Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Hof van Schaduw by Victor Dixen

3 reviews

rinku's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Cannibalism, and War

cturn's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Drug use, Slavery, Torture, and Classism

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

bornachoker's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

 Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advance reader's copy of this book. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

The Court of Shadows brings a refreshing new take to the world of vampire fiction - combining a seemingly historical setting with the immortality of the vampyre characters to create a timeless feel.

The novel focuses on Jeanne, who disguises herself as a baronette and joins a prestigious school for inspiring courtiers, with the intention of avenging the deaths of her family. Victor Dixen slowly introduces readers to the captivating world of Vampyria through Jeanne's training, and weaves many unique concepts into his world, such as the Shadows, vampyric roses and mares, and other mysterious creatures that do not fall into either categories of vampyre or human. The characters are well-rounded, all with their own ambitions and secrets that slowly become uncovered over the course of the novel.

The only downside is that the writing style had a tendency to feel somewhat juvenile. This, however, did not detract greatly from the overall experience of reading this novel.

I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it is translated into English. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape and War