Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

All of Our Demise by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody

5 reviews

snootle's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

I finished this duology because I was curious how it would end, but overall I struggled to enjoy this book and the first one.

I liked the trials and challenges they faced recreating the relics,

but the constant changing of each character's feelings and objectives made it difficult to connect with them. Moments that should've been tense and time-sensitive were filled with drawn out, emotional dialogue which made it seem like they were rarely in actual danger.

My biggest problem with this duology is how it relies on telling rather than showing. It tells you that every character is a villain/monster/bad person, but overall there is little to show this outside of a handful of events. We have to rely on reading their every thought. Everything is spelled out, even to the point where obvious, simple story beats are explained at length, leaving no opportunity for thought or speculation from the reader. 

I enjoyed the world building, setup/involvement of the champions' families and some of the magic, but unfortunately this series fell really flat for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcohol

guessgreenleaf's review against another edition

dark hopeful tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement

Minor: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Toxic friendship

nicoledelairs's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

louisegraveyard's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship

maregred's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism