izzybizzylizz 's review for:

The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum

2.0

challenging dark informative tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I saw so many amazing reviews for this and was excited to read this only to find it isn't for my personal taste. For me the writing style wasn't it and it just felt off to me. The story itself started to feel more engaging when we met Walt and I enjoyed the different in tone and basic italic's and bold lettering to show the difference of who was talking, whether it be Hollis or Walt. Other than that I don't have much praise for this novel. It felt off when the author gave us teenage angst and problems for Hollis then the next page be a recipe on mozzarella (or the other multiple bread recipes as well) and then just continue. The pacing for not only the plot, but also the romance (if you even want to call it that) going on just felt wonky. I didn't feel closely connected with the characters to care enough about their problems and issues, and also felt stuff was either dragged on for too long or gets wrapped up way to soon.

Also with Walt being in Hollis's body I felt like it would have been better to keep it as it was in the beginning of their dynamic. The author seemed like it was a metaphor for abusive relationships and honestly I though that would've been better with Walt possessing Hollis's body and using it to his advantage. Also Walt flirting with Yulia even knowing she was a lesbian had just put me off since it remined me of my own experiences. And making this possession into a love story felt force and I wasn't exactly happy when Walt was able to stay in Hollis.

In the end I would've liked more from the side characters like Tim or James and wished they were more fleshed out since they also have background with our mc, and it felt off reading that they just hated each other until Walt came around.