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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i LOVED the father-son relationship in the book, and i loved Big Eddie, but overall i felt kind of indifferent about the romance and the overall plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Drug abuse, Torture, Transphobia
SO.
Finished it and I'm not sure how I feel bout it.
This book was friggin long. And over-the-top dramatic and angsty, and that's coming from a person who's swallowing Amy Lane's books like candies.
The story was good and interesting and touching and made me cry and all that. The ending made me roll my eyes, but that's okay. But that doesn't mean I wasn't relieved when it was over, relieved that it was finally done. It's like I had a cramp the whole time I was reading it and now that it's over I can finally relax.
It's the same thing as with Burn.
I so need something short and light right now.
Finished it and I'm not sure how I feel bout it.
This book was friggin long. And over-the-top dramatic and angsty, and that's coming from a person who's swallowing Amy Lane's books like candies.
The story was good and interesting and touching and made me cry and all that. The ending made me roll my eyes, but that's okay. But that doesn't mean I wasn't relieved when it was over, relieved that it was finally done. It's like I had a cramp the whole time I was reading it and now that it's over I can finally relax.
It's the same thing as with Burn.
I so need something short and light right now.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oooofff I wanted to love this one but honestly it just didn’t vibe with me. I love TJ’s books usually, but this one was such a struggle. The writing was, as always, beautiful which is why it still gets 3 stars from me, but the plot just didn’t bring me joy.
Maybe it’s my own daddy issues lol, but this one was very very dad heavy (Benji was absolutely obsessed with his dead father… to the point I don’t feel it was healthy at alllll). Also lots about god and his plans… as someone who is not religious, I just didn’t care. Although the sassy archangels brought me joy.
There was an overarching mystery plot, with strange happenings in the town, but it ended up being quite mundane? I thought it’d be more supernatural honestly… especially with angels knocking about! I was expecting this story to have the weird twists and turns of Murmuration… but it just didn’t.
But I guess my biggest disappointment was the romance; Benji is selfish right up to the end, and I just don’t understand what Cal saw in him? Also, Cal has watched over Benji since he was born… so that was a bit ick also 🤣 I’m all for age gap romances, but sometimes 200 years is a bit much, y’know? Like I guess I just didn’t gel with either of them, but mostly I didn’t like Benji as a character, so it affected the whole book for me.
Also, the trans slurs used in this book? Like I get the townsfolk are supposed to be uneducated and fairly intolerant but having Benji’s dad who we’re supposed to be sympathetic towards calling people trannies repeatedly wasn’t the vibe honestly.
I feel like I’m gonna be sticking to the Green Creek series honestly, this one probably won’t be getting a re-read from me 🙈
Maybe it’s my own daddy issues lol, but this one was very very dad heavy (Benji was absolutely obsessed with his dead father… to the point I don’t feel it was healthy at alllll). Also lots about god and his plans… as someone who is not religious, I just didn’t care. Although the sassy archangels brought me joy.
There was an overarching mystery plot, with strange happenings in the town, but it ended up being quite mundane? I thought it’d be more supernatural honestly… especially with angels knocking about! I was expecting this story to have the weird twists and turns of Murmuration… but it just didn’t.
But I guess my biggest disappointment was the romance; Benji is selfish right up to the end, and I just don’t understand what Cal saw in him? Also, Cal has watched over Benji since he was born… so that was a bit ick also 🤣 I’m all for age gap romances, but sometimes 200 years is a bit much, y’know? Like I guess I just didn’t gel with either of them, but mostly I didn’t like Benji as a character, so it affected the whole book for me.
Also, the trans slurs used in this book? Like I get the townsfolk are supposed to be uneducated and fairly intolerant but having Benji’s dad who we’re supposed to be sympathetic towards calling people trannies repeatedly wasn’t the vibe honestly.
I feel like I’m gonna be sticking to the Green Creek series honestly, this one probably won’t be getting a re-read from me 🙈
"I know what love is," I snarl at him. "No," he says. "You know only grief now. There is a difference."
*softly* what the fuck.
This book surprised me completely. I was not expecting anything that happened. This was a book mostly about faith, religious faith, and fatherly love. There were some beautiful lines and thoughtful reminders, but I'm afraid they were so deeply buried in repetitive prose that they ultimately lost their impact. I was expecting several mentions of drowning in a river but never this many.
The characters were interesting. If Benji had had a little more depth besides his aching sorrow it would have been fantastic, but they definitely were good enough and I can understand that Benji being his grief was a point that Klune wanted to make. I did deeply love that final development
Spoiler
where Benji decides that he wants to live even before the voices of the men he loved prompted himFor the plot... just... ? The
Spoiler
Christie revelationSpoiler
the part with more angels? Seven and Felix?Spoiler
why is Benji so important? Why is the town? Like, they literally changed heaven's laws, and we don't know why they were this special?There were also some very transphobic dialogues that were never challenged and made my blood boil.
I'm sure this book would have benefited from some more rounds of editing, as there are many good parts but not enough to make it a worthwhile read for me. Klune's newer works definitely show improvement and I'm very glad for that!
emotional
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
5 stars*
I don't even know where to start with this, but this book is really special. I don't think I've ever read anything like it.
I absolutely adored Benji and Cal and I loved them together. I think they fit together so well.
But I think what I loved most about this book is the relationship Benji had with his dad. Some of the scenes are heartbreaking and others are just really cute. This author deals with loss and grief so well, and in this book it really shines out. I was completely entranced by this story and while flashbacks don't always work, they really work so well in this one.
The story is full of twists and turns, too. I honestly didn't see most of them coming - it felt really refreshing to be surprised by a book.
I felt so many things reading this story. I cried (a lot), I laughed and other parts were like a punch in the gut (in a good way).
One thing I've loved about the books I've read so far from this author are the side characters. I love how real and developed they all feel. They're not just there to fill gaps - they bring his stories to life and make them what they are. This book is no exception to that and I loved the side characters. Nina was adorable - I did feel like there was maybe more to her story though, and was a bit gutted we didn't get more from her.
I usually read several books at once but I couldn't put this one down, so read it alongside nothing else.
I'm finding it impossible to criticise anything about this book. My only small gripe which is very much just a me thing, is I felt the first 2 chapters were a bit long - I have ADHD and while this doesn't affect my reading too much, I do prefer shorter openings mostly and longer chapters once I know the story more. I'm so glad I stuck with it though.
5* no question :)
I don't even know where to start with this, but this book is really special. I don't think I've ever read anything like it.
I absolutely adored Benji and Cal and I loved them together. I think they fit together so well.
But I think what I loved most about this book is the relationship Benji had with his dad. Some of the scenes are heartbreaking and others are just really cute. This author deals with loss and grief so well, and in this book it really shines out. I was completely entranced by this story and while flashbacks don't always work, they really work so well in this one.
The story is full of twists and turns, too. I honestly didn't see most of them coming - it felt really refreshing to be surprised by a book.
I felt so many things reading this story. I cried (a lot), I laughed and other parts were like a punch in the gut (in a good way).
One thing I've loved about the books I've read so far from this author are the side characters. I love how real and developed they all feel. They're not just there to fill gaps - they bring his stories to life and make them what they are. This book is no exception to that and I loved the side characters. Nina was adorable - I did feel like there was maybe more to her story though, and was a bit gutted we didn't get more from her.
I usually read several books at once but I couldn't put this one down, so read it alongside nothing else.
I'm finding it impossible to criticise anything about this book. My only small gripe which is very much just a me thing, is I felt the first 2 chapters were a bit long - I have ADHD and while this doesn't affect my reading too much, I do prefer shorter openings mostly and longer chapters once I know the story more. I'm so glad I stuck with it though.
5* no question :)
I have wanted to read this for a while but I knew it would be an emotional journey so I kept putting it off. I started it, and had a cry at around 6% thinking, there is no way I am going to make it when I'm already crying. Then the story really kicks in and I am taken on a journey of love, and mystery and I get to around 70% thinking, this isn't so bad, I can do this. Of course I get to 75% and I am a blubbering mess and it pretty much doesn't stop (only briefly here and there) until the end.
I don't like stories about religion. I don't like stories about death and despair. I LOVED THIS STORY.
Was this believable? No. It was impossible and improbable, and that was the point!
I don't like stories about religion. I don't like stories about death and despair. I LOVED THIS STORY.
Was this believable? No. It was impossible and improbable, and that was the point!
I usually think, "oh THIS is the TJ Klune book I'm going to keep my shit together during." I was wrong. Again. This book was clear walking in that the main character loved two men in his life and one was his father and the other was Cal.
Benji was so distrustful of Cal for most of the book and I wish they had just a smidge smidge more relationship building. The real relationship of this book was always Benji and his dad.
I cried for like 30 minutes during the audiobook when Big Eddie and Benji reached the edge of the river. 30 minutes of the ugliest, splotchy crying and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Benji was so distrustful of Cal for most of the book and I wish they had just a smidge smidge more relationship building. The real relationship of this book was always Benji and his dad.
I cried for like 30 minutes during the audiobook when Big Eddie and Benji reached the edge of the river. 30 minutes of the ugliest, splotchy crying and I wouldn't have it any other way.
dnf 55%
Ah, I don't know if it's the book or me, probably me, but it was just boring. I wanted to love it because it's TJ Klune, but while the beginning was interesting, the constant repetition later bored me almost to tears.
The romance also felt rushed. I know they were fated mates or something, probably, but they banged after eight days of knowing each other. After reading Green Creek series, I was ready for a slow burn that I think would fit the story better.
There were also some questionable quotes that I'm not the biggest fan of.
Look, I get that our hero was jealous of some women, but to call her a 'slut'? Please, no.
In this situation, the main character's dad tried to support him in coming out to him and said something like this. I know the author was maybe trying to make the dad's response seem like something a small town dad might say, but it was pretty offensive. The author could have used anything and chose to use it.
I guess I have to come to terms with the fact that TJ Klune's older books are not for me.
Ah, I don't know if it's the book or me, probably me, but it was just boring. I wanted to love it because it's TJ Klune, but while the beginning was interesting, the constant repetition later bored me almost to tears.
The romance also felt rushed. I know they were fated mates or something, probably, but they banged after eight days of knowing each other. After reading Green Creek series, I was ready for a slow burn that I think would fit the story better.
There were also some questionable quotes that I'm not the biggest fan of.
“Did she?” I snarl, unable to stop myself. I bet it was that stupid bitch Suzie Goodman who works at the pharmacy. That fucking slut— “No,” he says, eyes sparkling. “That was a joke."
Look, I get that our hero was jealous of some women, but to call her a 'slut'? Please, no.
“You’re damn right I am. So you should know by now that I don’t give a rat’s ass if you’re gay or straight or one of those tranny guys that likes to dress up in a slutty skirt and pretend you have a vagina.”
In this situation, the main character's dad tried to support him in coming out to him and said something like this. I know the author was maybe trying to make the dad's response seem like something a small town dad might say, but it was pretty offensive. The author could have used anything and chose to use it.
I guess I have to come to terms with the fact that TJ Klune's older books are not for me.