Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Bully by Sophie Lark

6 reviews

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.0

Dean knows Cat's secret and is using it to manipulate and control her.

This is Dean's redemption book. In the past 2 books and in the beginning of this book, he was absolutely horrible. His arc throught this book was pretty well done. 

We already know a fair bit about Dean's past coming into this book. As we progress through the book, we get more of an insight into Dean and the childhood he suffered through. He has been abandoned time and time again. Years of heartbreak and rejection has turned him resentful and hateful. 

Cat, WTF! She just goes along with Dean's blackmail and allows him to treat her like garbage and degrade her?

Spoiler

How did this go from carrying his books and feeding him grapes, to EVERYTHING that happened in that tower? Cat, where is your self-worth and self-respect? The lines are blurry, did she really consent at first, or did she go along with him out of fear?

Ok so, Dean did get better through the book, as he works with Snow and starts to fall for Cat. BUT their relationship is very twisted.

Spoiler

At first it is solely based on Dean dominating and controlling her... *Cough* dog collar *Cough*. Yes, they eventually "fall" for each other, but their relationship is extremely toxic.

I enjoyed the Snow/Sasha cameo. I'm pretty sure I know who the spy is...

Tropes: mafia, enemies to lovers, bully

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Bullying, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

sam019's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love this series - one of my new favourites for sure! When I began reading Sophie Lark's Underworld series, I DNF'D at the second book. Then I read her Brutal Birthright series and enjoyed it. Now, reading the Kingmakers series I'm absolutely in love. I love this series so much it's got everything Iove: academia, castles, new countries, intricate and dark romances, found family, etc. I will definitely be re-reading this series as I'm sure I'll pick up more details the next time around. I'm thinking of even going back and trying to read the Underworld series again because I love how all of these characters are interconnected! I'm going to be in such a reading slump after thks series is over... 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Torture

andeng's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Bullying, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Torture, Emotional abuse, and Medical content

psyched_np's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Murder, and Stalking

shector1's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.75

Very steamy🌶🌶🌶🌶 very emotional 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Grief, Cursing, Sexual content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Violence

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Misogyny

kyeruhh's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexism, Suicide, and Abandonment