Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Rache im Herzen by Xiran Jay Zhao

231 reviews

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.0

For about the first half of the book I was reminded of The Hunger Games and the Red Rising series. In both, young warriors fight against their own governments. There is no middle class - there’s only the extremely rich and the oppressed poor. The odds are stacked so heavily against the downtrodden that it seems unlikely that they can survive, much less prevail. Then the more I read, the more I was reminded of The Dragon Republic series. That both stories are set in a pseudo-ancient China made that comparison even easier. 

At some point I began appreciating the book for its own merits, the skillful storytelling, character development, and world building. (Isn’t there another term for world building? It sounds so trendy.) In making gender and wealth disparities exciting, the author introduces these important issues to teens who will encounter them later as adults. 

The trio of main characters were likable, albeit cliched, and, especially in the case of Shimin, rendered sympathetic despite their insalubrious backgrounds. I’m looking forward to the sequel which should be out shortly.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

evan_prus's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Medical content

ytzel_vr24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

4.5

This book is actually the wildest thing I’ve ever read in my life. It has a really interesting combination of characters who are right but also completely merciless and borderline villainous. Super fast paced, engaging, and thrilling, but occasionally the dialogue falls flat which is why it’s a 4.5 for me. Mostly a style preference. Otherwise, an excellent book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, and Sexism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Rape

latsin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation

joana_dc's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

I went into this book blind and ashamedly pulled in by the promisse of a poly romance between three people but I ended up getting sucked into a whole new world of sci fi fantasy that somehow seemed like it belonged in the past while occuring in the future.

I feel like the main character at times lacks some complexity and has a very single minded focus however as her understanding of the world increases in complexity so do the implications of her decisions. Looking forward to the sequel and to follow the fallout of the drastic decisions she has to make to change everything.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Minor: Sexual violence and Violence

simsplayer30's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

wildflower_magic's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book had me in a chokehold. It is a feminisism ICON. I fell hard for these characters and their mission. The world building is beautifully done and in a way that maintains the flow of the story rather than reading like a text book. I love the magic/chi power/spirit metal system. The main character is a fierce, passionate woman who doesn't just break glass ceilings, she shatters the whole building. I was enthralled with her plans the whole time. The ending is living rent free in my head and I absolutely HAVE to read the second book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol

Minor: Biphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

mandieroz's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.75

This book starts out a little slow. The main character can be whiney and really annoying to follow when she's clearly ignoring things happening around her. Zeitan wants very much to believe that everyone should just believe what she wants them too, while simultaneously wanting to buck a 200+ year old system. Which is a haunting task in itself, but to try and do so with absolutely no help and no support is ridiculous even for a strong headed, passionate, killing machine (literally). She eventually does start to open her eyes to the society she's stuck in and learns to work around it...only to windup in a new hell towards the end. Overarchingly, I really enjoyed the book I will definitely read the next one because I'm invested in knowing what happens next. Not 5 stars, but it's right there, I'm here for it. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism

bunnypunk's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ghoul_girl's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad 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

I'm obsessed and need the sequel now. 
I was in a reading slump, to distracted and stressed to enjoy anything. Then I picked this up at the library. If you want an angry, feminist, queer read, look no further. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Grief, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, and Colonisation