A review by eleasofia
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the main focus of the book is the relationship between the two main characters, paul and julian, and I absolutely loved the way it was written. it was never too sweet but still genuine, intimate, and intense, and very naturally progressed from what felt like a somewhat normal level of meanness between teenage boys to obsessive, toxic, dysfunctional. there was still a good amount of plot, which was necessary to develop the characters and their relationship, but the plot is also the reason why I can probably never read this book again, at least not in full, no matter how much I loved it. I knew there was going to be violence and descriptions of it when I started reading it, but told from the perspective of one of the characters, it made me very uncomfortable to say the least. I know that it was supposed to make the reader feel that way, and it was fascinating in a way nevertheless, but not an experience I need twice. this book definitely isn't for everyone. also, as much I think the ending makes perfect sense, I cried my eyes out and hated it a little bit. still, I find I extremely fascinating to explore dark thoughts and things in fiction and this book did an extremely good job at that, so 100% recommended to people who are interested in that.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings