Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

11 reviews

laura_middlxton's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Diana gabaldon’s books are no small feat to read, that much is certain. However, what they achieve in their depth is an astounding understanding of the politics, personal lives, interpersonal relationships, beliefs, world building and historical understanding that make this book comprehensively wonderful.

I know some may find it slow going, and I’ll admit 3-4 hours reading is my mental limit on all the books in this series, but what you gain from that is worth the time it takes to enjoy it. 

The characters are witty, brutal, flawed, funny, hopeful, hopeless, and so very human. Some disappoint us, some fill us with joy, others feel like a blight on the page every time they’re mentioned. But they carry the story on their backs and each one is central to the storyline. 

Gabaldon’s writing is beautiful and descriptive- there is no feeling left confused, no thought left unshared between her pen and our eyes, and she builds such a complete picture of the setting, plot, and characters that there are no obvious holes in the story at all. 

Claire’s voice is cynical,  intelligent, witty, sarcastic and mature (!) - a welcome reprieve from the usual female MC trope of young, foolish, and heart sick. She brings a fresh feminist perspective to the 18th century world, and reminds us of the small mercies of the 21st century that are often taken for granted; healthcare, rights for women, access to foods, and warm shelter. Oh, and a nice warm bath!

I look forward to the rest of this series, after a small break to mentally prepare myself, of course 🤣

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Murder, Violence, and Sexism

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

rmb27's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Pregnancy, Murder, Infidelity, Grief, War, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexism, Pedophilia, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, and Alcoholism

This story goes from being almost a history textbook to graphic sexual assault and back multiple times. It’s just not worth it.

chronicallyplotting's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Dragonfly in Amber reunites us Claire Randall Fraser and some of our many other beloved and not so beloved characters from the first Outlander novel. This book does a time hop a current Claire with her now grown daughter Brianna unfolds the truth behind Brianna's father and what happened that lead Claire to have to come back through the stones. We learn the attempts made to try to save the men from the dreaded fate of the many bloodshed battles about to occur over the Scottish lands. 

Diana Gabaldon does an amazing job interweaving incredibly accurate historical information into her writings. I have learned so much about various Scottish tribes and have gone on to do my own leisure reading about the different real life clans myself. The author also includes extensive research into medical and livelihood means during this time period which really transport one into the book. 

I enjoy the diversity of character's in this book including the every mysterious minor character Master Raymond. Mother Hildegarde and her dog Bouton have a special place in my heart. And Donas the loyal horse. 
My only downfall for this novel is the first 350ish pages were slow. It was hard to get into and the characters POV's would occasionally switch without notice and it would take a moment to realize who was narrating. Although the beginning was a slow start, all the information was needed and necessary to understanding everything that was and is to come. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Gore, Medical content, and Infertility

Moderate: Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Violence, Death, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, War, Abortion, and Sexism

kimveach's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I'm amazed at how easy and enjoyable it is to read an almost 1000-page book.  This author is amazing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, and War

thefriendlymushroom's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

hannahbailey's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed this a lot more than the first one; perhaps I was coming in with lower expectations. Rich in its historical setting, we travel from Scotland to Paris and back again. Really enjoyed learning more about the politics of the time and the Jacobite rebellion. Hated seeing the English win ofc, we're always the villains 😫

This was a comfort read as the story and characters were familiar. However I was kept engaged by the high stakes not only of Paris aristocracy but civil war too! There is something quite mesmerising about Gabaldon's writing, despite the smut scenes.

TW: r*pe, SA, misogyny, murder, death, PTSD, miscarriage, violence, kidnapping, torture

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Medical trauma, Medical content, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, War, Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Colonisation and Classism

jillianseibert's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.0

Hot, sexy, the slow burn is necessary.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, War, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Rape, Miscarriage, Classism, Cursing, Grief, Infertility, and Infidelity

Minor: Domestic abuse

linnylionheart's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and Cursing

Moderate: Addiction, Infertility, and Xenophobia

Minor: Animal death, Dementia, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

georgia_ryan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

A great follow on from the first book. Slow at times with some unnecessary details and a great unexpected ending. Love the characters. Would recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Murder, War, Rape, and Kidnapping

suz_n_van's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship