Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Bear and the Nightingale, by Katherine Arden

38 reviews

erin_dodge's review against another edition

I loved “Small Spaces” (a middle grade horror by the same author) and I have only heard glowing praise of this book, but… it was not for me. 

I was frustrated and angered by the portrayal of rape, and by about a quarter of the way through I still wasn’t invested in the characters or story enough to push through my discomfort, nor did I feel optimistic that the rape and abuse in the story would be properly addressed at a later point in the narrative- (I mean let me know if Pyotr gets eaten by wolves or beaten to death; then maybe I’ll pick the book up again lol)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism and Rape

ambitiousnalgene's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

Started very slow but picked up and I enjoyed !

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Gore

Minor: Rape

lisaandthebooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

4.75

This book was a perfect mix of mythology, fantasy and realism. I didn't know anything about this book before starting to read it and I think that was the best way I could have read it.

I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.

I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)

The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).

I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Death, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Bullying, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, and Rape

thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition

4.0

Hey look, I finally read this! And then proceeded to devour the next two books immediately, so pretty safe to say I loved it.

Definitely going on my new faves list.

CW: y'all it's set in like the 14th century so

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Violence, Sexism, and Blood

Moderate: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Animal death

zams's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

4.5

Super fast read, really great story and interesting characters, I can't wait to read the next books.

Sehr schnell zu Lesen, tolle Geschichte und interesante Charaktere, kanns kaum erwarten die nächsten Bücher zu lesen.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Rape

mengzhenreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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

3.5

Obsessed with the atmosphere and setting of the book, I loved the wintery medieval Russian setting and the pastoral, quaint, and lyrical writing style. It was giving very much folk tale, very much warm and cosy, and I was just fascinated by the world and magic that the author created.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Death

Moderate: Child death, Animal death, and Sexism

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

olivia_piepmeier'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a very readable, cozy winter fairy tale that left me wanting more. I sometimes felt confused with the names, and some of the action sequences were hard to “see,” but these elements can be overlooked. I realize the age of marriage thing is trying to be historically accurate but I’m tired of it. Vasilia is an endearing lead and certainly carries the story well. More please! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Blood

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Rape

mnerd63's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Injury/injury detail, Rape, and Blood

Moderate: Death, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship

jelliestars's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Death

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Alcohol, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Child death, Child abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, War, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

mmefish's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

It's hard to believe that Katherine Arden is not Russian (or just Slavic) because of how authentic this book feels — it is clear she's very knowledgeable on the subject. Well integrated myths and Russian terms brought back memories from my childhood, while masterfully crafted 14th century Rus' landscapes made me want to read more Slavic-inspired fantasy. 
And to think that it's a debut novel!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Sexual assault

Minor: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, and Rape