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essinink's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
NOTE: This book deals heavily with rape, its aftermath, and the long, long road that is trauma recovery.
---
I went into this book with my eyes open. This is the book that I heard the author discuss in-person, and I knew when I picked it up that it would be heavy.
I still underestimated just how dark it could get.
Geno (short for Geronimo) is a teenager when he is drugged and sexually assaulted over the course of two days. His physical injuries are extensive. The mental and emotional damage is worse. <i>Finches</i> covers both the assault and how he has to pull himself back together afterwards. This book is not gratuitous. This is not trauma for the sake of trauma. This is a young man and the long, long path to reconstruction. It's not easy. It's not linear. It gets worse before it gets better. There is fear, and anger, and it's Not Easy to read, but it's also a subject that gets very little attention in society. It's an invisible thing, and this book pulls back the curtains to say both "this happens," and also "there's hope."
It's not all grimdark trauma; this book also continues the story of Javier Landes, who was a main character in [book:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128]. Tonally, the contrast between Javier and Geno's stories is stark.
After all the pining and turmoil in the first book, I initially found it a bit jarring for Jav's part of the story to be so calm and straightforward. (It's not 100% smooth sailing, tbh, but it sure feels that way). But as I read more, I realized that the book <i>needed</i> that contrast. Javier and Stef have to be mature, levelheaded, desperately romantic, heck dare I even say "fluffy" at times, because Geno's story is at such a far extreme of darkness. For the sake of both the plot and the reader's emotional balance, the reader needs a refuge, and that's what that the Jav & Stef chapters provide.
This is not easy reading, but of the books I've read that deal with "sensitive topics," it is perhaps one of the best. I'm never sure that <i>recommend</i> is the correct word for a book like this. It's heavy, heavy reading after all. But it's very well done.
---
I went into this book with my eyes open. This is the book that I heard the author discuss in-person, and I knew when I picked it up that it would be heavy.
I still underestimated just how dark it could get.
Geno (short for Geronimo) is a teenager when he is drugged and sexually assaulted over the course of two days. His physical injuries are extensive. The mental and emotional damage is worse. <i>Finches</i> covers both the assault and how he has to pull himself back together afterwards. This book is not gratuitous. This is not trauma for the sake of trauma. This is a young man and the long, long path to reconstruction. It's not easy. It's not linear. It gets worse before it gets better. There is fear, and anger, and it's Not Easy to read, but it's also a subject that gets very little attention in society. It's an invisible thing, and this book pulls back the curtains to say both "this happens," and also "there's hope."
It's not all grimdark trauma; this book also continues the story of Javier Landes, who was a main character in [book:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128]. Tonally, the contrast between Javier and Geno's stories is stark.
After all the pining and turmoil in the first book, I initially found it a bit jarring for Jav's part of the story to be so calm and straightforward. (It's not 100% smooth sailing, tbh, but it sure feels that way). But as I read more, I realized that the book <i>needed</i> that contrast. Javier and Stef have to be mature, levelheaded, desperately romantic, heck dare I even say "fluffy" at times, because Geno's story is at such a far extreme of darkness. For the sake of both the plot and the reader's emotional balance, the reader needs a refuge, and that's what that the Jav & Stef chapters provide.
This is not easy reading, but of the books I've read that deal with "sensitive topics," it is perhaps one of the best. I'm never sure that <i>recommend</i> is the correct word for a book like this. It's heavy, heavy reading after all. But it's very well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia
sanukipityreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Unputdownable. Glad Javier got more of a story. Gino’s story was rough to read about but I think he came through in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual content
maura_harper's review
dark
emotional
slow-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? Yes
5.0
(please note: I would rate this 10 stars out of 5 if I could)
READING CHALLENGE: The 52 Book Club's Reading Challenge
PROMPT: 29 - Over 500 pages long
TITLE: Charm of Finches
AUTHOR: Suanne Laqueur
RATING: 5++
SERIES: Venery (Book 2)
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AS A STAND-ALONE, READ "EXULTATION OF LARKS" FIRST. Trust Me!!!
Please check the trigger warnings before reading
CHARM OF FINCHES is in my top 3 reads of all time. It is such an amazing piece of literature that is told in multiple points of view, different time frames, and different perspectives. This is a heartbreaking story. I tend to read very light stories that have a predictable cadence and this was so outside of my comfort zone, I cannot begin to explain what this book did to me. It's been a little over a week since I finished and I'm just now able to write the review.
A few of my favorite quotes are:
"Do you believe everything happens for a reason?" "I do" Jav said "But not everyone gets the privilege of liking the reason"
-
"Love is a great wisdom made up of small understandings."
There is so much I want to tell you about this story, about how incredible it is, about how angry events in the book made me, about how much I worry about history repeating itself. I want to tell you how amazing certain humans are, how the world is made up of such goodness that it shines brighter than the darkness and how I am 100% certain that every character in this story is someone in real life.
The way this author intertwines the threads of a story is a work of art. I am so grateful I had this book in my bookcase when I finished the first. It is my belief that LARKS and FINCHES should be read back to back. Just make sure you have a fresh box of tissues handy.
READING CHALLENGE: The 52 Book Club's Reading Challenge
PROMPT: 29 - Over 500 pages long
TITLE: Charm of Finches
AUTHOR: Suanne Laqueur
RATING: 5++
SERIES: Venery (Book 2)
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AS A STAND-ALONE, READ "EXULTATION OF LARKS" FIRST. Trust Me!!!
Please check the trigger warnings before reading
CHARM OF FINCHES is in my top 3 reads of all time. It is such an amazing piece of literature that is told in multiple points of view, different time frames, and different perspectives. This is a heartbreaking story. I tend to read very light stories that have a predictable cadence and this was so outside of my comfort zone, I cannot begin to explain what this book did to me. It's been a little over a week since I finished and I'm just now able to write the review.
A few of my favorite quotes are:
"Do you believe everything happens for a reason?" "I do" Jav said "But not everyone gets the privilege of liking the reason"
-
"Love is a great wisdom made up of small understandings."
There is so much I want to tell you about this story, about how incredible it is, about how angry events in the book made me, about how much I worry about history repeating itself. I want to tell you how amazing certain humans are, how the world is made up of such goodness that it shines brighter than the darkness and how I am 100% certain that every character in this story is someone in real life.
The way this author intertwines the threads of a story is a work of art. I am so grateful I had this book in my bookcase when I finished the first. It is my belief that LARKS and FINCHES should be read back to back. Just make sure you have a fresh box of tissues handy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Genocide and Rape
bjrupnow's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
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