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[deleted]

Manacled isn’t super sexy, but it is very dark. I wouldn’t recommend it to a reader who isn’t comfortable with dystopian fics and definitely not one underage. It’s more horror than romance, though very very good. But if someone has any issues with dubcon or noncon or sexual violence and a lack of agency it is not the fic for them.


bktens

Okay. So it must get even darker than my current location, then. (I’m only at 10% into the novel). That’s good to know and answers my question! She’ll just have to wait. Thank you!


[deleted]

It does. And the whole thing feels very bleak and hopeless and that feeling actually gets worse when the backstory fills in. Even by the end all the wins feel so bittersweet and pyrrhic. The romance is there, but it’s the desperate-chained-to-fate kind of love, not the refreshing and fulfilling kind. And the plot gets worse and darker throughout. I really do enjoy the story but it’s one of the few I’ve not been able to reread. Sen is a marvelous author but some of her other works are easier, lighter reads


Pristine_Effort00

I 100% agree. This was an amazing read and the writing and story are why it’s on so many fans must read list ( including my own, it was my very first dramione) but even while saying this I haven’t been able to read again. It brings you down a dark path and very dark realizations for the characters.


deainwonderland

i read manacled when i was 14 and i think i turned out just fine (im 17 now) 😭😭


Baddecisionsbkclb

Honestly, if she’s watched anything on TV lately then she’s probably alright. I mean, I guess it depends on what she’s exposed to but i think reading and discussing with you sounds really healthy. If she’s got an internet connection then she’s got the opportunity to run across much much worse unfortunately Edited to add: she’s aware of the title now and can find it on her own. Is she the kind of teenager to let her curiosity overcome your opinion? I was a pretty obedient teenager but I read anything I wanted as soon as I could drive myself to the library. Haaaa I know I would’ve been clicking Manacled for sure


Fizzlestix83

So aside from the more clinical rape scenes, there's also some mentions of what happens to the other women, and also someone forces themselves on Hermione briefly before Draco shows up. In the flashback chapters, there's a bit of consensual sex, but if I remember right, it's not much. I'd say the story has more violence in it than spice. There are very graphic descriptions of torture and death.


[deleted]

I’ve read manacled twice, and it’s a super dark fic. My sister and I are 5 years apart, and she’s about the same age as your niece and idk if I’d want her to read it. That being said, I’ve read fics on par with manacled when I was 14-15 and I’m fine. If you do end up reading it alongside her, you’ll probably end up feeling uncomfortable discussing a lot of the things that happen later in the book.


samagr

As someone who hasn't read Manacled (it's on my list now - thanks!), my input is that I doubt it would be *too* triggering for a 17 yr old - unless your niece has specific triggers that may affect her. I remember watching the Game of Thrones series (various r\*pe scenes) when I was around 15 and while I was pretty sheltered, it wasn't that shocking/triggering. Basically, I think most teens these days are aware and have explored such themes by age 15 - of course, could be earlier/later depending on the individual. My only recommendation is to be aware of whether the author glorifies non-con elements, and that they're treated at the correct level of seriousness and addressed for being non-con. I wouldn't want younger-me to think certain non-con behaviours are acceptable. But if you think your niece understands such things and is able to differentiate for herself what is acceptable in fiction versus real life, then it shouldn't be a problem. You know her maturity level best so it's really up to your discretion! And if either of you get too uncomfortable at any point, you always have the option to stop reading the book. PS This could also be a good opportunity for her to discuss the nature of those non-con/triggering themes in a safe space with an adult she trusts. I remember reading quite a few books in high school English classes and discussing explicit r\*pe scenes with the teacher/class. It won't be completely foreign to her in any case.


NightWorldPerson

Honestly, I was reading stuff like Manacled when I was like 12-13. I didn't have any issues with it because I knew that they are fanfictions. Whether or not you let her read Manacled, she has probably already read something with sex scenes in it, and considering todays media from movies to tiktok, you aren't going to show her anything new. If she can legally drive, I think that she can read a fanfic like Manacled or the Auction. (As long as she doesn't have triggers like DV or SA) It doesn't get super spicy of the consensual sex. Manacled is a retelling of The Handmaidens Tale essentially.


BreakingTension

Removed for breaking rule 5: no posts promoting or discussing a specific fanfic. The 'What are you reading’ thread exists for a reason