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julalbert56's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
This novel has some of the most vivid, beautiful, unique writing I’ve ever experienced. Some scenes felt unnecessary to the story, and the mid-novel POV change was hard to get used to , though I understand its function. Overall an emotional, uncomfortable, moving read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Self harm, Child abuse, Rape, Suicide, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Addiction and Racism
joygoesandreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
This book feels like a singular thought that flows directly from the authors head to yours. At first the text is a little hard to get used to since the author has a unique style of writing but once you get a hang of it you will absolutely not be able to put this down. You are invested in Fee’s (the main character) life from the beginning and until the end Chee will have you in the edge wondering all about the thoughts inside this brilliant but flawed and obviously broken character’s head.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Suicide, and Sexual violence
sedwards's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, and Child abuse
sakisreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
My friend recommended this to me, and although I was aware of the content warnings (which I’ll put below), I was unaware of the extent that this would affect me 🥲
It is clear that the aftermath of abuse is horrific and hard to read about. I would not recommend this to anyone going on their own healing journey with abuse.
However, this book was written so beautifully. Even as Aphias (Fee) struggled through his life and the trials and tribulations of it, you could tell he had a certain vibrancy that kept him going.
I also loved when Albright (Bridey) came into his life because that felt like it was somehow restoring some of the right into Fee’s world 🥹
I really grappled with this book, because with similar tones to My Dark Vanessa, it’s inconclusive ending felt as though it was cheating Fee out of something.Warden burning down Big Eric’s house was incredible, but is it bad that I kept wanting more bad things to happen to him? 🫠 Maybe it wasn’t a necessary narrative in Fee’s perspective!
I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars ✨ Thank you!
It is clear that the aftermath of abuse is horrific and hard to read about. I would not recommend this to anyone going on their own healing journey with abuse.
However, this book was written so beautifully. Even as Aphias (Fee) struggled through his life and the trials and tribulations of it, you could tell he had a certain vibrancy that kept him going.
I really grappled with this book, because with similar tones to My Dark Vanessa, it’s inconclusive ending felt as though it was cheating Fee out of something.
I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars ✨ Thank you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Pedophilia, and Self harm
porchrailreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As the plague spread through Edinburgh, portions of the city were buried. Entire streets, buildings, vaults hidden beneath the surface. Like the city it was named after, #Edinburgh by @cheemobile contains hidden depths within its pages.
.
When Edinburgh begins, we meet Fee, a young Korean-American boy growing up in Maine. He’s joins a boys choir where he meets Peter, his best friend and first love. Fee quickly draws the attention of the choir director, becoming amongst the first to be sexually abused by Big Eric. Fee is afraid to tell, even when it becomes clear Peter is next. Fee tries to forgive himself for his silence even after Big Eric’s arrest, but this becomes next to impossible when Peter takes his own life.
.
Burdened still by the events of his past, Fee tries to move on. He builds a life for himself, finds friends, and starts teaching near his hometown. There he meets a student bearing an alarming resemblance to Peter. Their encounter reopens wounds, forcing Fee to face his past head on.
.
If you’ve watched my stories over the last few days, you’ll know I had a very big reaction to this novel. It’s beautifully written, lyrical and melodic, metaphors expertly crafted to illicit strong images and reactions. Shortly after finishing the novel, I’d read that the author used his own past as the basis for this novel, it’s writing a means of catharsis. The inclusion of his experience makes Fee seem real. He is the most complex and complete character I’ve read in a while. Chee’s discourse on the residual effects of trauma, the enduring self-blame, the prolonged sense of loss is necessary.
.
If I’d written this review last night, I would’ve said the only issue I had with the novel was the end. And while I’m still not thrilled with the ending, after sleeping on it I can better understand. Hurt people hurt people.
.
I truly recommend this, but be advised the trigger warnings are real: trauma, sexual assault, pedophilia, self-harm, drug abuse, violence.
.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
.
When Edinburgh begins, we meet Fee, a young Korean-American boy growing up in Maine. He’s joins a boys choir where he meets Peter, his best friend and first love. Fee quickly draws the attention of the choir director, becoming amongst the first to be sexually abused by Big Eric. Fee is afraid to tell, even when it becomes clear Peter is next. Fee tries to forgive himself for his silence even after Big Eric’s arrest, but this becomes next to impossible when Peter takes his own life.
.
Burdened still by the events of his past, Fee tries to move on. He builds a life for himself, finds friends, and starts teaching near his hometown. There he meets a student bearing an alarming resemblance to Peter. Their encounter reopens wounds, forcing Fee to face his past head on.
.
If you’ve watched my stories over the last few days, you’ll know I had a very big reaction to this novel. It’s beautifully written, lyrical and melodic, metaphors expertly crafted to illicit strong images and reactions. Shortly after finishing the novel, I’d read that the author used his own past as the basis for this novel, it’s writing a means of catharsis. The inclusion of his experience makes Fee seem real. He is the most complex and complete character I’ve read in a while. Chee’s discourse on the residual effects of trauma, the enduring self-blame, the prolonged sense of loss is necessary.
.
If I’d written this review last night, I would’ve said the only issue I had with the novel was the end. And while I’m still not thrilled with the ending, after sleeping on it I can better understand. Hurt people hurt people.
.
I truly recommend this, but be advised the trigger warnings are real: trauma, sexual assault, pedophilia, self-harm, drug abuse, violence.
.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
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