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My Brother's Keeper Trilogy #2
Rule Four and Five
A new chance at life comes in many forms: For Jon, it’s a family made with Ellis and his brother Rudy. For Ellis, it’s Jon, who has brought the outside world into the protective life he’s built for his mentally disabled brother.
Together they have discovered true happiness and what it means to be loved.
Then one perfect disaster after the other pushes Jon’s resolve to its limit and Ellis over the edge. If they have any chance of saving what they’ve built both men must face their deepest fears.
It’s a test Jon thought he’d already passed and one Ellis never imagined he’d have to face. The journey will forever change who they are and redefine who they were meant to be.
It has to happen.
And all things happen for a reason.
Together they have discovered true happiness and what it means to be loved.
Then one perfect disaster after the other pushes Jon’s resolve to its limit and Ellis over the edge. If they have any chance of saving what they’ve built both men must face their deepest fears.
It’s a test Jon thought he’d already passed and one Ellis never imagined he’d have to face. The journey will forever change who they are and redefine who they were meant to be.
It has to happen.
And all things happen for a reason.
214 pages, ebook
First published March 25, 2014
59 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Wilder
50 books1,790 followersGeorgia born and bred, I am an artist, a writer, and a general pain in the ass.
I spend most of my days working on my next book or bettering my art.
Writing is my identity and I love every minute of it. It's work, lots of work (sometimes I work 12+ hours a day and I never get a vacation) but I don't regret doing it.
I currently share my house with a myriad of dogs, a few cats, a saltwater aquarium filled with coral and fish, as well as my partner who's great at giving hugs when the day's been rough.
And of course, my editor and PA, who helps me keep life reasonably organized. At least so I won't walk out the door without wearing pants.
I spend most of my days working on my next book or bettering my art.
Writing is my identity and I love every minute of it. It's work, lots of work (sometimes I work 12+ hours a day and I never get a vacation) but I don't regret doing it.
I currently share my house with a myriad of dogs, a few cats, a saltwater aquarium filled with coral and fish, as well as my partner who's great at giving hugs when the day's been rough.
And of course, my editor and PA, who helps me keep life reasonably organized. At least so I won't walk out the door without wearing pants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
October 25, 2020
3.5 Stars
April 22, 2014
I cried.
I remembered why I hate the world.
Playing fucking emotional piñata--and I'm the piñata. Against my better judgment I have to finish the series; I need the closure, I just need it to fucking end. Still hate how the story is drawn out over three books.
Truth:
I remembered why I hate the world.
Playing fucking emotional piñata--and I'm the piñata. Against my better judgment I have to finish the series; I need the closure, I just need it to fucking end. Still hate how the story is drawn out over three books.
Truth:
“When you are on the edge of death you are no longer a child. You understand things you couldn’t even comprehend as an adult.”
February 8, 2019
This book continues some time after the events of the previous book. It had moments that brought many ugly tears because what happened was horrible and very painful. I loved reading about Jon and Ellis, their everyday life and how they took care of Rudy - the sweetest man. This book gave the vibe of something otherworldly. Both Rudy and Jon had intense moments that were quite not so ordinary.
The sheer level of evil and indifference was staggering, the events that transpired brought Jon and Ellis together at first then nearly tore them apart. Ellis showed strength and determination I didn't think he had in him while Jon was the glue that held Ellis together this time.
Very heart-felt, very emotional in my opinion, very angsty book. I liked how the author made me feel and hurt for the men in this story and what was happening to them. I loved it and I highly recommend it!
The sheer level of evil and indifference was staggering, the events that transpired brought Jon and Ellis together at first then nearly tore them apart. Ellis showed strength and determination I didn't think he had in him while Jon was the glue that held Ellis together this time.
Very heart-felt, very emotional in my opinion, very angsty book. I liked how the author made me feel and hurt for the men in this story and what was happening to them. I loved it and I highly recommend it!
October 23, 2016
Okay so I read some spoilers ahead of time because I wanted to be prepared. I knew what to expect. Nothing prepared me for the emotional part. I literally cried...sobbed really. And I KNEW what was going to happen. Of course it ends in a damn cliffhanger...on to book 3 because I gotta know the devil will get his due.
April 20, 2014
3 Heartbreaking Stars
This book is difficult to rate, you have to read the entire series, and you have to read them in order. And it’s also hard to review for me without giving anything away. I would class books as a horror series with an MM romance.
In book two Jon moves in with Ellis and Rudy and they begin to make a life together. And while the love between Jon and Ellis begin to grow, the harassment and terror builds and threatens all their lives.
What bothers me in stories in when the MC’s are constantly harassed and threaten, and the story is continually dark and intense. Book 2 is this in spades, I found myself at the end of this story, devastatingly sad, angry and exhausted. IMO books with intense dark plots need light and hope and humor to make them enjoyable for this reader. I have read other books with dark, intense plots and enjoyed them thoroughly, the authors combined just enough “lighter” scenes to break up all the intense scenes. This felt like a test of how much stress I could take and still get some enjoyment out of it. Call me a wuss, but this book pushed the limit.
The reason I went immediately to book 3 is I cared enough about the characters to see this to the end. I had to know how they survive this.
This book is difficult to rate, you have to read the entire series, and you have to read them in order. And it’s also hard to review for me without giving anything away. I would class books as a horror series with an MM romance.
In book two Jon moves in with Ellis and Rudy and they begin to make a life together. And while the love between Jon and Ellis begin to grow, the harassment and terror builds and threatens all their lives.
What bothers me in stories in when the MC’s are constantly harassed and threaten, and the story is continually dark and intense. Book 2 is this in spades, I found myself at the end of this story, devastatingly sad, angry and exhausted. IMO books with intense dark plots need light and hope and humor to make them enjoyable for this reader. I have read other books with dark, intense plots and enjoyed them thoroughly, the authors combined just enough “lighter” scenes to break up all the intense scenes. This felt like a test of how much stress I could take and still get some enjoyment out of it. Call me a wuss, but this book pushed the limit.
The reason I went immediately to book 3 is I cared enough about the characters to see this to the end. I had to know how they survive this.
July 5, 2021
Everything happens for a reason
Reading this book and waiting for the other shoe to drop was anxiety inducing . My heart hurt.
Jon, Ellis and Rudy try to be normal after Jon’s almost murder at the hands of Lenny. If Lenny can be out on bail, on an attempted murder charge in the state of Georgia, I definitely never want to visit that state. Sounds like a dangerous place to be. Seems almost implausible. This IS a novel after all but still. You really have to suspend disbelief to get through book 2.
Seriously BAD and EVIL things happen in this book. Everything happens for a reason. Will we get THE reason in book 3? I hope so. Otherwise, this was a VERY bleak 2 book arc.
Ellis and Jon go through hell and I hope book 3 resolves some of that and things stop being crushingly depressing.
Reading this book and waiting for the other shoe to drop was anxiety inducing . My heart hurt.
Jon, Ellis and Rudy try to be normal after Jon’s almost murder at the hands of Lenny. If Lenny can be out on bail, on an attempted murder charge in the state of Georgia, I definitely never want to visit that state. Sounds like a dangerous place to be. Seems almost implausible. This IS a novel after all but still. You really have to suspend disbelief to get through book 2.
Seriously BAD and EVIL things happen in this book. Everything happens for a reason. Will we get THE reason in book 3? I hope so. Otherwise, this was a VERY bleak 2 book arc.
Ellis and Jon go through hell and I hope book 3 resolves some of that and things stop being crushingly depressing.
April 4, 2014
oh Rudy. I'll remeber you forever. *sob*
July 16, 2014
(3.75 hearts rounded up to 4)
There was a lot to love about this trilogy - and I will say it is a series where you need to read all of the books and read them in order. Adrienne Wilder's characters are hurt and damaged. Jon, witness to his brother's terrible death as a child has never been able to let it go. As an adult and a US Marshal he has seen more tragedy and evil than any person could hope to deal with. On the precipice of choosing to end his pain it is the chatter of a mentally impaired man, Rudy, that brings him back from the brink. Still not coping with the demons in his head, his life slowly becomes embroiled with that of Rudy's and his brother and carer's, Ellis.
Ellis has been caring for Rudy his whole life. Although Rudy was an adult when they lost their parents Ellis was but a teenager and it was only through the help of, now retired officer, George that Rudy and Ellis were able to stay together as a family. Their life consists of routine. Routine is what keeps Rudy calm and is a life he can relate to. He has rules he has to follow to help keep himself safe and life easy. But one day the temptation to touch the silky hair of the girl in front of him at the supermarket becomes too much and an evil enters their lives.
Ellis is innocent, his life has been spent looking after and protecting his brother. Jon metaphorically crashes into their family and causes unintended mayhem. The two fall in love but it is not without it's difficulties and Rudy's needs must always be taken into consideration.
The My Brother's Keeper Trilogy is a about love and hate. It's about good and bad. It's about trust. The storyline of this book was enthralling, at the end of book two and in the third book it really starts to evolve into the story that's been hinted at all the way through. There is something more in Gilford than meets the eye and Jon and Ellis are tasked with stopping it.
I enjoyed the author's voice, she has a great way with words and it is very easy to envisage this small town and it's problems. Her characters were individuals, and old George, the retired officer, was a particular favourite of mine. Though at times I did wonder how he had so much influence with the police force seeing as he was retired.
The one niggle I had with the book was the sex. It felt gratuitous to me at times and sometimes just inappropriate. When the characters are angry or upset they have sex. Sometimes this is cool - but a lot of the time it took me out of the story I wanted to know about what was happening with the main storyline not about Ellis and Jon bonking. Maybe it's because I found it hard to relate to - with one particular trauma in book two sex would be the last thing on my mind. That said, it could - and is very likely - just a niggle I had. In fact I can imagine the look of horror on the other unicorns' faces when I say my only complaint was too much nooky.
If you like a story with dark undercurrents then this is likely to be a good choice for you.
There was a lot to love about this trilogy - and I will say it is a series where you need to read all of the books and read them in order. Adrienne Wilder's characters are hurt and damaged. Jon, witness to his brother's terrible death as a child has never been able to let it go. As an adult and a US Marshal he has seen more tragedy and evil than any person could hope to deal with. On the precipice of choosing to end his pain it is the chatter of a mentally impaired man, Rudy, that brings him back from the brink. Still not coping with the demons in his head, his life slowly becomes embroiled with that of Rudy's and his brother and carer's, Ellis.
Ellis has been caring for Rudy his whole life. Although Rudy was an adult when they lost their parents Ellis was but a teenager and it was only through the help of, now retired officer, George that Rudy and Ellis were able to stay together as a family. Their life consists of routine. Routine is what keeps Rudy calm and is a life he can relate to. He has rules he has to follow to help keep himself safe and life easy. But one day the temptation to touch the silky hair of the girl in front of him at the supermarket becomes too much and an evil enters their lives.
Ellis is innocent, his life has been spent looking after and protecting his brother. Jon metaphorically crashes into their family and causes unintended mayhem. The two fall in love but it is not without it's difficulties and Rudy's needs must always be taken into consideration.
The My Brother's Keeper Trilogy is a about love and hate. It's about good and bad. It's about trust. The storyline of this book was enthralling, at the end of book two and in the third book it really starts to evolve into the story that's been hinted at all the way through. There is something more in Gilford than meets the eye and Jon and Ellis are tasked with stopping it.
I enjoyed the author's voice, she has a great way with words and it is very easy to envisage this small town and it's problems. Her characters were individuals, and old George, the retired officer, was a particular favourite of mine. Though at times I did wonder how he had so much influence with the police force seeing as he was retired.
The one niggle I had with the book was the sex. It felt gratuitous to me at times and sometimes just inappropriate. When the characters are angry or upset they have sex. Sometimes this is cool - but a lot of the time it took me out of the story I wanted to know about what was happening with the main storyline not about Ellis and Jon bonking. Maybe it's because I found it hard to relate to - with one particular trauma in book two sex would be the last thing on my mind. That said, it could - and is very likely - just a niggle I had. In fact I can imagine the look of horror on the other unicorns' faces when I say my only complaint was too much nooky.
If you like a story with dark undercurrents then this is likely to be a good choice for you.
April 1, 2014
2.75 stars
The second book in the trilogy opens a few weeks after the events of the first book. Jon moves in with Ellis and Rudy while the town bully Lenny continues to run amok with no one able / willing to stop his escalating harassment of Jon, Ellis, and Rudy. The stress of all this causes Jon and Ellis to disagree strongly on how to protect themselves , which leads to a heart-rending blow-up and separation between the two men. This is well-written and understandable from each man’s viewpoint.
Meanwhile, the story introduces a few more supernatural elements as the main characters receive portentous warnings about the Big and Terrible secret (see book blurb) via dreams, Jon’s utterances when sleepwalking and sleeptalking, visions of Jon’s dead brother, and the occasional remark from Rudy. As with most horror novels, these cryptic scraps of information are not intended to be useful in helping the characters figure things out so much as to increase the scary atmosphere.
As with the first book, our heroes just can’t seem to catch a break whereas the town bully does whatever he wants which results in some increasing ugly scenes of harassment and much vilification of “faggots” and “retards.” Eventually the book ends up in a very dark place that asks a lot of the reader’s tolerance. To be honest, I just couldn’t enjoy this book because of the unrelenting pain that the story unleashes upon the characters. This is on top of the pain suffered in the first book after the whole town-bully plot got introduced.
I know the Big and Terrible secret is backing the villain and that’s why he always wins, but if our heroes acquired some supernatural mojo of their own – at least enough to win the occasional victory – then their story might be more even-handed and less irritatingly hopeless. Perhaps this is coming in the third book. I received a free copy of this book from the author via Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
The second book in the trilogy opens a few weeks after the events of the first book. Jon moves in with Ellis and Rudy while the town bully Lenny continues to run amok with no one able / willing to stop his escalating harassment of Jon, Ellis, and Rudy. The stress of all this causes Jon and Ellis to disagree strongly on how to protect themselves , which leads to a heart-rending blow-up and separation between the two men. This is well-written and understandable from each man’s viewpoint.
Meanwhile, the story introduces a few more supernatural elements as the main characters receive portentous warnings about the Big and Terrible secret (see book blurb) via dreams, Jon’s utterances when sleepwalking and sleeptalking, visions of Jon’s dead brother, and the occasional remark from Rudy. As with most horror novels, these cryptic scraps of information are not intended to be useful in helping the characters figure things out so much as to increase the scary atmosphere.
As with the first book, our heroes just can’t seem to catch a break whereas the town bully does whatever he wants which results in some increasing ugly scenes of harassment and much vilification of “faggots” and “retards.” Eventually the book ends up in a very dark place that asks a lot of the reader’s tolerance. To be honest, I just couldn’t enjoy this book because of the unrelenting pain that the story unleashes upon the characters. This is on top of the pain suffered in the first book after the whole town-bully plot got introduced.
I know the Big and Terrible secret is backing the villain and that’s why he always wins, but if our heroes acquired some supernatural mojo of their own – at least enough to win the occasional victory – then their story might be more even-handed and less irritatingly hopeless. Perhaps this is coming in the third book. I received a free copy of this book from the author via Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2017
I think my heart was beating out of my chest this entire book.
Until I went numb. And believe me, I felt nothing. I’m not much of a crier but this had me very close. Instead I feel like I kind of shut down. This was very close to being way too much for me.
I just couldn’t put this down.
I’m not sure how I feel about the end though. It just kind of ended. It didn’t leave me desperate although I am. It just didn’t fit.
I think book three is going to be a breeze.
Nothing, nothing will hurt more than this book did. I say bring it.
Come on Big and Terrible, I think I am ready.
Until I went numb. And believe me, I felt nothing. I’m not much of a crier but this had me very close. Instead I feel like I kind of shut down. This was very close to being way too much for me.
I just couldn’t put this down.
I’m not sure how I feel about the end though. It just kind of ended. It didn’t leave me desperate although I am. It just didn’t fit.
I think book three is going to be a breeze.
Nothing, nothing will hurt more than this book did. I say bring it.
Come on Big and Terrible, I think I am ready.
August 28, 2019
reread 4/2015
More review to follow, but this is such an intriguing trilogy. Really brings to mind some of Stephen King's creepy novels. Elements from The Stand and others come to mind. By no means do I think this is an attempt to mimic the master of horror, but the creepiness and slow build to the paranormal/horror aspect is reminiscent. With gay protagonists.
^_^
More review to follow, but this is such an intriguing trilogy. Really brings to mind some of Stephen King's creepy novels. Elements from The Stand and others come to mind. By no means do I think this is an attempt to mimic the master of horror, but the creepiness and slow build to the paranormal/horror aspect is reminiscent. With gay protagonists.
^_^
June 4, 2016
The story continues and takes a tragic turn, made me cry.
"Ellis's life, for the past twenty years, has been Rudy. Every decision he makes, from what time to get up to what to cook for dinner. It wasn't a normal relationship." It was unique. Very rare. And twice as special.
"Ellis's life, for the past twenty years, has been Rudy. Every decision he makes, from what time to get up to what to cook for dinner. It wasn't a normal relationship." It was unique. Very rare. And twice as special.
May 31, 2014
This middle book in the trilogy just kicks you in the gut and drags you behind a truck on a gravel road.
October 29, 2017
OMG this one tore me up. Rudy, breaks my heart. You saw the light but you couldn’t finish it. I have to continue so that I know how it ends. I’ll be back to write this review.
September 25, 2017
4.3 Stars
Much like the first one, this book had me pinging between happy & heart-broken...and now I'm just emotionally exhausted but oh so ready for Ellis & Jon to put a stop to whatever evil is infecting their town. I need them to have a happy ending. Putting the next one on the TBR for certain!
Also, like I mentioned in my update: What the hell? I can't believe that in the middle of book 2 the author chose
Someone else mentioned in their review that it has a Stephen King-esque feel and I totally agree - especially after this installment. BUT it's not blatant, and it's not a rip-off and it's not really even homage-y. It's just...it's got that something that an SK book lover will probably recognize and appreciate.
Much like the first one, this book had me pinging between happy & heart-broken...and now I'm just emotionally exhausted but oh so ready for Ellis & Jon to put a stop to whatever evil is infecting their town. I need them to have a happy ending. Putting the next one on the TBR for certain!
Also, like I mentioned in my update: What the hell? I can't believe that in the middle of book 2 the author chose
Someone else mentioned in their review that it has a Stephen King-esque feel and I totally agree - especially after this installment. BUT it's not blatant, and it's not a rip-off and it's not really even homage-y. It's just...it's got that something that an SK book lover will probably recognize and appreciate.
December 12, 2021
I am basically devouring these books.
Jon and Ellis have my heart.
Jon and Ellis have my heart.
September 19, 2017
I'm not sure what I feel at the end of this book. This installation in the series was very depressing and ended with no resolution. I will be starting book three very soon as I need closure.
March 22, 2019
Powered through and finished this and it’s a shame because I love this authors writing style but I won’t be finishing this series. This book was too sad for me!
Want to read
December 25, 2019🎁 The Complete My Brother's KeeperSeries (Books 1 -3) is FREE on Amazon today (12/25/2019)! 🎁
April 21, 2014
4.0 Stars
Holy shit. Okay, this one ripped my heart out. I have a category for tear-jerker books. This doesn't really fit the bill. If tear-jerker equates to "pass me the Kleenex," this was along the lines of "hand me a couple boxes, some Visine, and a butt-load of cucumber slices." Ugh. I hate crying and this one ... well, let's just say I wasn't fit for public viewing for a while.
But back to my review. I can't write one. Nothing coherent anyway. It's been 18 hours since I finished this series and I'm still moved by it. I guess that's something: this book moves you. For better or worse, it will get under your skin and do a number on you. Unless you're a zombie, you will not be immune. I laughed and cried and bawled like a baby. I was scared and a number of times I put my Kindle down, too afraid to continue on. In the end, I had to know so, like a lamb to the slaughter, I kept going. I can't say I regret it, in the greater scheme of things, but it was no walk in the park, lemme tell ya.
Bottom line: bring your Kleenex. Oodles and oodles of Kleenex. And ... don't read this at work.
Holy shit. Okay, this one ripped my heart out. I have a category for tear-jerker books. This doesn't really fit the bill. If tear-jerker equates to "pass me the Kleenex," this was along the lines of "hand me a couple boxes, some Visine, and a butt-load of cucumber slices." Ugh. I hate crying and this one ... well, let's just say I wasn't fit for public viewing for a while.
But back to my review. I can't write one. Nothing coherent anyway. It's been 18 hours since I finished this series and I'm still moved by it. I guess that's something: this book moves you. For better or worse, it will get under your skin and do a number on you. Unless you're a zombie, you will not be immune. I laughed and cried and bawled like a baby. I was scared and a number of times I put my Kindle down, too afraid to continue on. In the end, I had to know so, like a lamb to the slaughter, I kept going. I can't say I regret it, in the greater scheme of things, but it was no walk in the park, lemme tell ya.
Bottom line: bring your Kleenex. Oodles and oodles of Kleenex. And ... don't read this at work.
May 19, 2015
Wiping Snot from Nose
I can't say too much or I'll give away what happens in this book. This book ripped me up and spit me out! Lenny is the Devil! All this over pulled hair? Really?
I feel there are Stephen King type elements to the plot. We'll see if it continues in the final book.
Everything happens for a reason
Yes but those reasons suck!!
I can't say too much or I'll give away what happens in this book. This book ripped me up and spit me out! Lenny is the Devil! All this over pulled hair? Really?
I feel there are Stephen King type elements to the plot. We'll see if it continues in the final book.
Everything happens for a reason
Yes but those reasons suck!!
June 21, 2014
Sad and emotional in one spot, but the story in general is starting to lose me.
May 1, 2015
4.5 STARS
I am loving this series
I am loving this series
February 8, 2023
Professional killers had a purpose. They didn’t act on impulse. They planned, and they had a set of rules. The rules might be theirs, but they followed them. Bullies had no purpose and they had no rules. People like Lenny were infected with a type of emotional rabies, fueled by fear. It left them reacting in unpredictable ways.
Seriously. FVCK Lenny.
24 hours later and I’m still tearing up… but at least I’m not hiccuping and heaving through endless sobs anymore. Well, for now anyway- but the day still isn’t over yet.
Now, the book(s).
The writing was well done and despite personal issues with the series I love the characters. Rudy’s POV specifically was unexpected & my personal favorite moments of these books. He of all the others, really reached into my soul and latched on.
I sobbed & felt pain, but there was also a ton of swooning & tenderness alongside that as Jon & Ellis’s love/relationship built, the devotion of Ellis to Rudy, & the bond between Rudy & Jon. Rudy’s openness & positivity was a welcome change from the dark negative undercurrent of the plot. He brightened things whether it was his POV where we got the image of Ellis & Jon from his perspective, or the seeing him from the perspective of the other two.
For example:
This conversation, Rudy’s words, are included in other points as well, and in one particularly amazing moment used to stand up to an ignorant person that he ends up leaving utterly speechless and repentant despite their being three times his cognitive age. Ellis often wished Rudy would get mad especially during times where he was feeling guilty after losing his patience or something - a feeling most (all) caretakers can relate to - but he doesn’t which makes his words that much more meaningful. A true innocent & unbiased opinion that has the power to stop any argument (unless the person is truly fucking evil. But ya)
For three people who knew more than their fair share of loss, you’d expect they would only need to find their way to happiness through their own demons, but external forces were truly horrific & the true antagonist force here. Enough so that you scratch your head wondering what in the actual f is happening.
I’d recommend this series only to those who are read to be torn apart & feel totally helpless as they read.
Below is something I’ve included - exactly the same word for word - in my reviews for all 3 books in My Brothers Keeper, because I need to. Because… ya
Honestly, darkness is my jam, but it wasn’t until now that I’ve realized it was darkness in a characters traits, accepted, that I tend to chase. This is not that. This isn’t just dark it’s about WORST possible levels of ‘bad’ humanity can reach.
My Brothers Keeper is straight up tragic, horrific, with themes that slowly begin to unfurl as something along a paranormal theme as you go - which I had NO IDEA was coming. DO NOT go into this series lightly. It’s full of unjust treatment, tragedy, ableism, every single form of bigotry you can think of - which tracks with the underlying theme of a battle against *pure fvcking evil* I cannot say specifically what it was took issue with - a v specific standard and general (personal) rule as far as plots of any story - because it is a spoiler. That said, the CW & themes should not be taking lightly. I recommend any person going into these books read them, think about it in detail, maybe for an entire day, before diving in.
Seriously. FVCK Lenny.
24 hours later and I’m still tearing up… but at least I’m not hiccuping and heaving through endless sobs anymore. Well, for now anyway- but the day still isn’t over yet.
Now, the book(s).
The writing was well done and despite personal issues with the series I love the characters. Rudy’s POV specifically was unexpected & my personal favorite moments of these books. He of all the others, really reached into my soul and latched on.
I sobbed & felt pain, but there was also a ton of swooning & tenderness alongside that as Jon & Ellis’s love/relationship built, the devotion of Ellis to Rudy, & the bond between Rudy & Jon. Rudy’s openness & positivity was a welcome change from the dark negative undercurrent of the plot. He brightened things whether it was his POV where we got the image of Ellis & Jon from his perspective, or the seeing him from the perspective of the other two.
For example:
”I’m gay.”
Jon made a strangled sound and sprayed a mouthful of coffee all over the table. Ellis grabbed a few napkins from the holder in the center of the table.
When he had the puddle covered, he turned back to Rudy. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m gay. Gay means happy. And you and Jon are happy and that makes me happy too, so that makes me gay too.”
Ellis said the only thing he could think of. “Go to bed.”
“I’m going to my room now.”
“Great. Hurry up and go.”
“I’ll be being gay in my room.”
This conversation, Rudy’s words, are included in other points as well, and in one particularly amazing moment used to stand up to an ignorant person that he ends up leaving utterly speechless and repentant despite their being three times his cognitive age. Ellis often wished Rudy would get mad especially during times where he was feeling guilty after losing his patience or something - a feeling most (all) caretakers can relate to - but he doesn’t which makes his words that much more meaningful. A true innocent & unbiased opinion that has the power to stop any argument (unless the person is truly fucking evil. But ya)
For three people who knew more than their fair share of loss, you’d expect they would only need to find their way to happiness through their own demons, but external forces were truly horrific & the true antagonist force here. Enough so that you scratch your head wondering what in the actual f is happening.
I’d recommend this series only to those who are read to be torn apart & feel totally helpless as they read.
Below is something I’ve included - exactly the same word for word - in my reviews for all 3 books in My Brothers Keeper, because I need to. Because… ya
Honestly, darkness is my jam, but it wasn’t until now that I’ve realized it was darkness in a characters traits, accepted, that I tend to chase. This is not that. This isn’t just dark it’s about WORST possible levels of ‘bad’ humanity can reach.
My Brothers Keeper is straight up tragic, horrific, with themes that slowly begin to unfurl as something along a paranormal theme as you go - which I had NO IDEA was coming. DO NOT go into this series lightly. It’s full of unjust treatment, tragedy, ableism, every single form of bigotry you can think of - which tracks with the underlying theme of a battle against *pure fvcking evil* I cannot say specifically what it was took issue with - a v specific standard and general (personal) rule as far as plots of any story - because it is a spoiler. That said, the CW & themes should not be taking lightly. I recommend any person going into these books read them, think about it in detail, maybe for an entire day, before diving in.
May 31, 2021
3 Stars!
“Do bad things have to happen? Or can you stop them?”
“I think some things we can stop and others are just too big.”
“What do you do when it’s too big?”
(...) “You survive the best way you can.”
This is part #2 of “My Brother's Keeper” and Can't be read as a Standalone or out of order.
I liked the first half of this book.
The 2nd half...I didn't like it!
I had read No Spoilers, whatsoever, before reading this book... So I was caught by surprise and felt Everything here, Deeply!
I won't Spoil anything!
So I'll just tell you what I can, that is true...
I got Angry.
I Cried.
And then I got Mad... So Mad.
Could I have only read the 1st part of the story?! Maybe I could. It was definitely a choice I could have made. But I was curious, and I wanted more out of the story.
We got some development and some little answers here, but they're not enough.
I will be reading book #3 - The Final Rule - now; because after reading this book, there is NO Way in hell I can bear not to.
“Do bad things have to happen? Or can you stop them?”
“I think some things we can stop and others are just too big.”
“What do you do when it’s too big?”
(...) “You survive the best way you can.”
This is part #2 of “My Brother's Keeper” and Can't be read as a Standalone or out of order.
I liked the first half of this book.
The 2nd half...I didn't like it!
I had read No Spoilers, whatsoever, before reading this book... So I was caught by surprise and felt Everything here, Deeply!
I won't Spoil anything!
So I'll just tell you what I can, that is true...
I got Angry.
I Cried.
And then I got Mad... So Mad.
Could I have only read the 1st part of the story?! Maybe I could. It was definitely a choice I could have made. But I was curious, and I wanted more out of the story.
We got some development and some little answers here, but they're not enough.
I will be reading book #3 - The Final Rule - now; because after reading this book, there is NO Way in hell I can bear not to.
September 9, 2020
Definitely eerie and different then anything else I've read. It was also tragic and very brave of the author to do what she did. Now I have to read the 3rd book to see how it all ends. I'm glad it's already out and I don't have to wait for it.
July 8, 2017
**4 stars**
Emotional rollercoaster. No, more like a merry-go-round. Gah.
There better be justice at the end of book 3 that's all I got to say!!
But there can never be a true HEA now. :'(
Emotional rollercoaster. No, more like a merry-go-round. Gah.
There better be justice at the end of book 3 that's all I got to say!!
But there can never be a true HEA now. :'(
October 31, 2018
Another frigging awesome book ... loved it even if it gutted me.
Well written.
Well written.
March 28, 2014
4 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Jon is accepting his new life with Ellis and Rudy as a new chance at life, throwing off the guilt that lingers and embracing the love he has found. Ellis has accepted Jon’s love and the beginning of a new life where he can share his frustrations and has someone to confide in, but he knows their troubles aren’t over yet. With the town bully, Lenny, gunning for them they face a long road ahead, and when tragedy strikes its Jon’s turn to be a rock as Ellis faces a despair that threatens to drag them under.
This story continues several months after The First Three Rules ; we re-join Ellis, Jon and Rudy as Jon moves in with the brothers and they are secure in the knowledge that Lenny is in jail awaiting trial. But, in a town like Gilford you never know what is just around the corner, and as Jon, Ellis and Rudy are about to find out sometimes justice doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Just in case you are reading this review and you haven’t read the first book let me give you a brief rundown of the characters: Jon, an ex-Marshal who has suffered more guilt and pain than any man can carry, and is visited by his dead brother when tragedy is about to strike. Ellis, who gave up his life at the age of twelve to look after his older mentally disabled brother and has been isolated and sheltered from the outside world, and then there is Rudy, Ellis’ brother, who is a child in a man’s body, but brings sunshine to Ellis and Jon’s lives and knows things he shouldn’t.
Oh my God! Oh my God! Adrienne Wilder what did you do! This section of My Brother’s Keeper is about to rip your heart out, stomp on it, rip it into tiny shred’s and then hand it back to you on a tarnished platter. Adrienne Wilder takes Ellis to the dark side as anger, devastation and pure dark rage begin to consume him and tempts him to tarnish his soul forever. Jon is left feeling hopeless as he tries to pull Ellis back from the edge and struggling to protect them, Jon also has to fight his own dark urgings as he is tempted by the dark side of the town. And Rudy, poor Rudy *bawls like a baby*, Rudy tries so hard but the Big and Terrible is coming and he has done all he can.
We are dragged into the darker side of the story as the evil that hovered begins to strike, we watch as despair begins to drag the characters down and we feel it. This really is a beautifully written story that lets you feel every emotion that the characters are going through, it hurts your heart as we watch the circumstances unfold and you rage at the events that let an evil man continue with his reign of terror. I’d like to say that there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I can’t, I can only hope that with the last installment of My Brother’s Keeper Jon and Ellis get the happy ending they deserve and that the evil pays for its crimes. Now I am going to discover in The Final Rule if my hopes are true, and also thank God that this trilogy was published all at the same time.
I recommend this to those who love stories where the going is never easy, where love is stretched to the limit, where the fight for justice is hard, and your emotions are beaten to death by the author.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Jon is accepting his new life with Ellis and Rudy as a new chance at life, throwing off the guilt that lingers and embracing the love he has found. Ellis has accepted Jon’s love and the beginning of a new life where he can share his frustrations and has someone to confide in, but he knows their troubles aren’t over yet. With the town bully, Lenny, gunning for them they face a long road ahead, and when tragedy strikes its Jon’s turn to be a rock as Ellis faces a despair that threatens to drag them under.
This story continues several months after The First Three Rules ; we re-join Ellis, Jon and Rudy as Jon moves in with the brothers and they are secure in the knowledge that Lenny is in jail awaiting trial. But, in a town like Gilford you never know what is just around the corner, and as Jon, Ellis and Rudy are about to find out sometimes justice doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Just in case you are reading this review and you haven’t read the first book let me give you a brief rundown of the characters: Jon, an ex-Marshal who has suffered more guilt and pain than any man can carry, and is visited by his dead brother when tragedy is about to strike. Ellis, who gave up his life at the age of twelve to look after his older mentally disabled brother and has been isolated and sheltered from the outside world, and then there is Rudy, Ellis’ brother, who is a child in a man’s body, but brings sunshine to Ellis and Jon’s lives and knows things he shouldn’t.
Oh my God! Oh my God! Adrienne Wilder what did you do! This section of My Brother’s Keeper is about to rip your heart out, stomp on it, rip it into tiny shred’s and then hand it back to you on a tarnished platter. Adrienne Wilder takes Ellis to the dark side as anger, devastation and pure dark rage begin to consume him and tempts him to tarnish his soul forever. Jon is left feeling hopeless as he tries to pull Ellis back from the edge and struggling to protect them, Jon also has to fight his own dark urgings as he is tempted by the dark side of the town. And Rudy, poor Rudy *bawls like a baby*, Rudy tries so hard but the Big and Terrible is coming and he has done all he can.
We are dragged into the darker side of the story as the evil that hovered begins to strike, we watch as despair begins to drag the characters down and we feel it. This really is a beautifully written story that lets you feel every emotion that the characters are going through, it hurts your heart as we watch the circumstances unfold and you rage at the events that let an evil man continue with his reign of terror. I’d like to say that there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I can’t, I can only hope that with the last installment of My Brother’s Keeper Jon and Ellis get the happy ending they deserve and that the evil pays for its crimes. Now I am going to discover in The Final Rule if my hopes are true, and also thank God that this trilogy was published all at the same time.
I recommend this to those who love stories where the going is never easy, where love is stretched to the limit, where the fight for justice is hard, and your emotions are beaten to death by the author.
May 2, 2014
Trish reviews Rules Four and Five by Adrienne Wilder.
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: Rule number four: it has to happen.
Rule number five: everything happens for a reason.
Six months after Lenny and his thug buddies almost killed Jon at the Grove, he,Ellis, and Rudy are doing their best to put the past behind them. For Jon, Ellis and Rudy have given him a new chance at life. For Ellis, Jon is the one who took Ellis out of his isolated existence, and gave him and Rudy a chance at a new life. Together they’ve found true love, and happiness, and are looking forward to the future. But then one devastating event after another tests Jon’s fragile grip on his demons, and pushes Ellis over the edge. If Jon and Ellis are going to make it through, each one is going to have to face their deepest fears, and trust that their love will help them survive the journey that will forever change who they are, and redefine who they were meant to be.
Rules Four and Five id the second book in Adrienne Wilder’s gripping trilogy My Brother’s Keeper. It continues the stark, yet beautiful story started in The First Three Rules. This intense character AND plot driven tale has strong, complex, multi-layered characters who you can’t help but feel drawn to. The story has a silky smooth plot flow, and the richly detailed backstory lays a solid foundation for the storyline.. The author’s writing style is taut, crisp, and concise, and she deftly weaves the good, the bad, and the REALLY ugly into a fantastic and enthralling paranormal tale that pulls you in from the very beginning, and keeps you turning the page to find out what’s going to happen next. The story has its heartbreaking moments, but there’s a strong thread of hope running through it all. This story has a cliffhanger ending that left me impatient to get my hands on the next, and final, book of the trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and would definitely advise you to check out this, and the rest of the trilogy for yourself.
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: Rule number four: it has to happen.
Rule number five: everything happens for a reason.
Six months after Lenny and his thug buddies almost killed Jon at the Grove, he,Ellis, and Rudy are doing their best to put the past behind them. For Jon, Ellis and Rudy have given him a new chance at life. For Ellis, Jon is the one who took Ellis out of his isolated existence, and gave him and Rudy a chance at a new life. Together they’ve found true love, and happiness, and are looking forward to the future. But then one devastating event after another tests Jon’s fragile grip on his demons, and pushes Ellis over the edge. If Jon and Ellis are going to make it through, each one is going to have to face their deepest fears, and trust that their love will help them survive the journey that will forever change who they are, and redefine who they were meant to be.
Rules Four and Five id the second book in Adrienne Wilder’s gripping trilogy My Brother’s Keeper. It continues the stark, yet beautiful story started in The First Three Rules. This intense character AND plot driven tale has strong, complex, multi-layered characters who you can’t help but feel drawn to. The story has a silky smooth plot flow, and the richly detailed backstory lays a solid foundation for the storyline.. The author’s writing style is taut, crisp, and concise, and she deftly weaves the good, the bad, and the REALLY ugly into a fantastic and enthralling paranormal tale that pulls you in from the very beginning, and keeps you turning the page to find out what’s going to happen next. The story has its heartbreaking moments, but there’s a strong thread of hope running through it all. This story has a cliffhanger ending that left me impatient to get my hands on the next, and final, book of the trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and would definitely advise you to check out this, and the rest of the trilogy for yourself.
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