
-The side characters were really fun (and often eclipsed the main character in likeability)
-Xaden is an interesting and actually respectful male lead

Cons:
-A lot of Violet's inner monologue feels jarring and sometimes detracts from a tense vibe in a scene
-A lot of scenes that would be interesting and would add to the characters' growth are left offscreen, like they were cut for time, despite this being an original work where the author could decide what did and didn't exist. For instance,

most of Violet's hand-to-hand challenges occurred offscreen, even the ones where she finally wins without tricks. Like, that's a big moment for her character! I want to hear more about that!

-A lot of visual descriptions of settings were left out, like

the Parapet or what the hell a chimney formation is

-For the most part, we have to take Violet's word for it that characters, including herself, have experienced growth. The growth seems to happen offscreen and is not substantiated by their onscreen actions 

Additionally, this book is screaming to be part of a series (I am aware that the sequel is out and a series is in the works, as is a movie). In my opinion, there is no finite conclusion of the book's overall plot quest at the end, mostly because there is not one unifying plot quest. The extent of the book is defined temporally, not from a plot perspective, which can give the book the feel of a series of episodes, rather than a unifying experience.

Obviously, this book is popular! I did enjoy it, and I can see how others may enjoy it more than me. That being said, it is not a polished experience, but if you know to expect that, it may help you brace yourself and enjoy it more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Drug use and Alcohol

tess_gee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, and War

leahka89's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Drug use, Grief, and Alcohol

emilyhawkinspdx's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

pastorscratchy1reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I really liked the book, but it definitely has excessive cursing in it. There is also some pages some people might like to skip.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

moriiooreo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad 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

Will be updating when i annotate

This was amazing. I read and listened to this book at the same time and oh my god did the audio have so much emotion. Rebecca is an amazing author. I cried and yelled reading some parts of this book. This is the first real book I’ve read since being an AO3 reader and this was the best coming back experience I could’ve asked for. The twists in this book are amazing. this characters are written beautifully. I just finished the book and I already wish I could read it for the first time again. I can’t wait to read Iron Flame.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Torture and Toxic relationship