Reviews with content warning for Violence - Une fenêtre sur les ténèbres

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Une fenêtre sur les ténèbres by Benjamin Peylet, Rachel Gillig

349 reviews

jontel's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Unique magic system and unexpected twist and turns. An enjoyable read.

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and_so_it_goes's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-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

3.0

Worse than a mediocre romantasy is a mediocre romantasy with potential. One Dark Window has atmosphere and engaging worldbuilding based on dark fairy tales. It has the idea of an engaging female protagonist in its first chapters. Elspeth is quiet, silently flinching at the monster trapped in her head, but quietly resilient. The card magic system may have flaws but it fits the world itself, and the consequences of using magic is compelling. The opening chapters instantly set it apart from many cookie cutter romantasy by having a clear aesthetic and good writing style that ties everything together.

Then the poems slowly start to grate on you. Some are compelling, eerie, and the rhyme schemes fit. Others are so bad I laughed at what was supposed to be a dark moment. Then, the love interest is introduced…

Ravyn is in no danger of being Rhysand. He is the more brooding, angsty type who actually asks Elspeth’s permission. However, he, like Elspeth, suddenly gets possessed by the spirit of romantasy.

He is the captain of the Destriers despite secretly being infected himself, and Elspeth barely mentions how he has literally killed his own (and only a brief mention of him ‘helping a few escape’ after Elspeth does the work for them). The two are forced into a very sad fake dating scenario that suddenly rears its mediocre head randomly and reminds you it exists.

Elspeth banters with him in such a bland way it’s almost embarrassing, and their insta-love is so devoid of chemistry I tried convincing myself she’d have a different love interest.

Elspeth learning she may become insane

is not as horror-fueled as it could be, because one of her key freak out moments is in the middle of a very bland make out scene. This isn’t even mentioning the bland evil stepmother and stepsisters, and her occasionally remembering to be concerned about her cousin. If there was another, better story set in this world with Elspeth’s arc being changed to the suitably horrifying mental war with the Nightmare that I was expecting, then I would read that book instead. The ending is brilliant and horrifying but not worth the suffering no doubt awaiting me in the second book.

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justreadin_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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plainromance's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

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gretchreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

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vireogirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-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

4.25

Dark and twisted story but goodness is resilient. I appreciated that Ravyn asked for permission before he touched her.

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lionthebrian's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.75

Will read the 2nd one, but honestly was just mid. Had a cool concept, but not much really happened with the magic. Felt like they talked around it mostly, and also didnt care for the spicy scenes. Felt unnecessary

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