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A review by bycandlelight
Where There's a Will by Jessie Walker
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's a review for both "Where There's a Will" and "If There's a Way", and it will contain some spoilers for both books. I don't think there's a point in reviewing them separately, as the story doesn't get a satisfying conclusion in book one.
"Where There's a Will" is a dark and extremely sad story, and you don't see much hope for a happy ending. "If There's a Way" is a story about healing and letting go. Less dark, more hopeful. And also decidedly too long.
Although the series isn't perfect, the feelings it gave me are hard to express. I cried so hard I almost choked. At some point I found it almost impossible for the book to end well, there were just so many factors that doomed Will and Way's relationship. It was a rollercoaster, and I don't think I got off the ride unscathed.
That being said, it was far too long, and there was a fair bit of awkward writing (I will never look at the word "orbs" the same again). I also didn't like how the author used the characters' "perceptiveness" as a constant means to move the plot along. Sometimes I had to go back a few paragraphs to try and find what prompted certain realisations, like whenWill found out from Ivy's one word that Way was abused by his father or how Way read from Reggie's eyes that the boy from Reggie's past was Way's dad . And it happened every few pages, which was exhausting.
Furthermore, I am not 100% sure about Will's motivation to cultivate this idealised version of his and Way's childhood friendship after so many years. I completely understand Way's perspective, he wasan abused child who desperately wanted to be saved . His obsession with Will is well-founded despite his young age. In my opinion, Will was way too young and had a too healthy childhood to be similarly touched by their fairly short friendship.
Will and Way's story will stay with me and for that - thank you, Jessie!
"Where There's a Will" is a dark and extremely sad story, and you don't see much hope for a happy ending. "If There's a Way" is a story about healing and letting go. Less dark, more hopeful. And also decidedly too long.
Although the series isn't perfect, the feelings it gave me are hard to express. I cried so hard I almost choked. At some point I found it almost impossible for the book to end well, there were just so many factors that doomed Will and Way's relationship. It was a rollercoaster, and I don't think I got off the ride unscathed.
That being said, it was far too long, and there was a fair bit of awkward writing (I will never look at the word "orbs" the same again). I also didn't like how the author used the characters' "perceptiveness" as a constant means to move the plot along. Sometimes I had to go back a few paragraphs to try and find what prompted certain realisations, like when
Furthermore, I am not 100% sure about Will's motivation to cultivate this idealised version of his and Way's childhood friendship after so many years. I completely understand Way's perspective, he was
Will and Way's story will stay with me and for that - thank you, Jessie!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent