Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings

7 reviews

howattp's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

13oclockreads's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

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

2.75

"Codename Villanelle," which is the inspiration for the hit TV series "Killing Eve," ultimately proved to be a disappointment, falling prey to the fallacies of the quintessential male fantasy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Murder, and Sexual harassment

crondeau_yvr's review

challenging dark 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

4.5

Excellent read. I’m not a huge fan of spy novels, but having watched the first season of killing eve, I was curious.  This book was excellent and not at all like the show. The back story into Villanelle is fascinating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Trafficking

emily_j_h's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Suicide

hilarylouise's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Murder

sommer22's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

For Killing Eve fans, this book roughly follows the plot of season 1. There are large details and plot and character aspects that were changed upon adaptation, in my opinion for the better. Whereas Codename Villanelle reads like James Bond fitted with a fresh, unique and murderous protagonist that is much more plot-driven, Killing Eve is a lot more introspective, especially when concerning Eve's subplot and her reactions and emotions concerning Villanelle. The relationship between them is the key difference between the source material and the adaptation, and I would say the thing I missed most from this. I kind of missed out on Villanelle's motivation to mess with Eve besides protecting herself, and I miss the complexity in her character beyond a sociopathic, opulent killer as well. However, Codename is still a very satisfying and enthralling spy thriller. I usually judge mysteries/thrillers by if they motivate me to read the rest of the series, and in this case, I definitely do (both the Codename series and Killing Eve) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Sexual content

Moderate: Transphobia and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual violence

In the Shanghai sequence, there is a transwoman who is a sex worker. Other characters refer to her using transphobic terminology, including the tr-slur.

bronzeageholly's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder