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A review by _isabel_
Glitterland by Alexis Hall
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
What a ride. "Glitterland" was absolutely, freaking gorgeous.
I've been waiting for a chance to read this series, and the re-releases seemed like the perfect opportunity; I can't believe I ever doubted these books would work for me. Because wow: I think I love Alexis Hall the best when his writing and his stories are like this, an emotional punch to the gut in book form.
< I seized another kiss, swift and sweet from the corner of his lips. “All my smiles, you can have all my smiles, whenever I can find them.” “See,” he said, as though it was the simplest, most obvious thing in the world. >
I loved this book with my whole soul: it's packed with so much raw, unadultered angst and feels, so many hard, complex themes, and so many beautiful, hideous complicated human emotions. I read it at the precisely right time in my life as well: 2023 was a hard year for me, and seeing Ash struggle with his depression, with his out-of-control feelings, with his hopelessness, with not recognizing himself anymore, was hard, of course, but also cathartic. I think this genre needs more representation like his: it's important, necessary even, to see more mental health rep (and not only that!) on page, authentic, realistic, thought-through rep.
I didn't find the darkness to be overwhelming though: this is still a romance, and oh god, what a romance.
I didn't think it would work for me, but yep, it totally did: Ash and Darian's romance stole my soul. I loved them so damned much. They're so different from one another, but that's why they work; Darian's never known a different Ash, and Ash can be himself around Darian in a way he never could when so many people in his life are expecting the "broken, uncapable of change, bipolar depressive".
< “Darian. Darian.” He rolled over, tousled and lovely, blinking dazedly in the half- light. “What’s wrong, babes?” I stared at him, for a moment utterly speechless at the magnitude of everything. “I’m going to make you so unhappy,” I blurted out. “What? When? Can’t you like do it in the morning?” >
I loved their relationship, I loved how lighthearted and sweet and sexy they were with one another, and I loved their most difficult conversations and moments too.
Darian was a total sweetheart. I don't know how to describe him, but if I knew I person like him in my life, I'd probably be ready to go to war for them. He's lovely. Absolutely, 10000%, one of the loveliest love interests I've ever had the pleasure of meeting on page. He deserves the whole damned universe. He's funny and sweet and genuine and forgiving and friendly and kind, and just, the best person ever.
< “I’m not a fucking plural,” I snapped. “What?” I pointed at myself. “Item: one babe.”
“Ahwight,” he said. “Mister A.A. Winters, Esquire."
AND ASH. God, I don't know where to start, but boy, did I see myself in him. Not in his self-destructive ways, but in the way he's constantly doubting what he sees and feels and knows. He's complicated and rude and sarcastic and insecure and afraid, and I adored him even when I wanted to kick him (or maybe hug him?) for being all of that. I love a complex protagonist, a walking, talking contradiction of a mess of a MC, and Alexis Hall delivered (and then some) on that front.
The writing was lovely (if a bit flowery at times, BUT it was probably in line with the way Ash's mind works) and the humour was just right (and totally on brand for Alexis Hall: a bit hard, a bit rude, but thankfully it never reached Luc's levels) (YES, OKAY, after this one I will stop dropping hints about how angry "Husband Material" made me, I swear).
The romance was fantastic and the main characters stole my heart; the side characters were as complex and interesting as the two protagonists, and I wanted to hit Niall with something blunt, but I can't wait to read his book. Also, Amy? I loved her, I soooooo hope we'll get to see more of her (and Max, together thanks).
The ending was... abrupt, but thankfully there's an "Aftermath" short story that made it sweeter and more satisfying.
I'm excited to jump into book two! With brand new characters, but I can't wait to meet them.
TWs/CWs: mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder), suicide attempt and self-harm (referenced), panic attacks, one brief instance of biphobia (side characters), suicidal thoughts.
I've been waiting for a chance to read this series, and the re-releases seemed like the perfect opportunity; I can't believe I ever doubted these books would work for me. Because wow: I think I love Alexis Hall the best when his writing and his stories are like this, an emotional punch to the gut in book form.
< I seized another kiss, swift and sweet from the corner of his lips. “All my smiles, you can have all my smiles, whenever I can find them.” “See,” he said, as though it was the simplest, most obvious thing in the world. >
I loved this book with my whole soul: it's packed with so much raw, unadultered angst and feels, so many hard, complex themes, and so many beautiful, hideous complicated human emotions. I read it at the precisely right time in my life as well: 2023 was a hard year for me, and seeing Ash struggle with his depression, with his out-of-control feelings, with his hopelessness, with not recognizing himself anymore, was hard, of course, but also cathartic. I think this genre needs more representation like his: it's important, necessary even, to see more mental health rep (and not only that!) on page, authentic, realistic, thought-through rep.
I didn't find the darkness to be overwhelming though: this is still a romance, and oh god, what a romance.
I didn't think it would work for me, but yep, it totally did: Ash and Darian's romance stole my soul. I loved them so damned much. They're so different from one another, but that's why they work; Darian's never known a different Ash, and Ash can be himself around Darian in a way he never could when so many people in his life are expecting the "broken, uncapable of change, bipolar depressive".
< “Darian. Darian.” He rolled over, tousled and lovely, blinking dazedly in the half- light. “What’s wrong, babes?” I stared at him, for a moment utterly speechless at the magnitude of everything. “I’m going to make you so unhappy,” I blurted out. “What? When? Can’t you like do it in the morning?” >
I loved their relationship, I loved how lighthearted and sweet and sexy they were with one another, and I loved their most difficult conversations and moments too.
Darian was a total sweetheart. I don't know how to describe him, but if I knew I person like him in my life, I'd probably be ready to go to war for them. He's lovely. Absolutely, 10000%, one of the loveliest love interests I've ever had the pleasure of meeting on page. He deserves the whole damned universe. He's funny and sweet and genuine and forgiving and friendly and kind, and just, the best person ever.
< “I’m not a fucking plural,” I snapped. “What?” I pointed at myself. “Item: one babe.”
“Ahwight,” he said. “Mister A.A. Winters, Esquire."
AND ASH. God, I don't know where to start, but boy, did I see myself in him. Not in his self-destructive ways, but in the way he's constantly doubting what he sees and feels and knows. He's complicated and rude and sarcastic and insecure and afraid, and I adored him even when I wanted to kick him (or maybe hug him?) for being all of that. I love a complex protagonist, a walking, talking contradiction of a mess of a MC, and Alexis Hall delivered (and then some) on that front.
The writing was lovely (if a bit flowery at times, BUT it was probably in line with the way Ash's mind works) and the humour was just right (and totally on brand for Alexis Hall: a bit hard, a bit rude, but thankfully it never reached Luc's levels) (YES, OKAY, after this one I will stop dropping hints about how angry "Husband Material" made me, I swear).
The romance was fantastic and the main characters stole my heart; the side characters were as complex and interesting as the two protagonists, and I wanted to hit Niall with something blunt, but I can't wait to read his book. Also, Amy? I loved her, I soooooo hope we'll get to see more of her (and Max, together thanks).
The ending was... abrupt, but thankfully there's an "Aftermath" short story that made it sweeter and more satisfying.
I'm excited to jump into book two! With brand new characters, but I can't wait to meet them.
TWs/CWs: mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder), suicide attempt and self-harm (referenced), panic attacks, one brief instance of biphobia (side characters), suicidal thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Minor: Biphobia