Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Valiant by Holly Black

44 reviews

folkofthebook's review against another edition

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4.5

“I like all the things that make you monstrous.”

this feels a bit separate from book 1 even though it's set in the same world and location, but i didn't mind.

this one definitely pops off from the start and holly leans into some darker subject material for a YA book (SA, drug abuse, homelessness).

a faerie fever dream murder mystery set in the concrete jungle of new york city, runaway Val finds herself living on the street w newfound friends who've gotten themselves wrapped up the solitary fae. like tithe, this was grittier than tfota/tsh and i rather enjoyed the urban fantasy setting of it being almost entirely in nyc rather than in elfhame.

kaye and roiben have a brief appearance, but val takes the mainstage in this one and as a protagonist, i enjoyed watching her journey.

there is a romance that is v subplot and subtle in holly's typical way, but i found it very romantic by the end.

love val though, shoutout for her headshave catatonia a la britney spears

“I would remain nearer you for what time there is."
"Gone in one faerie sigh," she quoted.
Leather-clad fingers brushed over her short hair, rested on her cheek. "I can hold my breath.”
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mythian's review

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

4.5

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sarahfrances52's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

The second book in the Modern Faerie Tales Series has similar problems to the first (Tithe). I think my struggle with this series is that I have such a clear understanding of the politics of the High Court of Elfhame from The Folk of the Air series, that I am struggling with the lack of detail about the drama between the lower courts that this series focuses on. I wish these books were a little longer and went into more of the Faerie politics that mortals like Val and Luis are stepping into. All that being said, I did enjoy Val’s story arc and I’m excited to see how the series continues in Ironside. 
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laniessmith's review

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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kimbb339's review against another edition

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1.0

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karouty's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

3.5

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michaelat21's review against another edition

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

1.5

This book was not what I would consider ya. It was filled with drugs, addiction, abuse, animal cruelty. I couldn’t relate to the main character at all and found myself upset for most of the book. I only liked one character the whole book. I am hopeful the third book is better. 
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agooding's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.0

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kristinrdub's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

5.0

What could be better than faerie drugs and monster boyfriend? Holly Black makes these tales just dark enough to make you reconsider ever wanting to see a fae and also makes you hope you still will. A runaway girl becomes a reluctant troll errand girl with a side hustle of murder solving.
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amypalmer's review against another edition

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

2.5

My rating would be a 2.5
This book wasn't awful and was a quick fairly easy read however most of its pages are about graphic drug using and abusing, a very slow start and an abrupt end. There is also some animal cruelty that I didn't like at all. Similarly to tithe the mother figure is problematic to say the least. 

In this book I like the character Ravus and found Val likeable when they are together, Luis also is ok nearer the end. Who is the audience of this book, it is not suitable for teens as the themes are too dark however there is no depth for adult readers. Not enough fantasy and world building. 

Although the main characters are different this is a sequel to Tithe, however you only notice this in the last 50 pages or so.
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