Review by alylentz - The World Cannot Give

alylentz 's review for:

The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton

5.0

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

So many books are given the dark academia label right now, but this is maybe the first book I've read with that pitch that gives me the feeling I've been chasing since The Secret History. I absolutely flew through this and couldn't put it down--the buildup throughout is great and the ending genuinely surprised me in a way I wasn't expecting. I do think some readers will be put off since this is less "adult" than other dark academia titles, but this is one of the few instances where I feel like the new adult categorization is perfect for this book, and will be enjoyed by teens and adult readers alike. It focuses on teenagers without making them seem unbelievably mature or too sterilized, and I found the characters and the dynamics between them to ring really true. I definitely don't think this is a book for everyone, but I think if elements of cults and religion and unlikable characters and boarding school drama appeal to you, this is definitely worth checking out. I can't wait for this title to come out so I can talk about it more and recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings