Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

A Ship of Bones & Teeth by Karina Halle

11 reviews

frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What if the mermaid made the deal with the Sea Witch?  And what if the prince wasn’t a good person?

Marem has regretted the choice made as a 16yo, giving up her legs for someone who fell in lust with a beautiful and mute girl.  But when the pair are kidnapped by pirates, maybe Marem can escape her husband.

I thought this book was about fifty pages too long, but overall I loved Marem.  She just wants to be safe and loved, but she doesn’t shy from her rage.  I love a fully-formed female main character, especially one who eventually manages to find herself.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

booklifeisthelife's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense fast-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? No

2.5

I finished A Ship of Bones & Teeth by Karina Halle. It's a standalone gothic dark fantasy pirate romance re-telling of The Little Mermaid. (They mention a sequel following other characters at the very end, go figure, but this one *can* be read as a standalone. ) I've been on a pirate kick lately. This one was alright, 2.5 stars. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad. However don't go in expecting what the synopsis says - a protagonist who is full of bloodlust and vengeance. It's there but not as strong as it leads you to believe which was a letdown. But I digress. The romance was alright. Major power unbalance which is mentioned in the tw list in the beginning of the book. The romance a bit too fast for me but wasn't horrible. I liked the fantasy elements even though I dearly wish for an adult pirate romance with no other elements. There was some interesting characters. I wasnt a fan of the love interest but he wasn't the worst. The ending made me happy with
her getting the best of both words and being reunited with Nill.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jordanbolker's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Took awhile to finish but overall it was good! Lots of great spicy scenes. Also cool to see a little mermaid and POTC combo! Definitely has some trigger warnings but if you like mature fairy tale fantasies, you’ll like it!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sierrayak's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

calliecuriosity's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kkxmac's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bangiebangs's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

5* from me.

So this is my first pirate romance (ever), and it delivered! I love Ramsay and I love Maren, and I read this off two lines quoted in some short video and knew nothing else about anything. Which was exactly the right way to read this, I think!

The pacing is really good, there is humor, it's frustrating sometimes (so angsty all around) but the characters' actions make sense. They talk about what is going on with them emotionally. Maybe not always instantly, but the fact that this doesnt have a lot of the miscommunication trope is a HUGE plus. It actually felt so much more real: sometimes you can tell what's up, sometimes you need a while to get the courage to speak. You grow, you leave things behind. 

Idk why this gripped me so much, but pretty sure that this detail sold me 100%, and I'm sure I will re-read this. 

“Play nice,” he warns, his grip tight and bruising as he presses me against the wall.
I manage to move my throat enough to spit in his face. My spit lands on his forehead, a sliver of fish bone in it. He grunts and reaches up with his other hand, wiping it away.
“Do it again,” he whispers, eyes dancing darkly. “This time in my mouth, please.” He opens his mouth, showing me his tongue, wanting it. Damn it. Everything that’s uncouth and repulsive about me he somehow loves. 
He shuts his mouth and grins. “Fine. Just know I will be returning the favor one day.”

Like omg yes. 

By the way, I didn't get the Jack Sparrow vibe that others talk about here. Yes, there is rum, but Ramsay often stays sober, isn't some whacky figure, just a hard-ass pirate (and kinky af). 

So TL;DR this is dark romance, it's believable, it has pirates and sirens and cursed ships and it is dark. Heed the CNs, and if you're sensitive to violence,
esp spousal and sexual abuse,
maybe skip this one. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thisdiwata_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.25

Be prepared for this book. Karina will do some damage! 

Overall I rated this book 4.25 as there were some parts that were a tiny bit dragging for me while 90% of the book was so amazing! 

I have so much thoughts I apologize as early as now if this will be chaotic! 


I wished Nerissa had a lot more time in the story because I honestly ended up loving her! She’s my top 3 badass female from this book, yes I know there are just 3 girls but it’s my opinion. 

I loved Sam so much and girl WHY?!?!?!?!? I thought after what happened to Henry we will be done with the deaths.  😭😭😭

This story did not hesitate to bring us death, gore & monsters and it was not a tame version of any of the 3 themes. 

I of course loved Ramsey and  Meren and how their enemies to lovers story unfolded and that fucking Nill came through in the end! 


Spice: 3.5/5 
>these 2 can go at it ANYWHERE!
> the number of times Ramsey went on his knees! Deymmmmm!!
> the sand? 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

seaofbooks3's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

millenialglowworm's review

Go to review page

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

5.0

I’ve never read a mermaid or a pirate story before picking this up. I’m glad that Halle’s work was my first! I love the characters in this story and even though there is tragedy and horror elements, it was full of adventure and 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️!! I’m also glad Halle answered a question I had through out the book about the HOW of mermaid….relations 😅. Ramsey and Maren’s banter had me laughing. I’m usually not a reader who relishes on the setting of a book but Halle does a great job of describing the scenery and feeling of all the places the book takes place. Halle is definitely one of my favorite authors!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings