Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

83 reviews

raki's review against another edition

sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry

Minor: Rape

eerielux's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Grief, Pedophilia, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Violence

ratatouilllie's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Death, and Mental illness

Minor: Bullying, Classism, Animal death, Blood, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Adult/minor relationship

saskiajva's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.5

It was definitely an interesting book and i am curious about the next one! I do think there are some things the author can hone; i wasn’t a fan of the political or marriage plot lines as it didn’t really capture my interest, and I would love to see some higher stakes. I highly recommend googling the creatures discussed while you read as it adds a lot to the book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Forced institutionalization

kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a quick yet lush read. I love folklore so this universe was very much my cup of tea. The men in this book are disgusting and annoying in turns, which checks out for that time period and in general. 

My only complaint was that it felt like Anna’s “power” wasn’t explored much, but then I saw the dreaded word on the digital cover: trilogy. Guess I’m strapped in for more, though I think I would’ve really liked this as a stand-alone 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Death of parent

Minor: Self harm

a_libraryghost's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely beautiful writing and world building, and despite a fairly large cast of characters I didn’t get confused among them. I really felt like I was there. I’m usually not a fan of stories that aren’t as focused on plot but I actually think this was amazing and paced really well, and the plot was weaved in just the amount it needed to be.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry

jessreadsandrambles's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

4.75

Technically Konstantinos and the Bear are not queer… but somethings smells fruity

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault

Minor: Rape

agenericmirkwoodelf's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

4.5

At first, I was skeptical of this book! Though the writing was gorgeous, I was struggling to pick out exactly why the events of the first third were relevant. It felt less like a structured story, and more like a (slightly gritty) slice of life story about a wealthy Russian family. 
But by the end? 
Oh my goddess!! I could not put this book down! There were moments, just before act three, where I felt myself feeling genuine dread! It’s extremely rare that a book makes me feel that. It was so eerie in a way it could not have accomplished had there not been the level of setup that there was. 
That, combined with the amazing characters, makes this a worthwhile read for sure!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Body shaming

graceert's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Death, and Sexual assault

Minor: Gaslighting and Religious bigotry

mysimas's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Maybe more of a 3.5* book, but it made me happy, so rounding up.

Sometimes I felt like I was reading one of those horsegirl stories for young teens — seriously, the obsession of this book with horses is astounding — but other than that, I was sucked into the 14th century Russia and fell in love with both its human and magical inhabitants alike (with the exception of Konstantin who was a major creep and eerily similar to Hugo’s Frollo — ew, just ew, get them away from me!!). 

There’s strong themes of religion (Christianity killing the old gods and in extension the humans) which I didn’t mind as I’m not Christian (but I can see why some Christians wouldn’t be happy with this theme), and just as strong themes of female oppression, and it was cathartic to see Vasya’s small victories in this regard. 

My major complaint is the book ends rather abruptly and some questions remain unresolved (such as thee importance of Vasya’s blue pendant). Maybe they’ll be dealt with in the sequels??

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Animal death