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erica_reads_things's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Despite the page count, this was an incredibly quick read. A tragic, heart wrenching portrayal of traumatized teens searching for love and comfort amongst much more than they should be having to endure with their siblings. The author was able to write about a potentially disturbing subject matter in such a beautiful, empathetic way. I couldn't put this one down and my heart hurt for these two young people. Very well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content, Alcoholism, and Drug use
rheereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
2.5
This book was mostly read due to Elliasreads bringing it to my attention. i honestly relate to what he said pretty much. I read it and the writing is engaging but the story was kinda alright? i know it's a taboo subject but i still didn't enjoy the ending, not sure what I was hoping for but lol here we are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Incest, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
amberrichards's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship
solreadbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
allie_english's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There is a disturbing beauty to this book. Although the events and actions of the two eldest children are immoral, and illegal as this book points out on multiple occasions, the writing and the characterisation is almost perfection.
Lochan and Maya are fully formed characters. Suzuma's depiction of Lochan is especially incredible, the descriptions of panic attacks and his social anxieties are some of the best I've ever come across. The issues depicted, from the teenage drug use and alcoholic mother to the abandonment and eventually incestuous relationship seem very real and are not used in any way to provide surface level shock value. This book definitely challenges readers who understand completely that Lochan and Maya's relationship is wrong and cannot be allowed to happen. The circumstances of their family relationships and their relationship with one another do seem to connected, with them having a conversation at one point suggesting if their family was more 'normal' would they have erotic feelings for each other.
I have seen multiple reviews questioning the main message of the novel. What I gathered from reading this book is that children who are neglected and are forced into adult/parental roles too quickly do perceive the world around them differently to others. Lochan and Maya's attitudes towards keeping their siblings out of care is commendable but far too much to have on their shoulders as 17 and 16 year olds. Their relationship is clearly wrong but so much of their life already is that they are unable to distinguish the two.
I will say the reason that this book does not receive a full five stars from me is the depiction of the more intimate scenes- a no go really. Also Maya's insistence that her and Lochan aren't 'really biological brother and sister' because they don't feel like they are was off-putting and didn't need to be brought up so much.
A highly uncomfortable read but one that is exceptionally powerful.
Lochan and Maya are fully formed characters. Suzuma's depiction of Lochan is especially incredible, the descriptions of panic attacks and his social anxieties are some of the best I've ever come across. The issues depicted, from the teenage drug use and alcoholic mother to the abandonment and eventually incestuous relationship seem very real and are not used in any way to provide surface level shock value. This book definitely challenges readers who understand completely that Lochan and Maya's relationship is wrong and cannot be allowed to happen. The circumstances of their family relationships and their relationship with one another do seem to connected, with them having a conversation at one point suggesting if their family was more 'normal' would they have erotic feelings for each other.
I have seen multiple reviews questioning the main message of the novel. What I gathered from reading this book is that children who are neglected and are forced into adult/parental roles too quickly do perceive the world around them differently to others. Lochan and Maya's attitudes towards keeping their siblings out of care is commendable but far too much to have on their shoulders as 17 and 16 year olds. Their relationship is clearly wrong but so much of their life already is that they are unable to distinguish the two.
I will say the reason that this book does not receive a full five stars from me is the depiction of the more intimate scenes- a no go really. Also Maya's insistence that her and Lochan aren't 'really biological brother and sister' because they don't feel like they are was off-putting and didn't need to be brought up so much.
A highly uncomfortable read but one that is exceptionally powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, and Incest
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