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Slaying Isidore's Dragons
Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2015
14 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
C. Kennedy
25 books238 followersRaised on the mean streets and back lots of Hollywood by a Yoda-look-alike grandfather, award-winning author, Cody Kennedy, doesn’t conform, doesn’t fit in, is epic awkward, and lives to perfect a deep-seated oppositional defiance disorder. In a constant state of fascination with the trivial, Cody contemplates such weighty questions as: If time and space are curved, then where do all the straight people come from? When not writing, Cody can be found taming waves on western shores, pondering the nutritional value of sunsets, appreciating the much maligned dandelion, unhooking guide ropes from stanchions, and marveling at all things ordinary. Visit my blog with comments, questions, or simply share what’s on your mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 20, 2015
If you have enjoyed other C. Kennedy books, you will probably appreciate this one. This has his iconic characters, the abused young man (Isidore), his protective boyfriend (Declan), and an array of family and friends. The issues are serious and dramatic, and the tone has a hint of a modern day dark fairytale, in the lush language, the array of good and evil, heroes and villains.
By far my favorite character here was Sorcha, Declan's mother. She is a uniquely vivid character with a lot of facets - smart, amazingly forgiving, fiercely protective and yet relaxed about her son's sexuality and even his sex life. She has faced tragedy and stayed strong, but she is also capable of being angry, profane, silly and wild. She's small, but a real force of nature, and yet she makes a couple of significant mistakes as the story plays out, keeping her from being too perfect. She shines on the page. I wish every teenager could have a Sorcha in their corner when life gets tough.
There is a strong theme of sexual abuse throughout this story, both past and present, and the plot is a wild roller coaster of dramatic and violent action. Against this backdrop, the boys develop a fast and intense relationship. I felt like I was missing some of the shades of grey of real life here, but the rush of events carried me through, eager to find out what happens next.
By far my favorite character here was Sorcha, Declan's mother. She is a uniquely vivid character with a lot of facets - smart, amazingly forgiving, fiercely protective and yet relaxed about her son's sexuality and even his sex life. She has faced tragedy and stayed strong, but she is also capable of being angry, profane, silly and wild. She's small, but a real force of nature, and yet she makes a couple of significant mistakes as the story plays out, keeping her from being too perfect. She shines on the page. I wish every teenager could have a Sorcha in their corner when life gets tough.
There is a strong theme of sexual abuse throughout this story, both past and present, and the plot is a wild roller coaster of dramatic and violent action. Against this backdrop, the boys develop a fast and intense relationship. I felt like I was missing some of the shades of grey of real life here, but the rush of events carried me through, eager to find out what happens next.
April 19, 2015
This was me when I found out about the book:
ANOTHER C. KENNEDY BOOK!!!
I can't wait!!!
***********************************************************
And my excitement felt the same upon finishing it. C. Kennedy wrote a heartbreaking YA book full action, suspense, and betrayal, romance, but above all hope. I would recommend this book to all YA book lovers! 4.5 Stars ♥
April 14, 2015
There are many spot on reviews that actually do this book justice. I can not hope to be nearly as articulate so I'll just ramble on.
This one starts with a bang, I literally sat staring at the page with my mouth open, a real WTH moment.
From there the roller coaster ride just keeps going. This book is, as the author says, a teen Bourne Identity. The action is packed and fast paced. The twists and turns had my head spinning. But sadly the underlining story was only too real.
Isidore will capture your heart. From the first time we meet him to the last he will hold your heart as it breaks over and over. But he will also leave you in awe of all he survives and the strong boy/man he really is.
Declan is a champion. You will be cheering him on every page. If only the world had a few more like him in it. The way he adores Isidore and shows his love will leave your heart beating a happy tune lol.
The cast of characters in this book bring each page to life. I cried, I laughed, I sighed in happiness, I cringed in disbelief, I got angry and I got scared. In short I ran every emotion possible.
This author really knows how to write excitement. The climatic ending had me on the edge of my seat. He is also only the second author to satisfy me with an ending that fits. I can't say more as it is a major spoiler, but once you read this you will know exactly what I mean.
As an action adventure story this is gripping, but its also a hard book to read when you acknowledge that there is far to much fact mixed in with the fantasy.
Books like these need to be available in schools the world over. They show that Dragons are defeatable.
This one starts with a bang, I literally sat staring at the page with my mouth open, a real WTH moment.
From there the roller coaster ride just keeps going. This book is, as the author says, a teen Bourne Identity. The action is packed and fast paced. The twists and turns had my head spinning. But sadly the underlining story was only too real.
Isidore will capture your heart. From the first time we meet him to the last he will hold your heart as it breaks over and over. But he will also leave you in awe of all he survives and the strong boy/man he really is.
Declan is a champion. You will be cheering him on every page. If only the world had a few more like him in it. The way he adores Isidore and shows his love will leave your heart beating a happy tune lol.
The cast of characters in this book bring each page to life. I cried, I laughed, I sighed in happiness, I cringed in disbelief, I got angry and I got scared. In short I ran every emotion possible.
This author really knows how to write excitement. The climatic ending had me on the edge of my seat. He is also only the second author to satisfy me with an ending that fits. I can't say more as it is a major spoiler, but once you read this you will know exactly what I mean.
As an action adventure story this is gripping, but its also a hard book to read when you acknowledge that there is far to much fact mixed in with the fantasy.
Books like these need to be available in schools the world over. They show that Dragons are defeatable.
May 8, 2015
WOW!!! What an amazing and beautiful story!!!
My world just stopped for two days while I read Slaying Isidore's Dragon. I just could not put this book down.
There are so many great reviews out there that I'm not going to attempt to improve on them. I've been a fan of Cody Kennedy's writing and had this book on my TBR list and when I was lucky enough to win an eCopy from his book tour I was ecstatic!
I knew from the first few pages it was going to be an awesome read. So much so by the end of the first few chapters I purchased the paperback edition for my collection of favorite books I want to read and reread again.
Slaying Isidore's Dragon is filled with mystery, suspense and a sweet romance between two adorable main characters that will keep you turning the pages wanting more.
Cody Kennedy has written a gripping book that will be around for a long time. I'm calling this one a masterpiece in YA literature!
There are not enough stars I can give this book, so regretfully I'm giving the maximum 5 stars allowed.
* * * * * FIVE GIGANTIC SUPER BRIGHT STARS * * * * *
My world just stopped for two days while I read Slaying Isidore's Dragon. I just could not put this book down.
There are so many great reviews out there that I'm not going to attempt to improve on them. I've been a fan of Cody Kennedy's writing and had this book on my TBR list and when I was lucky enough to win an eCopy from his book tour I was ecstatic!
I knew from the first few pages it was going to be an awesome read. So much so by the end of the first few chapters I purchased the paperback edition for my collection of favorite books I want to read and reread again.
Slaying Isidore's Dragon is filled with mystery, suspense and a sweet romance between two adorable main characters that will keep you turning the pages wanting more.
Cody Kennedy has written a gripping book that will be around for a long time. I'm calling this one a masterpiece in YA literature!
There are not enough stars I can give this book, so regretfully I'm giving the maximum 5 stars allowed.
* * * * * FIVE GIGANTIC SUPER BRIGHT STARS * * * * *
September 25, 2015
ARC Review
Publishing date: April 9, 2015
For my honest and true view of this book, please read …MORE
Goodreads TOS-compliant review (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are):
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
DISCLAIMER: My reviews now all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. See the real review above for my thoughts on this book.
Publishing date: April 9, 2015
For my honest and true view of this book, please read …MORE
Goodreads TOS-compliant review (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are):
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
DISCLAIMER: My reviews now all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. See the real review above for my thoughts on this book.
February 6, 2017
I always struggle when reviewing one of Cody Kennedy’s books because the experience is often so haunting, terrifying and beautiful that I am left speechless. So I usually set the task aside for a bit to mull it over and grope around for just the right words to describe this indefinable experience. This time was a bit different because I, along with my friend Timmy, walked through the genesis of this book with Cody. The agonizing submission, the editing and rewriting and editing and rewriting again… and again… and again.
When I read this book for the first time, I thought it was a beautiful piece of literature. But what I witnessed evolving throughout the rewriting process was indescribably breathtaking. Cody edits himself ruthlessly and with each rewrite the scenes begin to gel with a crystalline clarity into haunting images, sometimes utterly terrifying moments, scenes of mind-reeling action, and always overwhelming feelings of love and hope. You feel Isidore’s despair in the aftermath of his abuse, you hear the tinkling of shattered glass in the eerie silence after a gun battle, and you see the light shining from Declan’s eyes as he looks into the eyes of his “mo chroí.” It is truly a cinematic experience for all the senses.
Cody has once again introduced us to a cast of characters that illustrates everything that is wrong with mankind and everything that is right and good. Sorcha, Declan’s mum, the “beautiful, petite Irish flower with a radiant smile wrapped in sixty-grit sandpaper” is the perfect loving and fiercely protective mother juxtaposed with Jean-Baptiste, Isidore’s father, a man so indifferent to his son’s suffering as to render him the epitome of evil. The remaining cast of bad guys range from Isidore’s abusive and pernicious half brothers and their mother, the comtesse, to Declan’s close friend, Mason, who has a very misplaced sense of entitlement which turns him into an abuser. Declan’s psychologist, Mike, and his husband, Bobby, and Sorcha’s legal attaché, Jack, show us that there are indeed decent, caring adults in this world. Friends, Caleb and Jordan, add a depth to the story that complete the portraits of our main characters by showing us Declan’s and Isidore’s full range of emotions and sense of social justice.
Now for our main characters… this is where words don’t come easy. Declan is not perfect but he is perfect for Isidore. He is damaged by the sudden death of his father and has a fire burning inside of him that ignites into sudden, intense anger one moment and calms to reasoned self-analysis the next, then to overpowering feelings of love and emotion for Isidore and his mum. His passion fuels the momentum of this book in a way that is captivating and spellbinding. His ferocity draws you into his moment and you feel his anger, his pain, his resolve and his love. He is the perfect savior for tiny Isidore.
Isidore is fragile, frightened, lost, and alone. Until Declan, his only solace is the “quiet dark”, the place he goes to shut out the pain and keep his mind from fragmenting. The depths of his despair are palpable and take your breath away. But little by little as he begins to trust and find his footing, we see the broken pieces gently falling back into place and a stronger, more determined young man begins to rise from the ashes. He is the perfect salve to restore Declan’s soul and give him a sense of purpose.
It’s really difficult to convey much about this book without giving away the story, so I opted to tell you how I experienced the book, how it made me feel. I’ve read this book five times in various evolutions. Quite honestly, I could read it five more and still feel like it was the first time.
Throughout his rewrites, Cody told me that he was “sculpting the story.” And that was indeed how it seemed. He would tweak a phrase here and add a layer there until the scene or passage was utter perfection. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is a balm for the soul and a celebration of love, hope, and recovery. SID will have a place on my OMG shelf as it is Cody Kennedy’s finest masterpiece yet.
When I read this book for the first time, I thought it was a beautiful piece of literature. But what I witnessed evolving throughout the rewriting process was indescribably breathtaking. Cody edits himself ruthlessly and with each rewrite the scenes begin to gel with a crystalline clarity into haunting images, sometimes utterly terrifying moments, scenes of mind-reeling action, and always overwhelming feelings of love and hope. You feel Isidore’s despair in the aftermath of his abuse, you hear the tinkling of shattered glass in the eerie silence after a gun battle, and you see the light shining from Declan’s eyes as he looks into the eyes of his “mo chroí.” It is truly a cinematic experience for all the senses.
Cody has once again introduced us to a cast of characters that illustrates everything that is wrong with mankind and everything that is right and good. Sorcha, Declan’s mum, the “beautiful, petite Irish flower with a radiant smile wrapped in sixty-grit sandpaper” is the perfect loving and fiercely protective mother juxtaposed with Jean-Baptiste, Isidore’s father, a man so indifferent to his son’s suffering as to render him the epitome of evil. The remaining cast of bad guys range from Isidore’s abusive and pernicious half brothers and their mother, the comtesse, to Declan’s close friend, Mason, who has a very misplaced sense of entitlement which turns him into an abuser. Declan’s psychologist, Mike, and his husband, Bobby, and Sorcha’s legal attaché, Jack, show us that there are indeed decent, caring adults in this world. Friends, Caleb and Jordan, add a depth to the story that complete the portraits of our main characters by showing us Declan’s and Isidore’s full range of emotions and sense of social justice.
Now for our main characters… this is where words don’t come easy. Declan is not perfect but he is perfect for Isidore. He is damaged by the sudden death of his father and has a fire burning inside of him that ignites into sudden, intense anger one moment and calms to reasoned self-analysis the next, then to overpowering feelings of love and emotion for Isidore and his mum. His passion fuels the momentum of this book in a way that is captivating and spellbinding. His ferocity draws you into his moment and you feel his anger, his pain, his resolve and his love. He is the perfect savior for tiny Isidore.
Isidore is fragile, frightened, lost, and alone. Until Declan, his only solace is the “quiet dark”, the place he goes to shut out the pain and keep his mind from fragmenting. The depths of his despair are palpable and take your breath away. But little by little as he begins to trust and find his footing, we see the broken pieces gently falling back into place and a stronger, more determined young man begins to rise from the ashes. He is the perfect salve to restore Declan’s soul and give him a sense of purpose.
It’s really difficult to convey much about this book without giving away the story, so I opted to tell you how I experienced the book, how it made me feel. I’ve read this book five times in various evolutions. Quite honestly, I could read it five more and still feel like it was the first time.
Throughout his rewrites, Cody told me that he was “sculpting the story.” And that was indeed how it seemed. He would tweak a phrase here and add a layer there until the scene or passage was utter perfection. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is a balm for the soul and a celebration of love, hope, and recovery. SID will have a place on my OMG shelf as it is Cody Kennedy’s finest masterpiece yet.
April 14, 2015
I wish that every Isidore could find his Declan...
That special person that will be there no matter what, that will lend his strenght when needed, that will be a safe heaven in a dark and hurting world...
I wish there were no Isidore's in the world...
This is a wonderful and heartbreaking book, an amazing story of union, strengh, resilience, growth and love...
Isidore and Declan stole a piece of my heart and I'm so glad they had their Happy beginning...
Thank you Cody for sharing this amazing book with us.
That special person that will be there no matter what, that will lend his strenght when needed, that will be a safe heaven in a dark and hurting world...
I wish there were no Isidore's in the world...
This is a wonderful and heartbreaking book, an amazing story of union, strengh, resilience, growth and love...
Isidore and Declan stole a piece of my heart and I'm so glad they had their Happy beginning...
Thank you Cody for sharing this amazing book with us.
April 15, 2015
I was asked to write this review in French and English so here we are (for the second time cause Goodreads couldn't save the first one...grrr...)
Slaying Isidore’s Dragons est un livre d’une puissance extraordinaire.
Le sujet pourrait être simple. Deux fils d’ambassadeurs, Declan et Isidore, perdent chacun un parent (le père de Declan et la mère d’Isidore) dans le même attentat à la bombe. Presque un an après, les deux garçons se retrouvent dans un lycée au Etats-Unis et tombent amoureux. Voilà.
Cela pourrait s’arrêter là mais rien n’est jamais aussi simple. Isidore est un jeune garçon que les années d’abus de ses quatre frères, la mort de sa mère et l’indifférence de son père ont laissé traumatisé, angoissé et sujet aux tentatives de suicide. Declan est son preux chevalier en armure qui ne veut qu’une chose, rendre son Petit Isidore heureux et l’empêcher de retomber dans ses anciens réflexes.
Cody Kennedy aurait pu tomber dans des travers faciles et faire pleurer dans les chaumières. Cela requiert bien plus de talent de savoir doser avec subtilité les passages tristes, douloureux et difficiles avec l’action, l’humour et l’amour. Et c’est un talent qu’il maîtrise parfaitement.
En dehors du personnage très fort d’Isidore (ce petit gars en a vécu des vertes et des pas mûres et pourtant il a une force de caractère à te faire te sentir toute petite…) et du merveilleux Declan, j’ai adoré la mère de Declan, Sorcha. Elle est drôle, bizarre, intelligente et sexy dans sa manière d’être ! J’ai adoré. Il devrait y avoir plus de Sorcha sur Terre !
J’ai beaucoup aimé également la manière dont il a su mêler les cultures en disséminant au gré de son écriture des mots issus de chacun des pays évoqués, Etats-Unis, Irlande et France. Parfois, certains auteurs veulent « faire bien » et mettent des mots étrangers dans le texte sans trop savoir ce que ça veut vraiment dire ou si c’est bien le moment et l’endroit… Et si vous avez lu quelques unes de mes chroniques, vous savez que j’ai horreur de ça. Ici, ce n’est pas du tout le cas. On voit que C.Kennedy a bien fait son travail de recherche !
J’ai adoré aussi mettre mon vocabulaire de djeun’s au goût du jour ! Certaines expressions m’ont faite bien rire !
Bref, j’ai adoré ce livre. C’est sans conteste mon livre préféré dans la catégorie m/m pour jeunes adultes. Attention, n’allez pas me mettre ce livre dans une boîte pour ne plus l’en sortir ! C’est pour les jeunes adultes oui (majoritairement parce qu’il n’y a pas de scènes de sexe – même si on est conscient que les protagonistes ont une vie sexuelle active) mais aussi pour les adultes tout court qui voudraient lire une belle histoire d’amour, avec des scènes parfois très difficiles mais aussi beaucoup d’action, d’espoir, d’humour et d’amour !
Sans hésiter, courez donc acheter ce livre !
So here is the English version. I tried to stick to the original version as much as possible but there are some slight differences.
Slaying Isidore’s Dragon is a very powerful book.
The blurb looks quite simple. Two sons of ambassadors, Declan and Isidore, loose one of their parents (Declan’s father and Isidore’s mother) in the same bomb attack. Almost a year after, they end up in the same school and fall in love. Voilà.
That could be it but it’s not that easy. Isidore is a young man who’s been traumatized by years of abuse by his four brothers, his mom’s death and a very indifferent father. He’s now left unsettled, anxious and subject to suicide attempts. Declan is his knight in shiny armor and he only wants one thing, seeing his Little Isidore happy et keeping him from his bad memories and triggers.
Cody Kennedy could have used more tricks. He could have made us cry more. But he didn’t need to. He’s far more talented with words. He doesn’t need the tricks. He managed to balance with subtelty sorrow and sadness with action, humor, hope and love.
Beside the very strong Isidore (that little guy has been through a lot and he has so much strength in him that I feel like a little girl next to him…) and the beautiful Declan, I also loved Declan’s mother, Sorcha. She’s funny, quirky, smart and sexy in the way she behaves. I wish there was more mothers like her on Earth.
I loved the way the author managed to mix the different cultures, slightly disseminating in his writing some foreign words. If you have ever read some of my reviews, you know how I hate that, when authors just want to show off… Here it’s not the case at all. We can actually see that he’s made some thorough research !
I really loved to learn more about teens slang. Some words made me laugh out loud !!
So, long story short, I really loved that book. It’s my favorite m/m for young adults. Don’t put it in a box though, it’s for YA cause there is no description of sex scenes – even if we’re aware of the sexual life of the characters but there’s no details. It is also for full grown-ups who want to know how it is to live Isidore’s life or to be in Declan’s shoes. It’s a beautiful love story, full of angst, hope, joy, action, love, and joy and hope too. And love …did I mention love ?! lol
Usually I finish my review with quotes. Not this time cause there is far too much quotes to pick :D Just go get the book and you can pick your own quotes ! lol
Cody, man, your book is just dumb ill :D :D :D
Enjoy !!!
March 14, 2016
As the son of the French Ambassador to the US one would think Isidore probably leads a charmed life...one would be wrong. If life is a fairytale than Isidore is Cinderella x 10. No one and I do mean NO ONE!!! Much less a child should have endured the things that Isidore endured. But sadly as we all know that is not the way of the world and even though Isidore's life seemed to be so damned over the top the reality is there are people out there in this world right now who would consider his life to be the norm. They would find the concept of anything else to be so beyond comprehension. Let's face it we all know the truth is fact IS stranger than fiction.
'Slaying Isidore's Dragons' was not an easy task because...well...there were just so damned many of them. For the most part I really enjoyed this book, I lost a bit of patience with Declan at about the 75% mark but that's ok because it was mainly due to the fact that he's an 18 year old and I'm 50+, our perspectives are different, thank heavens because hey, if I had the same outlook as an 18 year old...honestly, I'd be worried.
This is not a hearts and flowers, fluffy story. It's dark and it looks into the ugly side of human nature. Saying that Isidore is abused is the grossest of understatements.
This book was recommended to me a while ago by the lovely Annalund (for a really awesome review of this book go here...
http://annalund2011.booklikes.com/pos...
I loved the characters in this book they had depth and personality. I know at times that Isidore may have seemed weak but honestly, I don't think a lot of people can truly understand what this young man has endured in his life. Hell on earth doesn't even begin to explain it. To me the fact that he was still alive, struggling to have a life to find a way to continue existing was simply f*ing amazing. It spoke to the strength and courage that is the human spirit. Isidore didn't see himself as brave and if he did I would have found that a bit hard to swallow given his circumstances. This is a young man whose entire existence from start to finish was comprised of abuse and more abuse and yes even more abuse and suddenly out of nowhere he is presented with a knight in shining armour who wants to protect him and cherish him. He's never had this before and if someone has their way he won't have it long enough to truly enjoy and appreciate what it means.
Declan is the son of the Irish Ambassador to the US and he's back in the US after a year away and when Isidore walks into his home room and sits down beside him on the first day of school he knows that this slight and seemingly fragile young man is someone he wants to spend more time with and someone who needs him.
Along with Isidore and Declan there are a wealth of secondary and minor characters that fill out this story helping to bring it to life. Declan's mother is amazing. Sorcha is the type of person everyone needs in their life. She understands unconditional love and gives it unstintingly not only to Declan, but to Isidore and Chase, when both young men have need of it and once she claims you as hers you become a child of her heart and like a mother lioness she will fight using all the resources she has at her disposal to protect you. Sadly for all of the amazingness that is Sorcha at the other end of the spectrum is Isidore's father and his brothers.
'Slaying Isidore's Dragons' was not just a story about young love, it was about surviving the worst of what life can throw at you and never giving up. It's a story about how the beauty of the human spirit can overcome the ugliest acts that the body is forced to endure. It was a story about faith and finding the family that you should have been given and ultimately it's about never, ever losing hope.
'Slaying Isidore's Dragons' was not an easy task because...well...there were just so damned many of them. For the most part I really enjoyed this book, I lost a bit of patience with Declan at about the 75% mark but that's ok because it was mainly due to the fact that he's an 18 year old and I'm 50+, our perspectives are different, thank heavens because hey, if I had the same outlook as an 18 year old...honestly, I'd be worried.
This is not a hearts and flowers, fluffy story. It's dark and it looks into the ugly side of human nature. Saying that Isidore is abused is the grossest of understatements.
This book was recommended to me a while ago by the lovely Annalund (for a really awesome review of this book go here...
http://annalund2011.booklikes.com/pos...
I loved the characters in this book they had depth and personality. I know at times that Isidore may have seemed weak but honestly, I don't think a lot of people can truly understand what this young man has endured in his life. Hell on earth doesn't even begin to explain it. To me the fact that he was still alive, struggling to have a life to find a way to continue existing was simply f*ing amazing. It spoke to the strength and courage that is the human spirit. Isidore didn't see himself as brave and if he did I would have found that a bit hard to swallow given his circumstances. This is a young man whose entire existence from start to finish was comprised of abuse and more abuse and yes even more abuse and suddenly out of nowhere he is presented with a knight in shining armour who wants to protect him and cherish him. He's never had this before and if someone has their way he won't have it long enough to truly enjoy and appreciate what it means.
Declan is the son of the Irish Ambassador to the US and he's back in the US after a year away and when Isidore walks into his home room and sits down beside him on the first day of school he knows that this slight and seemingly fragile young man is someone he wants to spend more time with and someone who needs him.
Along with Isidore and Declan there are a wealth of secondary and minor characters that fill out this story helping to bring it to life. Declan's mother is amazing. Sorcha is the type of person everyone needs in their life. She understands unconditional love and gives it unstintingly not only to Declan, but to Isidore and Chase, when both young men have need of it and once she claims you as hers you become a child of her heart and like a mother lioness she will fight using all the resources she has at her disposal to protect you. Sadly for all of the amazingness that is Sorcha at the other end of the spectrum is Isidore's father and his brothers.
'Slaying Isidore's Dragons' was not just a story about young love, it was about surviving the worst of what life can throw at you and never giving up. It's a story about how the beauty of the human spirit can overcome the ugliest acts that the body is forced to endure. It was a story about faith and finding the family that you should have been given and ultimately it's about never, ever losing hope.
July 13, 2015
I find myself struggling for the right words without using serious profanity. I want to express how spectacular this book was without using the F.. Bomb.
I could not comprehend that this book was fiction because unfortunately the ugliness that surrounds this story happens all over the world. Children, Adults suffering some form of abuse. I had a constant ache in my heart while reading, my stomach churned with the vile things that happened. It doesn't matter that the details were not graphic. When a writer tells a story as good as this, the story plays out images in my mind. We have all imagined what characters look like while reading and visualising scenes in our minds. Sometimes a story will affect you in ways that are hard to believe but you are pleased you continued to read. This book touched me deeply.
Have you ever been in love? the kind of love that with every bone in your body you want to protect them, never be apart. When hearing the darkness they have lived through makes you feel anger like you have never felt before.
Isidore is the most sweetest young man I have ever come across. He has a strength from deep within, even though he believes he is weak. He is living in a world where his abusers, yes plural, torture him beyond anything you can imagine. The circumstances surrounding Isidore is one I can only describe as horrific.
Not everyone has a saviour and for this I feel the greatest of sadness.
Declan goes to school with Isidore and wants to help him. They become very special friends. I prayed that Declan could keep Isidore safe.
When Isidore and Declan were together, I found myself smiling. You know there's no limits on love. No one can tell you who to love or who you should be with. Everyone has choices in life. You have to remember that even in your darkness days. Isidore needed nothing short of a miracle to be free from his father and the torture he was going through. Declan's mother, Sorcha is wonderful woman with a wicked sense of humour, she brings laughter when it is most needed. Her witty one liners even had me laughing while reading. She loves both Declan and Isidore and does everything in her power to protect him. All their lives are in danger. You think to yourself when will all this be over. Isidore knows his dad will come for him one day and when that day comes he will not survive. This is a very powerful story, lives are changed forever for almost a whole community. With violence of cruelty all around, the only thing I clung to was the love blossoming between two very smart and beautiful young men. Magical moments can be shared even when the world is crashing around you. Live each day like it's your last and be grateful to be alive. The only thing I believe Isidore ever hoped for was to be safe. No one should ever have to endure such a life. I hope that everyone reads this book and gives their views. I know I have struggled with mine. It's hard to not give spoilers out but still give you a review worthy of this book. I wrote a poem today thinking of Isidore.
Darkness all around, nowhere to hide, no one to care,
Fear installed so deep, living a life constantly being scared.
The pain is real, the scars you can see,
My life is nothing, They'll never let me be.
Coming from the darkness into the light,
The eyes of my saviour is an overwhelming sight.
I no longer need to feel weakness, I can be strong,
To hold my lover close all night long.
The light shines bright like the stars in the sky
Night fall no more a fear as we lie, In my dreams I can fly.
Where there was once so much hate now there is only love,
I prayed for a miracle, God sent me an angel from up above.
I will live to love and laugh, gracing my lover with a smile
No one can ever take this away from me,
my future is for me to find.
Through my journey I have grown, holding
onto my faith,
My dearest Declan will always keep me safe.
The only thing I have left to say is Author C. Kennedy you are 'dumb ill' to find out the meaning of this. Read this book. Thank you for sharing such a compelling story
I could not comprehend that this book was fiction because unfortunately the ugliness that surrounds this story happens all over the world. Children, Adults suffering some form of abuse. I had a constant ache in my heart while reading, my stomach churned with the vile things that happened. It doesn't matter that the details were not graphic. When a writer tells a story as good as this, the story plays out images in my mind. We have all imagined what characters look like while reading and visualising scenes in our minds. Sometimes a story will affect you in ways that are hard to believe but you are pleased you continued to read. This book touched me deeply.
Have you ever been in love? the kind of love that with every bone in your body you want to protect them, never be apart. When hearing the darkness they have lived through makes you feel anger like you have never felt before.
Isidore is the most sweetest young man I have ever come across. He has a strength from deep within, even though he believes he is weak. He is living in a world where his abusers, yes plural, torture him beyond anything you can imagine. The circumstances surrounding Isidore is one I can only describe as horrific.
Not everyone has a saviour and for this I feel the greatest of sadness.
Declan goes to school with Isidore and wants to help him. They become very special friends. I prayed that Declan could keep Isidore safe.
When Isidore and Declan were together, I found myself smiling. You know there's no limits on love. No one can tell you who to love or who you should be with. Everyone has choices in life. You have to remember that even in your darkness days. Isidore needed nothing short of a miracle to be free from his father and the torture he was going through. Declan's mother, Sorcha is wonderful woman with a wicked sense of humour, she brings laughter when it is most needed. Her witty one liners even had me laughing while reading. She loves both Declan and Isidore and does everything in her power to protect him. All their lives are in danger. You think to yourself when will all this be over. Isidore knows his dad will come for him one day and when that day comes he will not survive. This is a very powerful story, lives are changed forever for almost a whole community. With violence of cruelty all around, the only thing I clung to was the love blossoming between two very smart and beautiful young men. Magical moments can be shared even when the world is crashing around you. Live each day like it's your last and be grateful to be alive. The only thing I believe Isidore ever hoped for was to be safe. No one should ever have to endure such a life. I hope that everyone reads this book and gives their views. I know I have struggled with mine. It's hard to not give spoilers out but still give you a review worthy of this book. I wrote a poem today thinking of Isidore.
Darkness all around, nowhere to hide, no one to care,
Fear installed so deep, living a life constantly being scared.
The pain is real, the scars you can see,
My life is nothing, They'll never let me be.
Coming from the darkness into the light,
The eyes of my saviour is an overwhelming sight.
I no longer need to feel weakness, I can be strong,
To hold my lover close all night long.
The light shines bright like the stars in the sky
Night fall no more a fear as we lie, In my dreams I can fly.
Where there was once so much hate now there is only love,
I prayed for a miracle, God sent me an angel from up above.
I will live to love and laugh, gracing my lover with a smile
No one can ever take this away from me,
my future is for me to find.
Through my journey I have grown, holding
onto my faith,
My dearest Declan will always keep me safe.
The only thing I have left to say is Author C. Kennedy you are 'dumb ill' to find out the meaning of this. Read this book. Thank you for sharing such a compelling story
April 16, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
If you read just one book this year, this should be the book to read. My first C. Kennedy book, I was unprepared for the intensity of the story. Here it is, days after I finished the book, and I am still struggling to process my feelings with this story and question whether my review can even begin to do this book justice. To start, I should begin by telling you that this book deals with issues of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that some readers may not be comfortable with. The abuse rings true and is laid out for readers without any candy-coating to make it more palatable, yet it never crosses the line to where it feels exploitive. Instead of being there just for shock factor, the abuse told in these pages relayd a message to victims of abuse that they aren’t broken; they can heal and attain a better life for themselves. The author also uses them to challenge readers to identify abuse and be willing to stand up, offer that helping hand to victims to grasp onto at a time when they no longer believe there is a reason for living.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
If you read just one book this year, this should be the book to read. My first C. Kennedy book, I was unprepared for the intensity of the story. Here it is, days after I finished the book, and I am still struggling to process my feelings with this story and question whether my review can even begin to do this book justice. To start, I should begin by telling you that this book deals with issues of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that some readers may not be comfortable with. The abuse rings true and is laid out for readers without any candy-coating to make it more palatable, yet it never crosses the line to where it feels exploitive. Instead of being there just for shock factor, the abuse told in these pages relayd a message to victims of abuse that they aren’t broken; they can heal and attain a better life for themselves. The author also uses them to challenge readers to identify abuse and be willing to stand up, offer that helping hand to victims to grasp onto at a time when they no longer believe there is a reason for living.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
April 15, 2015
This is just not for me. Nope. My eyes are in danger of rolling so much, they could fall out of my head. I just can't finish it. :/
July 29, 2018
So this must be another it’s me- I found getting through this one painful. Reading this felt like bad fanfic. The only reason I finished was all the 4 & 5 star reviews, so I figured something’s coming- well it didn’t happen for me.
My issues: Insta-love - not my thing. The story was beyond OTT, but every part of it. The M/C’s - Isidore’s life was just too awful and Delcan was too perfect. Everyone in Isidore’s life knew & let him be abused for 18 years, not just some md abuse but really messed up stuff but then miraculously he’s just fine in 3 weeks? NONONO
Delcan is 17 but no one can figure out a crime or take down a criminal but him? And the mom who knows with her. The whole plot was just to stupid for a whole book. DONOT REC
My issues: Insta-love - not my thing. The story was beyond OTT, but every part of it. The M/C’s - Isidore’s life was just too awful and Delcan was too perfect. Everyone in Isidore’s life knew & let him be abused for 18 years, not just some md abuse but really messed up stuff but then miraculously he’s just fine in 3 weeks? NONONO
Delcan is 17 but no one can figure out a crime or take down a criminal but him? And the mom who knows with her. The whole plot was just to stupid for a whole book. DONOT REC
April 11, 2015
WOW!! This is one of the best books I have read. Kennedy did a brilliant job in maintaining a strong story line throughout considering the multiple themes that were going on. The characters were dynamic which brought out a myriad of emotions of both love and hate which you feel as you get to know them. Declan, Isidore, and Sorcha as the main characters are amazing. Declan is a beautiful boy of 17 who feels deeply, smart, caring, and is able to touch Isidore's life, who is 18, in such a manner that is able to slowly bring Isidore out of his horrid past of being abused by his family, shows him that he is worth everything and not crazy, and gives him the love he deserves. Both of them fall for each other in a very beautiful, deep love that transcends even though Isidore's past and the threat of his father and brothers trying to get him back into their family continues to haunt Isidore through the nightmares and the mental thoughts in the darkness of his mind. Declan sees what's going on and talks his mother, Sorcha, into bringing Isidore into their home. This is definitely a step in the right direction... but Isidore sees his father is dangerous, abusive, and behind everything that is happening to all of them. Both Declan's mother and Isidore's father are ambassador's to the US which puts an interesting twist to everything that happens. Sorcha is an amazing woman who has been strong, loving, caring, and supportive of the boys that come into their lives. She is definitely a great force within the book with a beautiful loving heart and the understanding and support that is hard to find in this world. Declan and Sorcha are the people that Isidore has needed for so long and his dream of a new family has come true.
Kennedy has put a great deal of action in this book that keeps you turning the pages and wanting so much more. That world brings danger when anyone, considering the circumstances and events that happen could be the assailant trying to kill them.
Unknowing who the real person behind all of this is, the mystery comes to light and the pieces fall into place. This story was brilliantly written. I applaud you Cody for a very griping, emotional, and true to life story that shows the abuse that many gay boys go through and the difficulties that many go through in the aftermath. It is a story of hope that those who suffer so much can get through this with the love, strength, and devotion of those around them. The damage of the past can become lessened when you know someone is always there for you with the support and deep love you so well deserve. Life can bring Hope and a better life knowing that individual will get stronger as each day passes. The supporting characters in this book bring even more hope and love to those afflicted and its not just Isidore, as others are abused by the sick people who want to exploit them. I simply loved this book. My heart went out to all of them and i cried, I gripped my seat, and held my breath as the story progresses. It has to be one of my all time favorites. This is a must read for those that have gone through abuse and even those who should understand what these boys have endured in life in order to show the compassion, love and hope that all of us must show them. A beautiful love story amidst the terrible events of the past and the present with a hope of an amazing future... This is a must read for everyone... Maybe the world would be a better place if they did.
Kennedy has put a great deal of action in this book that keeps you turning the pages and wanting so much more. That world brings danger when anyone, considering the circumstances and events that happen could be the assailant trying to kill them.
Unknowing who the real person behind all of this is, the mystery comes to light and the pieces fall into place. This story was brilliantly written. I applaud you Cody for a very griping, emotional, and true to life story that shows the abuse that many gay boys go through and the difficulties that many go through in the aftermath. It is a story of hope that those who suffer so much can get through this with the love, strength, and devotion of those around them. The damage of the past can become lessened when you know someone is always there for you with the support and deep love you so well deserve. Life can bring Hope and a better life knowing that individual will get stronger as each day passes. The supporting characters in this book bring even more hope and love to those afflicted and its not just Isidore, as others are abused by the sick people who want to exploit them. I simply loved this book. My heart went out to all of them and i cried, I gripped my seat, and held my breath as the story progresses. It has to be one of my all time favorites. This is a must read for those that have gone through abuse and even those who should understand what these boys have endured in life in order to show the compassion, love and hope that all of us must show them. A beautiful love story amidst the terrible events of the past and the present with a hope of an amazing future... This is a must read for everyone... Maybe the world would be a better place if they did.
April 6, 2015
I am a big fan of C. Kennedy’s novels. Like the author’s other books, Slaying Isidore’s Dragons has a main character who has been abused. The abuse in this book has a wider reach than just Isidore. A friend of Declan’s has been abusing other students at the private academy that the two young men attend. That friend has also been abused. Those abusers were abused as well. It was a vicious cycle that showed how so many times the abused become abusers. Thank goodness that isn’t the case for Isidore and another friend, Caleb, who ends up playing a big role in the story.
What makes the abused main characters so special in C. Kennedy’s books is their resilience. They have been broken what should be beyond repair. Physically, mentally, and sexually abused, to the point of wanting to commit suicide. Yet the characters still have hope. The introduction of a truly caring character like Declan, his mother Sorcha, the psychologist couple of Bobby and Mike, and Caleb’s boyfriend Jordan. These caring individuals are heartwarming characters. They give love unconditionally and easily. Declan and Isidore’s relationship is very sweet. Though Declan appears to be the stronger of the two, he knows and the reader knows that Isidore’s strength is amazing after what he has been through.
In addition to the love story and the healing journey taken by Isidore, there is a mystery going on throughout the story as well. Isidore’s abuse, the assasination of Isidore’s mother and Declan’s father,the murder of two students at the academy, not to mention the multiple murder attempts on Sorcha, Declan, Isidore, and Caleb all seemed to be connected. While there are suspects, it is not clear until the end of the story who is truly behind the troubles. I loved that it kept me guessing until the end. It was a really well rounded story filled with action, courage, and the healing power of love.
What makes the abused main characters so special in C. Kennedy’s books is their resilience. They have been broken what should be beyond repair. Physically, mentally, and sexually abused, to the point of wanting to commit suicide. Yet the characters still have hope. The introduction of a truly caring character like Declan, his mother Sorcha, the psychologist couple of Bobby and Mike, and Caleb’s boyfriend Jordan. These caring individuals are heartwarming characters. They give love unconditionally and easily. Declan and Isidore’s relationship is very sweet. Though Declan appears to be the stronger of the two, he knows and the reader knows that Isidore’s strength is amazing after what he has been through.
In addition to the love story and the healing journey taken by Isidore, there is a mystery going on throughout the story as well. Isidore’s abuse, the assasination of Isidore’s mother and Declan’s father,the murder of two students at the academy, not to mention the multiple murder attempts on Sorcha, Declan, Isidore, and Caleb all seemed to be connected. While there are suspects, it is not clear until the end of the story who is truly behind the troubles. I loved that it kept me guessing until the end. It was a really well rounded story filled with action, courage, and the healing power of love.
April 13, 2015
This is the short version of my thoughts on this book. The longer version will be added soon:
Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is an action filled thriller dealing with important and difficult issues. It is a story filled with emotion and humour, pain and love, danger and domesticity, and most of all, hope. It broke my heart and put it back together. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons gave me a reading experience i treasure and a story I won’t forget anytime soon.
Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is an action filled thriller dealing with important and difficult issues. It is a story filled with emotion and humour, pain and love, danger and domesticity, and most of all, hope. It broke my heart and put it back together. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons gave me a reading experience i treasure and a story I won’t forget anytime soon.
April 23, 2015
Admittedly, after counting down the months, then weeks, days and hours until this book came up for review, I almost convinced myself that perhaps… just perhaps, Cody Kennedy would have at least one flaw, and that maybe this book would not be what Omorphi was to me. I laugh as I write this review, because I can’t believe I even entertained the idea that he wouldn’t hit it out of the park! I simply just sit here in the dark of my bedroom, AMPED to write this review. I must begin, as one does, at the beginning. The moment I laid eyes on the cover, I was sold by Reese Dante’s intense vision of the novel. Isidore’s beautiful soul, his tragic pose, calls as hauntingly as Christy’s eyes do from the cover of Omorphi. The prologue grips you from the few pages it takes up… and explosively, the novel takes flight.
Declan and Isidore, tied to one another by common misfortune, find new life as they begin to share a life. Declan has always been strong, but wary of people due to being a “dip kid,” as he terms being the child of a diplomat. He is quick to speak his thoughts, quick to defend those he loves—his friends, his mother, and his boyfriend—and yet, he does not commit to violence unless pushed to great lengths. Isidore grows so much during the novel that it’s hard to picture him at the beginning, wishing only for the day to be over, so that the pain can stop. When Declan moves to take him in, to protect him, and when Sorcha—my gods, she’s a beautiful character and truly, goddesshood would behoove her!—when Sorcha meets him and decides the de Quirkes are not ever going to let him go, I lost my heart. To watch him bloom as Isidore begins to know a completely different life, one where he is loved and valued, where he is a part of a family that loves and cherishes one another; watching Isidore, tiny Isidore, start to shine so brightly, I swear that my eyes teared up almost every single time he laughed.
Master Kennedy, having advertised Slaying Isidore’s Dragons as a young adult Jason Bourne novel, spoke truth. It had everything I wanted from the advert: suspense, romance, action, truth, cliffhanger chapters… the works! As was expected, Kennedy crafted a balance that never tipped once in these wonderful pages, and he knew exactly where to place breathing moments. And, you know, I have to say that even knowing as I went into this book that it would end in a beginning, one where, as a beloved Doctor from Gallifrey once put it, “everybody lives!” I love the spin that Kennedy puts on things. I love how his masterful storytelling sucks you straight the characters’ world and you forget that he’s going to give you that HEA at the end. You get so lost in Declan and Isidore’s lives that you worry if Isidore’s going to be okay or if his evil dragons are going to get a win, and that though Declan fights valiantly, he will be vanquished!
Then, of course, you remember that like life, Cody Kennedy finds a way. He will bring you back to the beginning at the end, and he will remind you that though life has dark moments (that sometimes, feel like dark lifetimes), the sun will shine through, that all you have to do is fight. Hope is real, and everyone has a chance to be victorious, to slay their dragons… if you just believe, if you hold to hope, if you act.
I always include a “what I liked and didn’t like” paragraph in my reviews, and being mindful not to tell too much, I must include one here. First, there wasn’t a single word I didn’t like. Not one. That being said, on to what I did like. I loved the allusions to David and Jonathan from the Books of Samuel in The Bible. I loved the mentions of Alexander the Great and Hephaistion. I simply loved the conversation Isidore has with first Declan and then Sorcha about how to write his paper on Hephaistion without lying. I loved the intensity of the chemistry between Isidore and Declan, and I love the way that it culminated in beautiful displays of both affection and lovemaking. I loved the relationship between Declan and Sorcha. I love the description of Declan’s coming out to his parents. I loved Mike and Bobby. Heck, I even loved Professor Lowe.
Naturally, I’m going to have favorite parts. One of my favorite scenes in the entire book is Isidore defending Declan in the school cafeteria. I loved watching Declan challenge Isidore’s four half-brothers, willing to take all of them on at one time, holding Isidore behind his back in a daring, “just try to take him from me; I dare you!” move. I loved the tender moment where Declan breaks down in Isidore’s arms. I loved the gift that Declan makes for Isidore. I loved Isidore meeting Mike, and I loved Isidore protecting Caleb. And there are so many, many, many more moments that I loved.
But… now it’s over. I’ve reached the hated last page and the moment where I just don’t know what to do with myself. I guess it’s a good thing that I bought a hard copy, then. I will just pick that baby up and start an immediate re-read. After all… this is a Cody Kennedy book. Cody Kennedy books are meant to be read over and over again. Just like Nico and Caleb, and Christy and Michael before them, Declan and Isidore bring a message of hope, a message of it gets better… and really, don’t we all need a reminder every now and again that we are strong enough to weather the storm?
All I can say, in conclusion, is THANKEE, MASTER CODY!!!!! This book was well worth the wait and it was a total honor to review! Also… when is Tharros going to be released?
Declan and Isidore, tied to one another by common misfortune, find new life as they begin to share a life. Declan has always been strong, but wary of people due to being a “dip kid,” as he terms being the child of a diplomat. He is quick to speak his thoughts, quick to defend those he loves—his friends, his mother, and his boyfriend—and yet, he does not commit to violence unless pushed to great lengths. Isidore grows so much during the novel that it’s hard to picture him at the beginning, wishing only for the day to be over, so that the pain can stop. When Declan moves to take him in, to protect him, and when Sorcha—my gods, she’s a beautiful character and truly, goddesshood would behoove her!—when Sorcha meets him and decides the de Quirkes are not ever going to let him go, I lost my heart. To watch him bloom as Isidore begins to know a completely different life, one where he is loved and valued, where he is a part of a family that loves and cherishes one another; watching Isidore, tiny Isidore, start to shine so brightly, I swear that my eyes teared up almost every single time he laughed.
Master Kennedy, having advertised Slaying Isidore’s Dragons as a young adult Jason Bourne novel, spoke truth. It had everything I wanted from the advert: suspense, romance, action, truth, cliffhanger chapters… the works! As was expected, Kennedy crafted a balance that never tipped once in these wonderful pages, and he knew exactly where to place breathing moments. And, you know, I have to say that even knowing as I went into this book that it would end in a beginning, one where, as a beloved Doctor from Gallifrey once put it, “everybody lives!” I love the spin that Kennedy puts on things. I love how his masterful storytelling sucks you straight the characters’ world and you forget that he’s going to give you that HEA at the end. You get so lost in Declan and Isidore’s lives that you worry if Isidore’s going to be okay or if his evil dragons are going to get a win, and that though Declan fights valiantly, he will be vanquished!
Then, of course, you remember that like life, Cody Kennedy finds a way. He will bring you back to the beginning at the end, and he will remind you that though life has dark moments (that sometimes, feel like dark lifetimes), the sun will shine through, that all you have to do is fight. Hope is real, and everyone has a chance to be victorious, to slay their dragons… if you just believe, if you hold to hope, if you act.
I always include a “what I liked and didn’t like” paragraph in my reviews, and being mindful not to tell too much, I must include one here. First, there wasn’t a single word I didn’t like. Not one. That being said, on to what I did like. I loved the allusions to David and Jonathan from the Books of Samuel in The Bible. I loved the mentions of Alexander the Great and Hephaistion. I simply loved the conversation Isidore has with first Declan and then Sorcha about how to write his paper on Hephaistion without lying. I loved the intensity of the chemistry between Isidore and Declan, and I love the way that it culminated in beautiful displays of both affection and lovemaking. I loved the relationship between Declan and Sorcha. I love the description of Declan’s coming out to his parents. I loved Mike and Bobby. Heck, I even loved Professor Lowe.
Naturally, I’m going to have favorite parts. One of my favorite scenes in the entire book is Isidore defending Declan in the school cafeteria. I loved watching Declan challenge Isidore’s four half-brothers, willing to take all of them on at one time, holding Isidore behind his back in a daring, “just try to take him from me; I dare you!” move. I loved the tender moment where Declan breaks down in Isidore’s arms. I loved the gift that Declan makes for Isidore. I loved Isidore meeting Mike, and I loved Isidore protecting Caleb. And there are so many, many, many more moments that I loved.
But… now it’s over. I’ve reached the hated last page and the moment where I just don’t know what to do with myself. I guess it’s a good thing that I bought a hard copy, then. I will just pick that baby up and start an immediate re-read. After all… this is a Cody Kennedy book. Cody Kennedy books are meant to be read over and over again. Just like Nico and Caleb, and Christy and Michael before them, Declan and Isidore bring a message of hope, a message of it gets better… and really, don’t we all need a reminder every now and again that we are strong enough to weather the storm?
All I can say, in conclusion, is THANKEE, MASTER CODY!!!!! This book was well worth the wait and it was a total honor to review! Also… when is Tharros going to be released?
November 12, 2015
When I got an email telling me that I was being asked to review this book, one of the things that caught my eye was the author’s words. He said “The subject matter of my books is tough because I write to give the boys I advocate for hope”, then he went on explaining how this book dealt with abuse, but that I needn’t worry, since the abuse in this page was mostly off page… This, is true. It is also true that even off page, the whole story managed to break my heart into tiny pieces, and that I didn’t know if it would be put together again.
It was. But it was a long, difficult, road.
Isidore one of the sons of the Ambassador of France in The United States. At 18 years old, Isidore has suffered too much abuse on part of his half brothers, his father and his mistress. Reading what Isidore went through was extremely difficult for me. I felt angry, frustrated, sad, heartbroken, and angry again. On the outside, Isidore might seem fragile, but if you dare taking a good look at him, and see and understand what he has lived, you can only see how strong he truly is.
Having lost the only person he ever trusted, (his mother), Isidore is completely helpless against his brothers’ abuse. He’s resigned to have this life he’s living, and to the fact that no one listens to his cries of help, not even his father (who, by the way, is an asshole). All of this changes when one of the teachers in his school starts a project. What this project promotes is pairing students so they can watch each other, and if you see something wrong in your partner you should report it to the head teacher so something can be done and help him/her. This is how Isidore meets Declan.
Declan is pretty much the opposite of Isidore. He’s a happy kid, who’s also suffered the lost of someone he loved. His father. Even with the grief of losing a loved one, Declan is strong, and happy. His mother is absolutely amazing. He’s the kind of kid that everyone loves and likes. He has many friends, and is quite sociable. Declan is also a diplomat kid. His mom is the Ambassador of Ireland in the US. When Declan and Isidore get paired up, the Irish kid couldn’t be more happy. He’d already seen Isidore in the distance, and had found him beautiful. Declan is gay, and while he’s not open about it at school, he’s out to his family.
One event lead to another, and after realizing that Isidore was being abused at home, Declan speaks to his mom and they decide to take Isidore under their wing. Here’s where Isidore’s healing starts, and while it goes at an expected slow pace, it’s also fulfilling and hopeful.
Both boys are incredibly mature for their age. They manage themselves in a way that one would think them old souls. I must confess that I struggled a bit with this. I often thought that I wasn’t reading about teenagers, but men in their mid-twenties instead. However, once I thought about it in more depth, I realized that these are diplomat kids. These are kids that grew up in a completely different envionment, and were forced to grow up faster than most, given the circumstances of their families. So, in the end, their being mature, worked for me.
I loved their friendship. I also loved their relationship as a couple, but it was their friendship and their devotion to each other, the protectiveness, and the trust they had in one another what more often than not made me feel all warm inside. Declan’s patience, and love for Isidore was simply beautiful. His words of encouragement to the boy, and his showing him, constantly, how proud of him he was for finding his voice and finding his true self after all he’d been trough, was nice to read. The reassurance that he had someone by his side that would not give up on him ever, is one of the things that helped Isidore to get better.
There is an element of mystery to the book, a couple of crimes unsolved, and a couple of things that happen that have the reader wondering what the heck is going on. There is a serial abuser, or rather, several… And boy was I angery for what I read and found out.
The secondary characters were also wonderful. I loved Mike (the boys’ psychologist)… Loved him. And I loved Sorcha (Declan’s mom). She totally wins the prize for best mom in books.
A note: I normally don’t do trigger warnings in my reviews, but I feel like I must do it in this case. The book deals with lots of violence, lots of physical abuse, and rape. Even off page, this is a constant. Even off page, this is highly heartbreaking and enraging. Even off page, you, as a reader, feel the need to put down the book for a few hours before picking it up again. This is no light read. This is not a book that you sit and read in one go, because it’s too charged with too many things. This is, however, a story of hope. It’s a story about a boy that has been through so much that you wonder if he’s ever going to find himself again. It’s a story about recovery, of mind and soul, and of finding that your worth doesn’t depend on others. That others, that your past, that your experiences, don’t quite define you, even if they do bring something to who you are now.
It was. But it was a long, difficult, road.
Isidore one of the sons of the Ambassador of France in The United States. At 18 years old, Isidore has suffered too much abuse on part of his half brothers, his father and his mistress. Reading what Isidore went through was extremely difficult for me. I felt angry, frustrated, sad, heartbroken, and angry again. On the outside, Isidore might seem fragile, but if you dare taking a good look at him, and see and understand what he has lived, you can only see how strong he truly is.
Having lost the only person he ever trusted, (his mother), Isidore is completely helpless against his brothers’ abuse. He’s resigned to have this life he’s living, and to the fact that no one listens to his cries of help, not even his father (who, by the way, is an asshole). All of this changes when one of the teachers in his school starts a project. What this project promotes is pairing students so they can watch each other, and if you see something wrong in your partner you should report it to the head teacher so something can be done and help him/her. This is how Isidore meets Declan.
Declan is pretty much the opposite of Isidore. He’s a happy kid, who’s also suffered the lost of someone he loved. His father. Even with the grief of losing a loved one, Declan is strong, and happy. His mother is absolutely amazing. He’s the kind of kid that everyone loves and likes. He has many friends, and is quite sociable. Declan is also a diplomat kid. His mom is the Ambassador of Ireland in the US. When Declan and Isidore get paired up, the Irish kid couldn’t be more happy. He’d already seen Isidore in the distance, and had found him beautiful. Declan is gay, and while he’s not open about it at school, he’s out to his family.
One event lead to another, and after realizing that Isidore was being abused at home, Declan speaks to his mom and they decide to take Isidore under their wing. Here’s where Isidore’s healing starts, and while it goes at an expected slow pace, it’s also fulfilling and hopeful.
Both boys are incredibly mature for their age. They manage themselves in a way that one would think them old souls. I must confess that I struggled a bit with this. I often thought that I wasn’t reading about teenagers, but men in their mid-twenties instead. However, once I thought about it in more depth, I realized that these are diplomat kids. These are kids that grew up in a completely different envionment, and were forced to grow up faster than most, given the circumstances of their families. So, in the end, their being mature, worked for me.
I loved their friendship. I also loved their relationship as a couple, but it was their friendship and their devotion to each other, the protectiveness, and the trust they had in one another what more often than not made me feel all warm inside. Declan’s patience, and love for Isidore was simply beautiful. His words of encouragement to the boy, and his showing him, constantly, how proud of him he was for finding his voice and finding his true self after all he’d been trough, was nice to read. The reassurance that he had someone by his side that would not give up on him ever, is one of the things that helped Isidore to get better.
There is an element of mystery to the book, a couple of crimes unsolved, and a couple of things that happen that have the reader wondering what the heck is going on. There is a serial abuser, or rather, several… And boy was I angery for what I read and found out.
The secondary characters were also wonderful. I loved Mike (the boys’ psychologist)… Loved him. And I loved Sorcha (Declan’s mom). She totally wins the prize for best mom in books.
A note: I normally don’t do trigger warnings in my reviews, but I feel like I must do it in this case. The book deals with lots of violence, lots of physical abuse, and rape. Even off page, this is a constant. Even off page, this is highly heartbreaking and enraging. Even off page, you, as a reader, feel the need to put down the book for a few hours before picking it up again. This is no light read. This is not a book that you sit and read in one go, because it’s too charged with too many things. This is, however, a story of hope. It’s a story about a boy that has been through so much that you wonder if he’s ever going to find himself again. It’s a story about recovery, of mind and soul, and of finding that your worth doesn’t depend on others. That others, that your past, that your experiences, don’t quite define you, even if they do bring something to who you are now.
May 4, 2015
I absolutely adore Cody Kennedy’s writing and respect the awareness theses stories promote. It provides teens a resource that targets extreme abuse …and that is beyond admirable. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons reminded me a lot of Omorphi, but that is a good thing because I really enjoyed that read. Both are action packed and focus on dark topics, while planting seeds of hope. It tells the reader they are not alone and that you can make it out strong, no matter how impossible things may look.
I have to admit that it took a while for Declan to grow on me. He is a very likable character in many, many ways …but how he handled Jessica caught me off guard. Her actions did not seem to warrant the cruel things said about her (not until she was pushed near the end, at least). It all could have been avoided if he was honest and patient with her, so it felt like misdirected resentment and kinda made him look sexist. The only females that got his respect were parental figures; the rest were snakes, hoes, and hussies. Luckily these comments were few and far between. And he was indeed capable of gentleness towards others. Though this trait combined with the premature love made me worried that his initial interest in Isidore was shallow. This changed as they faced new experiences together, but the way he handled Isidore was a little controlling and overprotective at times. This can make victims more dependent then help them believe in themselves. That being said, maybe that’s what Isidore needed? He was easy to sympathize with, so maybe I’m just being protective of him too?
Beyond that, Delcan was a sweet guy who would stop at nothing to keep his loved ones safe. I wish everyone had someone like him in their lives. So he did indeed grow on me, it just took time. I have a guarded heart when it comes to people/characters. (maybe paranoid is a better word? Hard to say, haha!)
As for the story, I really enjoyed the mystery elements; trying to find out who drugged the boys had me paying extra close attention to the characters. They all go through a lot of challenges, yet it was paced out nicely so it wasn’t too tense or stressful. There were a few repetitive moments (when the characters would relay events to others) and some details felt a touch exaggerated, but it kept things lively and interesting. I especially enjoyed the courtroom scenes – very reminiscent of Law and Order: SVU. It makes you thirsty for justice.
What really makes this book is Isidore himself. He is such a doll and you want nothing more then a happy home for him. I’d be perfectly content to read on and on about him within that sanctuary, feeling safe. He really deserved it.
All in all, this was a rewarding story!
I have to admit that it took a while for Declan to grow on me. He is a very likable character in many, many ways …but how he handled Jessica caught me off guard. Her actions did not seem to warrant the cruel things said about her (not until she was pushed near the end, at least). It all could have been avoided if he was honest and patient with her, so it felt like misdirected resentment and kinda made him look sexist. The only females that got his respect were parental figures; the rest were snakes, hoes, and hussies. Luckily these comments were few and far between. And he was indeed capable of gentleness towards others. Though this trait combined with the premature love made me worried that his initial interest in Isidore was shallow. This changed as they faced new experiences together, but the way he handled Isidore was a little controlling and overprotective at times. This can make victims more dependent then help them believe in themselves. That being said, maybe that’s what Isidore needed? He was easy to sympathize with, so maybe I’m just being protective of him too?
Beyond that, Delcan was a sweet guy who would stop at nothing to keep his loved ones safe. I wish everyone had someone like him in their lives. So he did indeed grow on me, it just took time. I have a guarded heart when it comes to people/characters. (maybe paranoid is a better word? Hard to say, haha!)
As for the story, I really enjoyed the mystery elements; trying to find out who drugged the boys had me paying extra close attention to the characters. They all go through a lot of challenges, yet it was paced out nicely so it wasn’t too tense or stressful. There were a few repetitive moments (when the characters would relay events to others) and some details felt a touch exaggerated, but it kept things lively and interesting. I especially enjoyed the courtroom scenes – very reminiscent of Law and Order: SVU. It makes you thirsty for justice.
What really makes this book is Isidore himself. He is such a doll and you want nothing more then a happy home for him. I’d be perfectly content to read on and on about him within that sanctuary, feeling safe. He really deserved it.
All in all, this was a rewarding story!
April 11, 2016
Title: Slaying Isadore's Dragons
Author: Cody Kennedy
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
ISBN: 978-1-63476-001-0
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
Summary:
After reading this book I had to put it down to get my thoughts about this story. It should be noted that this isn't for the faint at heart because there are scenes dealing with verbal, physical, mental and sexual abuse. Isadore endured more abuse and torture than most people cold ever imagine and somehow he never gave up hope. Declan had his own difficulties dealing with his father's death, but his mother's love and support kept him strong. The first time Declan saw Isadore he couldn't take his eyes off of him and when Isadore needed help he stepped in. Isadore was about to give up when Declan entered his life giving him the support and love that he lost when his mother died. It was horrifying how Isadore's brothers thought they could do anything to him until Declan and his mother Sorcha took Took Isadore into their family and were willing to fight for him. I loved how Irreverent and playful Sorcha was with Declan and Isadore because when she worked as an Ambassador she was the exact opposite. It was inspiring how Sorcha and Declan were willing to do whatever was necessary to keep Isadore safe. The plot to kill Isadore, Sorcha, Declan, and their friends unfolded in the most unexpected and incredible way. This is one book that I will never forget and definitely would recommend for anyone to read!!
Author: Cody Kennedy
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
ISBN: 978-1-63476-001-0
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
Summary:
After reading this book I had to put it down to get my thoughts about this story. It should be noted that this isn't for the faint at heart because there are scenes dealing with verbal, physical, mental and sexual abuse. Isadore endured more abuse and torture than most people cold ever imagine and somehow he never gave up hope. Declan had his own difficulties dealing with his father's death, but his mother's love and support kept him strong. The first time Declan saw Isadore he couldn't take his eyes off of him and when Isadore needed help he stepped in. Isadore was about to give up when Declan entered his life giving him the support and love that he lost when his mother died. It was horrifying how Isadore's brothers thought they could do anything to him until Declan and his mother Sorcha took Took Isadore into their family and were willing to fight for him. I loved how Irreverent and playful Sorcha was with Declan and Isadore because when she worked as an Ambassador she was the exact opposite. It was inspiring how Sorcha and Declan were willing to do whatever was necessary to keep Isadore safe. The plot to kill Isadore, Sorcha, Declan, and their friends unfolded in the most unexpected and incredible way. This is one book that I will never forget and definitely would recommend for anyone to read!!
December 30, 2018
Cody has once again introduced us to a cast of characters that illustrates everything that is wrong with mankind and everything that is right and good. Sorcha, Declan’s mum, the “beautiful, petite Irish flower with a radiant smile wrapped in sixty-grit sandpaper” is the perfect loving and fiercely protective mother juxtaposed with Jean-Baptiste, Isidore’s father, a man so indifferent to his son’s suffering as to render him the epitome of evil. The remaining cast of bad guys range from Isidore’s abusive and pernicious half brothers and their mother, the comtesse, to Declan’s close friend, Mason, who has a very misplaced sense of entitlement which turns him into an abuser. Declan’s psychologist, Mike, and his husband, Bobby, and Sorcha’s legal attaché, Jack, show us that there are indeed decent, caring adults in this world. Friends, Caleb and Jordan, add a depth to the story that complete the portraits of our main characters by showing us Declan’s and Isidore’s full range of emotions and sense of social justice.
Now for our main characters… this is where words don’t come easy. Declan is not perfect but he is perfect for Isidore. He is damaged by the sudden death of his father and has a fire burning inside of him that ignites into sudden, intense anger one moment and calms to reasoned self-analysis the next, then to overpowering feelings of love and emotion for Isidore and his mum. His passion fuels the momentum of this book in a way that is captivating and spellbinding. His ferocity draws you into his moment and you feel his anger, his pain, his resolve and his love. He is the perfect savior for tiny Isidore.
Isidore is fragile, frightened, lost, and alone. Until Declan, his only solace is the “quiet dark”, the place he goes to shut out the pain and keep his mind from fragmenting. The depths of his despair are palpable and take your breath away. But little by little as he begins to trust and find his footing, we see the broken pieces gently falling back into place and a stronger, more determined young man begins to rise from the ashes. He is the perfect salve to restore Declan’s soul and give him a sense of purpose.
Slaying Isidore's Dragons is truly a cinematic experience for all the senses. Scenes gel with a crystalline clarity into haunting images, sometimes utterly terrifying moments, mind-reeling action, and always overwhelming feelings of love and hope. You feel Isidore’s despair in the aftermath of his abuse, you hear the tinkling of shattered glass in the eerie silence after a gun battle, and you see the light shining from Declan’s eyes as he looks into the eyes of his “mo chroí.”
Now for our main characters… this is where words don’t come easy. Declan is not perfect but he is perfect for Isidore. He is damaged by the sudden death of his father and has a fire burning inside of him that ignites into sudden, intense anger one moment and calms to reasoned self-analysis the next, then to overpowering feelings of love and emotion for Isidore and his mum. His passion fuels the momentum of this book in a way that is captivating and spellbinding. His ferocity draws you into his moment and you feel his anger, his pain, his resolve and his love. He is the perfect savior for tiny Isidore.
Isidore is fragile, frightened, lost, and alone. Until Declan, his only solace is the “quiet dark”, the place he goes to shut out the pain and keep his mind from fragmenting. The depths of his despair are palpable and take your breath away. But little by little as he begins to trust and find his footing, we see the broken pieces gently falling back into place and a stronger, more determined young man begins to rise from the ashes. He is the perfect salve to restore Declan’s soul and give him a sense of purpose.
Slaying Isidore's Dragons is truly a cinematic experience for all the senses. Scenes gel with a crystalline clarity into haunting images, sometimes utterly terrifying moments, mind-reeling action, and always overwhelming feelings of love and hope. You feel Isidore’s despair in the aftermath of his abuse, you hear the tinkling of shattered glass in the eerie silence after a gun battle, and you see the light shining from Declan’s eyes as he looks into the eyes of his “mo chroí.”
April 21, 2015
If I had to tell anyone about this book, I wouldn't know where to start. So much took place that my head did spin. An endless series of events kept me captivated. I really hoped or rather tried to finish it in one sitting, because I was on the edge and needed to find out what would happen next. No go. More meat on the bones than one could handle.
Nothing more to say other than loved it!
Nothing more to say other than loved it!
May 8, 2015
4.5 Stars rounded up, because of the sappy HEA ending. But it's a good ending. :)
It seemed to reach a plateau mid-way...(or at least it seemed that way to me)...it took a long time for me to finish it...I kept setting it aside) But the last half of the book took off like a runaway train...then I couldn't put it down. LOL. Ending up loving it.
It seemed to reach a plateau mid-way...(or at least it seemed that way to me)...it took a long time for me to finish it...I kept setting it aside) But the last half of the book took off like a runaway train...then I couldn't put it down. LOL. Ending up loving it.
Read
September 29, 2015Because of my work on the 2016 Stonewall Book Awards, I cannot publish my opinions on any children's or YA book with LGBTQ+ characters or themes. I may update these reviews after the announcement of the 2016 Stonewall Book Awards.
May 27, 2015
Slow starter. Kind of maudlin at the outset. Worth it. Good book. Very satisfying read. Would have liked the four brothers to get their comeuppance.
April 16, 2015
4 stars easily. Full review to come.
[Edited 4/16/15 to include the following]
Cody, you've done it again.
With Slaying Isidore's Dragons readers get another story of hope, recovery, and love in the vein of the author's other major works: the novel Omorphi and the shorter piece "Safe." I don't say romance here (despite the fact that it, too, is present) largely because so many different kinds of love are expressed in the story and to call it merely romantic is limiting.
There is the love within Declan's family unit, which expands from him and his mother Sorcha to include other characters. A patchwork family is cobbled together from many a lovable character, and while keeping everyone safe and together is quite the endeavor, the adoptees are accepted as part of the family with care and ease. Part of what I so enjoy about this author's work is that while the circumstances surrounding the characters are usually quite extraordinary, the interaction between the characters--how they banter, how they console one another, how they bring one another back to themselves in times of crisis--does not feel unnatural. Characters who seem more self-possessed have reason to be: they have endured similar experiences to explain a sense of empathy or are otherwise able to sympathize; they have a support network of family, friends, etc; they have received counseling or have sought professional help in another capacity that lends credence to the advice they may give to others; they have been taught to recognize warning signs or symptoms and have been coached in ways that can help people in trouble, but they don't claim to understand or know everything. A number of times within this story, characters recommend that others speak to someone who may be more equipped than they are to give them the help they need. I feel like this is often something missed in works of fiction dealing with traumatic experiences. It is perfectly fine to be a confidante to someone, especially as they may or may not have the courage or confidence to speak with someone they have yet to trust, but I'm glad that Declan does not attempt to take everything on himself.
Sorcha de Quirke rocks. Just gonna put that out there. She is an extremely loving woman who acts as something of the family hub, mothering Declan, Isidore, and friends. Most of the young adult characters within the story are experiencing some kind of family drama, and Sorcha acts as a steadfast supporter of her children, not only providing much needed comic relief (Irish sense of humor, anyone?) but also acting as mother bear: fiercely loving and fiercely protective.
Without revealing too much in the way of spoilers, Declan emulates his mother within his group of friends. The sense of camaraderie between him and the friends he cares for and attempts to take care of is a love all its own. That he even tries to convince those who have done him or others wrong to get the help they need paints a very conscientious character. Although several incidences call for a more physical reaction, the challenge of which he meets head-on, it is nearly always as a champion, defending those who do not yet have the mental, emotional, or physical means of defending themselves. I was slightly concerned that this would lead to an unhealthy sort of dependency on the part of the friends he aids, but even at that, Declan is warned to be mindful of allowing that to happen. All well and good, but what's a story about slaying dragons without a proper knight in shining bulletproof vest riding about in armored vehicles?
And then there is the love between Declan and Isidore. The level of care and consideration with which Declan treats his "tiny Isidore" is moving, even as he is endearingly upfront and honest about his desires and concerns regarding any future he might have with Isidore. They are legitimate concerns and he does not belittle them; that fact alone presents more as a budding love than it does as a childish infatuation. Isidore's love for him in return is initially (and understandably) clingy. The parts told from his perspective regard Declan with something like hero worship--but why not? Declan does, in fact, champion him on more than one occasion, and proves again and again to be deserving of Isidore's trust. Again, I had worried that Isidore would become too codependent, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that everyone (Isidore included) wants him to get better. Declan and his family simply lend him the courage he needs as he rebuilds his own sense of self-worth.
I'm a sucker for stories involving cultures and politics, so of course I'm a little biased where the plot of this story is concerned. Intercultural communication has always fascinated me, and having the story follow diplomatic families and their colleagues and cohorts allowed for quite the intriguing story. What do you do when the parties involved in criminal activities have diplomatic immunity? It is bad enough when wealth offers some buffer from the law, but to compound that with immunity? I have not read something from this perspective before, and it was an interesting point of view. The author plays with issues of citizenship, ages of majority and rights within respective countries, and many a cultural snafu. Tack on some language lessons (oh dear, terms of endearment AND cross-cultural vitriol?) and you've got a winner.
So why not 5 stars?
It's a rare title that gets the grade from me, and I'd be a liar if I said I didn't have a few hangups with Slaying Isidore's Dragons. Now, it's all well and good to come up with an inspirational playlist to set the tone of a story, but there's a time and place for name-dropping, and that time was too often. This got better as the story went on but in the first half of the book song titles and artists were running rampant; it really took me out of the moment.
Another thing that made me squint a bit was Isidore's artistry. This one's tough because I know that the arts are a great means by which to express oneself and therefore make for a good coping mechanism, but this was not the way Isidore's artwork came across to me. I was willing to disregard obvious similarities between Isidore in this novel and Christy in Omorphi such as their small stature--both endured great abuse and neglect, so this is not terribly surprising--and their very pretty (as opposed to handsome) looks, but I had already seen a great artistic talent with Christy in whose story drawings and paintings were a major plot device, noticeably necessary to the story. I really wanted to see Isidore as an individual, and character traits like this made me feel like he was more an echo of Christy than his own person. It didn't seem to advance the story in a meaningful way. Luckily, since it was such a minor addition, it did not keep me from overall enjoyment of Isidore's character. He was adorable, and while his experiences were no less horrific than were Christy's, they definitely were his own. How he responded to certain situations and his thought processes therein were more than enough for him to hold his own with me.
Lastly (at least for now), a special thanks to Cody for not rushing this. I know fans (hell, I was one of them) were slavering for this story to come out right now, but it was worth the wait. At nearly 500 pages long, you allowed yourself the room for what felt like appropriate pacing. Even with the head-jumping as perspectives changed, I don't recall anything seeming overly abrupt or out of place in the grand scheme of things. It's always a shame when a great story isn't given the time and space to grow. I'm glad you gave Slaying Isidore's Dragons and its characters the opportunity to do so.
Thanks for another great read. Now I get to hound you with the others as we all eagerly await the release of Omorphi's sequel.
[Edited 4/16/15 to include the following]
Cody, you've done it again.
With Slaying Isidore's Dragons readers get another story of hope, recovery, and love in the vein of the author's other major works: the novel Omorphi and the shorter piece "Safe." I don't say romance here (despite the fact that it, too, is present) largely because so many different kinds of love are expressed in the story and to call it merely romantic is limiting.
There is the love within Declan's family unit, which expands from him and his mother Sorcha to include other characters. A patchwork family is cobbled together from many a lovable character, and while keeping everyone safe and together is quite the endeavor, the adoptees are accepted as part of the family with care and ease. Part of what I so enjoy about this author's work is that while the circumstances surrounding the characters are usually quite extraordinary, the interaction between the characters--how they banter, how they console one another, how they bring one another back to themselves in times of crisis--does not feel unnatural. Characters who seem more self-possessed have reason to be: they have endured similar experiences to explain a sense of empathy or are otherwise able to sympathize; they have a support network of family, friends, etc; they have received counseling or have sought professional help in another capacity that lends credence to the advice they may give to others; they have been taught to recognize warning signs or symptoms and have been coached in ways that can help people in trouble, but they don't claim to understand or know everything. A number of times within this story, characters recommend that others speak to someone who may be more equipped than they are to give them the help they need. I feel like this is often something missed in works of fiction dealing with traumatic experiences. It is perfectly fine to be a confidante to someone, especially as they may or may not have the courage or confidence to speak with someone they have yet to trust, but I'm glad that Declan does not attempt to take everything on himself.
Sorcha de Quirke rocks. Just gonna put that out there. She is an extremely loving woman who acts as something of the family hub, mothering Declan, Isidore, and friends. Most of the young adult characters within the story are experiencing some kind of family drama, and Sorcha acts as a steadfast supporter of her children, not only providing much needed comic relief (Irish sense of humor, anyone?) but also acting as mother bear: fiercely loving and fiercely protective.
Without revealing too much in the way of spoilers, Declan emulates his mother within his group of friends. The sense of camaraderie between him and the friends he cares for and attempts to take care of is a love all its own. That he even tries to convince those who have done him or others wrong to get the help they need paints a very conscientious character. Although several incidences call for a more physical reaction, the challenge of which he meets head-on, it is nearly always as a champion, defending those who do not yet have the mental, emotional, or physical means of defending themselves. I was slightly concerned that this would lead to an unhealthy sort of dependency on the part of the friends he aids, but even at that, Declan is warned to be mindful of allowing that to happen. All well and good, but what's a story about slaying dragons without a proper knight in shining bulletproof vest riding about in armored vehicles?
And then there is the love between Declan and Isidore. The level of care and consideration with which Declan treats his "tiny Isidore" is moving, even as he is endearingly upfront and honest about his desires and concerns regarding any future he might have with Isidore. They are legitimate concerns and he does not belittle them; that fact alone presents more as a budding love than it does as a childish infatuation. Isidore's love for him in return is initially (and understandably) clingy. The parts told from his perspective regard Declan with something like hero worship--but why not? Declan does, in fact, champion him on more than one occasion, and proves again and again to be deserving of Isidore's trust. Again, I had worried that Isidore would become too codependent, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that everyone (Isidore included) wants him to get better. Declan and his family simply lend him the courage he needs as he rebuilds his own sense of self-worth.
I'm a sucker for stories involving cultures and politics, so of course I'm a little biased where the plot of this story is concerned. Intercultural communication has always fascinated me, and having the story follow diplomatic families and their colleagues and cohorts allowed for quite the intriguing story. What do you do when the parties involved in criminal activities have diplomatic immunity? It is bad enough when wealth offers some buffer from the law, but to compound that with immunity? I have not read something from this perspective before, and it was an interesting point of view. The author plays with issues of citizenship, ages of majority and rights within respective countries, and many a cultural snafu. Tack on some language lessons (oh dear, terms of endearment AND cross-cultural vitriol?) and you've got a winner.
So why not 5 stars?
It's a rare title that gets the grade from me, and I'd be a liar if I said I didn't have a few hangups with Slaying Isidore's Dragons. Now, it's all well and good to come up with an inspirational playlist to set the tone of a story, but there's a time and place for name-dropping, and that time was too often. This got better as the story went on but in the first half of the book song titles and artists were running rampant; it really took me out of the moment.
Another thing that made me squint a bit was Isidore's artistry. This one's tough because I know that the arts are a great means by which to express oneself and therefore make for a good coping mechanism, but this was not the way Isidore's artwork came across to me. I was willing to disregard obvious similarities between Isidore in this novel and Christy in Omorphi such as their small stature--both endured great abuse and neglect, so this is not terribly surprising--and their very pretty (as opposed to handsome) looks, but I had already seen a great artistic talent with Christy in whose story drawings and paintings were a major plot device, noticeably necessary to the story. I really wanted to see Isidore as an individual, and character traits like this made me feel like he was more an echo of Christy than his own person. It didn't seem to advance the story in a meaningful way. Luckily, since it was such a minor addition, it did not keep me from overall enjoyment of Isidore's character. He was adorable, and while his experiences were no less horrific than were Christy's, they definitely were his own. How he responded to certain situations and his thought processes therein were more than enough for him to hold his own with me.
Lastly (at least for now), a special thanks to Cody for not rushing this. I know fans (hell, I was one of them) were slavering for this story to come out right now, but it was worth the wait. At nearly 500 pages long, you allowed yourself the room for what felt like appropriate pacing. Even with the head-jumping as perspectives changed, I don't recall anything seeming overly abrupt or out of place in the grand scheme of things. It's always a shame when a great story isn't given the time and space to grow. I'm glad you gave Slaying Isidore's Dragons and its characters the opportunity to do so.
Thanks for another great read. Now I get to hound you with the others as we all eagerly await the release of Omorphi's sequel.
May 24, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Sid
Disclaimer – I have tried not to include any spoilers in my review. However, some minor spoilers may be included and without mentioning them, the review would have been incomplete, according to me. Consider yourself warned.
Family is where life begins and love never ends. You are cared for, pampered, scolded but also hugged, protected and made to feel safe in a family. There’s no place safer than the place you call home. A crazy good family turns a concrete building into a home. That is what defines a home in a perfect sense, don’t you think? But that house becomes hell when the walls echo agonizing cries of a child instead of happiness-filled laughter. The family which is ours to call, stands to give nothing but pain and sadness in life. Such life, then, becomes a heavy burden to carry and takes one to an edge of a cliff on accepting defeat to live it anymore.
‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ tells the story of a boy who is a victim, abused physically, mentally and sexually by his own half-brothers and the father would simply ignore the cries of help.
It is impossible to read ‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ in one go – for an emotional and sensitive reader like me anyway – because the description of what Isidore endures through his life would break your heart into million pieces. On the top of that, he loses a loving mother to a terrorizing bomb blast – one who has been the only strength and support to him in the family.
But when one door to escape closes, there’s always another that opens. For Jean-Isidore – or simply Isidore as he likes to be called – that door is opened by a handsome, brave man named Declan who is smitten with Isidore’s tiny, pretty form and feels a strong urge to protect him from anything that comes to hurt him. He is the knight in shining armor who takes it up to him to slay the dragons threatening Isidore’s life.
However, Declan himself is surrounded by threat and danger. A close friend has been carrying a horrible secret behind his back and then several attempts – though failed ones, thanks to the professional help and Declan’s – are made to kill Declan’s mother. These experiences make them realize who are truly on their side and who are not.
strongmansketch-600x350The subject of male rape is very sensitive, even in today’s modern world. The author of ‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ mentions the statistics in this book of how equal is the ratio of men to women who get raped in this cruel world. Who knows if there are even more who aren’t included in the stats … Yet, the rapes that get reported are far less. In a conservative society where men are considered to be powerful and untouchable, it is considered humiliating by many men to publicize a crude act forced upon them. It is sad, really, that monsters like Isidore’s half-brothers roam free, untamed because of that.
Author Cody Kennedy handles this subject as sensitively and as realistically as possible. The character of Isidore is developed so beautifully in this book that it serves as an inspiration to those who have suffered. Truly – and I believe this personally that – every victim has a Declan or Sorcha (Declan’s mother) in his life. One has to only look and as suggested by the author in his final note – speak up!
Declan De Quirke the second is the character that shows light to Isidore from the end of the tunnel. He is a charming boy, the ladies’ man. A perfect example of a dream-come-true boyfriend. Isidore could have asked for nothing better because Declan takes him under his wings at the first hint he gets that tells him something is terribly wrong in Isidore’s life. The patience he shows with Isidore while the boy recovers from his troubled past, is way beyond his years. It made me as proud as Sorcha seemed of him all the time. Declan is the character that can go beyond any limits to keep his family safe – not just his family but he does anything for the people he cares in order to make them happy. I did not mind that Declan was way too perfect to be true because I believe that there are Declans – though rare – in this world. However, when a seventeen year old starts giving suggestions that are never thought of even by professionals in their respective fields, it becomes irksome. It is understandable when a kid can outthink a professional once or twice but every time? That definitely gave an unrealistic shade to his character.
keep-calm-and-slay-dragons2-240x300In my years of reviewing, I have read and appreciated some really wonderful motherly characters in books and I never thought any mother could be any more ‘dumb ill’ (in words of Declan). But Sorcha De Quirke beats them all. She is not only cool but she is one helluva crazy woman! In a very nice way, of course. She is an ambassador and though she carries that grace whenever she is playing the part, she does a total one-eighty when she is around her boys. It would be a shame if ‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ would be referred to having just two main characters – Declan and Isidore – because for me Sorcha qualifies to be given the credit she deserves. Declan could have done nothing had it not been for his mother’s support. Isidore would still be rotting in the hell with his father and brothers had it not been for Sorcha who takes full custody of him. Sorcha comes with experience, power and a mouth to slay any dragon that comes to hurt her boys. Her selfless nature is admirable when she expresses her readiness to send her own son to face an oncoming danger rather than Isidore, who’d be more prone to breaking down in such an event. If my words so far haven’t expressed my love for this character enough, I don’t know what to say more. It simply made me happy that Sorcha, along with the boys, got her own happy ending.
‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ has multiple storylines running parallel to each other – some minor plots, some major. Most of these plots were agreeable to me. Yes, this story is quite long, but nowhere did it feel as if it was dragged unnecessarily. Some may find it so, but remember, a victim of this nature needs time to heal and the author gives Isidore just that – time to grow, to bloom into a flower that would amaze the reader in the end. The chapters carried a playlist of various songs that went perfectly with the on-going situations and I loved the idea of music defining these events. Also the author narrates some biblical and mythological stories through his characters, which made my reading experience much more interesting.
What I do not agree to is how one of the characters was turned negative so abruptly. In this sub-plot, a lot happened in a couple of chapters that was too much to take in. When you initially like a certain character and then he is made out to be an evil bastard, you feel betrayed. Feeling like that is actually a compliment to the author because it shows what a strong impact his writing and story development made on me. Still, what bothered me was that the story has almost all the characters in black and white and none portrayed in the grey area. Also, I would have loved to see a plot development for the minor character of Caleb and his love interest instead of just an insta-love package.
Considering the length of this story, I believe a long review was nothing but expected. Especially when you love a story, you cannot stop gushing about it, can you? That is what I did and I hope it wasn’t too boring for you!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Disclaimer – I have tried not to include any spoilers in my review. However, some minor spoilers may be included and without mentioning them, the review would have been incomplete, according to me. Consider yourself warned.
Family is where life begins and love never ends. You are cared for, pampered, scolded but also hugged, protected and made to feel safe in a family. There’s no place safer than the place you call home. A crazy good family turns a concrete building into a home. That is what defines a home in a perfect sense, don’t you think? But that house becomes hell when the walls echo agonizing cries of a child instead of happiness-filled laughter. The family which is ours to call, stands to give nothing but pain and sadness in life. Such life, then, becomes a heavy burden to carry and takes one to an edge of a cliff on accepting defeat to live it anymore.
‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ tells the story of a boy who is a victim, abused physically, mentally and sexually by his own half-brothers and the father would simply ignore the cries of help.
It is impossible to read ‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ in one go – for an emotional and sensitive reader like me anyway – because the description of what Isidore endures through his life would break your heart into million pieces. On the top of that, he loses a loving mother to a terrorizing bomb blast – one who has been the only strength and support to him in the family.
But when one door to escape closes, there’s always another that opens. For Jean-Isidore – or simply Isidore as he likes to be called – that door is opened by a handsome, brave man named Declan who is smitten with Isidore’s tiny, pretty form and feels a strong urge to protect him from anything that comes to hurt him. He is the knight in shining armor who takes it up to him to slay the dragons threatening Isidore’s life.
However, Declan himself is surrounded by threat and danger. A close friend has been carrying a horrible secret behind his back and then several attempts – though failed ones, thanks to the professional help and Declan’s – are made to kill Declan’s mother. These experiences make them realize who are truly on their side and who are not.
strongmansketch-600x350The subject of male rape is very sensitive, even in today’s modern world. The author of ‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ mentions the statistics in this book of how equal is the ratio of men to women who get raped in this cruel world. Who knows if there are even more who aren’t included in the stats … Yet, the rapes that get reported are far less. In a conservative society where men are considered to be powerful and untouchable, it is considered humiliating by many men to publicize a crude act forced upon them. It is sad, really, that monsters like Isidore’s half-brothers roam free, untamed because of that.
Author Cody Kennedy handles this subject as sensitively and as realistically as possible. The character of Isidore is developed so beautifully in this book that it serves as an inspiration to those who have suffered. Truly – and I believe this personally that – every victim has a Declan or Sorcha (Declan’s mother) in his life. One has to only look and as suggested by the author in his final note – speak up!
Declan De Quirke the second is the character that shows light to Isidore from the end of the tunnel. He is a charming boy, the ladies’ man. A perfect example of a dream-come-true boyfriend. Isidore could have asked for nothing better because Declan takes him under his wings at the first hint he gets that tells him something is terribly wrong in Isidore’s life. The patience he shows with Isidore while the boy recovers from his troubled past, is way beyond his years. It made me as proud as Sorcha seemed of him all the time. Declan is the character that can go beyond any limits to keep his family safe – not just his family but he does anything for the people he cares in order to make them happy. I did not mind that Declan was way too perfect to be true because I believe that there are Declans – though rare – in this world. However, when a seventeen year old starts giving suggestions that are never thought of even by professionals in their respective fields, it becomes irksome. It is understandable when a kid can outthink a professional once or twice but every time? That definitely gave an unrealistic shade to his character.
keep-calm-and-slay-dragons2-240x300In my years of reviewing, I have read and appreciated some really wonderful motherly characters in books and I never thought any mother could be any more ‘dumb ill’ (in words of Declan). But Sorcha De Quirke beats them all. She is not only cool but she is one helluva crazy woman! In a very nice way, of course. She is an ambassador and though she carries that grace whenever she is playing the part, she does a total one-eighty when she is around her boys. It would be a shame if ‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ would be referred to having just two main characters – Declan and Isidore – because for me Sorcha qualifies to be given the credit she deserves. Declan could have done nothing had it not been for his mother’s support. Isidore would still be rotting in the hell with his father and brothers had it not been for Sorcha who takes full custody of him. Sorcha comes with experience, power and a mouth to slay any dragon that comes to hurt her boys. Her selfless nature is admirable when she expresses her readiness to send her own son to face an oncoming danger rather than Isidore, who’d be more prone to breaking down in such an event. If my words so far haven’t expressed my love for this character enough, I don’t know what to say more. It simply made me happy that Sorcha, along with the boys, got her own happy ending.
‘Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ has multiple storylines running parallel to each other – some minor plots, some major. Most of these plots were agreeable to me. Yes, this story is quite long, but nowhere did it feel as if it was dragged unnecessarily. Some may find it so, but remember, a victim of this nature needs time to heal and the author gives Isidore just that – time to grow, to bloom into a flower that would amaze the reader in the end. The chapters carried a playlist of various songs that went perfectly with the on-going situations and I loved the idea of music defining these events. Also the author narrates some biblical and mythological stories through his characters, which made my reading experience much more interesting.
What I do not agree to is how one of the characters was turned negative so abruptly. In this sub-plot, a lot happened in a couple of chapters that was too much to take in. When you initially like a certain character and then he is made out to be an evil bastard, you feel betrayed. Feeling like that is actually a compliment to the author because it shows what a strong impact his writing and story development made on me. Still, what bothered me was that the story has almost all the characters in black and white and none portrayed in the grey area. Also, I would have loved to see a plot development for the minor character of Caleb and his love interest instead of just an insta-love package.
Considering the length of this story, I believe a long review was nothing but expected. Especially when you love a story, you cannot stop gushing about it, can you? That is what I did and I hope it wasn’t too boring for you!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
May 2, 2015
Bullying, sexual abuse, deadly revenge, and a love so powerful it can withstand it all . . . this certainly isn't a book for the faint-hearted. Anyone familiar with this author's work will know Cody doesn't shrink from tackling issues that are sensitive or disturbing, and 'Slaying Isidore's Dragons' is no exception. It explores the devastating effect prolonged abuse can have on a young person, but also how, in the right environment and with support and understanding, it is possible to heal.
When Declan and Isidore meet at the start of their senior year, they share an instant connection. Initially, the fact that they're both sons of ambassadors and have each suffered the loss of a parent brings them together, but neither can deny their overwhelming attraction to one another. When Isidore keeps shying away, however, it becomes apparent to Declan that he is struggling with far more than grief for a beloved mother. With the help of his own mum, Ambassador Sorcha De Quirke, he sets about trying to free Isidore from his controlling father and vicious half brothers.
Yet, Ambassador de Sauveterre has no intention of letting his son escape so easily and will stop at nothing to get him back. Already worried sick over Isidore's emotional fragility and what the future might hold, Declan finds his world thrown into further chaos by an assassination attempt on Sorcha's life. Forced to go into hiding, he, Isidore and Sorcha are powerless to prevent those closest to them from becoming targets. They can only hope that their courage and steadfast belief in one another will see them through in one piece.
C. Kennedy has created some wonderful characters in this novel, from Declan, so fiercely protective, to Isidore, strong despite his delicate appearance. For me though, Sorcha is the real star of the story. A force to be reckoned with in her position as Irish Ambassador, playful and full of warmth at home, she defies stereotype. Most of all, she is a mother, always there for Declan, ready to fight his corner or simply lend a sympathetic ear. Without her mischievous streak to add some light relief to an otherwise grim narrative, this would have been a much tougher read.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
When Declan and Isidore meet at the start of their senior year, they share an instant connection. Initially, the fact that they're both sons of ambassadors and have each suffered the loss of a parent brings them together, but neither can deny their overwhelming attraction to one another. When Isidore keeps shying away, however, it becomes apparent to Declan that he is struggling with far more than grief for a beloved mother. With the help of his own mum, Ambassador Sorcha De Quirke, he sets about trying to free Isidore from his controlling father and vicious half brothers.
Yet, Ambassador de Sauveterre has no intention of letting his son escape so easily and will stop at nothing to get him back. Already worried sick over Isidore's emotional fragility and what the future might hold, Declan finds his world thrown into further chaos by an assassination attempt on Sorcha's life. Forced to go into hiding, he, Isidore and Sorcha are powerless to prevent those closest to them from becoming targets. They can only hope that their courage and steadfast belief in one another will see them through in one piece.
C. Kennedy has created some wonderful characters in this novel, from Declan, so fiercely protective, to Isidore, strong despite his delicate appearance. For me though, Sorcha is the real star of the story. A force to be reckoned with in her position as Irish Ambassador, playful and full of warmth at home, she defies stereotype. Most of all, she is a mother, always there for Declan, ready to fight his corner or simply lend a sympathetic ear. Without her mischievous streak to add some light relief to an otherwise grim narrative, this would have been a much tougher read.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
April 23, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Five stars!
I loved this book. It broke my heart, it made me smile, and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. The relationship between Declan and his mother is beautiful. They have an easy way of talking to each other and completely open lines of communication that most parents and teens can envy. It reminds me of my relationship with my mom. The way Declan and Isidore fumble together to find their way is adorable to watch, and also sweet to see how they handle the missteps. The stories of Alexander and Hephaestion were an interesting addition to the story. I like that it was constantly referenced and that Declan and Isidore made it their own. I was amazed at how naive Ambassador de Sauveterre was in his thinking at the end of the story. I truly think he was repentant of his actions but the damage done couldn’t be undone. I would love to see another story with all of these characters in the future to see Declan and Isidore’s wedding, and hopefully Caleb and Jordan’s as well.
Five stars!
I loved this book. It broke my heart, it made me smile, and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. The relationship between Declan and his mother is beautiful. They have an easy way of talking to each other and completely open lines of communication that most parents and teens can envy. It reminds me of my relationship with my mom. The way Declan and Isidore fumble together to find their way is adorable to watch, and also sweet to see how they handle the missteps. The stories of Alexander and Hephaestion were an interesting addition to the story. I like that it was constantly referenced and that Declan and Isidore made it their own. I was amazed at how naive Ambassador de Sauveterre was in his thinking at the end of the story. I truly think he was repentant of his actions but the damage done couldn’t be undone. I would love to see another story with all of these characters in the future to see Declan and Isidore’s wedding, and hopefully Caleb and Jordan’s as well.
June 8, 2015
I can see the appeal of this book. I should have liked this because I love high school stories and an element of hurt. However, it didn't work for me for one reason that manifested in a few ways, it was just too much. Everything was to the extreme with no subtlety. For example a teacher at a private school for Washington elite isn't just insensitive he's an insulting asshole (and he still has his job?). Isidore's situation was too much too. Obviously it was important to the story for Isidore to be suffering and vulnerable but not to that extent. (Don't want to give anything away here). It was just too much and, frankly, unbelievable.
And Isidore, sigh. I know he is supposed to be a sympathetic character, but I found him to be pathetic and unrealistic. There was nothing more to him than his abuse.
And Isidore, sigh. I know he is supposed to be a sympathetic character, but I found him to be pathetic and unrealistic. There was nothing more to him than his abuse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews