Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

39 reviews

librarymouse's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.25

I love the short chapters and the way K. Ancrum blends fantasy into realism, especially with the devotion between Jack and August. They are codependent and delusional to varying degrees.

having Jack's delusions caused by an easily and completely curable tumor is an ending I wasn't expecting. Jack and August are the type of couple you can root for only in fiction. They are codependent in a bad way, craving causing harm to each other and devoted enough to allow it happen to themselves. One thing I hate is when adopted sibling characters kiss and/or close friends who are in love play off the queerness of situations by claiming a sibling relationship. The latter happens once in this book. However: I loved this book enough that this is a 5 star read despite that moment. I adore the secondary characters very much, especially the group of Alex, Gordy, Peter and Roger - Alex especially for her muffins and awkward love in tough times. Reena is also very cool, though I take issue with a 19ish year old meeting and starting a sexual relationship with a seventeen year old.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content

toriwatson's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Mental illness

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Eating disorder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Homophobia

ysterrd's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book made me feel miserable. 10/10 would read again.

Jokes aside, it's hard to find the proper words to express my feelings right now, but this book really hit hard. Getting deeper into the story was a grueling experience considering the way it developed, and on multiple occasions I thought "God, no, I know what's coming and I don't like it", but I couldn't stop because the way this book was written made me blaze through it (I usually take much longer to read 300+-page books in written format).

And man, the characters. They felt hopeless in a way that hits home, with that feeling of being entangled into something that is just too big for you to manage— especially when you're a teenager with barely any guidance who has to fend for themself. August especially made me feel like I was being sucker punched by my reflection on a couple of occasions with the way he acted in this book, but it felt oh so cathartic for that part of me that remembers what I've done as a teen and how it impacted me in the long run.

I also love how in the physical edition of the book, the pages get darker and darker as the story progresses, reflecting August and Jack's downward spiral. A really neat detail that makes the reading experience that much more impactful, in my opinion.

Overall, a great book with a story and characters that made me feel miserable but that was very cathartic to read. Definitely earned a spot in my list of favorite books!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Sexual content

mel_j's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

That was so dark but so beautiful. Truly an unique exoerience, with the layout as well. I loved it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Police brutality and Sexual assault

kal517's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Homophobia and Drug use

winglesswarrior's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a twisted wild ride but I loved every word. It’s a messed up sort of thing, but still beautiful in its own way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

readingsofaslinky's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Eating disorder

fieldfarmer's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• 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

5.0

nothing i love more than queer codependent people and bird allegories (apparently) ! if you didn’t like this book you’re wrong. spiraling into insanity together is truly the most romantic thing gay people can do 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Abandonment and Child abuse

i tagged child abuse and abandonment because of the neglect both august and jack experience from their parents.

brenna_s's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

⭐️ 2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Toxic relationship

chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition

mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Cursing, Addiction, Child abuse, and Alcohol