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britttobegorey94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Homophobia
rimreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
a_ira's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder and Homophobia
hubes's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
- 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
He would crave the burn until he was dead.
August curled up against the wall and put his head in his arms.
He gripped the lighter so tightly that his knuckles went white.
Trigger warnings: pyromania, violence, blood, neglect, mild sexual content, mention of homophobia, mental health issues, discussions of insanity, drug use, alcohol consumption, near-death experience, mention of suicide, disordered eating (no explicit depiction of eating disorders, but some of the content may still be triggering for those who are suffering)
This was such a beautiful, strange and unique book. I have never read a story told in quite this way, from the broken-up timeline to the mixed-media format where all the little inserts actually served to further the plot. I finished the entire thing in one evening, which I think really speaks for how engaging the story was.
I loved August and Jack from the first few pages; they felt very real to me despite the magical, fantastical undertones of the book. August lives with only his mother, who is severally depressed and unable to afford to look after her son. To avoid being looked down upon, he presents a very pristine and strait-laced image of himself to the world. Jack is the school's "golden boy" and an exceptional athlete, but he is forgotten by his parents and haunted by visions that no one else around him can see. The only time when the two can be truly themselves is when they are together. However, when Jack's condition starts to decline, their friendship and devotion to each other are put to the test.
K Ancrum wove so many themes that I absolutely adore into this novel: from the obsessive devotion to the building of new friendships; to discussions of mental health and the lengths that people are ready to go to support their loved ones. And how could I forget the queerness!
Her author's note is an absolutely integral part of the book as well. In particular, this quote spoke to me:
You deserve to heal and grow, too. You deserve to have someone to talk to about your problem; you deserve unconditional support; you deserve care and safety and all the things you need to thrive. Just because you may not have them doesn’t mean you don’t deserve them. If someone tells you that you don’t deserve those things, they are lying. Keep trying your best. Ask for help when you need it. Do your best to be brave, but it is okay not to be. If you drop the weight you’re carrying, it is okay. You can build yourself back up out of the pieces. If your mind stops listening to you, it’s not your fault. There are billions of us; you are not alone.
Beautiful writing, important message, some of my new favourite characters. I really do not need much else in a novel. 5/5 stars!
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, and Alcohol
akaanshaa's review against another edition
4.0
Two kids who were neglected so much that they started being there for each other in whatever way the other one needs. This book is so heavy on triggers so if you read it please be very sure you can sit through it.
In the authors note, Ancrum mentions "Now, August and Jack are fictional. They wind up okay in the end. They’ll learn how to love each other with fingertips, instead of claws. They will build a home and a life together, and there they will heal and grow." Yes they will but I hope everyone who had to go through anything remotely similar heals as well.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
spaghettii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Minor: Chronic illness, Cursing, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
li_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, and Gaslighting
stelepami's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I need to put together the mix tapes for the different characters.
Read the hard copy. The book's design is important to the storytelling.
Graphic: Mental illness and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
mari_library's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Medical trauma and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual content, Medical content, and Stalking