Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton

6 reviews

sn03's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

coymeld's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ashleereadsbooks692's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? No

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder

allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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

3.0

"Resistance comes in many forms and alliances take many shapes. Sometimes it'e all fire and storms, cutting off the heads of important people. Other times, it's slow, a crack forming in glass, inching forward sliver by sliver, spreading out across the entire surface."

This is a story of resistance-- of sometimes simmering, sometimes seething anger. After the events of The Belles left things in disarray, The Everlasting Rose picks up with an action-packed, on-the-run type situation. We get to explore more of the map as our outlaws crisscross the islands, trying to keep to the shadows, save the Belles, and save the kingdom from its evil queen. Plus, we get teacup dragons, which is an amazing idea in every way.

Dhonielle Clayton is a rockstar of figurative language, and her descriptions were just as tantalizing and immersive as in the first book. The message about the harm of society's beauty standards is also just as strong. In a departure from the first book, It was good to see Camille rise from victim to morally grey vengeance-seeker, even when her grittier role came to stress me out. At least she was no one's pawn.

My lingering concerns are thus: there was a second instalove plot here, and I've got to draw the line somewhere (preferably before the first, but oh, well). Also, the plot ends on a kind of traumatized note. I don't think I know how to process where things landed until I see it play out in a sequel. The story was wrapped up almost abruptly after the final showdown, and after a slew of reveals, losses, and furious acts of violence, I needed to reflect a bit more with the characters on what it all means. I hope that is forthcoming in future books.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming and Violence

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicide, Torture, and Murder

saroshnandwani's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping

jashanac's review against another edition

4.0

Re-read this and I'm going to leave the 4 star rating. This series (so far -- haven't read the third one just yet) isn't one of my all-time faves that I want to scream from the rooftops... but I REALLY enjoy it. I love Dhonielle Clayton's authorial voice and use of language. Especially in this world... it's so decadent. The world, and her turns of phrase. 

This is also such a unique fantasy world. Beautiful and bright on the surface but deeply disturbed and rotten when you look closer. 

I just don't LOVE the characters. I don't dislike them. I just don't feel notably engrossed with them. And in this book the plot was a bit meandering, I felt. A bit of "middle book syndrome", I suppose. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Torture, and Kidnapping