Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste

86 reviews

stabilesero's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Mengiste did this story justice; what a beautiful nod to her grandmother and those who fought in the Italian-Ethiopian war; particularly for those who went unrecognised.
I'm really keen to pick up Mengiste's other novels, The Shadow King was beautiful.
It wasn't perfect, I agree with other readers who also said there were a lot of side characters and names to keep up with, but I see why there were so many by the end of the book. A little bit of repetition regarding describing light and surroundings, but again, it didn't put me off. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Body horror, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, War, Sexual assault, Child death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death

stindex's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, War, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Violence, Death, Genocide, and Medical content

khakipantsofsex's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Racism

Moderate: Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Slavery

chelsl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, and War

mistercrow's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and War

billie_visible's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, War, and Violence

Moderate: Antisemitism and Domestic abuse

kittyka0s's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, War, Pedophilia, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Death, Misogyny, Child abuse, Gun violence, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship

careinthelibrary's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual violence, Confinement, Murder, Colonisation, Torture, War, Death, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism

carouseal's review against another edition

informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War and Rape

bookmaddie's review against another edition

This novel isn’t as character driven as I’d prefer. I was basically halfway and realized I didn’t really feel much for any of the characters, I think because the narrative doesn’t focus on a single person. I did appreciate the chapters that were little pauses in the story to widen our perspective or provide a different point of view, but I wish these chapters were anchored by a more character driven “main” story. I look forward to reading what Mengiste writes, because I did enjoy her way with words. Just not for me! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Rape, and Death