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Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
282 reviews
jicela17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence
meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? Yes
4.0
This was such a fun, fast paced, and action packed read. There was so much here to love! From the plot, to the character dynamics, to the romance, it was all super enjoyable to read.
While the plot twist felt fairly predictable, the plot as a whole was so well done and kept me interested throughout. I loved reading about the Kerjari, the different trials, and the unique ways that these trials were tackled by our main characters.
I also loved the different relationship dynamics. In particular, I really enjoyed reading about Vincent and Oraya's relationship and the complexity in that, knowing how objectively Vincent is horrible but with Oraya there's this constant tension of knowing he loves her, while also not knowing how conditional that love may or may not be.
And obviously, the banter and romance was fun! To me, this was the least interesting part of the book and there were elements that felt overdone (ex the constant repetetive phrases and "there she is" moments) BUT it was also still really fun. I especially love the element of their relationship where it truly felt like they were safe with one another despite all of the reasons they likely should not feel safe with one another. I
've already jumped into book 2 and can't wait to get as enthralled as I did with the first!
While the plot twist felt fairly predictable, the plot as a whole was so well done and kept me interested throughout. I loved reading about the Kerjari, the different trials, and the unique ways that these trials were tackled by our main characters.
I also loved the different relationship dynamics. In particular, I really enjoyed reading about Vincent and Oraya's relationship and the complexity in that, knowing how objectively Vincent is horrible but with Oraya there's this constant tension of knowing he loves her, while also not knowing how conditional that love may or may not be.
And obviously, the banter and romance was fun! To me, this was the least interesting part of the book and there were elements that felt overdone (ex the constant repetetive phrases and "there she is" moments) BUT it was also still really fun. I especially love the element of their relationship where it truly felt like they were safe with one another despite all of the reasons they likely should not feel safe with one another. I
've already jumped into book 2 and can't wait to get as enthralled as I did with the first!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
megnut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual assault, Slavery, and War
nataliebootlah'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? No
4.0
Amidst my Fourth Wing hangover, I picked up this book based on rave reviews from friends and bookstagram, and luckily for me, it did not disappoint.
Raised by an infamous vampire king, a measly human girl spends the first half of her life learning how to survive in a kingdom of blood-hungry vampires. Learning all she can from her father, she enters into a cutthroat Hunger Games-esque tournament hoping to have her wish granted by the powerful goddess/mother of vampires. All she has to do is survive.
I picked this up with the intention of disappearing into a new fantasy world—aka ignoring anyone and anything around me. I loved the banter between the two main characters, the intricate world building, the ever-expanding plot, and even the unexpected twist at the end. Broadbent executed the tension and longing of the characters so, so well and that really made the story. I really enjoyed this; on to the second book!
Raised by an infamous vampire king, a measly human girl spends the first half of her life learning how to survive in a kingdom of blood-hungry vampires. Learning all she can from her father, she enters into a cutthroat Hunger Games-esque tournament hoping to have her wish granted by the powerful goddess/mother of vampires. All she has to do is survive.
I picked this up with the intention of disappearing into a new fantasy world—aka ignoring anyone and anything around me. I loved the banter between the two main characters, the intricate world building, the ever-expanding plot, and even the unexpected twist at the end. Broadbent executed the tension and longing of the characters so, so well and that really made the story. I really enjoyed this; on to the second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
mady_baker_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved Oraya and Raihn. Loved to hate Vincent. Was it predictable, sure. Was it still a fantastic read??? YES! Looking forward to the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
lululobbesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
It was a Roller-coaster for sure. The MMC and FMC are amazing but seriously flawed and morally grey yet they work well together.
This book has a lot of action, twists, turns and gives you the "should I like you vibes".
If you like vampires with hunger game trials then this is for you!
Spice: 4 : Innuendos, sexual thoughts/desires, open door scenes.
Language: 3 : F word is a constant by the FMC and MMC. Use of own world cussing.
This book has a lot of action, twists, turns and gives you the "should I like you vibes".
If you like vampires with hunger game trials then this is for you!
Spice: 4 : Innuendos, sexual thoughts/desires, open door scenes.
Language: 3 : F word is a constant by the FMC and MMC. Use of own world cussing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
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
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
abstaffor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
cecez_libraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Torture, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
readwithmesashamarie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.5
January 2025 Book Club Pick
Thank you to my public library for a free copy of this book in exchange for literally nothing (except the expectation that the book would be returned in the same physical state it was checked out in).
You know the feeling when you start a new fantasy series, and you just know this story, these characters, this setting, is about to consume your entire life? Well I’ve been fighting off that feeling with a toothpick while reading this book because I CANNOT allow myself into a reading slump once I’ve finished the first three books in this series. All that to say: “Yeah, I enjoyed book one. What of it,” she said, feigning disinterest.
I have mixed feelings about trials. Mostly because I’ve read so many of them. I like their predictability mixed with huge spikes of anxieties (yes, plural, I have many). I never know the outcomes but I can always anticipate that there will be another scheduled trial until the competition is over, or our character dies. Which is unlikely…seeing as they are what’s moving us through the story. I guess I passively enjoyed the trials as a plot device in this novel, and appreciated that they helped split the book into sections.
Each section began with a little peek into our FMC’s past. With each new flashback we watched her grow up surrounded by predators. We watched her learn how to navigate her harsh and deadly reality of being a human in a world full of vampires, which led, in some cases, to even more dire consequences. Despite being a total badass, our FMC only views herself as weak and as prey. It’s that mindset that has kept her alive and helped her hone her hunting skills, but one of my favorite moments in this novel was when the MMC reminded her of her strength. Her turning into a vampire would make her stronger physically, but her true strength came from how she had survived already just as herself.
This first novel had a pretty small core cast of characters. We learn the most about our FMC and MMC and one or two additional characters who are in their orbit at different periods throughout the book. However due to the trials we got a broader view into the other key players of this world. There are multiple breeds of vampires, various stages of class or wealth, and humans who are lucky to simply be alive. We are also introduced to a cast of gods and goddesses for whom the trials take place.
Overall I enjoyed this story. There is a staggering amount of violence against our characters and committed by them. If you’re even slightly squeamish this book will not sit well with you. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m working on my own fantasy novel, or if it’s my autistic pattern recognition, but none of the big twists, turns, or reveals were shocking to me. I had already predicted who our FMC and MMC were around one hundred pages into the book and got to enjoy watching how the author pulled it off as the story progressed. I think it’s worth mentioning because I can’t be certain it’s for the reasons listed, or if others also found this predictable. Either way, I’m nervously anticipating what high jinx these characters will get into in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Rape and Slavery