Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

77 reviews

mxpringle's review

adventurous challenging fast-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

5.0

Before reading this I was already familiar with the story of Medusa, so I expected to find it just okay, but this book was incredible. Something about the writing was just enrapturing and it is the first book in what feels like forever that I simply wanted to never stop reading 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, and Murder

xo_babs_ox's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Great retelling and interpretation of a variety of myths that influence and are influenced by Medusa’s story

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Grief, Rape, Murder, and Death

goblinbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I want to preface this by saying that I am a major Medusa fan (if you can say that), but I truly really loved this book. 

The switching between many perspectives

(including her snakes and also some olive trees)

, made this ancient story still feel very fresh and interesting. 

The author also took a holistic approach and investigated all the surrounding myths that all contributed to Medusa and Perceus. Haynes obviously deeply cares about the content of her stories and I can't wait to read more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, Murder, Confinement, Body horror, Death, Violence, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, Blood, and War

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Grief, Gaslighting, Animal death, Colonisation, Sexism, Gore, and Physical abuse

hwerle's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia

l0gi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Rape

Minor: War

caitlinjohnson's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective 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? N/A

3.0

Natalie Haynes always finds a way to bring a new level of life and humanity to figures and characters that have been otherwise widely ignored or demonised. My favourite aspect of Stone Blind was that no female character was straight out demonised/evil but rather their complexities were explored with a nuance that was incredible to read. 

Imo there should have been a bit more focus on Medusa herself because it felt more an ensemble rather than a deep dive into Medusa's character which would've been more intriguing. Still, the other characters that we got to meet and understand were great to read, especially because they seemed to be on opposite sides at times so it was certainly interesting to read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Murder

sammy357's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

One of the best books I've ever read! It's heartbreaking and so horribly sad. The audio book is amazing and I insist everyone listen to it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence

anachii's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Grief, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Bullying, Rape, Murder, and Incest

Minor: War

blue_kiwi93's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Rape

meant2breading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

“I’m wondering if you still think of her as a monster. I suppose it depends on what you think that word means. Monsters are, what? Ugly? Terrifying? Gorgons are both these things, certainly, although Medusa wasn’t always. Can a monster be beautiful if it is still terrifying? Perhaps it depends on how you experience fear and judge beauty.” 

“You aren’t monsters,’ Medusa said. ‘Neither are you. Who decides what is a monster?’ ‘I don’t know,’ said Medusa. ‘Men, I suppose.’ ‘So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our teeth, our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters.”

This was my first major Greek Mythology read for me in many years. I don’t have a lot of background in Greek Mythology and I didn’t feel like I was missing context, though it may have helped. I enjoyed reading the multiple POVS and the short chapters! Love short chapter books!! The story also gives a glimpse into how Medusa faces sexual violence, misogyny, sexism, and dehumanization, among other oppressive realities in depicted Greek Life (I mean, not like we’re past that in society today…). For me though, this felt like more of a glimpse. I wish we would have had more of the story focus on Medusa herself and her perspective, but I appreciated the pacing, the ending, and I love some feminine rage. 💕

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Death