Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

31 reviews

honeycupreads's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

This was my third time trying to read this book because for some reason I would always pick it up when I knew I was in a slump but you know what they say, third time’s a charm! I really enjoyed this book! I read a few reviews and saw some people thought the characters had no chemistry or just generally fell flat but I didn’t feel that way at all. I really enjoyed the development of Bastian specifically and I’m quite excited to see what comes of his character in the following books.

I will say that I feel like this series has all of the makings to turn into “female character loses/gives up her powers in the end” and I really hope it doesn’t come to that because I think that’s a horrible trope!

One of my only issues is the conflict between Gabe and Bastian doesn’t, in my opinion, make sense for the amount of hatred that there seems to be between them during the majority of the book but I might be alone on that. Overall, this was really good and I can’t wait to get into book two. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and War

rowyn_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

A brilliant dark fantasy showing corruption within society. The world building is amazing and also has some casual queer representation such as a bi/pan major character and a non-binary god. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

literarymary95's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

3.0

This story felt like it fell flat with the potential it had. It was interesting enough to complete it but not enough to keep me needing to read it quickly to the end. The characters were underdeveloped and the plot felt like it stopped often and nothing was happening.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and War

caitbop5's review against another edition

dark 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Kidnapping and Death of parent

sarahsbooklife's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Gore, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

quiet_reader's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

mandersdraws's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I found this book absolutely gripping. It immediately grabbed me because the protagonist is an underworld spy (and with a terrible secret, my weakness as a reader lol), but slowly but surely Whitten sprinkled in world building and character tidbits that got me absolutely hooked. Characters feeling the pull of ancient magic. Lore seeing underneath Bastien’s princely facade. Gabriel stuck between his guilt, his sense of justice, and his desires. A mystery that revolves around the remnants of old gods. 
Simply put, I love this shit!! I read it twice, once with an audiobook and then again with an ebook. It got me theorizing and highlighting the text like I’m trying to solve a cryptogram. I don’t even mind the love triangle (though I do hope it manages to subvert some of the cliches and tropes we expect with love triangles) 
Edit: I’ve also read the sequel, Hemlock Queen, and I can’t wait for more! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Manipulation is a big theme of this book.

natashaleighton_'s review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Deliciously dark and gloriously intriguing! Hannah Whitten’s prose was once again a breathtakingly vivid and atmospheric treat for the senses, merging magic, court intrigue and a deliciously addictive (forbidden) romance that utterly ensnared me. 

I adored protagonist, Lore despite her flawed and often selfish tendencies. But her upbringing (raised by poison smugglers) and the necessary secret keeping when it came to her abilities (to control death magic,and even occasionally raise the dead) really showcases her need for self-preservation. When first introduced, Lore’s a sharp witted and incredibly guarded character who rarely trusts anyone, but as she spends more time with warrior priest, Gabriel and roguish Prince Bastian, we begin to unearth a slightly softer, more vulnerable side that I found incredibly endearing.

Bastian and Gabriel, as characters were both quite endearing and in depth as well, as we delve into their pasts and understand the actions and motivations that have shaped them. I liked Bastian who’s flirtatious and outgoing demeanour could rival even Cardan and Jacks at the height of their charm . But, I have to admit it was the brooding but loyal, duke turned monk (Gabriel) that managed to steal my heart.

His chemistry with Lore was palpable and their intensity together was spectacularly swoonworthy. It did get some love triangle esque vibes between Lore, Bastian and Gabriel so interested to see where (and how) things develop.

It’s definitely my fave of Hannah Whitten’s books soo far and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Drug use, and Blood

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and War

puddleshoes's review against another edition

dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

cdoubet's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment