A review by thebookishren
Alter Arlo by Nordika Night

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

So 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐨 by 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 is GWLBWLB Book Club’s February pick. I highlighted SO MANY parts, y’all.

❣️ Dark and twisted as fffffff. Dystopian. TW galore. Multiple couples…Kinda.

What the ever loving fluck did I just read? This was a complete mindfluck of epic proportions. The characters: Arlo Thorne, Cadoc Dire, Zaden Enge, Finnegan Ravish, Lowell Brandish, Keiran (no last name)…all have unique and complicated and important roles in the story. Sooooo many twists and relationships and deceit.

Cadoc/Zade. Zade/Finn. Cadoc/Keiran. These were the realationships that held my attention the most, sorry Lowell. My girl was tough but nothing beat my guys.

I’m not going into details because any detail will give it all away. This story isn’t easy. It’s dark and depraved and raw. Theirs non consent and death and so much trauma. It’s wicked and brutal and sadly realistic.

I wouldn’t necessarily call this one a romance. It definitely has love but no romance. It’s a bit disturbing and completely unorthodox. You’ll have to suspend reality a bit or picture yourself in the world to relate to this one. But it’s worth it.

I took half a star off because of Lowell’s part of the story. I know why it’s there but I feel like e wouldn’t have lost much without it. I would’ve rather gotten Arlo’s POV.