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A review by briochebun
The Tragedy of Felix and Jake by J. Daniels
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2.75 out of 5 ☆’s.
“Because no one has ever looked at me the way Jake looks at me.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚
I have a lot of mixed feelings about “The Tragedy of Felix and Jake”.
I was unable to put this book down & was eager to see what happened next — but there were also some elements of the story that I was not a fan of.
Some of the characters featured in this story felt extremely hollow at times. I wanted Hector + Miguel + Dean to be utilized more as characters (I would’ve enjoyed seeing them become more present support systems for both Jake & Felix) — but that never ended up happening. I just wanted them all to have a bit more depth.
There were also some moments within the story that felt a bit forced (to create drama & therefore allow other things to happen down the line)? I understand that some events are needed to move the plot along — but the length of CJ’s outburst seemed rather unnecessary / out of character given what we have seen of his character prior to that moment (I understand that he was going through a difficult time & didn’t mean what he was saying, but it all still seemed a bit off the wall).
I also wish that we learned more about Jake’s past in the military. We were told that that was his childhood dream — but it didn’t feel like it while reading. It seemed as though Jake also had some anger issues & I wish that they would’ve been addressed at some point.
ੈ✩‧₊˚
TLDR: I went into this book with high hopes & came out wishing a couple of things would’ve been done a bit differently (others might feel differently though — so I always recommend going in with an open mind)!
“Because no one has ever looked at me the way Jake looks at me.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚
I have a lot of mixed feelings about “The Tragedy of Felix and Jake”.
I was unable to put this book down & was eager to see what happened next — but there were also some elements of the story that I was not a fan of.
Some of the characters featured in this story felt extremely hollow at times. I wanted Hector + Miguel + Dean to be utilized more as characters (I would’ve enjoyed seeing them become more present support systems for both Jake & Felix) — but that never ended up happening. I just wanted them all to have a bit more depth.
There were also some moments within the story that felt a bit forced (to create drama & therefore allow other things to happen down the line)? I understand that some events are needed to move the plot along — but the length of CJ’s outburst seemed rather unnecessary / out of character given what we have seen of his character prior to that moment (I understand that he was going through a difficult time & didn’t mean what he was saying, but it all still seemed a bit off the wall).
I also wish that we learned more about Jake’s past in the military. We were told that that was his childhood dream — but it didn’t feel like it while reading. It seemed as though Jake also had some anger issues & I wish that they would’ve been addressed at some point.
ੈ✩‧₊˚
TLDR: I went into this book with high hopes & came out wishing a couple of things would’ve been done a bit differently (others might feel differently though — so I always recommend going in with an open mind)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Homophobia
Minor: Miscarriage, Death, and Child death