Reviews tagging 'Blood'

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

10 reviews

molly_storm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Another solid amazing book from Hannah Whitten - an author who is fast becoming one of my faves, whose worlds I love to dawdle through and savour, even when they’re intense and dark and bitter. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Blood and Classism

The darker elements of the book are handled with respect and tact, but there is a lot of quite graphic body horror that turned even my steely nerves. I wouldn’t change it, just be aware.

kbowles24's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Deportation

mauve_heard's review against another edition

It was so slow without anything happening except for miscommunication or just general lack of communication that made the book last longer. Was trying to hold out because all of the reviews raved about twist ending but after the autopsy being the first actual thing that happened in the book, I had to tap out 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Medical content

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Murder

beccaand's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.5

happy pride to my favourite throuple

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Religious bigotry

mandersdraws's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.5

Ugh I need to read it again!! I feel like Hemlock Queen gets off to a sluggish (and maybe a little depressing) start, with the protagonist taking a passive role for a few chapters, but the action and tension really ramped up quickly. It wove a bunch of loose threads together from the first book into an intricate and rich tapestry, and it gave me even more ancient mysteries to think on while I wait for the next one!

I really love how the protagonist’s powers and relationship to the religion of the world allows us to peek into the ancient past. I love how it explores the fallibility of people, and of divine figures. I love that it calls into question the motives of the people writing our laws, our bibles.

And oh, I really fucking love the tragic romance. (I especially love the very real possibility of a “completed” love triangle here, my new One True Threesome). I love how tender some of the spicy scenes are. This shit is right up my alley!!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Mental illness tag because while it’s related to the fantasy elements of the book, the protagonist hears voices. That and possession are big topics of the book. Also warning for dissociation.

soniajoy98's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

bookboxbabe's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.0

i’m not emotionally okay because wtf?? HELLO?? 

rude

in all seriousness though, i loved this. it has slight middle book syndrome in the fact that there were some filler moments and the first 50% was kind of slow and boring at times, but the payoff was so worth it!!

give me book 3 now please and thanks

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

teaand_tomes's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

A compelling blend of romance and fantasy with unexpected plot twists, complex character dynamics, and dark, haunting imagery. The narrative is marked by suspense and unpredictability, with a sense of impending doom and tension that keeps readers engaged. The book's darkly beautiful and captivating world makes it a must-read for those seeking a thrilling reading experience.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore

Moderate: Sexual content and Blood

aliteraryescape's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Blood

readwithria's review against another edition

adventurous 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? It's complicated

5.0

HOLY SHIT

The Foxglove King was one of my favorite books of 2023, and now The Hemlock Queen is one of my favorite books of 2024. This was my most anticipated book of the year, and it didn’t disappoint ONE BIT!

As usual, Hannah Whitten’s prose was absolutely beautiful. I highlighted so many quotes, and was on the edge of my seat the entire book. The writing and the world are so lush, I cannot get enough of them.

And let’s not forget the CHARACTERS! I love Lore and Bastian and Gabe, and I also love all the side characters and how complex they are. They really add a sense of depth to the world, and  are a reminder that other things are still happening even when we aren’t paying attention to them at the moment.

I absolutely cannot WAIT to read the last book of the series. It’s incredible, and everyone should read these books. 5 stars.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy and providing me the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Religious bigotry and Alcohol