obstinateheadstrongcurl 's review for:

Credence by Penelope Douglas

1.5

dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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So many things not to like here. First, why did Tiernan need to be underage? I love an age gap, but I think plot/character-wise this would have worked just as well if she was a few years older. Lots of people who are over the age of 18 still live with their families, have put off university, and are fucked up about it. Second, I didn’t love how Kaleb’s selective mutism was handled. He’s constantly referred to as an animal and Tiernan is always demanding he speak to her, like anyone who can’t speak is worthless. Douglas also seems to not know where her plot is going most of the time, whether she’s writing a why choose or a love triangle (pyramid? What’s it called when there more than three lol). Overall this is needlessly taboo, offensive and poorly written.