A review by librarianryan
The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

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

4.0

For some reason, I always thought this book was a fantasy.  It made me think of the old movie the Wicker Man (both versions).  But that could not be farther away from the plot of this story.

This book is a look at two teen boys, August and Jack,  as they descend into madness.  You know this from the very beginning because as of page five you know one of them is in an asylum.  The story takes you through how August got there.

At times this story is hard to follow.  Each chapter is less than five pages and each has a heading that sometimes makes perfect sense, and other times could lead to debates on it’s meaning.  Most of the story is told from August’s point of view, but we see snatches from other friends who want to be helpful, but don’t know how.  The adults are useless, either because they are absent, dealing with their own mental difficulties, or not paying attention. August tries to be there, be the grownup for his best friend Jack.  But as Jack gets stranger and stranger, he pulls August under with him.  Literally in certain parts. 

The cast of friends see things happening, and try to help, but how can you help when things seem hopeless?  This book is also confusing, but I think it is intended to be that way, so the reader gets to feel a bit as the boys do;  lost and afloat looking for solid ground.  This book is both moving and terrifying in the best way.  It is well written, and thought provoking. I will need time to recover from this read.  It’s just … wow!

There is a novella that tells the story from Jack’s side, available as an ebook.  If you get to the end of this, that might be worth reading.  That would be the fantasy book I was thinking this was.  The idea intrigues me, but right now, I can’t do that.  I need a rest.  Like the boys, I need to sleep and be left alone with my thoughts.  

I can see why this book was getting so much praise when it came out four years ago.  It deserves every bit of it.  And it should be on library shelves for years to come, as there are things teens will see about themselves in the pages, and it may prompt them to get the help they need.

This book was fantastic.  It was hard, but it was worth reading, and a topic not readily found in many YA books.

TW: Non-graphic sex, mental instability

 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings