Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur 허주은

10 reviews

guessgreenleaf's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Trafficking, Death of parent, Grief, Gaslighting, Classism, and Death

Minor: Stalking, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Murder, Suicide, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Torture

tashtasher's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Trafficking, Death, Death of parent, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Torture, Grief, and Violence

Minor: Gore, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death

kcelena's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Trafficking, Child abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Murder, and Domestic abuse

rieviolet's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I really liked how the author rendered the setting on the page, from the natural descriptions of Jeju island to the depictions of buildings and even characters' clothes, it all felt really vivid and I could easily picture it in my mind. 

However, I wasn't so taken with the storyline, at times it dragged on and also certain aspects were a bit too much predictable (and I say this as someone who usually never sees what is coming in a mystery).
I also wasn't really drawn to the characters, I struggled to connect with them and I didn't find their emotional portrayal and development particularly incisive. 

All in all, it was an interesting reading and I really appreciated the historical setting, but in terms of the story itself it fell a bit flat for me. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Child abuse, Sexism, Vomit, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Grief

Moderate: Murder, Trafficking, Suicide, Blood, Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism

emily_mh's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

I LOVED THIS!!! I absolutely raced through this read and did not want to put it down. The pacing was PERFECT. Hur created an incredible atmosphere. The Jeju setting was described so vividly and was the perfect backdrop for the plot. The historical context seeped into every aspect of the story and was done incredibly well; it really piqued my interest in this part of history. 

I will say that I did guess the resolution early on in the narrative, which would usually end up in a lower rating for a mystery/thriller book. But I don't want to mark it down because I loved it so much. I can't wait to read Hur's next book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Trafficking

Moderate: Child death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Confinement, Vomit, Rape, Violence, and Body horror

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Grief, Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Ableism, Excrement, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery

mweis's review

dark emotional informative mysterious 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Trafficking

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Slavery, and Kidnapping

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

jennivardier's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicide, and Trafficking

jerusha's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking

emerynmader's review

adventurous dark informative mysterious 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? It's complicated

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence

Minor: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Medical content, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit

astereads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

I knew that I'd like this book since I read the blurb, and I wasn't wrong. Sisters solving a crime together? That's all I need; I'm sold.

This time, June Hur took me to 1426 Jeju, Korea. She has a way of describing the settings that makes me enjoy reading Korea's his fics more than watching its drama. She puts the historical reference here and there, and it guides me through the story skillfully. So yes, my most favorite aspect of this book is definitely the setting and how the writer presented them to me.

This book follows Min sisters journey in following the trails their father left behind. It's an interesting one, indeed. Discovering all the things that would stay hidden if the sisters hadn't come across them.

Hwani's and Maewol's relationship is somehow very vulnerable and strong at the same time throughout the book. They had falling out here and there but would manage to find their way back together; that's very realistic and expected from sibling's relationship. I love that. Too bad, I can only connect with them, not with most of the characters here. I think it's because there are so many names in the book. I mean, well, it's a village, what did I expect?

There are also three father-daughter relationships, and they all have a pretty similar output; disappointment. I shouldn't say more because it will be a spoiler then.

If you like historical fiction book sets in Korea, with crimes to solve, this book is for you.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Trafficking

Minor: Murder