This was really good but I can’t give it a full five stars for one reason. More on that reason below. But first! I enjoyed this so much! I said this in a status update while reading, but it was such a relief to have a YA book tackle what this book is trying to tackle* and have it SUCCEED instead of falling down on its face. Ava Reid, like her or not, is really talented. There are of course going to be people that are turned off by her style, but that’s how you know authors have one in the first place. I really dug this. I can tell by the fact that I already want to re-read it with a pen in hand to try to piece things together more and savor some of the lines and moments, that it was a huge success for me.
*academia (of the dark kind, naturally), a burgeoning romance between two damaged people, trauma recovery, themes of identity and bravery, sexual assault, institutional misogyny, magical atmosphere where characters are questioning reality
The blank screen of this review space has been staring at me for days, and so I am just going to buckle down and word vomit whatever is about to happen. This is how I defeat writer’s block.
The reason I have been having writer’s block about this review is the same reason I never want to write reviews for books that really speak to me or that I really like or that seem exceptionally thematically complex. My brain wants to write something that encompasses all the book’s facets, and because that is impossible, I write nothing. This book juggles a great atmosphere, well-rounded characters, tough subject matter, and a coming of age story all within a dark academia setting, and it does it very well.
It also kind of made me afraid of being permanently wet. Inside, I was just like, when do all these motherfuckers get to be dry and comfy again? Extremely atmospheric, is what I’m saying.
I could probably say more but I will be so happy to be done with this review so I’m just gonna click publish and say this book is worth it and you’ll just have to take my word I guess. Lalalalala.
Oh, btw the one reason for the not-five-star-rating is that SPOILERS all the twists are guessable and it makes the characters look pretty dumb for also not guessing, because the clues are all in-world. How they did not even suspect that the dude’s mysteriously closeted away wife was the author is beyond me. I also called that the Fairy King was possessing the son, although not the dad END SPOILERS.
“I wish I had fought.” Effy surprised herself by saying it. The words had leaped out of her throat, unbidden. “I know I beat him in the end, but for so many years all I could do was run and hide. I just sat there and let the water pour in around me. I didn’t know that I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“Oh no, Effy. That’s not what I meant at all. You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”[4.5 stars]
Chipping Away at Mt. TBR, Spooky Season Edition —Book 1/31