Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

By Way Of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl

4 reviews

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious 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? No

2.0

Intriguing format and overall plot, and the author's background in law grants the story a lot of believability (though it does get somewhat cliche at some points). However, the writing style is very dry -- lots of telling and repetition, which dampens the action and any emotional impact, and the dialogue is very scripted and impossible to distinguish between most characters, with the one exception being a grimace-inducing attempt at AAVE from a white author. The characters are pretty flat in general, and a lot of the suspense is also mitigated by scenes expanding on the antagonists' motivations and plans in detail. Definitely some strong commentary on the legal/justice system and violence against trans people, especially trans women of color, but unfortunately not as compelling a read as I had hoped. Still, it is a debut, so I may still check out more of Gigl's writing in the future.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kaydawn's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

willdarlingg's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.5

This was so much fun! I loved Erin’s character and the fast-paced plotline surrounding her case, and the dangerous and thrilling situations she gets into. Gigl managed to keep me at the edge of my seat the entire time, and I would have finished this in one night if I didn’t have to go to work the next morning. The representation was excellent and well-written, though sometimes the conversations about correct terminology were a bit grating, but I think those were intentionally written for people who don’t read a lot of queer literature. Plus, considering that this book was published in 2008, I really don’t have many complaints about it. My only other gripe was that there were so many characters and names, and sometimes I struggled figuring out who people were in relation to Erin and her partner. But all in all, the writing was solid, the characters were interesting, the plot was engaging, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. In the end, I’m just so happy this book exists and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ciaraqueer's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative mysterious reflective 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

3.75

Read it with my book club and we all finished it early because we were so gripped.  Thoroughly enjoyable crime procedural with two very different trans women at centre stage. Likeable characters and unpredictable plot without being nonsensical. Perhaps too much legal/police jargon and unnecessary peripheral characters but still followable. Would definitely read the sequel. 
Minor spoiler:
Struck an excellent balance at the end with having a ‘good’ outcome for the characters whilst maintaining believability.


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...