Review by karahildebrand - These Violent Delights

karahildebrand 's review for:

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I can understand logically how this book might not be for everyone, but I truly felt like the author extracted everything I want in a story from my subconscious and published it. Every word that has made it onto the page is painstakingly precise and visceral, every sentence knocks the air out of you and captures some sentiment you never even considered trying to articulate yourself. This book is, in essence, an autopsy of a volatile romantic relationship through the eyes of a boy clouded so severely by insecurity and the reality-bending superiority complex that said insecurity facilitates. It dissects queerness, isolation, obsession, the instability of identity, the nuances of seeking “importance” or “power,” and how we retaliate and shape our worldview and self image in response to social rejection. It reflects the complexities of social dynamics and performance so truthfully while simultaneously depicting the fantastical echo chamber that is Julian and Paul’s relationship and how it devolves into violence. It’s so much more insightful than I was expecting and is genuinely fantastic. And the ending is absolutely perfect. No notes. Some people may think it’s too slow/too long, but in my opinion the length is absolutely justified and I never got bored reading it. This is a new favorite for sure.

Content Warnings