Reviews

The Invasion of Tork by Al Stewart, Claire Davis

mikibooks's review

5.0

Impresionante. Un libro delicado, profundo, repleto de esperanza y de intensidad sin necesidad de recurrir a ningún cliché ni trampa narrativa. Con una sutileza en la escritura que pocas veces se ve. Así se escribe "romance", gente.

ineffablebooks's review

5.0

At first Adam (that little jerk) had me begging for him to just SHUT. UP.


But Tork! I lapped up this little ebook in one sitting because I needed to make sure he would be okay. A short, heartfelt and adorable read that I highly recommend for a quick, heartwarming and romantic read (plus it's free on iBooks! Don't worry, the hatred for Adam will eventually pass... he turns out to be quite hilarious in a pathetic/confused sort of way)
Plus the end! GAH, MY HEART


Tork, you beautiful cinnamon roll, if you can love him, then I can live with that

(And yes, I've already downloaded the second one :3)


(This marks the completion of my 2016 reading challenge! (only 3 days to spare..) Didn't think I'd make it! :D)

liza5326's review

4.0

Really not the story I thought it was going to be, but so amazing. Tork is homeless and suffers from mental illness. He has to follow the rules or punish himself. Adam is a self-absorbed rich boy who is only volunteering at the shelter because it looks good on his university applications. He can't believe that Tork wouldn't feel lucky just for a tiny bit of his attention, so he is completely frustrated when his additions to the daily food parcels and extra attention doesn't get him the adulation he feels he deserves. For such a short story, it packed a punch. I hope the sequel gives us more on Tork's past because he is so fascinating. And Adam is the perfect match for him.

marlobo's review

3.0

3.5 stars

What more I enjoyed of this story is the reversal in the dynamics between who helps and who needs help since, in strict terms of the relationship between the MCs, the main giver is Tork, because even though meeting Adam incites Tork to move forward in spite of his fears, it's Adam who really experiences a structural change.

Also I liked it how it's structured with short chapters and changes in POV. And I loved the origami aspect, I would have liked to see it exploded a little bit more,

However, there are two points which I consider incomplete:

* The data about Tork's history is hands-down insufficient; he's a stunning character, with fears and a litlle bit off-kilter but not with total lack of self-esteem -he yearns to be tidy, he loves his books, he takes care of "his" place and his origami decorations-, then I cannot avoid asking myself how it is that he has come to his present situation:

Spoiler

I should like to hear more about Steve and their relatonship. What has happened with his mother?, What about a previous occupation? What about an emotional containment net
(family, friends)? What has become of them? Or hasn't he had them?

* The changes in Adam are told almost only regarding Tork, just around the ending is suggested that he has adapted finally to his work in the shelter. But there isn't enough information about this matter, it would be pleasing to see that it is not only a partial change due his infatuation with Tork, to see how community service affects all his life and his vision of himself, to see him becoming a better person through more mentions on his interaction with the people of the shelter and with the people of his own background.

Short of that, this authors duet continues calling my attention and I'm looking forward for his next collaborative work.

jamiesbookaddiction's review

1.0

I didn't like this. The writing style really threw me off. It felt ridiculously broken.

I'm almost wondering if I read a different book. I was looking through reviews and everyone is all weepy and this was so wonderful and sweet. I wasn't as emotional with Tork. Adam was a jerk. Neither one of these characters really pulled me in so I'm going to just stop the torture now.

loishojmark's review

4.0

Just so... so much... so many feelings.

I can't believe how much I love the books by Claire Davis and Al Stewart! The language is just so beautiful and the stories is riveting. The Invasion of Tork is no different. I'm so glad that they write books with happy endings or I would just implode. Only dislike... It was to short.

papercranestitches's review

4.0

*** 4.5 Stars ***

This was real and lovely. It played tug of war with my emotions and the way that I felt about the characters (who were complex and flawed and more lovely because of it).

gabriele_queerbookdom's review

3.0

It's a short story, but full of emotion and passion. An almost impossible love originates from two boys who are nothing if not different. Tork is a twenty-two-year-old homeless guy of Asian origins with green flashy hair. Adam is a blonde prideful college boy who thinks he's the centre of the world. Their relationship begins differently as it could happen between other people. Adam is obliged to partecipate in charity work as a college-application requirement. There, Tork's hair and caramel eyes catch his stare. Firstly repulsed by Tork's life condition, he compels himself to dislike him, but as the story goes on, he can't deny anymore the strong attraction that commands him and his actions.

josy's review

5.0

~ 4.5 stars ~

A very emotional story that deals with the heavy topic of homelessness and all that comes with it when someone finds themselves in this situation and can't find their way out on their own. Still, this story ends on a hopeful note. Not only for a new chance at life but also for a love between two young men so utterly different.

Tork broke my heart and I just wanted him to be happy and safe. But at the same time, I was also proud of him.

I'm not sure if it's me or the wonderful writing but I loved Adam from the beginning even when he was an arrogant prick without any empathy. I actually felt kind of sorry for him and couldn't wait for him to see what was right in front of him.

No matter if a short story or a full-length novel, these authors never fail to capture my attention from beginning to end. I love their writing and their capability to pull me in completely. I just wish there would have been a trigger warning for the topic of self-harm in the blurb. For some, this is a very sensitive issue and we need to prepare ourselves before reading about it.

edit: the publisher reacted immediately and put a content warning in the blurb. Thank you for that!!!

kimberlycarrington's review

3.0

3'5 realmente. Es muy cuqui y demasiado breve