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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
2.5 stars I guess.
I have complicated feelings about this book because it is a story I would really like if it had been executed better. I can appreciate the author's vision and intent, but reading this felt like reading the surface of the story when the whole time I wanted to story to dig in its roots.
Most of the chapters are very short, rarely more than one or two pages in YA formatting, and while I am okay with short and vignette-like chapters if they serve the story, I think these ones did a disservice to the story. Sometimes continuous scenes were split up into these different chapters although it wasn't necessary. I mean, there are more ways to emphasize a dramatic line than a chapter break. The short chapters also tended to favor "telling" over "showing" because they didn't allow for longer scenes or moments to develop. Particularly noticeable is all the informed traits assigned August by other characters when the reader is following August throughout the story. Like two thirds through the book one character mentions how eventually people are going to see through August's proper facade, and a few chapters later a different character says all the girls in school think he's mysterious. Not only are those two definitions sort of at odds with each other, they are also just at odds at the character we are shown in the actual pages: lonely, poor kid who has to take care of himself. That is just one, easy example to illustrate my point.
Overall, because this story overtold instead of showing, and had the balance of its setups and payoffs off, I couldn't quiet believe August's descent into this codependency and destruction.
I have complicated feelings about this book because it is a story I would really like if it had been executed better. I can appreciate the author's vision and intent, but reading this felt like reading the surface of the story when the whole time I wanted to story to dig in its roots.
Most of the chapters are very short, rarely more than one or two pages in YA formatting, and while I am okay with short and vignette-like chapters if they serve the story, I think these ones did a disservice to the story. Sometimes continuous scenes were split up into these different chapters although it wasn't necessary. I mean, there are more ways to emphasize a dramatic line than a chapter break. The short chapters also tended to favor "telling" over "showing" because they didn't allow for longer scenes or moments to develop. Particularly noticeable is all the informed traits assigned August by other characters when the reader is following August throughout the story. Like two thirds through the book one character mentions how eventually people are going to see through August's proper facade, and a few chapters later a different character says all the girls in school think he's mysterious. Not only are those two definitions sort of at odds with each other, they are also just at odds at the character we are shown in the actual pages: lonely, poor kid who has to take care of himself. That is just one, easy example to illustrate my point.
Overall, because this story overtold instead of showing, and had the balance of its setups and payoffs off, I couldn't quiet believe August's descent into this codependency and destruction.
Wow, this was a whole experience!! The short chapters quickly pulled me in, the mystery of what happened, the consequences, and how it got so out of hand had me intrigued from the start. I'm juggling about five books and this was the one I kept reaching for. Plus, the mixed media really gave it an immersive feel as you got into their heads. I made the playlists and listened to them as I read. I did spread out the book over four days. I think if I had read it in one sitting I might have triggered my anxiety. As the pages shrank and became darker (fyi the book smells amazing lol!) it becomes a little claustrophobic but for the mood of the book it was perfect. The darker pages really amped up the tension because you felt like, "how can this get any darker?!"
It's hard to do a review because I don't want to give spoilers about the incident, the repercussions, and the fantasy elements. My heart broke for the boys, it was definitely a tearjerker. And it was so frustrating watching it happen - neglect from their parents, the intervention (or lack of) by teachers and admin who saw their behavior spiralling down, the struggle with friends and the boy's self-imposed isolation. It was a lot!
I have never seen a YA book deal with some of these topics before, specifically the D/s relationship, so that made it really unique. I think it did remarkably well, even though not graphic, of depicting a Dominant/submissive, bisexuality, and a plural relationship. The world setting and fantasy elements were spot on, side characters were great (I want more about Geordie, the twins, and Rina). Loved everything about it, no complaints, I was thoroughly impressed and will absolutely read more from this author.
It's hard to do a review because I don't want to give spoilers about the incident, the repercussions, and the fantasy elements. My heart broke for the boys, it was definitely a tearjerker. And it was so frustrating watching it happen - neglect from their parents, the intervention (or lack of) by teachers and admin who saw their behavior spiralling down, the struggle with friends and the boy's self-imposed isolation. It was a lot!
I have never seen a YA book deal with some of these topics before, specifically the D/s relationship, so that made it really unique. I think it did remarkably well, even though not graphic, of depicting a Dominant/submissive, bisexuality, and a plural relationship. The world setting and fantasy elements were spot on, side characters were great (I want more about Geordie, the twins, and Rina). Loved everything about it, no complaints, I was thoroughly impressed and will absolutely read more from this author.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
creeeeeepy. rtc
update: there is no review to come. i can’t think of anything except creepy.
update: there is no review to come. i can’t think of anything except creepy.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
hmmm....3.5 stars, rounded up. This book was unique, and I liked the short chapters and visual layout. I was sometimes confused though, as the timeline didn't match up totally and the time that passed between "chapters" could be seconds or weeks. I don't know if the author did that intentionally though, as part of the "unreliable" thing. I also appreciate the unconventional relationship at the end, but felt it could have had more development over the course of the book. Jack's POV would have been cool, but maybe that is an upcoming project. Also, I didn't really feel that connected to August as the main character, but again, that could have been the author's intent. Overall, I read this in one sitting (which is rare for me nowadays), and I think this author is one to watch! Her afterward is amazing, and one I value as someone who works with teens. Looking forward to the follow-up.
Wow. I just....wow. This book.. THIS BOOK.
I finished this book yesterday, and I just sat. Staring off into space. Trying to work my mind around this and I just...I still don't even have the words.
The Wicker King is a story of friendship. Of codependency. Of unconditional love. Ancrum used August and Jack to rip my heart from my body and smash it in to tiny pieces. The story she was able to tell and the unconventional writing style was perfect and intense. The pages darken more and more as the book goes on, along with Jack's declining mental health and immerses you in even more.
It's uncomfortable, raw, and heartbreakingly beautiful. I did not want to put this down and was in tears by the time it was over.
Thank you K. Ancrum. This is a story for anyone who has ever struggled with mental health.
I finished this book yesterday, and I just sat. Staring off into space. Trying to work my mind around this and I just...I still don't even have the words.
The Wicker King is a story of friendship. Of codependency. Of unconditional love. Ancrum used August and Jack to rip my heart from my body and smash it in to tiny pieces. The story she was able to tell and the unconventional writing style was perfect and intense. The pages darken more and more as the book goes on, along with Jack's declining mental health and immerses you in even more.
It's uncomfortable, raw, and heartbreakingly beautiful. I did not want to put this down and was in tears by the time it was over.
Thank you K. Ancrum. This is a story for anyone who has ever struggled with mental health.