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A review by lololovesthings
Glitterland by Alexis Hall
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars!
"Glitterland" is another fantastic, emotional, beautiful book in author Alexis Hall's repertoire. This story is captivating, dark, honest, depressing, and powerful. Please check the trigger warnings as there are quite a few touchy topics discussed here. I appreciate how Hall can touch upon sensitive topics like suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, and mental health with a mix of devastating frankness and shocking mirth. I will be thinking about Ash and Darian for months and years to come. What a couple of characters! This is one of the more interesting grumpy x sunshine books I have read. I have a hunch many readers will be turned off by Ash and his rude and frank but uncouth mannerisms. By all accounts, he is a huge w4nker. Still, I found him slightly endearing even with a mountain of flaws. His struggles are familiar, and I found myself identifying with him on many levels. I also saw a little of myself in Darian, who is a sweetheart of a person who radiates light and love and uniqueness. He knows who he is and isn't afraid to be exactly that person. He is naive where Ash is practical, and together, they complement each other in ways I didn't think would be possible given the selfishness of Ash at the start of the book. Darian tears down Ash's walls slowly but surely. Their pairing is complex and not without its faults and flaws, but they make it work best for them. These characters are spectacularly brought to life by audiobook narrator Nicholas Boulton. Talk about a fantastic performance! his shifting cadence, animated style, and various voices make this one of the best audiobooks I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I just adored this book so, so much. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Hall, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Glitterland" is another fantastic, emotional, beautiful book in author Alexis Hall's repertoire. This story is captivating, dark, honest, depressing, and powerful. Please check the trigger warnings as there are quite a few touchy topics discussed here. I appreciate how Hall can touch upon sensitive topics like suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, and mental health with a mix of devastating frankness and shocking mirth. I will be thinking about Ash and Darian for months and years to come. What a couple of characters! This is one of the more interesting grumpy x sunshine books I have read. I have a hunch many readers will be turned off by Ash and his rude and frank but uncouth mannerisms. By all accounts, he is a huge w4nker. Still, I found him slightly endearing even with a mountain of flaws. His struggles are familiar, and I found myself identifying with him on many levels. I also saw a little of myself in Darian, who is a sweetheart of a person who radiates light and love and uniqueness. He knows who he is and isn't afraid to be exactly that person. He is naive where Ash is practical, and together, they complement each other in ways I didn't think would be possible given the selfishness of Ash at the start of the book. Darian tears down Ash's walls slowly but surely. Their pairing is complex and not without its faults and flaws, but they make it work best for them. These characters are spectacularly brought to life by audiobook narrator Nicholas Boulton. Talk about a fantastic performance! his shifting cadence, animated style, and various voices make this one of the best audiobooks I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I just adored this book so, so much. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Hall, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug use and Homophobia