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Tempered
Once Murray understands he can control his violent impulses, he’s left with a far more unsettling question: does he even want to?
Ten years after losing both his beloved mentor and his abusive father, Murray Henderson is still yearning for direction. He’s treading water in Cleveland, failing in his career and relationships. Anger, guilt, and distrust continually derail his chances at happiness. When an opportunity calls him to New York City, Murray finally sees a path out of his relentless grief.
But as he navigates a hopeful new life, he soon falls back into old patterns of self-loathing and violence. A promising relationship starts to show cracks, and the friendships Murray has always counted on begin to fray. With his life shattering around him, Murray realizes he must confront his most devastating secret and the intertwined fear and anger that have haunted him for over a decade. Tempered , the sequel to Glass , explores the deadly pull of anger and how we are shaped by—and shape—the ones we love.
Ten years after losing both his beloved mentor and his abusive father, Murray Henderson is still yearning for direction. He’s treading water in Cleveland, failing in his career and relationships. Anger, guilt, and distrust continually derail his chances at happiness. When an opportunity calls him to New York City, Murray finally sees a path out of his relentless grief.
But as he navigates a hopeful new life, he soon falls back into old patterns of self-loathing and violence. A promising relationship starts to show cracks, and the friendships Murray has always counted on begin to fray. With his life shattering around him, Murray realizes he must confront his most devastating secret and the intertwined fear and anger that have haunted him for over a decade. Tempered , the sequel to Glass , explores the deadly pull of anger and how we are shaped by—and shape—the ones we love.
243 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2023
1565 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 24, 2023
Over the course of 3 novels now, Kate Kort has become something of a cottage industry, writing books about characters with mental health issues in a frank and compassionate way. Her latest, Tempered, concerns a young man with (very deep-rooted) anger issues.
Tempered is officially a sequel to an earlier novel, Glass, but there's only one scene I noticed towards the end that having Glass fresh in your memory might improve. Otherwise, just reading the blurb for Glass will get you through.
Murray moves from Cleveland to New York to escape a bad breakup, and though he's been working as a lawyer, he soon finds himself employed at a college library. By the time his friends from Cleveland realize he's moved, he's already got an apartment with 3 roommates, including hard-luck drug-dealer Gemma, and his soon-to-be new boyfriend Rahmi.
Murray's story is more internal than plot-driven: his mood swings are a primary focus as he goes through different stages of dealing with his own (frequent) angry outbursts and their aftermath.
Murray's story starts as his first-person narrative, then shifts to third person, then back and forth a few more times before the end-- this technique seems unusual, but it works really well, and the book is better for it. Kort's writing style is more realistic than flashy, and anything but melodramatic. As the characters' various issues reveal themselves, you'll feel yourself working along with them, and rooting for them all. Tempered is a book where you'll come out the other side both a little smarter and a little more empathetic for having read it.
Tempered is officially a sequel to an earlier novel, Glass, but there's only one scene I noticed towards the end that having Glass fresh in your memory might improve. Otherwise, just reading the blurb for Glass will get you through.
Murray moves from Cleveland to New York to escape a bad breakup, and though he's been working as a lawyer, he soon finds himself employed at a college library. By the time his friends from Cleveland realize he's moved, he's already got an apartment with 3 roommates, including hard-luck drug-dealer Gemma, and his soon-to-be new boyfriend Rahmi.
Murray's story is more internal than plot-driven: his mood swings are a primary focus as he goes through different stages of dealing with his own (frequent) angry outbursts and their aftermath.
Murray's story starts as his first-person narrative, then shifts to third person, then back and forth a few more times before the end-- this technique seems unusual, but it works really well, and the book is better for it. Kort's writing style is more realistic than flashy, and anything but melodramatic. As the characters' various issues reveal themselves, you'll feel yourself working along with them, and rooting for them all. Tempered is a book where you'll come out the other side both a little smarter and a little more empathetic for having read it.
February 26, 2023
I had not read any previous books in the series. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rounded up from 3.5/5 stars. The narrator's voice is strong and unique; as long as you're a fan of more profound, literary language, this is a strength. I had some trouble getting immersed in the writing, perhaps because of the writing style, and had trouble finishing the book, which was disappointing given how skilled Kort is as an author. The dialogue was well-crafted, offering conversations that felt true-to-life without being too on-the-nose. Both the characterization and plot were compelling, particularly in creating a desire to find out what happened with a number of Murray's close social ties (e.g., girlfriend and Dad). The timeline was a bit confusing at first, particularly with the flashbacks, and the conversations Murray thinks about having. Perhaps this is a byproduct of reading this as a standalone.
Rounded up from 3.5/5 stars. The narrator's voice is strong and unique; as long as you're a fan of more profound, literary language, this is a strength. I had some trouble getting immersed in the writing, perhaps because of the writing style, and had trouble finishing the book, which was disappointing given how skilled Kort is as an author. The dialogue was well-crafted, offering conversations that felt true-to-life without being too on-the-nose. Both the characterization and plot were compelling, particularly in creating a desire to find out what happened with a number of Murray's close social ties (e.g., girlfriend and Dad). The timeline was a bit confusing at first, particularly with the flashbacks, and the conversations Murray thinks about having. Perhaps this is a byproduct of reading this as a standalone.
September 3, 2023
The book Tempered by Kate Kort was a conflicted read for me. I found it enlightening in regards to trauma and mental illness. The characters were very broken. Not being exposed to that made the read very sad. I feel sorry that this book reflects any person’s struggles though I realize some people live this way due to no fault of their own.
I did not read the first book for which this is book is a continuation of the story. I think it may have helped to have read but could be a stand alone also!
This was a book I received from Goodreads book give aways. I was glad I read it. Not one I would have picked on my own. There was a note from the author in the book when it arrived and a book mark which was nice.
The book was well written and love shorter chapters rather than long ones. Thank you for showing me life from the characters perspectives. Violence is never the answer. People need to want to get better for themselves and not for others. These were 2 points I walked away with.
I did not read the first book for which this is book is a continuation of the story. I think it may have helped to have read but could be a stand alone also!
This was a book I received from Goodreads book give aways. I was glad I read it. Not one I would have picked on my own. There was a note from the author in the book when it arrived and a book mark which was nice.
The book was well written and love shorter chapters rather than long ones. Thank you for showing me life from the characters perspectives. Violence is never the answer. People need to want to get better for themselves and not for others. These were 2 points I walked away with.
August 10, 2023
‘Tempered’ is a contemporary and begins with Murray Henderson. He is lonely and anxious and has a past that he hasn’t still dealt with, and while he struggles with his current situation, he also is confronted by everything else that is navigated in his life. There is much drama, twists and turns, creating a dynamic worth reading, and as other characters are introduced, you immediately feel drawn and attached, wanting to know how it’s all going to end.
The writing style and literature reflect a very enjoyable experience. This is because the author has paid attention to detail and made sure the descriptive writing supported the theme. This was very skillfully done and was what pulled the story together.
I recommend this book to fictional readers.
The writing style and literature reflect a very enjoyable experience. This is because the author has paid attention to detail and made sure the descriptive writing supported the theme. This was very skillfully done and was what pulled the story together.
I recommend this book to fictional readers.
May 2, 2023
Tempered is my favorite Kort novel yet. I was fascinated by her deep development of the main character Murray. I was really rooting for him to find healing with his devoted therapist after a decade of pain. Pain he both inflicted on others, and endured himself.
Kort tackles the difficult themes of loss, grief, and trauma with sensitivity and nuance. I really thought the dialogue between Murray and his therapist felt authentic.
I also enjoyed a couple of plot twists I didn’t see coming. This book definitely kept me engaged till the end.
K.Baker
Kort tackles the difficult themes of loss, grief, and trauma with sensitivity and nuance. I really thought the dialogue between Murray and his therapist felt authentic.
I also enjoyed a couple of plot twists I didn’t see coming. This book definitely kept me engaged till the end.
K.Baker
July 5, 2023
The addition I didn't know I needed!
Tempered is the continuation of Murray's story (from Glass) that I didn't even know I needed. Kate Kort does an incredible job of adding new details and fresh experiences to the story throughout Tempered. I had many ah-ha moments as things were revealed, and within the first few chapters didn't want to put it down. Though Tempered could be the end of the story, it could also be continued. I'm crossing my fingers for a book 3. Kate please write book 3, I would love to follow Murray's continued growth and evolution!
Tempered is the continuation of Murray's story (from Glass) that I didn't even know I needed. Kate Kort does an incredible job of adding new details and fresh experiences to the story throughout Tempered. I had many ah-ha moments as things were revealed, and within the first few chapters didn't want to put it down. Though Tempered could be the end of the story, it could also be continued. I'm crossing my fingers for a book 3. Kate please write book 3, I would love to follow Murray's continued growth and evolution!
March 21, 2023
Kate Kort's follow up to Glass is an emotional dive into the mind and life of someone that does some pretty awful things to some of the people in his life. However, because Kate Kort is so talented, I found myself rooting for this guy! I love how deep you get into her character's minds. I also love a second POV in a book. The ending had a surprising twist and was very satisfying. Looking forward to her next novel.
May 3, 2023
Kate Kort delivers another incredible novel! In Tampered, Kort’s follow up to Glass, we are introduced to new depths of familiar characters. The inner workings of a traumatized mind are so often over generalized, but Kort gives readers the opportunity to feel just how individual and intricate PTSD is. Tampered plays beautifully within the balance of the characters’ nuanced personalities and the trauma ties that bind them on their broken paths from regret to restoration to resilience.
May 3, 2023
In Tempered, author Kort explores difficult topics like abuse, trauma, and the work it takes to live with a past that can't be changed while looking toward a future with hope.
It’s not a typical happy ending but it leaves you feeling that there is, indeed, a chance for a better future for the protagonist. It is a hard earned and realistic chance for Murray, a character worth rooting for.
It’s not a typical happy ending but it leaves you feeling that there is, indeed, a chance for a better future for the protagonist. It is a hard earned and realistic chance for Murray, a character worth rooting for.
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June 11, 2023I forgot to add this, as I read this as a word document before it was a book. I have read all of Kates books are her characters are kind of creepy and what is not to love.
Buckle up, and enjoy the adventure
Buckle up, and enjoy the adventure
May 10, 2023
Tempered is an engrossing story of experiencing and treating anger, and the abuse that can go along with it. Murray is a likable, relatable character most of the time who has had a lot of trauma in his past. You don't have to have read Glass, the preceding novel to this one, to follow along. Everything you need to know is also covered in Tempered, but his past does get explored in that book, as well as his relationship with Menashe.
As events slowly escalate over the course of Tempered, you can feel Murray's frustration and anger building. He tries his best to not let it explode, but finds himself unable to. And when his outbursts begin to hurt him and those he loves, he is forced to confront his past trauma and take a deeper look at what it is that really makes him lose his temper.
Throughout the story, Kort gives a first hand look into what anger feels like, and how living with an abusive person can change you. Tempered is a compelling read, and I can't recommend it enough.
As events slowly escalate over the course of Tempered, you can feel Murray's frustration and anger building. He tries his best to not let it explode, but finds himself unable to. And when his outbursts begin to hurt him and those he loves, he is forced to confront his past trauma and take a deeper look at what it is that really makes him lose his temper.
Throughout the story, Kort gives a first hand look into what anger feels like, and how living with an abusive person can change you. Tempered is a compelling read, and I can't recommend it enough.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews