A review by stinkyfemme
Jackdaw by KJ Charles

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Honestly, I didn’t expect to be as emotionally impacted by this story as I was. I was anticipating something short and sweet, and instead ended up with a book that addressed one’s power to change their fate and grow beyond the parts of them that were presumed fundamental. I truly loved the way that friendship and tenderness allowed a presumed ‘villain’ to be redeemed, and Jonah’s growth sincerely touched me. Additionally, the bittersweet way that Jonah and Ben’s love regrew from past pain into something beautiful put me in a deeply bittersweet mood; It’s a feeling that’s making me wanted to linger on the book, instead of speeding ahead to my next book like I usually do.

My one real qualm with this book is the moment where
Spoiler Ben (very briefly) considers sexually assaulting Jonah. It left a sick feeling to my stomach, and I don’t know that the brushing off with “Jonah had enough power to end the situation if he wanted to” was enough for me. I understand that it was intended to show the depth of Ben’s pain and destruction as a person, but I just don’t feel comfortable with its inclusion in the novel.
 

Overall, I have a feeling that I’ll be revisiting this read again in the future. 4.5
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