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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Stayed up until 1:30am to finish this last night and I think that was a mistake. What even happened????????? This book was very strange and I KNOW that this could very easily be a favorite for someone else, but I just could not wrap my head around the writing style. What an odd read.
3.5 Stars
Still don't know how I feel about this book, months later. It was interesting though, really different, and I really liked the writing style.
This book was so unique. From the story to the actual book itself, it was unlike anything I’ve ever read.
The synopsis is pretty vague, so I feel like you are somewhat “confused” as to what’s happening. But the book quickly sucks you know as the story unravels.
It’s a pretty quick read and I absolutely love the added artwork and page designs the author added. It made it more interactive and I love how the pages got darker as things progressed with Jack.
This is definitely a book I will revisit.
This book is darker and deals with triggers.
The synopsis is pretty vague, so I feel like you are somewhat “confused” as to what’s happening. But the book quickly sucks you know as the story unravels.
It’s a pretty quick read and I absolutely love the added artwork and page designs the author added. It made it more interactive and I love how the pages got darker as things progressed with Jack.
This is definitely a book I will revisit.
This book is darker and deals with triggers.
Edit: Second read September 2021. Christ, this book still fucking obliterates me.
Original review, May 2018:
This book. Oh my god, this book. It’s so beautiful. It reminded me somewhat of The Raven Boys in the way it’s written with the language and the prose, but this is darker and sadder. I love the characters. The dynamics of their relationship are portrayed as unhealthy at times, but underneath the surface it’s something so poetic and beautiful, and the ending is such a payoff. I loved this world, and now the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred. I loved this writing. It made me tear up. Might be one of my new favorite books.
Original review, May 2018:
This book. Oh my god, this book. It’s so beautiful. It reminded me somewhat of The Raven Boys in the way it’s written with the language and the prose, but this is darker and sadder. I love the characters. The dynamics of their relationship are portrayed as unhealthy at times, but underneath the surface it’s something so poetic and beautiful, and the ending is such a payoff. I loved this world, and now the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred. I loved this writing. It made me tear up. Might be one of my new favorite books.
When your friend starts seeing things that aren't there, take him to the hospital.
"August, I have much more to worry about than your crisis of conscience."
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Synopsis
Jack and August are best friends, and they too often get into trouble with one another. When Jack starts talking about another world that he is seeing, he pulls August into his delusions until both of them, and the reader, are not quite sure what is fantasy and what is reality.
Prose, Voice & Dialogue
The writing style was amazing—Ancrum has an incredible knack for prose. Her writing is just beautiful, and though she is a woman, I was so thoroughly convinced by her two teenage male characters. The voice was very believable and felt so natural and authentic and real.
Characters
Jack and August are both so special and broken and I just want to hold them and fix them. The growth that they both experience throughout the book is so beautiful, and they learn that in order to be healthy together, they have to first be healthy apart.
Plot & Pacing
This was one of the most well-done and engaging aspects of the book. Not only is there ever-increasing tension as Jack’s mental health deteriorates further and further, but this deterioration is reflected in the visual aspect of the book. The further Jack falls into his imaginary world, the darker the pages get. We start with black letters on white pages, and as time goes on, the darkness creeps onto the page more and more, until we are finally reading white letters on black pages. It's incredible, and made the story so much more engaging. The chapters/sections are very short, which made the book so easy to get through.
The Romance
Setting
The real-world setting isn’t particularly important to the novel, but Jack’s fantasy world was very important to the book and was super intriguing to read about. Ancrum did a great job with this setting, and it was really cool to read about. The way she handled the fantasy world and described it really helped the story along.
Overall Thoughts & Recommendation
There was so much to love about this book. The visual aspect, the characters, the romance, the story. Overall, I loved this book and would die for Jack and August. There is some mature/adult content, so I'd say 18+ for age rating.
Trigger/Content Warnings
Arson, severe mental illness, some adult content.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Synopsis
Jack and August are best friends, and they too often get into trouble with one another. When Jack starts talking about another world that he is seeing, he pulls August into his delusions until both of them, and the reader, are not quite sure what is fantasy and what is reality.
Prose, Voice & Dialogue
The writing style was amazing—Ancrum has an incredible knack for prose. Her writing is just beautiful, and though she is a woman, I was so thoroughly convinced by her two teenage male characters. The voice was very believable and felt so natural and authentic and real.
Characters
Jack and August are both so special and broken and I just want to hold them and fix them. The growth that they both experience throughout the book is so beautiful, and they learn that in order to be healthy together, they have to first be healthy apart.
Plot & Pacing
This was one of the most well-done and engaging aspects of the book. Not only is there ever-increasing tension as Jack’s mental health deteriorates further and further, but this deterioration is reflected in the visual aspect of the book. The further Jack falls into his imaginary world, the darker the pages get. We start with black letters on white pages, and as time goes on, the darkness creeps onto the page more and more, until we are finally reading white letters on black pages. It's incredible, and made the story so much more engaging. The chapters/sections are very short, which made the book so easy to get through.
The Romance
Spoiler
Jack and August's relationship was just beautiful. They are teenage boys, living in an imaginary world, so it obviously starts out as a little bit toxic. But the growth they both experience and the bond that they share because they went through something so traumatic together is just beautiful and makes me want to hold both of them in a warm, motherly embrace (and I'm only 23). The romance in this book is mlm friends-to-lovers.Setting
The real-world setting isn’t particularly important to the novel, but Jack’s fantasy world was very important to the book and was super intriguing to read about. Ancrum did a great job with this setting, and it was really cool to read about. The way she handled the fantasy world and described it really helped the story along.
Overall Thoughts & Recommendation
There was so much to love about this book. The visual aspect, the characters, the romance, the story. Overall, I loved this book and would die for Jack and August. There is some mature/adult content, so I'd say 18+ for age rating.
Trigger/Content Warnings
Arson, severe mental illness, some adult content.
ogółem podobało mi się, ale czegoś mi brakowało, może takiego ‚mięsa i duszy’ historii, co przypomniało mi, dlaczego zwykle nie czytam młodzieżówek. kreacja postaci mogłaby być lepsza, poboczni bohaterowie byli całkiem papierowi. czytało się szybko za sprawą 1-2 stronicowych rozdziałów i koncepcję całej fabuły uważam za ciekawą, ale lepiej wyszłoby, gdyby tekst był po prostu dłuższy
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
