Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray

4 reviews

nightstitch96's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Deportation

Minor: Ableism, Slavery, and Forced institutionalization

annakh16's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.5

Well, what can I say? I loved it. Forgive the long review, but I want to gush for a minute.

The pacing has improved a lot from the last book. I think this is partly due to each character getting more individual narration - they all got their due this time, other than Ling and Henry, but since they were the MCs of the last book it seemed only fair. I loved the

asexual rep

for Ling though. 

And the characters? They’re all my favourite. The banter between Sam and Jericho was hilarious. Memphis is truly a man after my own heart (“What, you don’t have a favourite librarian?!“). Isaiah is the sweetest as always, and

if anyone hurts either of them, I‘m gonna fucking riot. That “dark future“ the King of Crows was hinting at? Nothing doing. I simply won’t allow it

. Theta was great in this one, her story all heartbreaking and harrowing and powerful. Evie is more mature at last (I must admit I have a sweet spot for her). TS Woodhouse is randomly funny and I‘m here for it. 

There seems to be a dislike for Mabel in this review section and I don’t get it, maybe because I relate to her a bit. I enjoyed her storyline this book and

though she was always a likely character to die, she went out with a bang (see what I did there?). I‘m glad Bray did her justice

. 

Lastly, Bray never misses with new characters and Connor was no exception. His story had me right in the feels.

@Libba Bray: You had no right to kill him off like that. You had no right! (His and Will‘s death did seem slightly rushed, but the rapid succession also made for good tension)

. 

I love the fact that there were multiple villains, all bound up in the larger scheme but with very different motives. 

The King of Crows being a metaphor for

the “ghosts“ of America

? What a great idea, and well in line with the respect for diverse histories throughout this series. 

Bill Johnson‘s arc was really interesting, too. Moving back and forth between pity and disgust for him. I audibly gasped when

it was revealed he was only 37 years old!

. 

I was happy most key revelations came earlier in the book, as I‘d guessed most of them already. Was I the only one convinced though that

Sarah from Nebraska was Sarah Snow

? 

I heard that the last book in this series was a bit of a let down, and I really hope that’s not true. I‘m very curious how

the cliff hanger and all the tension from the end

will be resolved and am really looking forward to it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Murder

Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Slavery, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Deportation

There are hints at child sexual abuse (by a priest), experienced by the character Connor, but this is never made explicit or discussed in detail. There is attempted sexual assault. There is also a memory of Theta being assaulted by Roy, written in second person (as in, you the reader feel like this or that).

dejahentendu's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

A ghost story/mystery set in the 1920's in NYC. As the third in the series, it wraps up some storylines while bringing others to the forefront. It ranges across the city and involves a cavalcade of characters living their lives with psychic abilities. They save the city from the ghost invasion, but there is sadness and loss along the way.

The book was clearly written in the run up to the 2016 presidential election. Interestingly though, Bray was able to stay true to the time period while accurately reflecting what was going on in 2016 as well. 

Notably, Bray did an excellent job representing mental illness with grace and understanding. Her depictions were sympathetic and accurate. I was impressed. I've really enjoyed her writing since I discovered her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Racism and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Confinement and War

kirstym25's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, and Racism