Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

3 reviews

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

3.0

Beautiful story, lyrical writing, and a compelling connection to history. I am always thankful to see representation in all genres.

The pacing did feel abrupt or insta-love-esque at times, but that is just due to my personal reading preferences

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Abandonment

jedore's review against another edition

dark informative sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

“Many of them seem past caring what is true or not, only desperate for some reason, some order to the rearrangement of their lives, even if it is brought about by a lie.”

Despite having an inherently predictable witch hunt storyline (weak, psychopathic men and women getting rid of the women they can’t control), this book about witch trials in Norway in the 1600s, totally held my interest.

It’s the first historical fiction I’ve ever read about Norway (and it’s indigenous population (the Samí people), which made it intriguing. I learned a lot about how the people living in this part of the world managed to survive in an extremely harsh environment. The characters also had depth and were either very relatable or totally detestable.

This was the author’s first adult book…I think she nailed it! I look forward to reading more.

Highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers…and, of course, it’s a must read for all my fellow witches (AKA uncontrollable, walk-to-the-beat-of-their-own-drum non-Christians)!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Physical abuse, Lesbophobia, and Classism

Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

nicnevin's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

This story is capitivating, almost as if by magic. 

That tasteless joke aside, its a beautiful piece showing how minor quibbles can lead to such devestating consequences. 

The relationships and social connections throughout are stitched together with a raw, real intensity. Its beautiful. 

A warning though, it can be intense so just a heads up! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism