Reviews tagging 'Incest'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

5 reviews

rainbowrocky's review

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book must've blown minds in 19th century Ireland. I can see why it's a literary classic. I loved it a lot even if the characters are a bit one dimensional. It's more about the atmosphere, the looming threat of death. We know what's happening to Laura, but she hasn't the faintest idea since she's so innocent. Spoilers:

Carmilla's death was a bit of a let down. I thought we were building to something more shocking but her death was over so quickly and unceremoniously.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism

Minor: Violence and Classism

randi_jo's review against another edition

dark 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? No

4.25

Gothic fiction, homoerotic undertones, the unspeakable spoopy vibes. Honestly it has everything to make for a good story and I had a good time. Could use less of the General character and more of the MC using her 2 braincells for something other than waxing poetic about how hot Carmilla is (or maybe more of it?!?), but great nonetheless.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Incest

theworstofit's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest and Pedophilia

jojo_'s review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Lesbophobia, and Classism

_piercingwords_'s review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

3.25

As a bi vampire lover, I liked this book and found it interesting to see the resemblance and differences to more modern adaptations of the vampire myths. 

I also liked how Carmilla's and Laura's queerness was not directly demonised and found it very progressive for its age in comparison to other classics.

It was, as one of the first influential vampire stories, predictable but nevertheless an enjoyable read.

Did I get that right though? That Carmilla was actually remotely related to Laura? The thing I actually did not expect and threw me off a bit oof

 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death, Incest, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Abandonment