A review by karlakayjenniges
Cruel by Eli Wilde

dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Thou shalt not feel lonely should have been a commandment. Or thou shalt not allow those around you to feel lonely would have been better. How could I have felt lonely when I was surrounded by so many people every day?"

This is the story of Evan Jameson. He is giving us a look into his memories of his childhood. His life was never an easy one. Every day was a battle against the injustices of the world. Bullying was an often prominent occurrence and becomes his greatest torment. It follows him into adulthood and has him questioning his own inner self control. During each moment that he shares, he is giving a little bit more of himself to us. An understanding of who he was and who he has become.

This is a story of a broken life and the cruelty that created it. Through the eyes of the man and the child he once was. The things that Evan experienced as a child builds an empathy and an understanding while also feeling abhorrence towards some of his acts, but we must have both to feel the whole experience of living with a life of cruelty and how it comes to affect a human soul.

A broken boy to a broken man.

It is raw, it is brutal, but it is also beautiful if it is experienced with an open mind and heart. It is not possible to ignore that there is much cruelty in this world and it has an everlasting affect.

Devastatingly exposing real life horror in all its heartbreaking nature.

Not an easy read, but most definitely powerful!

I received a review copy from Book Sirens. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Warning: The contents of this book are not meant to offend, but it contains scenes of a sexual nature and animal cruelty not suitable for all readers.