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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Thank you so much to those at Imprint for approving me for a copy of The Wicker King. I was really looking forwards to this one and I absolutely loved it!
This story is about two best friends: August and Jack, where Jack starts seeing an alternate reality, and August has to help him through it. It’s a really interesting story about friendship and love and I truly had a fun time reading – it only took me one day to get through it all. What I thought was really cool about this book was all the illustrations, and the fact that the pages got darker and darker as Jack’s mental state continued to go deeper and deeper into this alternate reality he was seeing.
This book was devastatingly good. Like, this book hurt to read but it was so so interesting. I was completely attached to August and Jack’s characters, as well as their complicated relationship. Both boys are also bisexual (the author stated Jack is bisexual & August figures it out through the course of the novel). I adored their relationship, especially August’s dedication to Jack and trying to help him, thinking by going along with this alternate world, Jack would be his self again. The end was bittersweet as well when everything came to a resolution and the boys got to be together. This book had many many friendships, and it was refreshing to see all of them relatively positive, with people helping each other out and showing support for each other. Having more healthy friendships in YA books is a trend I’m starting to see and I am totally here for it. Bring each other up instead of tear them down.
The Wicker King wasn’t what I was expecting it was – in a good way. I thought it was going to be similar to an Alice and Wonderland type story (and in a way it was), where there’s this world alongside our own. I won’t necessarily spoil, but there is a reason at the end that explains why Jack sees what he sees. The whole tone of this book felt very dark and sad, and the changing coloring pages added to the whole vibe. It was a story, a mystery I wanted to get to the bottom of, since I was emotionally invested from the start. It also has a lot of images of the boys – Polaroids, hand written notes, case files, etc that make the story feel more real.
K. Ancrum’s debut novel is no doubt one of my favorite novels of 2017. I am getting so so bad at reviews and explaining why I loved the book. But the writing, the voices of the characters, the tone, everything summed up made this an intriguing tale of two boys love and friendship that I won’t forget.
It comes out on Oct 31, 2017 – halloween, which is a perfect time to read this dark story. Pick it up when it comes out and thank you again to Imprint publishing for the chance to read and review early!
This story is about two best friends: August and Jack, where Jack starts seeing an alternate reality, and August has to help him through it. It’s a really interesting story about friendship and love and I truly had a fun time reading – it only took me one day to get through it all. What I thought was really cool about this book was all the illustrations, and the fact that the pages got darker and darker as Jack’s mental state continued to go deeper and deeper into this alternate reality he was seeing.
This book was devastatingly good. Like, this book hurt to read but it was so so interesting. I was completely attached to August and Jack’s characters, as well as their complicated relationship. Both boys are also bisexual (the author stated Jack is bisexual & August figures it out through the course of the novel). I adored their relationship, especially August’s dedication to Jack and trying to help him, thinking by going along with this alternate world, Jack would be his self again. The end was bittersweet as well when everything came to a resolution and the boys got to be together. This book had many many friendships, and it was refreshing to see all of them relatively positive, with people helping each other out and showing support for each other. Having more healthy friendships in YA books is a trend I’m starting to see and I am totally here for it. Bring each other up instead of tear them down.
The Wicker King wasn’t what I was expecting it was – in a good way. I thought it was going to be similar to an Alice and Wonderland type story (and in a way it was), where there’s this world alongside our own. I won’t necessarily spoil, but there is a reason at the end that explains why Jack sees what he sees. The whole tone of this book felt very dark and sad, and the changing coloring pages added to the whole vibe. It was a story, a mystery I wanted to get to the bottom of, since I was emotionally invested from the start. It also has a lot of images of the boys – Polaroids, hand written notes, case files, etc that make the story feel more real.
K. Ancrum’s debut novel is no doubt one of my favorite novels of 2017. I am getting so so bad at reviews and explaining why I loved the book. But the writing, the voices of the characters, the tone, everything summed up made this an intriguing tale of two boys love and friendship that I won’t forget.
It comes out on Oct 31, 2017 – halloween, which is a perfect time to read this dark story. Pick it up when it comes out and thank you again to Imprint publishing for the chance to read and review early!
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
January 2023 and I’m still hoping that one day I’ll find a book like this but there are none. Absolutely none
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5
I don’t think this is best read via audiobook and I don’t know how to feel. My heart hurts a bit and I enjoyed this yet it was extremely difficult for me to get into for how short it is. I think this is a story that will stick with me and take longer to fully process.
I don’t think this is best read via audiobook and I don’t know how to feel. My heart hurts a bit and I enjoyed this yet it was extremely difficult for me to get into for how short it is. I think this is a story that will stick with me and take longer to fully process.
The Wicker King by Kayla Ancrum is brutal and heart breaking and pure brilliance.
Jack and August are friends who have to rely on each other for everything because the adults in their lives are far from dependable. So when Jack starts having hallucinations, August is there for him through it all. Their relationship is a constant give and take.
There were several times when I questioned if what I was reading was the actual "truth". I even questioned at times if one of the characters existed at all. It was all very dark and twisty and the visual effects on the page were a perfect addition to the story.
Jack and August are friends who have to rely on each other for everything because the adults in their lives are far from dependable. So when Jack starts having hallucinations, August is there for him through it all. Their relationship is a constant give and take.
There were several times when I questioned if what I was reading was the actual "truth". I even questioned at times if one of the characters existed at all. It was all very dark and twisty and the visual effects on the page were a perfect addition to the story.
Omg wow! I'm at a loss right now to describe what I'm feeling. I had tears in my eyes at various points in the book but after I finished the last page, I closed the book and wept. The beauty of their friendship just tore at me. Was it flawed? Yes. There was a dependency upon each other that was downright scary. But these two boys were let down by their parents and the institutions that were there to protect them. And when it came down to it, all they felt they could count on was each other.
I really loved the writing style... The short chapters, and the darkening of the pages as the hallucinations grew.
Such a strange, complex, wonderful book.
I really loved the writing style... The short chapters, and the darkening of the pages as the hallucinations grew.
Such a strange, complex, wonderful book.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced