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A review by aiyam
Take Her Down by Lauren Emily Whalen
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
First off: Massive TW for biphobia. This is a constant throughout the book, from straight people and queer people alike.
Okay I loved this book so much. The format of the book is just stunning, the characters are enthralling, and I was obsessed from the second I picked it up.
The story is a queer YA retelling of Julius Caesar, and if that isn't enough to convince you to pick it up I don't know what you could need. Bronwyn - Brutus, Cass - Cassius, Porter - Portia, and Jude Cuthbert - Julius Caesar are the main characters that you will come to know and somewhat despise. Do not despise Porter though, I am a Porter stan until I die okay, I will defend this man until my dying breath. He is me and I am okay with that because I love him. Possibly my favorite thing that Whalen did was make me truly dislike some of these characters despite not wanting to. The mark of a good author is the ability to evoke emotion, and I felt many negative ones when reading about these characters and their behavior.
The betrayal and backstabbing is just so well done. The nasty exclusionary high school behavior was so realistic I got chills. There are a couple of bullying incidents from Jude that as I was reading, I could picture who I know that would do the same thing without even thinking about it. Every part of the story unfolds with a crystal clear motive, and it is disgusting what they are doing but I was on the edge of my seat. The impact of all of this being told after the fact is just so powerful and such an amazing literary choice.
Honestly I think everyone should read this (provided you check the laundry list of trigger warnings first). I guarantee this will be a hit with the queer Shakespeare obsessed teenagers (mostly because it was a hit with me) and I hope that a massive audience can read this and take it for all it is.
Okay I loved this book so much. The format of the book is just stunning, the characters are enthralling, and I was obsessed from the second I picked it up.
The story is a queer YA retelling of Julius Caesar, and if that isn't enough to convince you to pick it up I don't know what you could need. Bronwyn - Brutus, Cass - Cassius, Porter - Portia, and Jude Cuthbert - Julius Caesar are the main characters that you will come to know and somewhat despise. Do not despise Porter though, I am a Porter stan until I die okay, I will defend this man until my dying breath. He is me and I am okay with that because I love him. Possibly my favorite thing that Whalen did was make me truly dislike some of these characters despite not wanting to. The mark of a good author is the ability to evoke emotion, and I felt many negative ones when reading about these characters and their behavior.
The betrayal and backstabbing is just so well done. The nasty exclusionary high school behavior was so realistic I got chills. There are a couple of bullying incidents from Jude that as I was reading, I could picture who I know that would do the same thing without even thinking about it. Every part of the story unfolds with a crystal clear motive, and it is disgusting what they are doing but I was on the edge of my seat. The impact of all of this being told after the fact is just so powerful and such an amazing literary choice.
Honestly I think everyone should read this (provided you check the laundry list of trigger warnings first). I guarantee this will be a hit with the queer Shakespeare obsessed teenagers (mostly because it was a hit with me) and I hope that a massive audience can read this and take it for all it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Bullying