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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I...I have no words.
I am not a high school aged book reader at all and tend to actively avoid books where a MC is turning or freshly 18. I avoided this book for far too long and I am regretful for that. The emotion and connection between these two MMC's has no age.
Commonly, there is an age gap romance where one MMC repeatedly holds the others' younger age against them. The "you don't know anything because you're basically a child" trope is one of the main reasons I avoid books with this dynamic. HOWEVER, this novel defies that at it's core. There are moments of it but they are subdued by the intense emotion for each other.
If you don't read age gaps with a high school main character, trust that this should be the one that you do. My only caution is that this book will speak to every unresolved emotion in your body. It tore me apart and healed me in the best way. My husband offered to "beat the book up" at one point because I was crying so much.
Just do it. It is an experience, a core memory if you will.
I am not a high school aged book reader at all and tend to actively avoid books where a MC is turning or freshly 18. I avoided this book for far too long and I am regretful for that. The emotion and connection between these two MMC's has no age.
Commonly, there is an age gap romance where one MMC repeatedly holds the others' younger age against them. The "you don't know anything because you're basically a child" trope is one of the main reasons I avoid books with this dynamic. HOWEVER, this novel defies that at it's core. There are moments of it but they are subdued by the intense emotion for each other.
If you don't read age gaps with a high school main character, trust that this should be the one that you do. My only caution is that this book will speak to every unresolved emotion in your body. It tore me apart and healed me in the best way. My husband offered to "beat the book up" at one point because I was crying so much.
Just do it. It is an experience, a core memory if you will.
“I may not be a perfect man…” His emotions strangled the rest of his sentence. “You’re not even a good one,” I cried with little conviction left for my tirade of cruelty.
What you'll get:
Hot for Teacher
Age gap
Cheating cheaters
Surprise, it's a baby
Gay rep
Setting: New York
I didn't love this but it had nothing to do with the quality of writing. The younger MC used to play a philosophy quote game with his dad before he died where dad would name a quote and the MC, Phoenix, would guess who said it. Then when he's 17, he meets an unfairly attractive teacher who plays the same game with him. ...and? I don't know.
I'm no stranger to forbidden romances but they have to make sense and I'm still undecided. I feel Sebastian was selfish as all hell. I do wish this was set 4 years later when Phoenix is finishing up his college degree because he has the years of maturity to be in this by then.
What you'll get:
Hot for Teacher
Age gap
Cheating cheaters
Surprise, it's a baby
Gay rep
Setting: New York
I didn't love this but it had nothing to do with the quality of writing. The younger MC used to play a philosophy quote game with his dad before he died where dad would name a quote and the MC, Phoenix, would guess who said it. Then when he's 17, he meets an unfairly attractive teacher who plays the same game with him. ...and? I don't know.
I'm no stranger to forbidden romances but they have to make sense and I'm still undecided. I feel Sebastian was selfish as all hell. I do wish this was set 4 years later when Phoenix is finishing up his college degree because he has the years of maturity to be in this by then.
Objectively speaking, I think age gap romances between a teacher and a student are not for me. In part (even when both characters are above the age of 18, there is always a power imbalance, even when both characters go out of their way to remove that power). In essence, there is always a power imbalance in the relationship, and while I would argue that Harris did a better job overall with the trope compared to other authors, it still served as a feat of reality suspension that a grown man with a doctorate in philosophy would quite literally risk it all for an eighteen year old student (eighteen years his junior mind you) because he is a savant with philosophy.
While it was more lyrical in comparison to the two other books I have read from Harris, I did kind of get annoyed at how repetitive it seemed at times, and also at how it would jump from time to time within a passage and I would have to go back and re-read portions to ensure that I was following the correct timeline.
While it was more lyrical in comparison to the two other books I have read from Harris, I did kind of get annoyed at how repetitive it seemed at times, and also at how it would jump from time to time within a passage and I would have to go back and re-read portions to ensure that I was following the correct timeline.
This year, now that I'm doing more reviewing I've overhauled my review ratings somewhat. To get 5 stars it has to be something special, something I couldn't put down and that left me thinking about it once I'm finished. This is one I picked up myself, I didn't get a copy to read but the synopsis was just too compelling, although I was a little worried about how the subject would be handled, it's in real danger of being, for want of a better word, icky?
I needn't have feared though, it's all handled wonderfully. I started reading and knew a little bit in that I wasn't going to put it down until I'd finished.
In brief: Phoenix Michaelson idolised his philosophy professor father, who died when he was 10. Now he's 18 and following in his father's footsteps by taking an AP Philosophy class with the aim of studying it in college. The new AP teacher is Sebastian Wicked, and it's the story of how 2 lonely souls come together, essentially.
It's so well written, I could just see not only Phoenix and Sebastian, but the whole cast of supporting characters is so wonderfully realised, none of them felt like they didn't belong. I didn't hate any of them, which is a bonus. Even Phoenix's mum who I thought might be sidelined, got her due. None of this is to the detriment of the main story, which is Phoenix and Sebastian. It's essentially a tale of loss, grief, survivor's guilt and coming through all that stronger together in the end. Partly why I read so much romance is because I love a good HEA, and I was concerned I wouldn't get it with this. I'm also glad the author didn't have to use the 'outed by a fellow student and their lives fell apart because of it' trope, this was handled so well and I can't recommend it enough.
A deserved full 5 stars for my new rating system.
I needn't have feared though, it's all handled wonderfully. I started reading and knew a little bit in that I wasn't going to put it down until I'd finished.
In brief: Phoenix Michaelson idolised his philosophy professor father, who died when he was 10. Now he's 18 and following in his father's footsteps by taking an AP Philosophy class with the aim of studying it in college. The new AP teacher is Sebastian Wicked, and it's the story of how 2 lonely souls come together, essentially.
It's so well written, I could just see not only Phoenix and Sebastian, but the whole cast of supporting characters is so wonderfully realised, none of them felt like they didn't belong. I didn't hate any of them, which is a bonus. Even Phoenix's mum who I thought might be sidelined, got her due. None of this is to the detriment of the main story, which is Phoenix and Sebastian. It's essentially a tale of loss, grief, survivor's guilt and coming through all that stronger together in the end. Partly why I read so much romance is because I love a good HEA, and I was concerned I wouldn't get it with this. I'm also glad the author didn't have to use the 'outed by a fellow student and their lives fell apart because of it' trope, this was handled so well and I can't recommend it enough.
A deserved full 5 stars for my new rating system.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-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
The book was frustrating me.. even though two can be true at the same time but i dont think pheeny i was really in love with bash but more into the fact he was who he thought understood him more than his inner circle. They truama bonded/love. I am glad the book showed us part of their healing journey but the overall book was a MXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXM to me
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In C.P. Harris's "The Boy Who Loved Wicked," readers are drawn into a poignant, emotionally charged narrative that explores the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. Phoenix Michaelson, a high school senior, forms a deep connection with his philosophy teacher, Dr. Sebastian Wicked, in a story rooted in their shared intellectual passions.
Despite this not being my typical genre, I was captivated by the rich character development and the emotional depth of the narrative. The book was my first introduction to LGBTQ+ literature, chosen as part of a new book club I recently joined.
Harris skillfully navigates the ethical and emotional intricacies of their relationship, creating a story that is both unsettling and compelling. The philosophical discussions interwoven with their personal journeys add profound depth, making the book not just a romance but also a reflection on life's most profound questions.Phoenix’s grief over his father’s death and Sebastian’s personal demons are sensitively handled, adding layers of authenticity and emotional resonance.
However, the novel is not without its drawbacks. The ethical discomfort due to the student-teacher relationship is significant; some readers may find it difficult to reconcile the power dynamics at play. The potential for emotional manipulation is a critical aspect that raises questions about true consent, especially given Phoenix's vulnerability following his father's passing at a young age. This ambiguity makes it possible to view Phoenix as a young man who could be susceptible to an imbalanced and possibly exploitative relationship dynamics masked as consensual love.
Although most readers might not see it this way, I found myself contemplating Phoenix’s age. Though presented as 18, the age at which the majority of seniors typically start the year is 17. This discrepancy could have been intentional, with Harris making Phoenix 18 — the age of consent —to underscore that the relationship was legally consensual. However, the ethical dilemma of the power dynamic remains, leaving a lingering discomfort. Personally, I chose to see Phoenix as a 17-year-old dealing with emotional issues stemming from his father's death, adding another layer of vulnerability to his character.
Despite these issues, "The Boy Who Loved Wicked" is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching tale that challenges conventional boundaries and delves into the messy realities of human connections. The conclusion of the book leaves readers with a mix of emotions, tying up the intricacies of the relationship in a way that is both satisfying and open to interpretation, which only adds to its depth.
It's a testament to Harris's ability to craft a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. This book is a powerful addition to anyone's reading list, as long as you can handle the detailed sexual scenes, offering a narrative that stays with you long after the last page.
I gave this book a solid 4 stars for its emotional depth and the courage it takes to tackle such complex, controversial themes.
Despite this not being my typical genre, I was captivated by the rich character development and the emotional depth of the narrative. The book was my first introduction to LGBTQ+ literature, chosen as part of a new book club I recently joined.
Harris skillfully navigates the ethical and emotional intricacies of their relationship, creating a story that is both unsettling and compelling. The philosophical discussions interwoven with their personal journeys add profound depth, making the book not just a romance but also a reflection on life's most profound questions.
However, the novel is not without its drawbacks. The ethical discomfort due to the student-teacher relationship is significant; some readers may find it difficult to reconcile the power dynamics at play. The potential for emotional manipulation is a critical aspect that raises questions about true consent, especially given Phoenix's vulnerability following his father's passing at a young age. This ambiguity makes it possible to view Phoenix as a young man who could be susceptible to an imbalanced and possibly exploitative relationship dynamics masked as consensual love.
Although most readers might not see it this way, I found myself contemplating Phoenix’s age. Though presented as 18, the age at which the majority of seniors typically start the year is 17. This discrepancy could have been intentional, with Harris making Phoenix 18 — the age of consent —
Despite these issues, "The Boy Who Loved Wicked" is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching tale that challenges conventional boundaries and delves into the messy realities of human connections. The conclusion of the book leaves readers with a mix of emotions, tying up the intricacies of the relationship in a way that is both satisfying and open to interpretation, which only adds to its depth.
It's a testament to Harris's ability to craft a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. This book is a powerful addition to anyone's reading list, as long as you can handle the detailed sexual scenes, offering a narrative that stays with you long after the last page.
I gave this book a solid 4 stars for its emotional depth and the courage it takes to tackle such complex, controversial themes.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
literally one of the best books i’ve EVER read. tears were flowing !!!