Scan barcode
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
More...