Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Dark Age by Pierce Brown

2 reviews

walenchao's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

The darkest chapter yet of the red rising sequel trilogy - the Lysander chapters tend to drag a bit, and the non-stop existential brooding of Darrow can grind things to a halt. Ephraim’s story continues to be the most engaging of the sequel series, and Lyria get a lot of character growth that helps make what would otherwise be an annoying plucky “resistance” nu Star Wars character a much more interesting and fascinating experience.

Victra is easily a standout - something about her haughty, better-than-you tone just works, and she’s a far better POV character to have as a grown adult than she would have been in the previous books. 

The darkness is grim and the grimness is dark, but it looks like we’re seeing the end of the tunnel with this space opera of a story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, Vomit, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Colonisation, Abandonment, Addiction, Torture, Suicide, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Confinement, Body horror, Infidelity, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Death, Cursing, Child death, and Bullying

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

marareading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. If you liked the series so far for the unpredictable alliances, the absolutely BRUTAL combat, the sheer humanity of war and compassion laid bare, then you will definitely love this one as well. 

We still follow our Howlers, the republic, the rim, the Vox, and every other group queueing for control and power. Learning more secrets, and following multiple perspectives. 

This is an insanely dark book, with the true depths of war. Every trigger possible is in this book, so check them of needed. 

Once again I found myself tearing up, freezing in shock, standing to cheer, and filled with rage. I am so attached to these characters. The absolutely brilliant writing makes me have empathy and feel depth for even the most henous of characters. I sometimes forget they aren't real...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Child death, Confinement, Sexual content, Terminal illness, War, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Kidnapping, and Medical content