Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

No Way Out by Santana Knox

12 reviews

csmoke85's review against another edition

dark fast-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? No

3.25

Dark smut in a Halloween corn maze, with a killer on the loose. The spice is spicy. 🌶️ 😉

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, and Murder

chelseadoesnotread's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

2.0

⭐⭐ (generously given) 

 

No Way Out by Santana Knox had all the potential for an intense, dark read, but instead, it spiraled into a chaotic mess that left me more baffled than intrigued. The story’s main character, navigating a literal and metaphorical maze, encounters her botany professor (disguised as a “scarecrow”) in an uncomfortably rushed and questionable scene. This bizarre encounter sets the tone for an avalanche of shock-value moments, each one more disconnected from character development or plot logic than the last. 

 

At one point, our heroine is an unwitting participant in a twisted game of seduction and blackmail. Then, with no warning or buildup, she morphs into a sadistic killer, gleefully hunting down fraternity brothers alongside her professor—who not only condones but admires her brutal actions. This sudden switch, from being a confused college student to a relentless murderer, felt so out of place that it shattered any suspension of disbelief. As the narrative escalates, the scenes blend sexual content with gore in ways that feel more gratuitous than purposeful, veering into the absurd when the main character engages in increasingly violent acts while seeming wholly unaffected. 

 

It’s hard to feel any tension or connection to the story when characters shift without rhyme or reason, and the lack of emotional depth makes the “dark” elements feel empty. Even as someone who appreciates darker themes, I found the blending of violence and intimacy to be uncomfortable and excessive—without any clear purpose behind it. 

 

If I had to pick a redeeming part of this novel, it would be the main character’s best friend, who stands out as one of the few elements that brings a hint of charm or groundedness to the story. And while the spice had its moments, the fact that it’s intertwined with such graphic content detracted from the overall appeal. 

 

Overall, No Way Out seems more focused on shocking the reader than delivering a cohesive, impactful narrative. It lacks the anchor that dark fiction needs—an underlying purpose, consistent character development, or even a coherent storyline. While I can appreciate the occasional plunge into twisted themes, this book felt more like a shock-and-awe spectacle than a truly gripping tale.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

bookintrovert's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Rape

its_maeve_666's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This was a really quick read, lots of spice and just in time for spooky season, as a spooky bitch I very much enjoyed this book, it was nothing like I was expecting and I’m honestly happily surprised! i was worried about the age gap being predatory but it wasn’t and that made me happy!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Gore, Rape, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Torture

katieb_93's review against another edition

1.0

I draw the line at non-con rape. Not okay 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit, and Murder

allyourpagearebelongtous's review against another edition

dark funny tense fast-paced

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

4.25

I can't say if this was 1 star or 5 stars, to be honest. I finished it, and it was gripping. But it also took me 10+ hours irl to finish this because I needed more than one break to consider my life decisions... Maybe I loved it, maybe I need more therapy. Probably both. 

Warning: Absolutely 100% make sure you read the content warnings before reading. There are more than can be selected here.

The voice actors did a great job, the range in charachers and situations, in less than 3 hours pf audio, is nothing short of impressive.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury

joanna_chavis's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, and Murder

innae's review against another edition

challenging dark

I don’t know what to say about this little story.  It is DARK, I mean really.  I have been reading a fair share of dark romances and this one pushes the envelope further than I have read.    Now saying that, it is a good read, nice writing, good plot.  And great chapter titles :).  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder

laurenvoice's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

3.25

Well, that was an exciting end to the Halloween reading.

Like, what the fudge was this? So many questions!

Unsure of my thoughts. I enjoyed this book; it was a very quick read, but there was no proper plot. It would have been better if No Way Out was a novel, more fleshed out. It would have been good to see the thought process of the corn "murder spree".

While reading No Way Out, I couldn't help but think of the corn maze in Stars Hollow; however, this corn maze had way more death and gore! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Body horror, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury

after_i_finish_this_chapter's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a complimentary advanced reader copy.

This was wild.
It is NOT for everyone.
**Please do not ignore the CW's!**
It is one of the best unhinged Halloween novellas I've ever read. I wanted more but also didn't 😂🙈

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail