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cerys_m's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
alizalondon's review
4.0
Man, it’s criminal that the author’s publisher didn’t publish this properly. Even released on Patreon in a less-polished format, it’s amazing. Avery is my son and I would die for him.
My only gripe with all three books is the fact that there are villains at all that add unnecessary violence and conflict for the sake of having a climax. The strongest part of the books are the boys’ internal conflicts and the ghosts they’re fighting, not devil-horned, one-note villains lurking in corners with apparently nothing better to do than stalk our characters. Vin wasn’t nearly as bad in the last one, but in this book it becomes apparent she’s just there to give the story action when it doesn’t need it. I’d much rather have an emotional climax than a physical one, since the rest of the book is focused on Avery’s healing process.
But other than her, it’s great. Lots of hurt/comfort, and wholesome fluff and overall heart healing stuff. I binged this and the next one in one night, so that’s saying something.
My only gripe with all three books is the fact that there are villains at all that add unnecessary violence and conflict for the sake of having a climax. The strongest part of the books are the boys’ internal conflicts and the ghosts they’re fighting, not devil-horned, one-note villains lurking in corners with apparently nothing better to do than stalk our characters. Vin wasn’t nearly as bad in the last one, but in this book it becomes apparent she’s just there to give the story action when it doesn’t need it. I’d much rather have an emotional climax than a physical one, since the rest of the book is focused on Avery’s healing process.
But other than her, it’s great. Lots of hurt/comfort, and wholesome fluff and overall heart healing stuff. I binged this and the next one in one night, so that’s saying something.
wordsandrecreation's review
5.0
I LOOOOVED this book! The De Lainey family trying to make a home for Avery was the sweetest thing ever! They’re all so good and I love every one of them! And Avery is so precious and sweet and fierce. I loved reading about his reactions to the family and him going softer.
Jeremy’s chapters were delightful and it was so great to get more insight in the reality of the De Laineys. All of the different family members were so fleshed out and they really stick out from each other! I love all their chaoticness and shenanigans!
So yeah, I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feels! If you haven’t read it, you really should! (After The Boy Who Steals Houses of course)
Jeremy’s chapters were delightful and it was so great to get more insight in the reality of the De Laineys. All of the different family members were so fleshed out and they really stick out from each other! I love all their chaoticness and shenanigans!
So yeah, I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feels! If you haven’t read it, you really should! (After The Boy Who Steals Houses of course)
keziamichela's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Kings of Nowhere by C.G. Drews – 5 Stars!
“When he walks, he leaves a comet trail of sadness glittering in his wake, but no one would notice that.”
I am a puddle of feelings on the pavement, and I might need someone to help peel me off once I have re-solidified. Which will likely only occur with the series’ continuation. Until then, I am willing to accept TKON’s reserved place within my daily thoughts, alongside its prequel, The Boy Who Steals Houses (TBWSH), and the wonder that is the De Lainey family.
This journey was marvellous and emotional and completely and utterly heartbreaking and heart-melting. Everything about this soul-altering, find-a-family novel is perfect.
The writing is beautiful. C.G. Drews has written some of the most heart-stopping, eyes-bawling, soul-piercing lines I have ever read, and this book is overflowing with them, practically gushing.
“They are the kings between nowhere and the end of the world, both of them made of broken edges so sharp that anyone who touches them will be cut. They are all each other has. And it’s not enough.”
The dialogue is also on-point! I loved every interaction, both the serious and the humorous and all others in between.
“Why are you doing this?” His voice is low, almost soft in his confusion.
“Because I’m keeping you,” Jeremy says. “I mean, we’re keeping you. You’re being kept.”
The characters are realistic, endearing and inspiring. Their personalities are deep and unfurl little by little with each chapter, in such a way that you begin to feel as though you know them so well, what they are going to do, how they will react. You quickly begin to care about them so deeply and fully that it becomes difficult to remember that they only exist, breath, within pages and in ink.
“He can’t get comfortable in this house, with this family, not even as his soul reaches for something. For someone.
It would be easier if they hated him for all the trouble he’s caused.
But of course he’s stuck with the one family who refuses to lose patience.”
And then there’s that fierce protectiveness of the De Laineys. The love and unity and loyalty, to each other, and their vibrant and chaotic butter yellow house.
“…break one De Lainey heart and you get the rest of us lined up to end you.”
The plot is gripping and wonderfully paced. Slow-burn and gradual character development progressing in tandem is something I live for, and C.G. Drews delivers this in TKON flawlessly. Additionally, I love that the focus of this captivating novel is on the plot, the romance is there, always present, but it does not take front and centre.
C.G. Drews focuses on family growth and unity. On the relationships between De Laineys. How they deal with trials, working together unified. Taking on responsibility for one another even when they feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Drews also addresses past trauma and how it takes shape in the present. The struggles that come with living with it and allowing others to see it. Then there is the complicated and heart-shredding reality of the Lou brothers. Through Avery and Sam, Drews tackles the task of representing what it’s like being autistic – the habits, thoughts, needs, the way they perceive and express – and the various types of ASD. And how living in a world where most people lack understanding, and do not care to better this gap in their knowledge, affects their lives, their experiences, taints moments through assumptions and false accusations.
While reading I felt sorrow, anger, panic, terror, and tremendous happiness and relief so palpable that I was often in tears or struck into stillness from shock. Numerous times, and in various sequences.
Every aspect, every detail within TKON is delivered with eloquence and care. One can easily tell that this work of art is held precious by the author, every line expressing how close the story and characters are to her heart.
“A strange feeling spreads through Avery’s chest, a slow, honeyed warmth he can’t ignore. It seeps over the fear, the sorrow, the bitter wretched dread that has always lived inside him, and it clings like a stain against his ribcage.
This feeling that is somehow terrible and holy and beautiful all at once.
He is not alone.”
“When he walks, he leaves a comet trail of sadness glittering in his wake, but no one would notice that.”
I am a puddle of feelings on the pavement, and I might need someone to help peel me off once I have re-solidified. Which will likely only occur with the series’ continuation. Until then, I am willing to accept TKON’s reserved place within my daily thoughts, alongside its prequel, The Boy Who Steals Houses (TBWSH), and the wonder that is the De Lainey family.
This journey was marvellous and emotional and completely and utterly heartbreaking and heart-melting. Everything about this soul-altering, find-a-family novel is perfect.
The writing is beautiful. C.G. Drews has written some of the most heart-stopping, eyes-bawling, soul-piercing lines I have ever read, and this book is overflowing with them, practically gushing.
“They are the kings between nowhere and the end of the world, both of them made of broken edges so sharp that anyone who touches them will be cut. They are all each other has. And it’s not enough.”
The dialogue is also on-point! I loved every interaction, both the serious and the humorous and all others in between.
“Why are you doing this?” His voice is low, almost soft in his confusion.
“Because I’m keeping you,” Jeremy says. “I mean, we’re keeping you. You’re being kept.”
The characters are realistic, endearing and inspiring. Their personalities are deep and unfurl little by little with each chapter, in such a way that you begin to feel as though you know them so well, what they are going to do, how they will react. You quickly begin to care about them so deeply and fully that it becomes difficult to remember that they only exist, breath, within pages and in ink.
“He can’t get comfortable in this house, with this family, not even as his soul reaches for something. For someone.
It would be easier if they hated him for all the trouble he’s caused.
But of course he’s stuck with the one family who refuses to lose patience.”
And then there’s that fierce protectiveness of the De Laineys. The love and unity and loyalty, to each other, and their vibrant and chaotic butter yellow house.
“…break one De Lainey heart and you get the rest of us lined up to end you.”
The plot is gripping and wonderfully paced. Slow-burn and gradual character development progressing in tandem is something I live for, and C.G. Drews delivers this in TKON flawlessly. Additionally, I love that the focus of this captivating novel is on the plot, the romance is there, always present, but it does not take front and centre.
C.G. Drews focuses on family growth and unity. On the relationships between De Laineys. How they deal with trials, working together unified. Taking on responsibility for one another even when they feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Drews also addresses past trauma and how it takes shape in the present. The struggles that come with living with it and allowing others to see it. Then there is the complicated and heart-shredding reality of the Lou brothers. Through Avery and Sam, Drews tackles the task of representing what it’s like being autistic – the habits, thoughts, needs, the way they perceive and express – and the various types of ASD. And how living in a world where most people lack understanding, and do not care to better this gap in their knowledge, affects their lives, their experiences, taints moments through assumptions and false accusations.
While reading I felt sorrow, anger, panic, terror, and tremendous happiness and relief so palpable that I was often in tears or struck into stillness from shock. Numerous times, and in various sequences.
Every aspect, every detail within TKON is delivered with eloquence and care. One can easily tell that this work of art is held precious by the author, every line expressing how close the story and characters are to her heart.
“A strange feeling spreads through Avery’s chest, a slow, honeyed warmth he can’t ignore. It seeps over the fear, the sorrow, the bitter wretched dread that has always lived inside him, and it clings like a stain against his ribcage.
This feeling that is somehow terrible and holy and beautiful all at once.
He is not alone.”
jakegreyxx's review
5.0
The sequel to The Boy Who Steals Houses follows Avery, settling in with the De Lainey family while Sam does his time in juvie. This book also has P.O.V. for Jeremy De Lainey scattered through, filling in details and giving us a bit more insight into the always-happy, ever-joking De Lainey son.
It is beautiful, wholesome, and filled with warmth.
It will also rip your heart to shreds and leave you crawling on the floor to find the pieces through your tears.
It is beautiful, wholesome, and filled with warmth.
It will also rip your heart to shreds and leave you crawling on the floor to find the pieces through your tears.
tandewrites's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Pleased to announce that this book is equally beautiful and emotionally devastating as it was throughout my first read, and that I can confirm that it is unputdownable when I have every chapter available at once.
Original review - April 2022
The Kings of Nowhere is the currently Patreon exclusive sequel to The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews, an author and a book that own my entire heart. They stole it, if you must.
This book was as close as you can get to unputdownable for a book that was published a few chapters at a time each Friday. It takes place soon after the events of The Boy Who Steals Houses and is dual narrated by Avery Lou and Jeremy De Lainey, showing Avery’s transition from a life of burglary and car theft to a life of homey chaos in the butter-yellow house. However, he feels like he’s drowning without Sam and is determined to sabotage his time with his new family and get locked up with his brother instead.
I’m scrolling through the comments I left on each chapter while I’m writing this review and it’s just an endless monologue of me crying into my keyboard and wishing there was a physical copy to dramatically hold against my heart. Were the metaphorical tears because this book was particularly sad? Not really. They were because a few scenes or lines of dialogue or internal monologue felt like they were written directly about me, from Jeremy’s anxiety spirals to Avery’s fear of not being wanted. Drews has an incredible talent for metaphors and capturing abstract emotions and finding the perfect words to describe something that usually feels so indescribable.
I want to take a moment to talk specifically about the character who owns my entire heart and played a larger role in this book than in the first: Jeremy De Lainey. Jeremy’s character felt like a slow burn in a sense: we were introduced to him in the first book and had an idea of his personality, but his narration added a new perspective, especially as the new side to him unfurls little by little with each chapter. And every single one of those chapters was a personal attack and a stab in my chest. I won’t elaborate further because I don’t want to lean into spoiler territory, but this boy needs a hug.
I made this point in my review for the first book, but it’s so overwhelmingly lovely for me to read about good sibling relationships and healthy family dynamics that can still have drama without turning bad. The De Lainey’s consistently provide hope and moments of light throughout the darkness, and still love each other despite the fractures that form. All of the De Lainey’s feel like fully fleshed out characters and have distinct personalities, something that is important to note as there are so many of them. The family has an incredible sense of loyalty and protectiveness to each other and the people that they’ve decided to keep.
I’ll conclude this review with a point that drew me back to read the second book in the series: the autism representation. The representation is less brutal than in the first book: we’re in Avery’s head now so we can see his entire thought process, even if we don’t necessarily understand it. There are still moments where it’s disturbing and frustrating, but Avery’s support system is such a beacon of hope and there isn’t a moment where anyone tries to ‘fix’ him or give up on him.
I’m sad that this book came to an end as the chapters being released became the highlight of my week, but I’m so proud and in awe of what the author has achieved with this project as someone who has been following their social media and writing journey for longer than I can remember. It was an honour to join that journey for a moment, and it was an honour to read a book that dealt with sensitive issues with such care that you can tell this book is part of the author’s heart.
Rating: ★★★★★
Original review - April 2022
The Kings of Nowhere is the currently Patreon exclusive sequel to The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews, an author and a book that own my entire heart. They stole it, if you must.
This book was as close as you can get to unputdownable for a book that was published a few chapters at a time each Friday. It takes place soon after the events of The Boy Who Steals Houses and is dual narrated by Avery Lou and Jeremy De Lainey, showing Avery’s transition from a life of burglary and car theft to a life of homey chaos in the butter-yellow house. However, he feels like he’s drowning without Sam and is determined to sabotage his time with his new family and get locked up with his brother instead.
I’m scrolling through the comments I left on each chapter while I’m writing this review and it’s just an endless monologue of me crying into my keyboard and wishing there was a physical copy to dramatically hold against my heart. Were the metaphorical tears because this book was particularly sad? Not really. They were because a few scenes or lines of dialogue or internal monologue felt like they were written directly about me, from Jeremy’s anxiety spirals to Avery’s fear of not being wanted. Drews has an incredible talent for metaphors and capturing abstract emotions and finding the perfect words to describe something that usually feels so indescribable.
I want to take a moment to talk specifically about the character who owns my entire heart and played a larger role in this book than in the first: Jeremy De Lainey. Jeremy’s character felt like a slow burn in a sense: we were introduced to him in the first book and had an idea of his personality, but his narration added a new perspective, especially as the new side to him unfurls little by little with each chapter. And every single one of those chapters was a personal attack and a stab in my chest. I won’t elaborate further because I don’t want to lean into spoiler territory, but this boy needs a hug.
I made this point in my review for the first book, but it’s so overwhelmingly lovely for me to read about good sibling relationships and healthy family dynamics that can still have drama without turning bad. The De Lainey’s consistently provide hope and moments of light throughout the darkness, and still love each other despite the fractures that form. All of the De Lainey’s feel like fully fleshed out characters and have distinct personalities, something that is important to note as there are so many of them. The family has an incredible sense of loyalty and protectiveness to each other and the people that they’ve decided to keep.
I’ll conclude this review with a point that drew me back to read the second book in the series: the autism representation. The representation is less brutal than in the first book: we’re in Avery’s head now so we can see his entire thought process, even if we don’t necessarily understand it. There are still moments where it’s disturbing and frustrating, but Avery’s support system is such a beacon of hope and there isn’t a moment where anyone tries to ‘fix’ him or give up on him.
I’m sad that this book came to an end as the chapters being released became the highlight of my week, but I’m so proud and in awe of what the author has achieved with this project as someone who has been following their social media and writing journey for longer than I can remember. It was an honour to join that journey for a moment, and it was an honour to read a book that dealt with sensitive issues with such care that you can tell this book is part of the author’s heart.
Rating: ★★★★★
chloeberg's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
rozanne_visagie's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book deserves all the stars!!
How to even begin describing what this book made me feel - I was broken, put back together, broken again and hugged. C.G. Drews not only wrote a story that's THE PERFECT example of found family, but the characters are my heart!! I want more of them, I want a daily dose of De Laineys. The way people feel about Heartstopper, is the way I feel about these characters.
Endless thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is available on the author's Patreon, but be sure to read The Boy Who Steals Houses first, in order to get to know these characters fully.
Full review coming soon.
How to even begin describing what this book made me feel - I was broken, put back together, broken again and hugged. C.G. Drews not only wrote a story that's THE PERFECT example of found family, but the characters are my heart!! I want more of them, I want a daily dose of De Laineys. The way people feel about Heartstopper, is the way I feel about these characters.
Endless thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is available on the author's Patreon, but be sure to read The Boy Who Steals Houses first, in order to get to know these characters fully.
Full review coming soon.