Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

8 reviews

ms_morri1's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.5

If you love Howls Moving Castle (book or movie imo) you’ll love this story. I wouldn’t say it’s a one for one copy, but you can’t help but notice the similarities. That said, I don’t think it detracts from the charm of this tale. The heroine is very relatable, as she is like most young women trying to figure out who they are. While she starts out seeming very timid, the trauma she’s experienced by being a strange girl in a small village explains her lack of confidence. Our hero–on the other hand–is quite the opposite. Is very confident, to the point of possibly being too arrogant, until you realize he is has his own insecurities and trauma. Two people healing in different ways. And it’s lovely to see how they support each other.
I wouldn’t call this a cozy read, but a good fall read. A story with just enough of the spooky vibes to make it a great book to curl up with a cup of tea or coffee with. And though it is considered to be YA, it doesn’t fall back on those annoying YA tropes that can sometimes make it frustrating for an adult to read. I strongly recommend to anyone who is looking for a book to bring on those cozy fall vibes but isn’t quite into the cozy fantasy.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

rochelleisreading's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content

Minor: Abandonment

allyareads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad fast-paced

• 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

4.75

One of my favourite things in the universe is a sentient house. My other favourite is a broody, chaotic, bisexual wizard. Niche, I know but you can understand how excited I was when I found out that it wasn't just Howl's Moving Castle that fits the bill.
This is the Polish folklore version of Howl's Moving Castle (the Ghibli movie not the Diana Wynne Jones book). It's just as beautiful, atmospheric, and genuinely sweet.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel but it's a solid cozy fantasy easy read.

Thank you Penguin for the reader copy I had such a good time. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment

kendal_reads's review against another edition

i never wanted to pick it up and it was interesting in theory but whenever i was reading i just wanted to do anything else

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Bullying and Confinement

mzquirk's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

chasinggrace's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a stunning, cozy book. The Polish folklore was detailed, the sentient house was whimsical, and the characters’ personalities were palpable. While slow-paced, I was never bored. This is 5⭐️ not because it’s action-packed or never-before-seen, but because it’s heartfelt and beautiful. 

the only thing I would change is I’d give this story a happier ending 😭 I was in tears at the end and the epilogue did NOT help. When did cozy fantasy = death and heartbreak?? In my head Eliasz is alive in the House Under the Rowan Tree, idc.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

kwthor's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• 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

4.5

Sweet fantasy with a bitter sweet ending.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

katievallin'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I liked the vibes: the sentient forest and house, the feeling of home, the found-family, the gradual romance. I liked the characters and the very obvious similarities to Beauty and the Beast.

I didn't like the body horror

and human sacrifice.

Those definitely made it seem more dark and evil than it started off being. I also feel conflicted about the clash between the church and paganism.

Also the climax was very sad, and I did not appreciate that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Animal death and Sexual content