Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

26 reviews

emilywemily6's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

I quite enjoyed this! I loved how the story was so rooted in Polish folk tales, it makes me want to read more stories like it. I also really enjoyed the protagonists and their interactions. The character growth throughout the story was so interesting! I wasn't a huge fan of the romance, but it was pretty secondary to the actual relationship between the main characters. I enjoyed the secondary characters too and I feel like I will get more out of this book on a reread. The ending fit the dark fairytale vibe of the story, as a YA story this one was really good!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Grief

Moderate: Blood

Minor: Sexual content

amy_q13's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and Grief

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

themelleh's review

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

I had the pleasure of hearing Ania talk about this book and how she came up with some of the ideas for it. I was very surprised with how much I ended up enjoying it and how it hopefully alludes to a second book? Please?

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

alyvia_jeane's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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

“Grandma not mad just hurt…”

I am still crying…
I didn’t have high expectations for this book at all in the beginning. I went into it blind and didn’t even know it was based on polish folklore and myths. It far exceeded my expectations and I need the physical immediately. I also cried for the last 20 pgs and had to cuddle with my boyfriend afterwards.🥲

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent

blewballoon's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad 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

4.5

I admit I bought this based on the cover, and I can happily say that the cover matches the tone and quality of the book very well. I would recommend this to fans of Howl's Moving Castle the Studio Ghibli film (not the book it's based on), but the atmosphere is somewhat darker and less fanciful. I would also compare it to Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, but the writing felt closer to the characters and easier to submerge into. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrator did a great job of  handling the complex pronunciations and reflecting Liska's positive attitude in the face of danger and horror. 

I expected the ending, but I hoped I might be wrong. The epilogue offers a small glimmer of hope.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content

alexijai98's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

Was going to give this less than 3 stars but it did nearly bring me to tears at the end so! Overall a fine read, if you’re a fan of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf you’d enjoy this!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Sexism and Religious bigotry

Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

theresamothinmyroom's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

batbaby's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Self harm

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

thewitchykitty's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail