Reviews tagging 'War'

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

15 reviews

sandysmith's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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

I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records.  This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader.  Based in 1634 regarding a shops Voyage. A thriller of sorts, with devilish or supernatural symbols and a murder.  Arent Hayes is a body guard to a great detective Samuel Pepys kept under guard. It was a good read until the disappointing ending and it seemed to loose its way. It was a long book anyway but the ending seemed a completely different pace to the rest of the book. That said I really liked it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Violence, Vomit, Excrement, Rape, and Death

Moderate: Animal death and War

cmbohn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Murder, and Sexual content

Minor: War, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy

chromiumboron's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

He kinda lost me in the last third, but overall I really enjoyed this book!! I've had a hard time reading lately, but these strong female characters had me tearing through this. Can't wait to read what Turton writes next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, War, Vomit, Violence, Excrement, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Medical content

Minor: Rape

rochelleisreading's review against another edition

informative mysterious medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Rape, Misogyny, War, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Blood, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Torture, Slavery, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Classism, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Murder, and Colonisation

Minor: Physical abuse and Alcohol

delienn's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The book was a treat to read, and I thought Stuart Turton even improved since his first book, which I had already loved! Great pace, lovable characters, and an interesting resolution. I enjoyed every moment reading it!
As a side note, I would recomend this book even for people who are sensitive to some trigger warnings, because in my opinion, the story mentions or shows dark things, but is never gruesome and chooses an appropriate level of detail.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Misogyny

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, Vomit, War, and Torture

swampkun's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

An absolutely swashbuckling mystery, full of devilry and dripping with intrigue. I tore this book apart in a matter of days, unable to wait to find out where each revelation led. Moody, tense, and full of deeply compelling characters and motives, Turton has weaved a highly-atmospheric follow up to Evelyn Hardcastle. 

PS, Stu-Turt, if you’re reading this: I’m sorry. I’m one of those readers who can’t stop thinking about how dreamy Arent is. Last night I fell asleep imagining his big arms and wide chest. If you didn’t want us to fall in love, I’m sorry to say that’s the only place where your writing has failed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence and Ableism

Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, War, and Violence

A female character experiences sexual violence and makes reference to being physically abused. A primary character with dwarfism is referred to with ableist language and describes having experienced ableism. The book is set during a voyage from a Dutch colony in Indonesia. Frequent references are made to a genocide carried out by Dutch military against indigenous people.

heini's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Sexual violence, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Animal cruelty, Excrement, Rape, War, and Religious bigotry

thedinosaurkid's review

adventurous dark mysterious 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

A good book!
It has all the good mystery traits of his previous book (7 ½ deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle) but with more paranormal-esque things.
Not my cup of tea, but still  excellent!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Blood, Classism, Confinement, Death, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Genocide, Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Violence

Minor: Slavery, Infidelity, Alcohol, Excrement, and War

kimberlyswalters's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense fast-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? N/A

5.0

I know how unlikely it is, but I'd willingly read stories of Sammy & Arent's previous mysterious in a heartbeat. They sound so thrilling and wonderful, which is just a testament to how amazing this book is. The few times their past cases are mentioned is more than enough to convince me of their greatness. I would also read a sequel

about how they manage and pull off their plans afterwards and spin Old Tom into a warning for horrible noble people to fear

. The afterward/apology at the end was also a delight to read. I think I just really love Stuart Turton's writing. It makes me giddy. I feel excitement like I imagine Sara and Lia probably did reading stories of Sammy & Arent's cases.  I can't wait for his next book (although I'm well aware it will have nothing to do with this story, and that's fine. My wants are just praise for his world-building.). All of this is just me trying to say that if you're reading my review, you should read this book. I love it.

Addressing the afterward;
P.S. I imagine Arent as John Cena, but gruffer. Not necessarily sexy, but not not sexy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Torture, War, and Pregnancy

selenatothemax's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Classism, Vomit, Torture, Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexism, Confinement, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Colonisation, and Sexual violence

Minor: Vomit, War, and Excrement