Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by sk_m
Saving Ziggy by Alex J. Adams
4.0
The first thing I would say about this book is that you need to heed the trigger warnings – there is some pretty strong verbal, physical and sexual assault in the book and this might be difficult for some people to read.
The first half of the book I found very realistic. Ziggy is making his living as a sex worker and this isn’t romanticised in the slightest. His first interaction with Damian, his feelings of concern, were quite visceral and the caution he displayed was very realistic. The insidious manner in which Damian slithered his way into Ziggy’s life and affections was actually sort of difficult to read – it was like watching a friend ignore all of the red flags and falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole.
The (inevitable) turn in Damian’s behaviour was signposted so well for an outsider – as a reader, I almost felt like shouting at Ziggy to get out of there, to stop ignoring the signs like love bombing, etc. but it was also so clear that there was no way out. Where else did he have to go?
Stuart I found a bit one-dimensional and a bit of a caricature, and although I liked the character of Liam, it did feel a little like he was shoe-horned in there for plot/sequel purposes.
I had more issues with the second half of the book. I thought Marc sounded amazing, but the idea that his involvement with Ziggy would extend to finding him a place to stay where he did felt a little far-fetched. I did enjoy watching as Ziggy discovered there were kind people in the world and that he had friends – it was lovely to watch him being built up, finding love and acceptance. It would have been good to know more about Marc, his background – thinking about it, I can’t even picture Marc in my head apart from the tattoos and big build, which for me shows that he wasn’t fully fleshed out, although it might just be that I missed it in reading the story.
The difficulties Ziggy experienced with handling the sexual assault and trust-issues were dealt with very well and not simply brushed under the carpet. I just think that, for me, the second half lacked the realism of the first half and that affected my enjoyment. It was a bit like going from a gritty crime drama to a hallmark romance, complete with romantic misunderstanding, before the happily ever after. I think I would have preferred the second half to be longer and more in-depth, but I completely understand that that might not have been possible.
I enjoyed reading the book and the author did a very good job in pulling me into the story and caring for the characters, so I will look out for more books by them. A solid 4/5 from me and I recommend if the subject matter isn’t triggering that you give it a read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first half of the book I found very realistic. Ziggy is making his living as a sex worker and this isn’t romanticised in the slightest. His first interaction with Damian, his feelings of concern, were quite visceral and the caution he displayed was very realistic. The insidious manner in which Damian slithered his way into Ziggy’s life and affections was actually sort of difficult to read – it was like watching a friend ignore all of the red flags and falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole.
The (inevitable) turn in Damian’s behaviour was signposted so well for an outsider – as a reader, I almost felt like shouting at Ziggy to get out of there, to stop ignoring the signs like love bombing, etc. but it was also so clear that there was no way out. Where else did he have to go?
Stuart I found a bit one-dimensional and a bit of a caricature, and although I liked the character of Liam, it did feel a little like he was shoe-horned in there for plot/sequel purposes.
I had more issues with the second half of the book. I thought Marc sounded amazing, but the idea that his involvement with Ziggy would extend to finding him a place to stay where he did felt a little far-fetched. I did enjoy watching as Ziggy discovered there were kind people in the world and that he had friends – it was lovely to watch him being built up, finding love and acceptance. It would have been good to know more about Marc, his background – thinking about it, I can’t even picture Marc in my head apart from the tattoos and big build, which for me shows that he wasn’t fully fleshed out, although it might just be that I missed it in reading the story.
The difficulties Ziggy experienced with handling the sexual assault and trust-issues were dealt with very well and not simply brushed under the carpet. I just think that, for me, the second half lacked the realism of the first half and that affected my enjoyment. It was a bit like going from a gritty crime drama to a hallmark romance, complete with romantic misunderstanding, before the happily ever after. I think I would have preferred the second half to be longer and more in-depth, but I completely understand that that might not have been possible.
I enjoyed reading the book and the author did a very good job in pulling me into the story and caring for the characters, so I will look out for more books by them. A solid 4/5 from me and I recommend if the subject matter isn’t triggering that you give it a read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.