Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

26 reviews

msrichardsreads89's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

4.0

This book picks up where we left off in The Final Strife and takes off from there. The pacing of book one was very fast; whereas in The Battle Drum, the pacing slowed down significantly. On one hand I can understand the point of the change because it allowed us to see the characters develop, but at the same time I felt it was too slow at times. I was very invested in the characters and thought the character work was amazing. They are dynamic and messy and are flawed yet have strength. A new point of view was introduced, and I really enjoyed that addition. 

 I also love that El-Arifi made this a queer-normative world. It made my heart so happy. There are so many revelations about the magic system and world. However, I am so impressed by the depth of the lore, history, and magic of this world. It takes skill to interweave this into the plot so effortlessly. The plot twists did keep me on the edge of my seat and kept me wanting to read more. Most of them were phenomenal, but I did find some to be predictable.

There are some content warnings for this book. El-Arifi does not shy away from darker content. There is a scene towards the end of the book that will stay with me for a long time because it was so horrific and emotionally charged. It made the read very impactful. (CW: violence, torture, abuse, grief, addiction, religious bigotry, rape)

Objectively I think this is a very solid sequel. I was in a bit of a fantasy slump when I read this, so I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it at a different time. I feel like the beginning and end were the best parts of the book and the middle dragged a a bit much for my personal taste. That being said, I did have a good time with this one, and I absolutely cannot wait to read the conclusion to this trilogy! 

This is a fantastic fantasy series, and I highly recommend it! It deserves more love!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Religious bigotry

frankieclc's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Self harm, Torture, Violence, and Blood

mj_86's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, and Blood

Moderate: Addiction, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death and Sexual content

fairyollie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective 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? Yes

5.0

oh, Battle Drum; oh, Saara, you did not hesitate to fill my heart and crush it now, did you? what a poignant, heart-wrenching, tumultuous, devastating story; what an honest and raw tale that has been woven here. it is painful and stressful in the most glorious ways. it feels so raw and real that at times it felt more like I was reading a hidden book of world history: climate crises, fights for power, classism, inequity, all wrapped up with stunning world-building and complex characters.

I know people complain that Sylah and Anoor have regressed without one another, but long-distance relationships without means of communication would be HARD! can you even imagine? 

all goes to say that I fear I will be empty until The Ending Fire is released (thankfully I have pre-ordered!) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Stalking, and Alcohol

booksqworm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.25

This book is trying to do a LOT. A lot happens in it and the pacing is a bit confusing. Sometimes it feels super fast and sometimes dragged out, but it is worth it reading all 516 pages. The plot twists and turns which keeps it interesting. There a few horny scenes that felt like they came out of no where and didn’t fit the rest of the book because there is a lot less romance than the first book. I think the book could have been condensed, and Anoors conflict wasn’t my favorite. Her character didn’t really get to shine this book even though she in on the cover. Overall I really enjoy the themes in the book, and the world building is fantastic. There are some amazing quotes, mostly from Hassa. She’s my favorite. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Violence

Minor: Sexual violence

fernanda_o's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

porcupine_girl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, and Sexual content

kathyreadsalot's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I just.. whew. This plot got thicker and more twisty in all the right ways! I need Book 3 to hurry up and come out. Took off half a star because Anoor’s character development I wish would have not been so painful at times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Confinement, Miscarriage, and Misogyny

trashbin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism

annamariem_reads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring sad tense medium-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

5.0

SAARA HOW COULD YOU?!?!?!!!!!! THAT ENDING WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WHAT WHAT WHYYYY

HOLY SHIIIIT this was so good I'm gonna COMBUST! I was truly on the edge of my seat for the entirety of this book. I didn't think it could be any better than The Final Strife but I was very much proven wrong! I shouldn't be shocked thought because it's Saara and she always gives us BANGER AFTER BANGER AFTER BANGER!

Hassa and Kwame were such a lovely and welcome surprise. Also! Even though Anoor and Sylah were separated for this book, it did not detract from the story at all. I was not bored once and I was not wishing that they would both be back in the Warden's Empire together. Anoor's character really took a turn during this book and honestly I don't know how to feel about her anymore. I don't like her but I don't hate her? I don't know what exactly it is but I have FEELINGS. Also wtf was that with Jond???? Now I like him again???? I hope him and Kara end up together so he can finally move on from Sylah. But like... Saara you are truly giving us whiplash with these characters!!! And thank gods for the addition of Rascal. Lil cutie angel kitten!!! Can I also say how much I love the Elders? They are so cool and I want to hang out with them for a day in Chrysalis. Also, Nayeli's story is wild and I am here for it. 100% am here to support women's wrongs and feminine rage!!!! 

The reveals towards the end had me slack-jawed!!!! How could Saara leave us hanging like that? I need book 3 IMMEDIATELY.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Torture, and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Grief