You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I'm afraid that for now this is the last review of a Book Box Club book. Although, I will see which books are in the upcoming boxes and get them myself to join the read-along. I will miss them, especially because they often included books that weren't the huge blockbusters everyone is already talking about months in advance. I will also miss them because they pushed me out of my comfort zone so often.
It's hard to write a review for this book. Not because it was a bad book, not because I didn't like it, but because it's a book that's very hard to describe and grab. There are enough fantasy elements to satisfy the reader who needs a little magic in their story, but the magic in this story is so small that contemporary readers will certainly enjoy this story too. However, one thing is for sure: the book was a lot darker and a lot heavier than I had thought it would be.
In no way do I think that teenagers are these fragile people we have to protect, but at times I was really wondering if 14 year olds would really enjoy and like this story. However, I also realized that despite the heavy themes, this book is about them. Being a teenager is a hard time. Growing from a child into an adult is not easy. And to deal with life we all have our own coping mechanisms and our own ways to not lose ourselves.
Maybe in a way this is a story that has to be told, especially because North does it beautifully with lovely and lyrical sentences and loads of emotions combined with realistic and recognizable characters. Even though the book is heavy and the ending not completely satisfying, but satisfying enough, it's also a book about hope. It's a story telling us that we can overcome horrible things, that we're much stronger than we think and the our strongest powers always lie within ourselves.
It's hard to write a review for this book. Not because it was a bad book, not because I didn't like it, but because it's a book that's very hard to describe and grab. There are enough fantasy elements to satisfy the reader who needs a little magic in their story, but the magic in this story is so small that contemporary readers will certainly enjoy this story too. However, one thing is for sure: the book was a lot darker and a lot heavier than I had thought it would be.
In no way do I think that teenagers are these fragile people we have to protect, but at times I was really wondering if 14 year olds would really enjoy and like this story. However, I also realized that despite the heavy themes, this book is about them. Being a teenager is a hard time. Growing from a child into an adult is not easy. And to deal with life we all have our own coping mechanisms and our own ways to not lose ourselves.
Maybe in a way this is a story that has to be told, especially because North does it beautifully with lovely and lyrical sentences and loads of emotions combined with realistic and recognizable characters. Even though the book is heavy and the ending not completely satisfying, but satisfying enough, it's also a book about hope. It's a story telling us that we can overcome horrible things, that we're much stronger than we think and the our strongest powers always lie within ourselves.
1/5
I wanted to enjoy this book, but it got long and confusing very quickly for me.
I wanted to enjoy this book, but it got long and confusing very quickly for me.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
breathtakingly beautiful and haunting. One of my new favourites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Kidnapping, Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Rape, Alcohol
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping, Abandonment
I just don’t know what to think about this book. At the beginning, I got really excited and I loved it so much, loved the magic and their love for each other and then it just went a completely different way than I thought it would. I think that was the main problem. I expected something very different and then was left disappointed when the book didn’t give it to me.
This is an odd one, but I ended up being drawn in by its oddness. On chatting with the author recently, they said that they were trying to explode readers expectations and I would definitely say that they succeeded. I spent a decent portion of the book more than a little confused haha.
Starting with the epilogue, and covering three main points of view, this tells the story of what happens to a family when a) close siblings drift apart and b) one sibling disappears suddenly. The first isn’t as important, but contained some of my favourite parts of the story. The relationship between Annie and Jamie was really interesting and felt very realistic.
I also really enjoyed the queer aspects of the book - leaning in to how Annie (in particular) felt like she didn’t fit. It’s in some ways a small thing, but it definitely had a major effect on who she is and how she reacts to things. It’s hard to read but wonderful.
This reminds me a little of the wicker king. A lot less dark but still messed up and a bit of a mindfuck with some messed up relationships. Definitely worth looking out if you don’t mind working a little bit with your book.
4 stars.
Starting with the epilogue, and covering three main points of view, this tells the story of what happens to a family when a) close siblings drift apart and b) one sibling disappears suddenly. The first isn’t as important, but contained some of my favourite parts of the story. The relationship between Annie and Jamie was really interesting and felt very realistic.
I also really enjoyed the queer aspects of the book - leaning in to how Annie (in particular) felt like she didn’t fit. It’s in some ways a small thing, but it definitely had a major effect on who she is and how she reacts to things. It’s hard to read but wonderful.
This reminds me a little of the wicker king. A lot less dark but still messed up and a bit of a mindfuck with some messed up relationships. Definitely worth looking out if you don’t mind working a little bit with your book.
4 stars.
i was so shocked to find that i really enjoyed this. it's not something i would ever pick out myself because me and fantasy are far from friends, but i received it in a book subscription box and figured it was worth a go. i'm very glad i did.
the fantasy elements were relatively minor in contrast to the main narrative, which is what made it so accessible to me. granted, there were parts that i skim-read, but that was literally all my fault because i was reading a fantasy-based book with no interest in fantasy. the plot as a whole though was amazing - it felt unique and handled hard-hitting issues in what felt like a delicate yet realistic way. at points i genuinely couldn't put the book down because i was so invested in the characters and the way the story was going.
i suppose it did feel a bit long as it's really easy to lose interest once the "dilemma"(?) has been resolved (and you've struggled through jamie's pov chapters - fucking hell). i didn't mind too much because by this point i felt quite attached to the characters, but if you aren't particularly a fan of them then the last third or so may be a bit boring.
overall vv impressed with this book. lots of great representation and nothing like anything i've read before.
the fantasy elements were relatively minor in contrast to the main narrative, which is what made it so accessible to me. granted, there were parts that i skim-read, but that was literally all my fault because i was reading a fantasy-based book with no interest in fantasy. the plot as a whole though was amazing - it felt unique and handled hard-hitting issues in what felt like a delicate yet realistic way. at points i genuinely couldn't put the book down because i was so invested in the characters and the way the story was going.
i suppose it did feel a bit long as it's really easy to lose interest once the "dilemma"(?) has been resolved (and you've struggled through jamie's pov chapters - fucking hell). i didn't mind too much because by this point i felt quite attached to the characters, but if you aren't particularly a fan of them then the last third or so may be a bit boring.
overall vv impressed with this book. lots of great representation and nothing like anything i've read before.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes