Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

38 reviews

sareidle's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A fun introduction to Persian folklore and fairy tales. I enjoyed spending time with the main character, Soraya, and watching her gain confidence and a strong sense of self. The beginning and end of the book were very engaging; I felt that the middle section lagged a bit. Overall, it was a nice read!
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squinnittowinit's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-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

4.25

Beautiful fantasy world based on ancient Persia. Story feels like a classic fairytale in the format of a novel, almost Romantic in style. Good character development from the main character, satisfying ending.
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glitterdeww's review against another edition

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

3.5

Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a young adult fantasy novel that takes inspiration from middle eastern culture and mythology. It's plotting and world building feels interesting and well thought out, and the character growth of Soraya (our protagonist) is quite satisfying by the end of the story. There's also good queer representation within the romances that build throughout the book! I think in all the story accomplished what it intended. My only blanket criticism is that some aspects of the writing feel maybe a little bland? I'm writing this a week after finishing and I have trouble remembering some things that happened. Idk that the whole of the story will stick with me, but I did enjoy it. 
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phvntomstvrs's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-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

3.5

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readingqueerly's review against another edition

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

3.0

This read both very fast yet very slow and I don't really know if I liked it? The whole thing felt very mid. Which is to say I liked the concept and all the cultural elements. But I found the characters a bit meh. And I am a reader who relies heavily on good characters. It certainly wasn't a bad book though. I think the fact that it's a sapphic book based on Persian culture is good and important. Especially since we get to see the main character struggling with what could be interpreted as compulsory heterosexuality. (Those moments hit especially close to home 🫠.) I just think this was less my cup of tea. Like the cup was good, but it's not my fav tea. Ygm?
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deerlybeloved's review against another edition

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dark inspiring tense medium-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

4.25

Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a beautiful take on finding oneself and embracing what hurts us as much as it makes us who we are. It takes a girl with a horrid curse, and shows us what happens when you dissect that curse and how one can claim their own tragedies and make them into what they want; something miraculous.

Sapphic, chilling, and wonderful, I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to see a beautiful cast of Persian-inspired mythos, and feel a tension and edge-of-your-seat suspense that is rarely found.
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tbhsunday's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-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

I loved pretty much everything about this book. It was a fast, easy read and yet managed to provide a fun and complex story that portrayed the main character's conflicts well. In this book, the main character (Soraya) is challenged by the temptation to find a way to lift the curse she posesses, and find out who she really is. But her actions lead to consequences and challenge her to figure out a way to save those dear to her. 
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andatherrin's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful 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

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pastelkerstin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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dbogen47's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

5.0

This was so so so good. In the beginning it took me but to get into it but once I did I fell in love. The plot is so intricate and connected in a way that feel authentic. I felt like every twist and turn of the story was earned and I think my expectations for how the story would unfold were constantly shattered without feeling too far out of left field. The characters are so rich and complex, but you don’t feel like abuse or war crimes get excused. The romance is sweet and warm and I think well-paced. It’s kind of enemies to lovers, though I feel that oversimplifies their dynamic. I just I love this book. If you are a fan of fantasy or love sapphic books you have to read this .
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