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A review by sapphirebubble_
The Wicker King by K. Ancrum
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
K. Ancrum, please take all my money and keep giving me such books!
Trigger Warnings for the book: depression, drug dealing, hallucinations, hospitalization, pyromania, violence, separation anxiety
Representation: bisexual main character with anorexia, anxiety and depression; bisexual main character with peduncular hallucinosis, an Indian Sikh love interest/side character polyamorous relationship
To say that this book is mindbending is an understatement. The Wicker King destroys and builds its reality piece by piece in such a fascinating manner that it leaves you in awe, and thirsty to drink it all in. It defies all expectations and is something out of this world with its particular format and building of world and characters.
There is so much put into this small book. From amazing characters and character arcs to beautiful relationships, wild imagination, the effects of parental and authoritative neglect, the machinations of a small town and its people, and so, so much more.
The Wicker King is full of yearning. Of August and Jack, for each other, for recognition and affection from their parents and from others, for something more. It was really incredible to see this weirdly affectionate, toxic, needy relationship that August and Jack had with each other. They couldn't help but want to possess each other because they had so little. Even though they came from different backgrounds, the way they molded until they fit each other perfectly to make the most of their circumstances, being the best support for each other in their small world and yet, also leading each other to destruction - it was beautiful, painful, mesmerising, heartbreaking.
Rina was my favourite character, on account of her being South Asian (an Indian Sikh) and also because even though she finds herself in a similar situation to Jack and August, she deals with it very differently. Even though, she realises what they are doing is not good and they require help, she allows them to breathe in their space and make their own decisions rather than forcing them. As teenagers, there are some things that we cannot let others figure out for us and Rina understands that, not fully supporting the boys but not shunning them either.
The Wicker King is a story of neglect and found family. I loved how it portrayed both of these in such a gray manner. You can say that the grass wasn't greener on either side, but it was more bearable on one. It is not a happy ending, but not a terrible one either and I think that pretty much encapsulates how life can be.
There is a lot of ugliness to the relationship that Jack and August have, and somehow that made me love this even more. Highly recommended.
Trigger Warnings for the book: depression, drug dealing, hallucinations, hospitalization, pyromania, violence, separation anxiety
Representation: bisexual main character with anorexia, anxiety and depression; bisexual main character with peduncular hallucinosis, an Indian Sikh love interest/side character polyamorous relationship
To say that this book is mindbending is an understatement. The Wicker King destroys and builds its reality piece by piece in such a fascinating manner that it leaves you in awe, and thirsty to drink it all in. It defies all expectations and is something out of this world with its particular format and building of world and characters.
There is so much put into this small book. From amazing characters and character arcs to beautiful relationships, wild imagination, the effects of parental and authoritative neglect, the machinations of a small town and its people, and so, so much more.
The Wicker King is full of yearning. Of August and Jack, for each other, for recognition and affection from their parents and from others, for something more. It was really incredible to see this weirdly affectionate, toxic, needy relationship that August and Jack had with each other. They couldn't help but want to possess each other because they had so little. Even though they came from different backgrounds, the way they molded until they fit each other perfectly to make the most of their circumstances, being the best support for each other in their small world and yet, also leading each other to destruction - it was beautiful, painful, mesmerising, heartbreaking.
Rina was my favourite character, on account of her being South Asian (an Indian Sikh) and also because even though she finds herself in a similar situation to Jack and August, she deals with it very differently. Even though, she realises what they are doing is not good and they require help, she allows them to breathe in their space and make their own decisions rather than forcing them. As teenagers, there are some things that we cannot let others figure out for us and Rina understands that, not fully supporting the boys but not shunning them either.
The Wicker King is a story of neglect and found family. I loved how it portrayed both of these in such a gray manner. You can say that the grass wasn't greener on either side, but it was more bearable on one. It is not a happy ending, but not a terrible one either and I think that pretty much encapsulates how life can be.
There is a lot of ugliness to the relationship that Jack and August have, and somehow that made me love this even more. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship