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5-reasons

Five Reasons To is basically my way of convincing you to love the same things I do. Because I love a lot of things for a lot of reasons. Hopefully my powers of persuasion will work their magic on you, and you can find new things to love!

Today, I am going to give you five reasons to:

Read The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

1. August

Protect this boy!! At all costs!!! Honestly, August is too precious for this world, and to read his journey in The Wicker King is something you will never forget. He’s such a freaking sensitive soul, and cares so much I just can’t even. He’s strong and kind and passionate and just so many darn things and to see this kind of boy on our pages is damn important.

2. Jack

Jack, my darling. Where do I even begin? Jack’s arc follows the same timeline and a lot of the same happenings as August’s but is different at the same time. My heart actually hurt for Jack and the fact that August is literally the only person on earth who gives a shit about him. His mental health plays a huge role in this book, and it’s honestly done with such care and nuance and research and sensitivity. Jack is a lost boy and this book finds him.

3. August AND Jack

I will fight anyone who says that the relationship between August and Jack was not queer enough. It was queer af from the moment this book started. This isn’t a book about a friendship. This is a book about two boys going through bucket loads of shit and only having each other to rely on. It’s about love and what it can make you do. It’s about discovering yourself. It’s about putting someone else before yourself. It’s about two! guys! in! love! And also polyamory! IT’S QUEER AF IS WHAT I’M SAYING HERE.

4. It’s #ownvoices

August is bi and so is the author *cheers* Bi boys hardly ever make it to our pages (*shakes fist at entire publishing industry*) and I’m so glad this wasn’t another monumental fuck up in terms of the rep (because BOY have there been fuck ups in the little bi boy rep we have). So BLESS the fact that The Wicker King is #ownvoices.

5. The Design

Okay, firstly look at that cover artwork. It is perfection. And inside the pages it gets even better. If you don’t believe anything can get better than that cover you need to read this book. There are notes and photos and drawings and the pages get darker as the story does and the atmosphere this book design creates is magical. Petition for all books to be this detailed and gorgeous.

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So these are five reasons for you to read The Wicker King! This book is honestly everything and I will never shut up about it. If you want to add it to Goodreads, click here.

Have you read The Wicker King? Have I convinced you to?

Ta ta for now,

sig-chiara

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Posted on: December 10, 2018 • By: Chiara

9 Responses to Five Reasons To: Read The Wicker King

  1. Omg I agree with all of this so absolutely entirely much. This book totally took my heart and I can’t even with how perfectly emotional and carefully it was written?! The author’s note nearly made me cry and I NEVER CRY. (I also don’t understand why it’s been called queer-baiting before? Agsgh some people just want to make drama.) These boys are complicated and messy and make bad choices, and I love their arcs and trust in each other to be there. ??(Now I want to reread haha.)

  2. Oh, I love this post. Yes, everyone should read this. I LOVE the design of the book and that the pages get darker as the book gets darker. Such a cool idea! And I love Jack and August, and I need more from them now. And the book is totally queer. Some people just seem to need certain things to classify someone as queer, and I don’t get that. They are definitely two boys in love, who are willing to go to great lengths for each other. And yes, I need to read this one again, like now.

    -Lauren

  3. I saw this review come up when I had just finished this book and I totally agree with you – it’s one of my favourite reads of the year! I adore August and Jack and everything they get into in this book, plus I picked up the physical copy as soon as I saw it at the bookstore!

  4. Kelly says:

    Oh hell yes! I have this one to read and soon actually. Initially the cover drew me in but it’s the soft, sensitive bisexual boys I’m staying for. I couldn’t agree more, there’s really too few bisexual male characters in young adult, certainly not leading male characters from own voices authors. Books like The Wicker King can change that, supporting the books we have can help with pathways for more bisexual and pansexual (pansexual seems to be even further underrepresented) authors to enter publishing. Not queer enough sounds like a cop out to be honest. If this was a heterosexual relationship it would be called a slow burn. I’m here for the friends to lovers storylines, bring it ORRRRRN!

  5. Ahh I really want to read this book! I’ve been eyeing this one since it was released and the reviews are all positive… I mean, as positive as they can be when this book was also ripping their hearts out xD I can’t wait, I’ll definitely prioritize this in 2019!

  6. YES! Yes, you have convinced me!
    Now excuse me while I check my local library’s online catalog :-) – then i’ll probably end up loving it and buying a copy anyways haha.
    Thanks for putting it on my radar xoxo.

  7. Megan S. says:

    Chiara! I haven’t chatted to you for ages but Imiss you, girl! <3
    You have totally convinced me, I have to read this one. I just added it to my basket.

    Megan @ http://www.booksbirds.com/

  8. I have seen you talk about The Wicker King before, and you’ve definitely convinced me to read it! The cover is gorgeous and I feel like the insides will be just as beautiful.

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