Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

16 reviews

epzel's review

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.5

This book has a slow start, but not so slow that it ever ruined my enjoyment of the story. I really enjoyed the premise, where the two main characters keep accidentally trading places with each other, and at first they do Not get along or think well of each other at all. I think the characters at first felt like somewhat flat, childish versions of themselves, but they definitely both were more filled out and grew as characters as the story continues. I also found the romance to be very well done, sweet and a natural progression of their relationship!

If the first part of the book was a bit slow, the latter half of the book absolutely made up for it, as the characters begin to uncover what exactly is going on and how they have ended up in this position. I found the conclusion to be exciting and totally satisfying!

If I had one small criticism, it would be that this book is included in the Cosmere, and shows that by dropping special vocab words that readers of many of Sanderson's other books may understand but to the uninitiated was additional unnecessary world-building/lore that didn't go anywhere and was never fully explained.

Content Warnings

corallydeer's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense 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 is definitely one of my favorite Cosmere books so far! It wasn't a style of fantasy I usually end up drawn to, but I read it for a book club pick and really really loved it! I adored the differences in Painter's and Yumi's worlds (I especially loved Yumi's world in particular - the thought of floating flowers and trees was so cool to imagine) and how their relationship progressed and developed. I also thought the twists and revelations were super cool and unique!

The GraphicAudio audiobook was also phenomenal as usual! You truly can't go wrong doing a read-along style with GAs.

Overall, this was a fantastic book that felt really fresh and unique as a read for me and I'll probably end up rereading it in the future!

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, and Violence

Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Confinement

(strong depiction of confinement within a religious institution, way of life, and physical locations)

| Emotional Abuse

(abuse related to being forced into a highly restrictive lifestyle from birth and regularly admonished for accomplishments and positive emotions)

| Forced Institutionalization

(regular discussion and remembering of a character being taken from their parents at-birth and assigned to the state for societal service)

| Gaslighting

(regular depictions of an individual hiding the reality of a minor's lot and station in life, minimizing their accomplishments, admonishing regular human expression of joy, etc in an attempt, as a mentor figure, to mold the minor)

| Body Horror

(depictions of bodies altering and disappearing through smokey wisps)

| Bullying

()

| Child Abuse

(abuse related to being forced into a highly restrictive lifestyle from birth, gaslit into specific thought processes, and regularly told you're not good enough or need to accomplish more)

| Violence

(violence in relation to monster fighting and claw injuries)

| Blood

(infrequent and minimal)

| Classism

(one stronger depiction of nepotism and wealth-induced privilege in career placements, but otherwise just mentions in passing of the differences between farmers, scholars, etc)

| Death

(referenced in passing and depicted "off screen")

| Dysphoria

(a few moments at the beginning of body-swapping induced dysphoria)

| Grief

(related to discoveries of one's world and reality not being what you were led to believe)

| Injury/Injury Detail

(minor depictions and mention of bleeding scrapes, bruising, and cuts)

| Panic Attacks/Disorders

(small and infrequent depictions of panic attacks related to pushing boundaries in a gaslight-heavy relationship)

| Sexual Content

(minor but regular instances of bathing together as teenagers in the nude due to forced circumstances)

aseel_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.25

In true Sanderson fashion, I started off hating the characters from around 20% and then stopped by 75% because the plot completely turned on it's head! Absolutely wild plot, and very interesting

spren

lore was given 👀

Content Warnings

vaguelyredhead's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.5

Content Warnings

zazula's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

could have been a short story

Content Warnings

kliberty21's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

Easily my favorite of the four Secret Sanderson Novels, and one of the most unique stories I've read from Brandon Sanderson (which is saying a lot). I honestly was left guessing the entire novel and while I might have come close to figuring it out, I was still way off once it was revealed. The relationships between the characters was so much fun and they were so sweet, I thoroughly loved reading this.

Content Warnings

betweentheshelves's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious 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 book was recommended to me by at least two different people, and I can see why! The only Brandon Sanderson I've read before this is the Skyward series and Mistborn, but you don't have to have read other Sanderson to jump into this book. I think there are some connections to other books, but the story works if you don't pick up on those.

I listened to this, so I'm definitely going to have to pick up a physical copy just to look at the art. From the world building to the characterization to the narration, I don't think there was anything about this I didn't love. The little comments throughout from the narrators were great. The audiobook narrators also do an excellent job bringing the story to life!

Listening to Sanderson explain why this might be his favorite book he's written and the reasoning behind it also just adds to the book, in my opinion. If you like manga, this is very heavily manga inspired, and though I'm still just getting into the manga scene, even I could see that influence on the story. And it's so enjoyable!

I have Tress of the Emerald Sea also on hold, so this has made me excited to listen to that!

Content Warnings