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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This was phenomenal. I loved both August and Jack so much, my heart kept bursting whenever they did something foolish which was literally the entire narrative.
Honestly it ended on a way better note than I had anticipated. I was preparing myself for a very bitter, tear stained end, but instead I was completely shook.
I would say though, the author mentions how neglect can lead you to do things that could’ve been prevented. Neglect by a parent, a teacher, a friend or anyone, and at the same time it isn’t crazy to ask for help; to reach out. Like Jack had August. However, the only issue I do have is with August, his neglect towards Jack’s condition was equally detrimental. I wish he could’ve realized it sooner. Love is attention, and to much attention can be harmful - those aren’t my words, but the core of them can be applied to August’s behavior in this book.
No matter what though, I don’t think I’ll get over this story anytime soon.
Honestly it ended on a way better note than I had anticipated. I was preparing myself for a very bitter, tear stained end, but instead I was completely shook.
I would say though, the author mentions how neglect can lead you to do things that could’ve been prevented. Neglect by a parent, a teacher, a friend or anyone, and at the same time it isn’t crazy to ask for help; to reach out. Like Jack had August. However, the only issue I do have is with August, his neglect towards Jack’s condition was equally detrimental. I wish he could’ve realized it sooner. Love is attention, and to much attention can be harmful - those aren’t my words, but the core of them can be applied to August’s behavior in this book.
No matter what though, I don’t think I’ll get over this story anytime soon.
This was really, really good. And the author note ripped me to tears, it's fine. I'm fine
I don’t know if this is a book that should be rated considering the subject matter, though if a rating comes to me I’ll change that.
For now, I have to say this book was difficult at times to get through. The way both of them slowly start to get deeper into their minds while everyone around them doesn’t seem to help or grasp the situation was frustrating.
The acknowledgments made me emotional though. I’ve been having an incredibly hard past month and it hasn’t gotten easier. Back to back problems and stress are making me dread day to day, so that final message meant a lot to me.
I really am glad I read this when I did, I think it made me feel for the characters even more. Now I have to pick something up that’s a little more light and fluffy because I can’t handle more of this
For now, I have to say this book was difficult at times to get through. The way both of them slowly start to get deeper into their minds while everyone around them doesn’t seem to help or grasp the situation was frustrating.
The acknowledgments made me emotional though. I’ve been having an incredibly hard past month and it hasn’t gotten easier. Back to back problems and stress are making me dread day to day, so that final message meant a lot to me.
I really am glad I read this when I did, I think it made me feel for the characters even more. Now I have to pick something up that’s a little more light and fluffy because I can’t handle more of this
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
This is so far my favorite book I've read in awhile. I got a feeling that I rarely get anymore, which is reading until I'm done, and hours have passed.
Anyways, I was a little apprehensive about the premise, because only a couple of weeks ago I'd read Release by Patrick Ness which was similar in the idea, but executed in a less straightforward way. I was not disappointed. The premise is interesting, I didn't identify a single cliche, and the characters are both unknown, and yet familiar.
The relationship seems a whole lot like the main relationship in All For The Game, only a whole lot less abusive/ problematic. I did kinda feel like there was a bit of a power struggle in the beginning, which led to some uncomfortableness, but in the conclusion the author seemed to iron out all of the kinks.
Overall, I'm looking forward to the sequel!
Anyways, I was a little apprehensive about the premise, because only a couple of weeks ago I'd read Release by Patrick Ness which was similar in the idea, but executed in a less straightforward way. I was not disappointed. The premise is interesting, I didn't identify a single cliche, and the characters are both unknown, and yet familiar.
The relationship seems a whole lot like the main relationship in All For The Game, only a whole lot less abusive/ problematic. I did kinda feel like there was a bit of a power struggle in the beginning, which led to some uncomfortableness, but in the conclusion the author seemed to iron out all of the kinks.
Overall, I'm looking forward to the sequel!
The Wicker King follows August and Jack, two boys with an intense friendship, perhaps bordering on something more. When Jack starts exhibiting symptoms of a degenerative mental disorder that causes hallucinations, August is determined to support Jack and help him cope, even if that means keeping his secret.
But soon, as Jack's condition worsen's, August finds himself deeply planted into a fantasy world Jack has created and it is affecting his own mental and physical health. Together they will soon have to hit bottom before they can try and dig themselves out of the hole they have dug.
I am having a hard time pinpointing my feelings for this book, because it seems that every aspect I appreciated about it, also lent itself to a negative which I disliked.
For example, this book is an extremely quick read. At just 300 pages it is short enough on its own, but the font is fairly large with large margins, meaning each page can be read quickly. Furthermore, this is not traditionally formatted. By that, I mean it is not told in chapters, rather each page or two is a different snippet of information. This was intriguing and made the story fly.
But this same aspect also made it harder to connect with the story. Because of the way it is formatted, it is very chunky and clunky, not always telling a cohesive and consecutive narrative. This made it extremely difficult to connect with Jack and August as characters and to fully absorb what was happening.
Also, I had a hard time dealing with August's acceptance of Jack's disorder and willingness to indulge Jack's hallucinations. That it is a degenerative psychological disorder means it will only get worse. Finding entertainment and normality in Jack's hallucinations, does nothing to help the problem. This was acknowledged more at the end, but it was frustrating to see how August's intense and toxic codependency with Jack caused him to make stupid decisions.
And, I have to talk about the absent parent trope that existed here. It is obvious that was a major plot point as Jack and August are essentially neglected which is what causes and exacerbates their codependency. They have to fend for themselves which further cements their bond and friendship. It is probably what fuels August's loyalty and protectiveness over Jack, and his desire to keep his secret. But again, the absent parents were fairly convenient.
Despite this, I was fully set on a solid 3.5 stars. Though it took some time, I found myself invested in August and Jack and wondered what would happen to them....but then the ending happened and left me extremely underwhelmed. All that build up for nothing to happen.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty fast and intense read. But I think more could have been done with it and there definitely could have been a better ending.
But soon, as Jack's condition worsen's, August finds himself deeply planted into a fantasy world Jack has created and it is affecting his own mental and physical health. Together they will soon have to hit bottom before they can try and dig themselves out of the hole they have dug.
I am having a hard time pinpointing my feelings for this book, because it seems that every aspect I appreciated about it, also lent itself to a negative which I disliked.
For example, this book is an extremely quick read. At just 300 pages it is short enough on its own, but the font is fairly large with large margins, meaning each page can be read quickly. Furthermore, this is not traditionally formatted. By that, I mean it is not told in chapters, rather each page or two is a different snippet of information. This was intriguing and made the story fly.
But this same aspect also made it harder to connect with the story. Because of the way it is formatted, it is very chunky and clunky, not always telling a cohesive and consecutive narrative. This made it extremely difficult to connect with Jack and August as characters and to fully absorb what was happening.
Also, I had a hard time dealing with August's acceptance of Jack's disorder and willingness to indulge Jack's hallucinations. That it is a degenerative psychological disorder means it will only get worse. Finding entertainment and normality in Jack's hallucinations, does nothing to help the problem. This was acknowledged more at the end, but it was frustrating to see how August's intense and toxic codependency with Jack caused him to make stupid decisions.
And, I have to talk about the absent parent trope that existed here. It is obvious that was a major plot point as Jack and August are essentially neglected which is what causes and exacerbates their codependency. They have to fend for themselves which further cements their bond and friendship. It is probably what fuels August's loyalty and protectiveness over Jack, and his desire to keep his secret. But again, the absent parents were fairly convenient.
Despite this, I was fully set on a solid 3.5 stars. Though it took some time, I found myself invested in August and Jack and wondered what would happen to them....but then the ending happened and left me extremely underwhelmed. All that build up for nothing to happen.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty fast and intense read. But I think more could have been done with it and there definitely could have been a better ending.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
It’s official, K.Ancrum is my favourite author. I loved the weight of our stars so much and now this book has torn up my heart and I love it so much
Este es sin duda uno de los mejores libros que he leído en mi vida. Punto final. Definitivo.
Bye, mundo.
Es divertido como decidí leer este libro basándome solamente en una foto de bookstagram. Era una portada muy linda con un título intrigante que gritaba ¡FANTASÍA!. Y la chica que había subido la foto decía que este era su nuevo libro favorito. Y miré el título y la portada y decidí leerlo. Y resultó que no era fantasía en absoluto. Era una cosa distinta completamente. Al 1000000%.
Este libro me hizo llorar a mares. Me llegó al alma y me la escurrió. Es triste y brutal y hermoso. Tan lindo que duele. Este es uno de esos libros que son mucho más que palabras en una página. La diversidad y representación en esta novela son esquisitas. Y luego lloré un poco más con la nota de la autora. Y con toda la novela. Para mí este no es un thriller y la sinopsis que van a encontrar en Goodreads no es la adecuada. Ninguna sinopsis le hace justicia a esto. No creo que The Wicker King sea un thriller. Es mucho más que un libro y, por esa razón, es mucho más que estas categorías nuestras. Esto fue hermoso y oscuro y demente y profundo y extraño y original e inesperado. Es un libro bastante raro, pero es único.
Esta es la historia de dos adolescentes enfrentandose a las cosas. Es la historia de la amistad y la vida y de dos chicos. Es una historia que absolutamente todo el mundo debería leer. Te llega al corazón. Pero si quieren que se los resuma en unas cuantas palabras, diré esto: Jack sufre de una enfermedad que le provoca alucinaciones y sus padres siempre están ausentes; August es su mejor amigo y no abandona su lado. Es la historia de dos jóvenes que están solos y a la vez no lo están. Es la historia de todo adolescente y creo que es lo que TODO EL MUNDO DEBERÍA ESTAR LEYENDO. DECIME POR QUÉ NO ESTÁS CORRIENDO A LEERLO YA ?!?!?!
ESTE ES EL MEJOR LIBRO DEL MUNDO MUNDIAL.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes