Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

4 reviews

noellegrace8's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

Unlike some Folk of the Air lovers who were disappointed in the lack of Cardan & Jude or a similar relationship dynamic, I was blown away by Black's ability to formulate a completely captivating story with far less use of such a dramatic love duo. I personally think Oak and Suren are a lovely duo, albeit less romantically present in their story than Jude & Cardan were in theirs. I actually think it's much harder to write a great story without the easier elements such as romance/sex & violence, so this book was next level in my opinion. I found myself hurting for Suren so many times to the point that I actually teared up, loving her adherance to kindness, and pleasantly surprised by plot elements. And the casual drops/updates about Jurdan and their reign? Love that. I just love Elfhame so much. I hope Holly Black keeps writing about it.

I give Saskia Maarleveld 5/5⭐️. Her narration was great, with distinction between characters and what I thought was a wonderful depiction of Suren's character through cadence & voice choices. Additionally, unlike many women narrators, I didn't find her male vocal imitation to be cheesy or too much. It did kind of bug me that she said soo-ren instead of ser-ren though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War

bethy_joy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and War

Minor: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

donatio's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.25

I did enjoy Black's writing as always but the characters did not draw me in like Jude and Cardan did. I was intrigued by their personalities but in the end there was too much of the not telling someone, a trope I think is overused by now, and I was confused by the romance.

Suren and Oak were neither together nor only friends yet they did not say a word about it, like? And why are the love interests always taller than the protagonists? I am kind of tired of it.</spoiler >
It was a nice read and I will continue the story but it cannot compare to Jude's story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

dianaschmidty's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death