Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

11 reviews

cersmessenger's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Torture, Violence, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

kat_hart08's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

Oh to be loved in such a way. I read most of this book in the middle of the night, telling myself I’d put it down at the “end of this chapter” and never did. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, it’s like interpreting cave paintings found underneath intricate oil murals. I’ve never read a book that so perfectly captures the poetry of love and hate and the line between them. The only reason that I’m not giving it 5 stars is because of literally one line in the book which I will not include but you’ll know it when you get to it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation

q_bert13's review

adventurous 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

3.25

If the Hunger Games and Game of Thrones created a vampire-filled child, that would be The Serpent and the Wings of Night. Overall a really good read, multi-dimensional, flawed characters in a vast, danger-filled world. With minor amounts of smut (which I could do without tbh) the story keeps you guessing until the end. Points marked a bit down for the ending however, though I’ll have to check out the next book in the series to fully make my decision. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Vomit

Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture

liaantje's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring 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

4.25

I read this together with my sister in law, we had so much fun, the writing is awesome, and we've already ordered the second book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Cannibalism, and Alcohol

elledanie'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? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Gore, Torture, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

natashareadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.0

Wow. I don't even know what to say about this book! 

Oraya was a human. She was taken in by the vampire king, taught never to trust others because she wouldn't be safe. Never safe. Taught to fight so she could protect herself. She used those skills to hunt down vampires trying to harm the innocent humans in the human district. And was taught to protect her heart at all costs. 

She threw herself into the Kejari- a tournament held every century, the winner granted just one wish from the goddess herself. And Oraya knew exactly what she wanted - she didn't want her human weaknesses anymore. 

But in the tournament she needed to form an alliance. Everything about Raihn was dangerous. He was her greatest competition and rival. But she still found herself drawn to him. But there was no room for compassion. Raihn may have understood her more than anyone ever had before. And their attraction may end up being her downfall in a world where nothing was more deadly than love. 

So, it took me a little longer to get into this book than I would have liked, I have been in a huge book slump for weeks. But it was intriguing and interesting and despite me taking awhile to get into the story, I wanted to know more. 

I was drawn to the characters, and their stories, and wanted to know all I could about them. How strong Oraya was, and brave - not only living in a world that was designed to kill her but to over come that every day, and to fight back against the injustices every chance she could despite her not having vampire strength, or powers. She fought for what she could, and still had compassion despite the world trying to beat it out of her. 

And I wanted to know more of Raihn. He was mysterious, and dangerous. He was ruthless and cunning. But he was also intriguing and curious. 

The world may be on the precipice of war, offering up horrors despite the characters being in the Kejari- the trials spanning weeks. Truths coming to light. 

I loved the dark fantasy world of magic. The depravity of the world but also the small glimpses of hope too. 

If you are looking for a new fantasy world to dive into filled with blood and carnage then I recommend this book! 

4 Asteris ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

2🌶️ out of 5 🌶️. - a couple detailed scenes. 

Tropes: 

→ Enemies/Rivals to lovers 

→ Trials/tournament 

→ slow burn 

→ romantasy 

→ dark fantasy 

→ vampires 

→ dark magic 

→ shadow daddy 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

shinyfox's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death and Vomit

ladydeathnesta's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.75

I absolutely love this book! It’s near perfection and it’s beautifully devastating 🖤

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

zanazy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I found myself pleasantly surprised by the story. Oraya is the main female character and the story is told from her perspective. Raihn is the main male character who is mysterious from the very beginning and this drew me in. Vampires, humans, gods, and a competition to be the last one standing are all present, and there is a mystery to both Oraya and Raihn that kept me reading in suspense. I was dreading the conclusion based on the knowledge that only one could win, so I saved the last 10 chapters an extra day. In the end, I may have screamed, fell into silent shock, and currently still feel like I need to be a little stabby stabby with some characters. 

Oraya is the adopted-human daughter of the reigning Vampire King, Vincent. In this world, there are three factions of vampires, and the Hiaj are currently on top since Vincent is a Hiaj. The other two factions are the Rishan who previously ruled and who Vincent overthrew in what is described as a bloody coup. The Bloodborn are the third faction who are cursed and set to live for shortened lifespans. As a human surrounded by vampires, Oraya has always been protected by her father, Vincent. He trains her to fight and kill, and it’s his idea for her to enter the Kejari, a bloody tournament that comes along once in a lifetime for Oraya. Vincent basically trains her to win so in the end, as her wish from the goddess, she can bind herself to him. Giving her power, but also giving him power too. Raihn is another contestant in the tournament, and they form an alliance, knowing they will eventually need to turn on each other as only one can win. While they are in the tournament, civil unrest is prevalent and King Vincent rains havoc for all the Rishan. As the tournament progresses, Oraya and Raihn become close, and although Oraya has always been told to guard her heart, it becomes harder to do after each trial. This culminates in the final trial, when the two fight each other and only one of them wins. 

This was a unique vampire story that was not afraid to show that humans are the main food source for vampires. This led me to wonder how a human like Oraya has survived as long as she has which I hope to find out more in book 2. Oraya was cunning and smart when it came to her survival. When it came to knowledge, she was as naive as a prey would be in a world surrounded by predators. On a personal note, her name did not seem fitting and is my least favorite amongst all the other characters. Raihn is a complex and mysterious character who was both a white knight and dark knight throughout the story. Villain, enemy, friend, and

lover.

When Raihn and Oraya finally ally in the tournament, the story picks up pace and seemingly flies by. Until that point, the pace of the story is slow. Oraya often describes the world and building architecture in great detail which paints a vivid picture of her world and surroundings as you read. My favorite side character is Mische, Raihn’s friend and ally coming into the tournament, and she represents everything good in vampires. Vincent is a compelling character who loves his adopted daughter in his own twisted way. He is a mix of Daddy Warbucks from Annie and Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) from the Daredevil comics. 

The ending…

I screamed when Oraya killed Raihn. At first, I thought Vincent used his powers to push her hand to kill him. I should have known it was Raihn pushing her to kill him. Even after she said he was dead, I was expecting him to wake up. Her wish… I was not expecting that. I assumed she’d ask for his life, or the goddess would see how much she loved him and gift him to her, but when Oraya wishes that Raihn had won instead… WOW. I do feel like an explanation is needed, as that would mean that she should be dead right? That he killed her? Then when Raihn immediately upon realizing what she’d done (which he realized super quick and asked no questions), tells the goddess he wants the Rishan restored, I went into another shock. I was not surprised to find out that he was an heir since Oraya focused on his scar a lot, but for him to do what he did once his mark showed up? HE KILLS VINCENT. It’s not even just that, but he kills Vincent in front of Oraya as she watches and tries to save her father. Cruel as he was, she thought of him as her father and Raihn knew that. It was too much. When Oraya gets the heir mark for the Hiaj and Raihn saves her life by telling everyone he will marry her, all my love for his character dies. He had previously told Oraya binding herself to Vincent was a dumb idea, and yet here he was doing it to her. She even calls him out for this later. APPLAUSE for Oraya here. I know he had to stop his people from killing her so he said what he said, but I cannot forgive him for saying he would marry Oraya and rape her like he assumes Vincent did to the previous Rishan queen, who we also know was Raihn’s first vampire love that he regrets not saving. And to top it off, he said he would plop up Vincent’s body so he would watch the wedding and I assume the subsequent bedding/rape. That whole dialogue went too far. Raihn eventually tells Oraya he said it to save her, but it’s a poor excuse for someone who loves her. Given Oraya’s past, which he knew about, and how she just watched him kill her father, I cannot imagine how you forgive or un break your heart from all of that. I love that Jesmine is Oraya’s army’s top commandant and survived, and that she called Oraya her queen. From the quick interaction they have, I got the sense that she will be able to help Oraya understand all that she is, and how powerful she always has been. I truly hope Oraya can stand on her own and reclaim her power, her title, and save her kingdom. I currently could care less if Raihn remains in the picture. He needs a major redemption in my eyes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Rape, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Alcohol

library_of_noxx's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail