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mallorypen's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.25
This was an enjoyable read for what it was, and the sweetness of Harper Fox writing a character in love is always delightful. I also enjoyed a break from mysticism with Fox’s writing, and her efforts into a somewhat gothic novel played well. The jungle house, the hunting trophies, the boy so innocently naive and utterly debauched at the same time … my horror mounted along with Frank’s as he kept learning each new layer of abuse.
I liked Frank as a character - his disability wasn’t miraculously cured, or forgotten in any of the physical activities in the book, but he also had more to him than just a man with a war wound. Fox always writes her ex soldiers with sympathy and understanding, and Frank was no exception. He was a noble character but aware of his own faults, and I was cheering for him the entire time.
That said, there were some parts of this novel that didn’t rub me the right way. Gracie’s transformation from wild innocent boy to grown man with principles and true love took … just over two weeks? After a lifetime of being coddled and physically and emotionally abused by every adult in his life aside from serving staff? The development of the relationship and strength of feeling was wildly unrealistic to me. I could have used another two chapters detailing maybe several months where Gracie actually acts as his upbringing intended and THEN softens and learns there is a person he can trust in Frank.
The whole arc with Cyril was … something. I like him as a foil for Frank to show what money can do to a person (which Frank notes himself) as well as demonstrating that the wounds one takes home from war aren’t all physical, like Frank’s was. Having Cyril commit suicide and leave Frank his fortune felt like a cheap and convenient waste of Cyril’s life, and suicide being used as a plot device always squicks me just a little.
Martin and Rose kick ass, through. And Manning should have his own entire novel.
I liked Frank as a character - his disability wasn’t miraculously cured, or forgotten in any of the physical activities in the book, but he also had more to him than just a man with a war wound. Fox always writes her ex soldiers with sympathy and understanding, and Frank was no exception. He was a noble character but aware of his own faults, and I was cheering for him the entire time.
That said, there were some parts of this novel that didn’t rub me the right way. Gracie’s transformation from wild innocent boy to grown man with principles and true love took … just over two weeks? After a lifetime of being coddled and
Martin and Rose kick ass, through. And Manning should have his own entire novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual violence, and Rape
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