Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

5 reviews

caseybones's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.0

Many reviews articulate frustration with this book and I share those sentiments. It feels like Pullman lost the subtlety of his previous storytelling, glossing over major character development and leaving the reader perplexed. 

How has Malcolm Polestead essentially become this universe’s version of a Bond-like spy, dodging knife attacks, walking away

from being shot and casually snapping a man’s neck with his 
bare hands

before heading to the bar for a casual drink?

What happened to Lyra in the eight years since the Amber Spyglass that turned her from a passionate, brave adolescent into a timid, narrow-minded young woman? She read two books and suddenly

she and Pan hate each other so much they can barely speak to each other

?

Make it make sense.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse

francisfrancis's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and War

Minor: Misogyny, Rape, and Murder

annir's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Classism

the_pysselfia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

hanathemah's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Xenophobia