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thebookishpage's review against another edition
4.0
easily written so I didn't find myself having trouble understanding where the story was going. straight forward writing. a boy growing up learning how to treat people to treat one another; not always the best. is he a good boy or not? pretty dark if you ask me but I enjoyed it very much
stitching_ghost's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up.
Evan is a bit naïve or rather he tends to accept what people say as true at face value and often to adopt it as gospel, he's also good at seeing patterns and growing up surrounded by toxic relationships and bullying he molds himself after a variety of people/archetypes in order to survive the bullying as well as his inner turmoil and loneliness.
The matter of fact delivery through most of the story is only broken very occasionally when Evan gets a faint glimpse of possible "love" and it really helps convey how emotionally stunted he is.
It's never said in the story if the character really is but, personally, I read the character as autistic and the whole thing came across not just as a dark coming of age narrative but also as a chilling cautionary tale of emotional neglect. If you struggle with autistic coded characters doing bad things, you might not enjoy this one.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Evan is a bit naïve or rather he tends to accept what people say as true at face value and often to adopt it as gospel, he's also good at seeing patterns and growing up surrounded by toxic relationships and bullying he molds himself after a variety of people/archetypes in order to survive the bullying as well as his inner turmoil and loneliness.
The matter of fact delivery through most of the story is only broken very occasionally when Evan gets a faint glimpse of possible "love" and it really helps convey how emotionally stunted he is.
It's never said in the story if the character really is but, personally, I read the character as autistic and the whole thing came across not just as a dark coming of age narrative but also as a chilling cautionary tale of emotional neglect. If you struggle with autistic coded characters doing bad things, you might not enjoy this one.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
drakaina16's review against another edition
I didn't enjoy this book at all. I had high hopes after My Unbeating Heart, but this book doesn't do it for me.
simplysonia's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Wow. What a ride. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. This book is raw and electric from start to finish. This is a coming of age story in which the main character develops from an innocent child who believes Angel's watch over him to an adolescent suffering bullying to a descent into what appears to be madness. This is not a read for the faint of heart. If you are looking for a happy ending this book IS NOT for you. However, if you are looking for a book to take you deep into emotional depth and stick with you this is that book. The writing style is exquisite. There are no wasted words or descriptions. Every word is a punch to your emotions. You will feel anger, sadness, and sickness at the MC. Most of all you will feel empathy. Even after reading this I was compelled to read the other two books of the series and they are phenomenal. The author's use of darkness in the mind is haunting yet beautiful. I would recommend this highly if you understand what you are getting into.
kelseylitsliftsanddips's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
silenttardis's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, I couldn’t stop Reading but at the same time I took my time reading, I made myself stop reading and then come back and I finished it… this book is very dark, starts naïve enough and then it gets dark… is this what could have happened to dexter if he didn’t have his adopted father to guide him, is Evan a sociopath? I don’t really have the answer to that question, this book will not leave you unmarked, it will leave some sort of feeling in you, what that is, it will depend on how you took things…
This book is full of violence, towards children, other people, animals, has some sexual situations, yes it gives a reason why Evan is that messed up, but not quite, perhaps it was with him since the beginning… read it and then take your own conclusion is all I can say… and I think I will read what comes next…
I got a free ARC of this book through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is full of violence, towards children, other people, animals, has some sexual situations, yes it gives a reason why Evan is that messed up, but not quite, perhaps it was with him since the beginning… read it and then take your own conclusion is all I can say… and I think I will read what comes next…
I got a free ARC of this book through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
karlakayjenniges's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Thou shalt not feel lonely should have been a commandment. Or thou shalt not allow those around you to feel lonely would have been better. How could I have felt lonely when I was surrounded by so many people every day?"
This is the story of Evan Jameson. He is giving us a look into his memories of his childhood. His life was never an easy one. Every day was a battle against the injustices of the world. Bullying was an often prominent occurrence and becomes his greatest torment. It follows him into adulthood and has him questioning his own inner self control. During each moment that he shares, he is giving a little bit more of himself to us. An understanding of who he was and who he has become.
This is a story of a broken life and the cruelty that created it. Through the eyes of the man and the child he once was. The things that Evan experienced as a child builds an empathy and an understanding while also feeling abhorrence towards some of his acts, but we must have both to feel the whole experience of living with a life of cruelty and how it comes to affect a human soul.
A broken boy to a broken man.
It is raw, it is brutal, but it is also beautiful if it is experienced with an open mind and heart. It is not possible to ignore that there is much cruelty in this world and it has an everlasting affect.
Devastatingly exposing real life horror in all its heartbreaking nature.
Not an easy read, but most definitely powerful!
I received a review copy from Book Sirens. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Warning: The contents of this book are not meant to offend, but it contains scenes of a sexual nature and animal cruelty not suitable for all readers.
This is the story of Evan Jameson. He is giving us a look into his memories of his childhood. His life was never an easy one. Every day was a battle against the injustices of the world. Bullying was an often prominent occurrence and becomes his greatest torment. It follows him into adulthood and has him questioning his own inner self control. During each moment that he shares, he is giving a little bit more of himself to us. An understanding of who he was and who he has become.
This is a story of a broken life and the cruelty that created it. Through the eyes of the man and the child he once was. The things that Evan experienced as a child builds an empathy and an understanding while also feeling abhorrence towards some of his acts, but we must have both to feel the whole experience of living with a life of cruelty and how it comes to affect a human soul.
A broken boy to a broken man.
It is raw, it is brutal, but it is also beautiful if it is experienced with an open mind and heart. It is not possible to ignore that there is much cruelty in this world and it has an everlasting affect.
Devastatingly exposing real life horror in all its heartbreaking nature.
Not an easy read, but most definitely powerful!
I received a review copy from Book Sirens. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Warning: The contents of this book are not meant to offend, but it contains scenes of a sexual nature and animal cruelty not suitable for all readers.
adaydreamer7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.5
"Do you believe in angels and God? People keep saying they always look after you from afar, invisible from the naked eyes. But why is my life so fucked up?"
Finally I've found my kind of book after a while. The book put me through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was first disgusted with what Evan did, then I started to learn why he acted the way he was. Many sensitive issues happened in Evan's life and being talked within the book. You will get introduced to a diverse of characters in his life that are very relatable and can be found in your daily life. It was so raw, emotionally moving, but an unsettling read at the same time. I was left dumbfounded after finishing this book. Can't wait to devour myself in book 2 of this series. This easily becomes one of my personal favourite go-to books and will come back to reread again.
Possible trigger contents: sex, suicide, animal abuse, human abuse, violence, death loss, profanity, bullying.
Please look up for the trigger warnings as Cruel may not be read for everybody.
Finally I've found my kind of book after a while. The book put me through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was first disgusted with what Evan did, then I started to learn why he acted the way he was. Many sensitive issues happened in Evan's life and being talked within the book. You will get introduced to a diverse of characters in his life that are very relatable and can be found in your daily life. It was so raw, emotionally moving, but an unsettling read at the same time. I was left dumbfounded after finishing this book. Can't wait to devour myself in book 2 of this series. This easily becomes one of my personal favourite go-to books and will come back to reread again.
Possible trigger contents: sex, suicide, animal abuse, human abuse, violence, death loss, profanity, bullying.
Please look up for the trigger warnings as Cruel may not be read for everybody.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Violence, Cursing, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Death, and Bullying
starsaligned's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
It’s beautifully written and has darkness to it without being overwhelming. It’s simple and easy to understand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Animal death
agniguha01's review
5.0
This is a very dark and disturbing coming-of-age story. We follow Evan from his earliest memories, through some of his most spine-chilling experiences.
The writing is brilliant, it sucks you in and keeps you floating in a dreamlike limbo. Even though it deals with a lot of unsavoury topics yet there's something extremely alluring and beautiful about the way it's written. All of this while being completely accessible.
I was absolutely sucked in from the very first stage! It's best to read this in one sitting, as the author herself suggests. The chapters are very short and it's a quick paced read.
Definitely check out trigger warnings.