zellapaige's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This book hurt. A soul-deep kind of aching pain. I think I cried from the halfway point till nearly the last page. I knew the book deals with abuse themes, but ironically Christopher's abuse isn't the most emotionally distressing part of the story. This book is a truly fantastic take on hurt/comfort, but I've taken off a full star simply because I didn't expect to be emotionally wrecked by it. I expected more happiness from a masochist and sadist finding each other, and all of that is in the book but as a much lower percentage of the book than I anticipated.
I would highly recommend that anyone who actively considers themself Christian, or was raised Christian, doesn't read this book. I am not and have never been religious, but hearing these retellings of Christian history was unsettling. This story shook my (admittedly rocky) understanding of the Christian faith in a very disconcerting way that may harm an actively religious person.
If you want a book that is going to make you feel, this one will do it. We do get a true HEA, but even that feels a touch bittersweet.
I would highly recommend that anyone who actively considers themself Christian, or was raised Christian, doesn't read this book. I am not and have never been religious, but hearing these retellings of Christian history was unsettling. This story shook my (admittedly rocky) understanding of the Christian faith in a very disconcerting way that may harm an actively religious person.
If you want a book that is going to make you feel, this one will do it. We do get a true HEA, but even that feels a touch bittersweet.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Abandonment, Blood, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
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