A review by peter1rose
VICEROY by Casey Marley Breidenbach

dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I definitely was expecting the world of this book, which is bad for giving it an honest chance. I found the author's writing very true to the character's voice, easy to read, and entertaining. The book reminds me of Donny Darko or Heather's. The characters are like the grunge equivalent to The Secret History. It's cathartic to read with a clear sense of wish fulfillment for me. Where the book falls short is in that I think the narrative could have been tighter. Not necessarily shorter, but I found myself enjoying the more realistic aspects of the book, but
when they all travel to New York towards the end everything was more adventurous and fantastical than previous and later sections. I think I wanted it to be more like the climax where Davey dies. Their depravity could have still come from this. </spoiler > Regardless, I enjoyed it!
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