Reviews tagging 'Torture'
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham
31 reviews
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"The Awakening" follows twin sisters: Tory and Darcy. Tory and Darcy have been in the foster care system since they were orphaned as babies. Now, 18, and kicked out of the system, they are just trying to make enough money to cover rent. But all of those worries seem inconsequential when they find out they are actually the daughters of the Savage King, and they are the rightful descendants of the fae crown. Now they must go through Zodiac Academy to learn about their true home and fight for their birthright.
This book was very fine. There is a lot of violence, nonconsensual acts, and ALOT of bullying, which I had a pretty good idea about before I started reading this. I found the hazing that the other students put Tory and Darcy through to be really off-putting, and the fact that none of the teachers did anything to remotely stop it was disheartening.
This book is definitely HEAVILY influenced by other popular stories, which is fine, but it made the book feel unoriginal.
I do not know if I will continue in this series, but I can now appreciate why everyone seems so enamored with this series.
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Torture, Violence, Physical abuse, Death, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
1navn's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Torture, Confinement, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
natlonelyghost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Bullying, Violence, Death, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Murder
ifoundcallie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Car accident, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Torture, Stalking, Incest, and Vomit
alexsnerdycorner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
faduma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, Drug abuse, Torture, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual violence
azgetslit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse and Bullying
Moderate: Torture and Violence
cricci's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Fairly predictable, but nonetheless enjoyable for the sheer relaxing nature of the novel. Even though the typographical errors (an entire paragraph was duplicated and > replaced apostrophes on a few instances — perhaps due to self-publishing?) and rushed plot detracted from the novel, I couldn’t stop reading, which is why I gave the book a second star.
Since there is some promise, hopefully the future books in the series show the authors taking more time with their craft rather than rushing to get the word count.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing
axahean's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Sexual content, Bullying, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Car accident, and Death
darkclouds's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
1.5
The appeal this series has on people is what initially piqued my curiosity and if you know me, I love to waste my own time and sate my curios noggin by diving headfirst into books that most likely would strip my braincells rather than add to the tally.
I... didn't know much about this series at all. The hype and fanart was enough to seal the deal and I gratefully thank Kindle Unlimited for providing me access to these hefty books with heftier price tags. I dodged a bullet there. I'm not quite sure where to begin because it's been a few days since reading ZA1 and I'm torn.
It's terrible. Let's set that straight. Absolutely doggone ridiculous.
But reader, I am having the time of my life.
That's right. Sue me. Bind me. Curse me. I actually am a little besotted with this clusterfuck of a series and it's deluded, toxic and twisted vibes. The cringe. The red flags galore and the ever so slow build up of plot. If there is one. Not really sure what it is yet but I suppose we'll get there.
It's a bully romance. I think. And also a forbidden student/teacher romance. I also think. But also slow burn. So nothing is actually happening yet. Nothing actually is happening for a while actually. I'm in awe that these books get thicker and thicker with so many words and yet... it all leads to what? Excessive and elongated scenes that are really unnecessary sometimes and just endless bouts of frustration as the two female leads face severe abuse and humiliation.
And really, I'm here for them. For their revenge era. I think what I grew to appreciate and allow myself to bypass the awkward writing and the ridiculous dialogue, was the detail of Tory and Darcy not having a "light switch moment" where their hidden celestial powers suddenly pulled them out of a ugly situation. You know what I'm talking about? The books where the lead discovers they have hidden powers but no idea how to harness it but miraculously gains the ability when in a pickle? THAT. I'm grateful this wasn't the case here so it felt a little more kosher. The build up of their powers and abilities was the only realistic part of this entire book. They're weak. Ignorant. It was oddly refreshing. So I'm here for their shine a light moment when they finally do get to bite off more than they can chew and have the backbone and strength to get away with it.
I've used ridiculous a lot but I can't really find any other word to describe the circus that is this set up. This world. The characters. The dialogue that sends me to my knees cackling because I can't process it being real.
I'm having a blast though. I'd recommend only for those with ample patience and here to crack jokes at every turn of this disaster. If you like to watch bad movies to tickle your funny bone then dig in.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Torture
Minor: Abandonment and Adult/minor relationship