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chrysanthemum17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, and Pregnancy
kheabutter's review against another edition
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Incest, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
doahdancer's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The MMC was a broody, traumatized burnt marshmallow of a man. The gothic atmosphere reminded me of One Dark Window, but with more abject horror. It was easy for me to get lost in the environment and adore the characters.
Still, the first half was paced too slowly and the second half rocketed the slow burn romance to levels I didn't feel had been earned. There were some interesting plot twists which cast doubt on the motivations of seemingly reliable characters, but they were delivered so abruptly and without fanfare that I was left more confused than surprised.
This would be 5 stars if the romance developed more slowly and the plot, which completely turned itself inside out and became sort of shapeless in its twisting, regained clarity and drive before the end.
Will keep the next on my TBR.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
brd_emi's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic friendship
cayleejanke's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Confinement, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Classism
chele96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Colonisation
srodz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
michelle_jancse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape
kerry_reads_books's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kimberlyyyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Ok, if you’ve seen my review for Nightshade, you are WELL aware of how much I didn’t enjoy the writing in that. So going into Anathema, I had no expectations.
But to my surprise, I had a damn good time reading this!
Anathema was everything and more.
The characters, found family, slow burn, mystery & fantasy components all complement each other in this book.
The first few chapters feel a little slow but its pacing increases past the 20% mark!
One thing I will say is that the world building is hard to navigate. Given how it’s built, it’s hard to keep track of the languages and other beings but despite that I had somewhat of an awareness of how the magic system works.
Maevyth as a main character in the beginning left me feeling bummed. I wasn’t a particular fan of hers, in fact, I preferred her sister Alyesia, who is loud, courageous and loves her sister with a PASSION(kindle notes will prove my point).
But Maevyth won me over! I think her character is so interesting as more of her background and origin get revealed so I truly am excited to return back to her character.
(Also fuck their perv uncle, I literally wanted to beat the crap out of him)
Now Zevander is incredibly complex, and I think this is truly done well. From the get go, you understand that he is a character driven by passion and protective instincts. This remains to be the same when Maevyth comes into the picture but his internal battle becomes more intense as he realizes the impact she has had on him.
I feel for the little boy that Zevander used to be and I truly hope he heals because I am completely on his side 👏. I cannot wait to see more of his character arc.
I could ramble about the side character such as Zevander and Maevyth’s sisters but I would be here for much longer.
If you’re looking for a complex goth fantasy with a slow SLOW burn, I would definitely turn u to this book!
I must warn you my friends, this book does end on quite the cliffhanger! 🫣
(But it definitely guaranteed my chances of reading book 2)
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction and Pregnancy