Reviews with content warning for Rape - Une braise sous la cendre

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Une braise sous la cendre by Sabaa Tahir

353 reviews

looseleafellie's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

OH. MY. GOD, I feel FOOLISH for not reading this book earlier! Every ounce of the hype is 100% true. If this book is on your TBR, don’t be like me and put it off — read it immediately!

In this Ancient Rome-inspired fantasy where the brutal Martial regime rules, 17-year-old Laia must team up with rebels to save her brother from prison, while elite soldier Elias plots to escape the army and leave his life as a killer behind. From there spins a tale of a deadly competition, supernatural creatures, and mysterious prophecies coming true!

AEITA is an absolute MASTERCLASS in pacing. Once I started reading, I could hardly put the book down! It’s told in alternating chapters between the two main characters, and every time a chapter ended, I felt disappointed to have to leave the character’s point of view, only to be immediately swept up in whatever the other character was doing.

I enjoyed getting to know Laia and Elias, but the cast of supporting characters was super interesting as well, from the ruthless soldier Helene to the enigmatic Augurs to the grumpy Cook. Even the twisted, evil Commandant had a backstory that intrigued me, despite my horror at her sheer villainy.

The ending felt like a natural breathing spot while still propelling me into the next stage of the adventure. Good thing there are three more books in the series — they will probably stomp on my heart and I am SO READY.

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luckykosmos's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

4.25

Late to these books, but I appreciate how Tahir doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of this society while making it exciting for a YA audience to dive in.

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otterforce's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book is a bit more graphic than my usual reads. There are some serious streaks of violence and sadism. If you’re concerned, check out the first chapter and know that it’s kind of light compared to what’s to come.

The story and characters are both strong though and the very bad guys doing very bad (and sometimes graphic) things never feels gratuitous. It often reinforces the tension and stakes or serves the story. There’s are so many good people to offset the bad. I wouldn’t say the story is hopeful, but it’s also not overly bleak or dark.

I can’t wait to see how this series unfolds in later books.

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jose_phine's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful fast-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

“Fear can be good, Laia. It can keep you alive. But don’t let it sow doubts within you. When the fear takes over, use the only thing more powerful, more indestructible, to fight it: your spirit. Your heart.”

overall, it was a great read with plenty of spying and plotting, but it just didn’t compel me. i keep wondering why, and yet, i still don’t have an answer.

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7chiara7's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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linguisticali's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.0

I think this was more than the sum of its parts for me, because I kept noticing things I found annoying but I honestly really liked it and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. It was very brutal and there was a lot of misogyny (especially in the form of rape threats) that I would have preferred less of. The frequent use of overhearing to move the plot forward or convey information was grating - girl, you're supposed to be a spy! Why are you and everyone else having important conversations loudly and near open windows?

I also felt like the augurs were more important than they should have been. It reframed a lot of what happened in a way that made it feel inevitable (and therefore taking agency and meaning away from the characters).

I'm looking forward to seeing how the magic in the world develops in the next book as it didn't get much focus in this one.

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malakabdullah's review against another edition

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2.0

Nothing matters except her weak use of SA/r*pe as a literary tool. It doesn't matter if she writes well, which she does. I finished the book knowing wasn't going to continue the series. Her characters aren't fully fleshed out what with all the weight of SA/r*pe dragging everyone down. Left no room for development. Pass.

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