Reviews tagging 'Torture'

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden

10 reviews

nukie19's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Great world building start to this romantasy trilogy but almost no spice here. The slowest of slow burns that hopefully will start to fire in book 2. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

jvbook_reader's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Kidnapping, and War

clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

This is an incredibly typical fantasy romance, and I ate it up as I am wont to do. I wouldn't say this is anything original - plucky heroine who has secret powers she doesn't understand the import of, love interest who appears evil at first and turns out to be morally complicated at worst, world-building that honestly makes no sense and smashes too many tropes together (this series honestly seems like one of the worst offenders of this so far, to be honest, and I am simply not okay with the kingdoms being named after gems, lol), but it certainly scratches an itch and is satisfying enough. This book executes a tried-and-true formula to a tea, and I loved it and of course will be reading the rest of the series.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

literarymary95's review against another edition

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? Yes

5.0

I stumbled upon this book through a suggestion video on Fourth Wing. I can see the dragon mention for this book, but it was barely a part of the story. However, I was really surprised by this book and loved this book. It kept me on my toes even though I guessed parts while other parts I truly didn't see but felt I should have.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture

karina_dreamsinwords's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

This was such a quick fantasy romance read! I wish there was more development in world building and the magic system but very much an enjoyable time.

The slow burn, touch her & die, “I will burn the world for you” vibes gave what it needed to give 🔥

I look forward to seeing the plot progress in book 2!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Torture

jackiepreston's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Torture and War

sanctuary_in_the_pages's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Gore

Moderate: Death

Minor: Rape and Torture

memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

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

4.75

i loved this book. the world building sucked me in but wasn’t too complex as to leave me confused for the first half of the book. really interesting layers of unanswered questions throughout. i loved the mcs and their banter and all the twists (many i saw coning but still loved them). the tension was brilliant

(albeit slightly annoying as there was no release in the book) but it should make the eventual completion of a spice scene very rewarding.

i loved the beauty of the world, as well as the integrated mythology. thoroughly enjoyed, but not sure what i’m supposed to do with myself now whilst i wait for the next book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, and War

Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Rape, Torture, Vomit, and Alcohol

elntastic's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

Even though the world-building and story wasn‘t something entirely new or grand, I still really liked all the ideas and characters. But most of all, I liked the dynamic between Kane and Arwen. It was a live-story that I thoroughly enjoyed even though their start was a little rough and (Attention Spoiler!! ) I didn’t get why he threatened to torture her and she just seemed to completely dismiss that he said that for the rest of the story. I thought that was too abusive. Also that he had to beg for getting a normal room instead of having to live in the friggin dungeons?! I would‘ve liked it more if he had offered it to her himself. It just made him seem cruel and then her liking him just seemed so stupid just because he was hot? 
Well, anyways, the rest of the book was very good! Couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait for the second part.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Torture, Violence, and War

joyolivia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Torture