Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland

3 reviews

abbyschalupa's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry

rorikae's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

'In the Ravenous Dark' is a deliciously dark story that celebrates queerness. 
It centers on Rovan, a bloodmage in the city of Thanopolis, who has been hiding her powers ever since her father was killed. When she discovers that her father's death wasn't quite what she thought and her powers are discovered, she is forced to come to the palace to be bound to a shade. As she learns more about the bloodmages and the world that surrounds her, all while also falling for a princess, she begins to question what is going on in the world and how she can free herself. 
A.M. Strickland creates a decadent world wrapped up with intriguing characters and a fascinating magic system. Their extravagant writing matches with the gaudy setting, all while creating a captivating story. Two of the things that stand out the most to me are the characters and the writing. Strickland's world comes to life under her lush prose that provides great detail in a world that is dripping with intricacies. Settled down into this world are characters, some that you love, some that you hate, and others that you may not like but still care deeply for. Rovan is a complex and flawed heroine but I never once stopped liking her, even when the story got especially dark. The queer love stories and the polyamory were perfectly matched to the world. 
The only hiccup is that there were some moments where the love stories felt like they moved a bit too quickly though this didn't bother me a great deal. Strickland has created such great characters and the bonds of friendship and family are so strong that things moving too quickly only barely caught my attention. This is such a great book though incredibly dark. I will definitely be picking up more of Strickland's writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Suicide, and Forced institutionalization

wrenxavier's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? N/A

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Suicide and Kidnapping