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The Traitor Game
Michael and his friend Francis share a secret passion for Evgard, the fantasy world they have created together. But then Michael finds a note in his locker, revealing that their secret is out. He immediately suspects Francis, and tries to get revenge by telling the school bully―known affectionately as Shitley―that Francis is gay, which guarantees Francis is in for a pounding. But did Francis really betray his friend? Or is Michael really the traitor?
This gripping account of a troubled friendship unfolds both as a contemporary story and as a compelling glimpse into the world of Evgard. The Traitor Game tackles difficult issues without hesitation and will surely draw in gamer and fantasy fans as well as contemporary fiction readers.
This gripping account of a troubled friendship unfolds both as a contemporary story and as a compelling glimpse into the world of Evgard. The Traitor Game tackles difficult issues without hesitation and will surely draw in gamer and fantasy fans as well as contemporary fiction readers.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2008
22 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
B.R. Collins
9 books80 followersB.R. Collins is a graduate of both university and drama school. Her first novel The Traitor Game was published to much acclaim and was both winner of the Branford Boase Award 2009 and longlisted for the 2009 Carnegie Medal. Bridget lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
A Trick of the Dark, published by Bloomsbury in September 2009 and in paperback in September 2010, is her extraordinary, electric and tautly thrilling second novel.
Tyme's End, published by Bloomsbury in January 2011, is a psychological thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
Gamerunner, published by Bloomsbury in July 2011, is a stunning departure into a future world of computer gaming.
The Broken Road, published by Bloomsbury in February 2012, is a powerful new novel based around the Children’s Crusades.
Read B R Collins's blog here
Watch the book trailer for Gamerunner
A Trick of the Dark, published by Bloomsbury in September 2009 and in paperback in September 2010, is her extraordinary, electric and tautly thrilling second novel.
Tyme's End, published by Bloomsbury in January 2011, is a psychological thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
Gamerunner, published by Bloomsbury in July 2011, is a stunning departure into a future world of computer gaming.
The Broken Road, published by Bloomsbury in February 2012, is a powerful new novel based around the Children’s Crusades.
Read B R Collins's blog here
Watch the book trailer for Gamerunner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 25, 2017
Cross-posted at Outlaw Reviews and at Shelf Inflicted
After enduring bullying at his old school, Michael Thompson gets a fresh start at St. Anselm’s. His mother introduces him to Francis Harris and the boys become fast friends. They have lots in common. Both are outsiders, don’t make friends easily, and share a common fantasy world called Evgard. The boys meet every weekend, spending long hours crafting detailed maps and working out Evgard’s history.
Trouble starts when Evgard’s secret is out and Michael believes Francis is responsible. Instead of confronting Francis with his suspicions, Michael exacts his own revenge by outing Francis to the school bully, causing a deep rift in their friendship.
Evgard’s characters unfold parallel to the events in Michael’s and Francis’ lives and while I found the fantasy story more compelling, neither story would work very well without the other. Michael’s low self-esteem, self-destructive behavior, homophobia, and inability to communicate effectively with his mother and Francis all show how the earlier bullying incidents have affected his life.
The characters were believable and the dialogue and thoughts felt authentic, but I had a difficult time caring much for them, especially Michael. Though the story is well written and complex, it took me a couple of weeks to get through it, mostly because Michael annoyed me so much and the pace was rather slow. I tired quickly of Michael’s hesitant way of communicating and his introspection, particularly when I felt that so many problems and misunderstandings could have been avoided if only he spoke up and was honest with those who cared about him.
After enduring bullying at his old school, Michael Thompson gets a fresh start at St. Anselm’s. His mother introduces him to Francis Harris and the boys become fast friends. They have lots in common. Both are outsiders, don’t make friends easily, and share a common fantasy world called Evgard. The boys meet every weekend, spending long hours crafting detailed maps and working out Evgard’s history.
Trouble starts when Evgard’s secret is out and Michael believes Francis is responsible. Instead of confronting Francis with his suspicions, Michael exacts his own revenge by outing Francis to the school bully, causing a deep rift in their friendship.
Evgard’s characters unfold parallel to the events in Michael’s and Francis’ lives and while I found the fantasy story more compelling, neither story would work very well without the other. Michael’s low self-esteem, self-destructive behavior, homophobia, and inability to communicate effectively with his mother and Francis all show how the earlier bullying incidents have affected his life.
The characters were believable and the dialogue and thoughts felt authentic, but I had a difficult time caring much for them, especially Michael. Though the story is well written and complex, it took me a couple of weeks to get through it, mostly because Michael annoyed me so much and the pace was rather slow. I tired quickly of Michael’s hesitant way of communicating and his introspection, particularly when I felt that so many problems and misunderstandings could have been avoided if only he spoke up and was honest with those who cared about him.
May 5, 2011
I would never have read this book if my friend hadn't told me one night that it was the only book to ever make her cry. I googled it, mainly to make fun of her for being over emotional - instead, I thought it sounded fascinating and the next day, took it out of the library.
I took the book out at 2.30pm, by 7pm I had finished it, reread a few of my favourite bits and cried several times.
I can't describe how much this book touched me. It made my heart ache and my stomach knot. I cried throughout the book, at moments I felt were significant for me. I'm going to buy this book, because I know without a doubt it will be one of the books I reread over and over, and eventually make my own children read.
Its so well written and poignant. The parallels between Columan and Argent / Michael and Francis were perfect, and I adored both of their friendships and the feelings they had towards each other and Evgard.
I will never forget this book. I can't recommend it enough.
I took the book out at 2.30pm, by 7pm I had finished it, reread a few of my favourite bits and cried several times.
I can't describe how much this book touched me. It made my heart ache and my stomach knot. I cried throughout the book, at moments I felt were significant for me. I'm going to buy this book, because I know without a doubt it will be one of the books I reread over and over, and eventually make my own children read.
Its so well written and poignant. The parallels between Columan and Argent / Michael and Francis were perfect, and I adored both of their friendships and the feelings they had towards each other and Evgard.
I will never forget this book. I can't recommend it enough.
May 18, 2022
This was Bridget Collins' debut novel, and the 3rd one I've read so far. Just like 'The Betrayals', I was quite sceptic going into this one because not only was this a debut but also a YA book. But safe to say neither of these factors stopped me from liking this book.
I wasn't as interested in the Evgard POV but the rest of the book was very captivating. I couldn't stop reading once I'd picked it up, and even when I had to, I would think about the characters all the time. I read this book in 2-3 sittings, and that was because I didn't want the book to end.
Ps. I finished it at around 2am, which is wayyyy past my normal bedtime 🤫😴
I wasn't as interested in the Evgard POV but the rest of the book was very captivating. I couldn't stop reading once I'd picked it up, and even when I had to, I would think about the characters all the time. I read this book in 2-3 sittings, and that was because I didn't want the book to end.
Ps. I finished it at around 2am, which is wayyyy past my normal bedtime 🤫😴
October 26, 2014
Its narrative splits between the real life friendship of two private school boys and the Game-of-Thrones-esq fantasy world that they create together. When one boy believes the other has betrayed the secret of their private imaginary realm it begins the deeply painful destruction of their friendship. The story is a little like a boy/boy version of 'Heavenly Creatures' with an intense friendship formed over the creation of a fantasy world. I cried several times reading this because it's heartbreaking watching these characters making all the wrong choices, yet still understanding their motivations and still hoping for some kind of redemption even when it seems impossible. Michael/Francis are my personal definition of a fascinating relationship. Even though you sense the impending tragedy you still root for a happy ending somehow.
November 26, 2011
Intense! Severely bullied at his old school, Michael's transferred to a new school, where he's shared his main escape with his only friend, Francis -- an imaginary world called Evgard. When Michael believes Francis has been deceiving him and using his confidences to mock him to other kids, he makes a counter-betrayal in turn -- one that's especially dangerous for Francis.
This brilliantly evoked Michael's state of mind, the paranoia and mistrust and the denial of damage, making himself not feel anything so he couldn't feel humiliation or pain. And it's not heroic, it's bitter. Michael sees a kid being bullied and thinks the best he can do is turn away so the kid doesn't have a witness (so Michael doesn't have to be reminded), and Francis steps in, unafraid, and Michael thinks it's just because he doesn't know what he has to be afraid of. The survival tactics of silence and pride. The inarticulateness -- you can't speak when you push all of yourself down. The unconscious homophobia, too -- even when Francis points it out, Michael doesn't get it, he's self-centered with the self-centeredness of the suffering, he can't see most of the suffering he inflicts. Michael is not really a nice guy, even though he doesn't intend most of the damage he does.
And the fantasy world of Evgard reflects the main action, sometimes subtly and sometimes directly, but never in a clunky way. Those chapters in themselves make a really good fantasy/historical novel in the vein of Rosemary Sutcliff. I had expected to like them best when I started, I love shared fantasy worlds in novels, but in fact I was slightly more interested in them as reflections of the main narrative than I was in them as narrative in itself--but only slightly. (The mixture of Michael and Francis -- the unconscious privilege and the real kindness that shape both Francis and Columen are brilliantly done, and what the whole story implies about what Francis and Michael notice consciously or unconsciously about each other, wow.)
A lot of reviewers mentioned that Michael's inability to ask or say the obvious things was implausible, and that his endless angst got on their nerves. For most of the book, I disagreed -- I mean, yes, it wore on me a little, but it felt like a very real (very familiar) mindset, where you can't see an out and you end up just burying yourself in it, when you get self-destructive just because you are so used to people trying to destroy you. Then about three-quarters of the way through, there was a conversation where -- well, for once I felt like the natural thing for Michael to do would be to shout out what he meant, instead of stammering and avoiding it; I could really feel the plot contrivance there. But it doesn't destroy the emotional power and the thoughtfulness of the book.
This seems to have done well in the UK, but sunk like a stone in the US -- no paperback edition, no publication of the author's later books. I am going to have to try to scarf up the rest of Collins' books used, or see if UK bookstores will sell me ebooks.
(This was one of the two books GR Recommendations suggested that I hadn't already read or already decided to read or already decided not to read; in fact, I don't think I'd heard of the book before. Well done, GR Recommendations!)
This brilliantly evoked Michael's state of mind, the paranoia and mistrust and the denial of damage, making himself not feel anything so he couldn't feel humiliation or pain. And it's not heroic, it's bitter. Michael sees a kid being bullied and thinks the best he can do is turn away so the kid doesn't have a witness (so Michael doesn't have to be reminded), and Francis steps in, unafraid, and Michael thinks it's just because he doesn't know what he has to be afraid of. The survival tactics of silence and pride. The inarticulateness -- you can't speak when you push all of yourself down. The unconscious homophobia, too -- even when Francis points it out, Michael doesn't get it, he's self-centered with the self-centeredness of the suffering, he can't see most of the suffering he inflicts. Michael is not really a nice guy, even though he doesn't intend most of the damage he does.
And the fantasy world of Evgard reflects the main action, sometimes subtly and sometimes directly, but never in a clunky way. Those chapters in themselves make a really good fantasy/historical novel in the vein of Rosemary Sutcliff. I had expected to like them best when I started, I love shared fantasy worlds in novels, but in fact I was slightly more interested in them as reflections of the main narrative than I was in them as narrative in itself--but only slightly. (The mixture of Michael and Francis -- the unconscious privilege and the real kindness that shape both Francis and Columen are brilliantly done, and what the whole story implies about what Francis and Michael notice consciously or unconsciously about each other, wow.)
A lot of reviewers mentioned that Michael's inability to ask or say the obvious things was implausible, and that his endless angst got on their nerves. For most of the book, I disagreed -- I mean, yes, it wore on me a little, but it felt like a very real (very familiar) mindset, where you can't see an out and you end up just burying yourself in it, when you get self-destructive just because you are so used to people trying to destroy you. Then about three-quarters of the way through, there was a conversation where -- well, for once I felt like the natural thing for Michael to do would be to shout out what he meant, instead of stammering and avoiding it; I could really feel the plot contrivance there. But it doesn't destroy the emotional power and the thoughtfulness of the book.
This seems to have done well in the UK, but sunk like a stone in the US -- no paperback edition, no publication of the author's later books. I am going to have to try to scarf up the rest of Collins' books used, or see if UK bookstores will sell me ebooks.
(This was one of the two books GR Recommendations suggested that I hadn't already read or already decided to read or already decided not to read; in fact, I don't think I'd heard of the book before. Well done, GR Recommendations!)
October 15, 2017
Best friends Michael and Francis share a secret, an elaborately crafted fantasy world named Evgard that they have created together. Then somebody finds out about Evgard, and Michael is convinced that Francis must have betrayed their secret - so he betrays Francis in return, setting the school bully on him with a lie that turns out not to be a lie, shattering their friendship.
Having two distinctly separate stories, one in the real world and one in the fantasy realm of Evgard, was an intriguing concept I really liked. The main problem I had with the book is that we spend all of the part set in our world in Michael's head, and that's not a particularly nice place to be. Once himself the victim of bullies, he's now at one point actually encouraging the bully to go after his supposed best friend, he leaps to conclusions based on assumptions, is incapable of effectively communicating with anyone, and there's a lot of homophobia floating around his head that comes out in very ugly ways.
Having two distinctly separate stories, one in the real world and one in the fantasy realm of Evgard, was an intriguing concept I really liked. The main problem I had with the book is that we spend all of the part set in our world in Michael's head, and that's not a particularly nice place to be. Once himself the victim of bullies, he's now at one point actually encouraging the bully to go after his supposed best friend, he leaps to conclusions based on assumptions, is incapable of effectively communicating with anyone, and there's a lot of homophobia floating around his head that comes out in very ugly ways.
June 20, 2016
This is unlike anything I've read before. Traitor Game is just so poignant. While the world of Evgard (and the English private school) was wonderfully developed in of itself, the novel wasn't really about that. Instead, it was a beautiful exploration of the blurry, sometime painful lines between friendship and what possibly lies beyond. The weaving and parallels of Michael/Argent, Francis/Columen was breathtaking. The narration was moving, the interactions clever and stimulating. Absolutely no surprise Collins won an award for this novel. I adore The Traitor Game.
November 28, 2012
I must admit that I got into this book with some doubts at first, since I thought it was going to be a standard "preachy" young-adult novel, but the moment I started reading the first "Esgard" chapter I fell completely in love with it.
The plot's pretty straightforward: Michael, a boy who was bullied mercilessly at his previous school, has a secret world called Evgard which he builds with his new friend Francis. Together, they've written histories, drawn maps, and even created an entire language for Evgard, and the two boys have kept it a secret from everyone else - until Michael finds a note in his locker that says "I KNOW WHERE ARCASTER IS". This sets off a chain of events that threaten to ruin both boys' lives, and as events starts to get steadily disastrous Michael retreats into the fantasy world in his own mind.
The plot switches between the "real-life" world and Michael's imaginary world, and the Evgard plot follows the story of Argent, who is Michael's counterpart, when he is captured by a sadistic Duke and befriends his son Columen. While neither storyline intersects with each other, there are parallels and echos between both stories that adds to Michael's characterization and the plot itself.
There is a main flaw in The Traitor Game, however, and it's one that most of the reviews have mentioned - Michael's constant inability to say exactly what he means or what he wants to say. While most of my frustration during those scenes is directed at Michael instead of the writer, Francis and Michael's dialogue in the scene where Michael attempts to ask him about the note stretches the boundaries of disbelief (is that the right term for it?) a little bit too much, and at times verges on being too contrived.
But aside from that, and the fact that I'd rather the book was slightly longer so that we could have more time to see a more fleshed-out Evgard, The Traitor game is an excellent (and underrated) young-adult novel that deftly explores the themes of sexuality, homophobia, bullying, growing up and escapism.
The plot's pretty straightforward: Michael, a boy who was bullied mercilessly at his previous school, has a secret world called Evgard which he builds with his new friend Francis. Together, they've written histories, drawn maps, and even created an entire language for Evgard, and the two boys have kept it a secret from everyone else - until Michael finds a note in his locker that says "I KNOW WHERE ARCASTER IS". This sets off a chain of events that threaten to ruin both boys' lives, and as events starts to get steadily disastrous Michael retreats into the fantasy world in his own mind.
The plot switches between the "real-life" world and Michael's imaginary world, and the Evgard plot follows the story of Argent, who is Michael's counterpart, when he is captured by a sadistic Duke and befriends his son Columen. While neither storyline intersects with each other, there are parallels and echos between both stories that adds to Michael's characterization and the plot itself.
There is a main flaw in The Traitor Game, however, and it's one that most of the reviews have mentioned - Michael's constant inability to say exactly what he means or what he wants to say. While most of my frustration during those scenes is directed at Michael instead of the writer, Francis and Michael's dialogue in the scene where Michael attempts to ask him about the note stretches the boundaries of disbelief (is that the right term for it?) a little bit too much, and at times verges on being too contrived.
But aside from that, and the fact that I'd rather the book was slightly longer so that we could have more time to see a more fleshed-out Evgard, The Traitor game is an excellent (and underrated) young-adult novel that deftly explores the themes of sexuality, homophobia, bullying, growing up and escapism.
February 25, 2015
After being bullied at his last school, Michael Thompson transferred to posh private school St Anselm's. He made friends with fellow outsider Francis, and together they created a fantasy world called Evgard. They came up with maps, stories, etc, planning out their fantasy world to the smallest detail. For both of them, Evgard provides an escape from the struggles of their real lives. But then someone at school finds out about Evgard and starts sending Michael taunting notes. Michael believes Francis must have betrayed him. Rather than confront him over it, Michael sets out on a game to trick Francis into confessing. Ultimately, as an act of revenge, he betrays one of Francis's secrets. But what if Francis wasn't a traitor? What does that make Michael?
Michael and Francis's conflicts and betrayals are mirrored in chapters set in their fantasy world, Evgard. Here, a young rebel named Argent is captured by enemy forces of an evil Duke. But then Argent is offered friendship by the Duke's son, Columen. Soon Argent , just like Michael is struggling with issues of friendship, loyalty and betrayal.
I was surprised by this book because I ultimately enjoyed the 'fantasy world' chapters more than the 'real world' ones. I found Michael to be a complex but not really a likeable character. Meanwhile, Argent was equally flawed but seemed to have more reason to be, and ultimately behaved better than Michael does. I guess Argent was supposed to be Michael's idea of how he *wanted* to be but couldn't.
Fantastically well-thought out fantasy world which made me wish there could be an Evgard series.
The real-world chapters offered a very complex and dark look at the effects of bullying and the complications of friendship and betrayal.
Michael and Francis's conflicts and betrayals are mirrored in chapters set in their fantasy world, Evgard. Here, a young rebel named Argent is captured by enemy forces of an evil Duke. But then Argent is offered friendship by the Duke's son, Columen. Soon Argent , just like Michael is struggling with issues of friendship, loyalty and betrayal.
I was surprised by this book because I ultimately enjoyed the 'fantasy world' chapters more than the 'real world' ones. I found Michael to be a complex but not really a likeable character. Meanwhile, Argent was equally flawed but seemed to have more reason to be, and ultimately behaved better than Michael does. I guess Argent was supposed to be Michael's idea of how he *wanted* to be but couldn't.
Fantastically well-thought out fantasy world which made me wish there could be an Evgard series.
The real-world chapters offered a very complex and dark look at the effects of bullying and the complications of friendship and betrayal.
November 19, 2014
OH. MY. GOD. THIS BOOK IS BEYOND AMAZING.
This book made me laugh, cry, swoon and scream. I loved every word, sentence, paragraph and chapter. To be honest, when I first began reading it I thought I was going to 'DNF' because of how different this book was in terms of style of writing, genre and narration. As I continued reading my eyes were glued to the book, my emotions were everywhere and I think I fell in love with the characters.
The Traitor Game is absolutely heartbreaking when it came to reading about the bullying. The abuse of power of the bully and the helplessness of the victim, it was completely shattering. At moments, I found myself begging the bully not to hurt the characters and had tears in my eyes.
I was more than happy and honoured to join the Anti-bullying week readathon when I first heard of it, but I'm beyond glad I did join because I wouldn't have thought of reading this book even if I stumbled across it.
I'm high on euphoria
This book made me laugh, cry, swoon and scream. I loved every word, sentence, paragraph and chapter. To be honest, when I first began reading it I thought I was going to 'DNF' because of how different this book was in terms of style of writing, genre and narration. As I continued reading my eyes were glued to the book, my emotions were everywhere and I think I fell in love with the characters.
The Traitor Game is absolutely heartbreaking when it came to reading about the bullying. The abuse of power of the bully and the helplessness of the victim, it was completely shattering. At moments, I found myself begging the bully not to hurt the characters and had tears in my eyes.
I was more than happy and honoured to join the Anti-bullying week readathon when I first heard of it, but I'm beyond glad I did join because I wouldn't have thought of reading this book even if I stumbled across it.
I'm high on euphoria
March 17, 2016
Apart from the writing style (often written in sort of a "common" British way) which I found slightly irritating at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A lot more than I expected to.
The use of an LGBT character was so well done and I also enjoyed reading about a character suffering from mental illness explained how it really is: absolutely awful, instead of sugarcoating or romanticizing it like a lot of books do.
The only thing apart from the writing style I disliked a bit is that there is really no description of Michael, the main character. I felt I couldn't imagine what he was like so there was maybe a slight lack of character development for my liking.
The use of an LGBT character was so well done and I also enjoyed reading about a character suffering from mental illness explained how it really is: absolutely awful, instead of sugarcoating or romanticizing it like a lot of books do.
The only thing apart from the writing style I disliked a bit is that there is really no description of Michael, the main character. I felt I couldn't imagine what he was like so there was maybe a slight lack of character development for my liking.
January 1, 2009
Paranoia, friendship, homophobia in present England. Two boys create a fantasy world. When one of the boys receives a note in his locker (threatening to out their project), he sabotages the friendship.
May 8, 2009
It really wasn't the best book in the world. The only part in the book that I actually was thinking 'more, what's going to happen next?!' was when Michael let himself drift into Evgard -- the fantasy part of it. There's also a lot of language that I didn't think was necessary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 5, 2020Michael and his friend Francis share a secret passion for Evgard, the fantasy world they have created together. But then Michael finds a note in his locker, revealing that their secret is out.
March 22, 2017
Traitor Games might have been more a "wrong book at the wrong time for me" than anything else.
Set in England at some private school, the two main characters were students. Young-ish, I'd guess around fifth grade level in American school terms. One of them had been bullied badly in a previous school, the other was from a poor family. Thanks to one of the mothers pushing the two together, they became friends.
It was quite a realistic story... which was the opposite of what I was wanting to read. After the Wolf's-own series, I wanted more of the same. While one of the two main characters (the bullied one) was gay, it was more of a "please please don't let anyone find out" thing than anything else.
The writing was fine, but it just wasn't pleasant at all spending time in the bullied kid's head -- that he was the main character made that an issue.
Gave up at the 13% point.
Set in England at some private school, the two main characters were students. Young-ish, I'd guess around fifth grade level in American school terms. One of them had been bullied badly in a previous school, the other was from a poor family. Thanks to one of the mothers pushing the two together, they became friends.
It was quite a realistic story... which was the opposite of what I was wanting to read. After the Wolf's-own series, I wanted more of the same. While one of the two main characters (the bullied one) was gay, it was more of a "please please don't let anyone find out" thing than anything else.
The writing was fine, but it just wasn't pleasant at all spending time in the bullied kid's head -- that he was the main character made that an issue.
Gave up at the 13% point.
January 12, 2022
The dialogue read like a poor interpretation of how British teenagers talk to one another. I found myself cringing at this numerous times throughout the book. It's still making me screw up my face just thinking of it. If you're sensitive to bad dialogue, don't read this book.
The POV characters were also very unlikeable and had no redeeming qualities in my eyes.
The lack of effective communication between the main cast also deeply frustrated me, because if they took a break from the overused over-the-top English slang, the crises would have been solved before they'd even begun and I'd have freed up my afternoons. Shame.
The POV characters were also very unlikeable and had no redeeming qualities in my eyes.
The lack of effective communication between the main cast also deeply frustrated me, because if they took a break from the overused over-the-top English slang, the crises would have been solved before they'd even begun and I'd have freed up my afternoons. Shame.
September 27, 2022
Should it be 2*...? It's written well, but I'm struggling to understand the point of this book.
It's obviously about bullying. But also it's actually about traitors.
Or is it?
The entire book plot would have been void if the main character Michael would have just TALKED to his friend. But he couldn't because of what happened in his previous school.
But what happened in his previous school we don't get to fond out, so his actions are much harder to understand and justify.
There is also a lot of back and forth.
Oh man, I really thought this was going to be my new favourite book 😪 😫
Edit: Bumping it down to 2* after, because I really didn't enjoy this one, sadly...
It's obviously about bullying. But also it's actually about traitors.
Or is it?
The entire book plot would have been void if the main character Michael would have just TALKED to his friend. But he couldn't because of what happened in his previous school.
But what happened in his previous school we don't get to fond out, so his actions are much harder to understand and justify.
There is also a lot of back and forth.
Oh man, I really thought this was going to be my new favourite book 😪 😫
Edit: Bumping it down to 2* after, because I really didn't enjoy this one, sadly...
October 27, 2022
i feel fucking robbed. the book was so so good and everything led to them getting together BUT THEY DIDN'T. THEY FUCKING DIDN'T what is this fuckery. i deducted only one star for the ending, because the rest was still so amazing, but i do feel very very robbed.
like if this book isn't a romance novel, what is this? you can't tell me they were just friends. there was so much fucking tension, even in the evgard subplot. wow i haven't read a book this good in ages but like, whyyy. i am devastated
but still, i would recommend the book if you like a lot a lot of angst, don't mind the miscommunication trope and early 2000s problematic-ness
like if this book isn't a romance novel, what is this? you can't tell me they were just friends. there was so much fucking tension, even in the evgard subplot. wow i haven't read a book this good in ages but like, whyyy. i am devastated
but still, i would recommend the book if you like a lot a lot of angst, don't mind the miscommunication trope and early 2000s problematic-ness
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2023
I didn’t read up what it was about before just diving into the book and I was thoroughly disappointed that it was not some epic battle fantasy story.
This is about this insufferable boy who dreams up this fantasy world that is inconsequential to the Main story arc. Given how boring it was in general, I feel of it (the minor fantasy element) was left out completely , it would have been labelled something other than fantasy - in which I would not have picked it up and wasted my time.
The author writes a bunch of stereotypes and the book reads like some thing that should belong with junior fiction.
This is about this insufferable boy who dreams up this fantasy world that is inconsequential to the Main story arc. Given how boring it was in general, I feel of it (the minor fantasy element) was left out completely , it would have been labelled something other than fantasy - in which I would not have picked it up and wasted my time.
The author writes a bunch of stereotypes and the book reads like some thing that should belong with junior fiction.
March 21, 2017
This is the second YA book I've read in a row where the main character makes some terrible mistakes because of their own low self-esteem. Unlike Ketchup Clouds, in this story it's completely justified by Michael's past history. It's natural - though horrible - that he would assume the worst when anything questionable happens, natural that he cannot talk about it or ask what's going on, and even that he would hit back as hard as he does against his only friend. Not forgiveable, perhaps, but understandable.
A very powerful book, and such a painful read! It kept me awake one night worrying about the characters and trying to work out how they might possibly be OK at the end, because it seemed impossible. After that I had to read the rest all in one go. If you think you cannot bear it around the half way mark, it may be some comfort to know it doesn't get any worse from there, although there are no easy answers. I won't give away any more.
A very powerful book, and such a painful read! It kept me awake one night worrying about the characters and trying to work out how they might possibly be OK at the end, because it seemed impossible. After that I had to read the rest all in one go. If you think you cannot bear it around the half way mark, it may be some comfort to know it doesn't get any worse from there, although there are no easy answers. I won't give away any more.
February 25, 2019
Just 4 stars. I read it as an audiobook and have a paper copy ready to give my teenage boys. I am really glad that I read it first. It is a cool story, just starting to get dated by the lack of technology used by the characters, and it covers a bunch of teen themes.
It is set at a Boys only school, so there aren't any "girl" issues, but the issues of smoking, bullying, homosexuality, and suicide are all covered.
It will be good for my teen boy when he get to 15/16.
It is set at a Boys only school, so there aren't any "girl" issues, but the issues of smoking, bullying, homosexuality, and suicide are all covered.
It will be good for my teen boy when he get to 15/16.
January 25, 2022
It was tough, rating this. But overall I have to go with a 3 or 3.5.
I liked the intensity and the ideas behind this book. It definitely was complex and mirrored a lot of miscommunication issues we see in friendships.
However.
It almost felt unfinished in a way, like the character’s problems weren’t really solved. Even the fantasy chapters felt that way. For everything that went on, there definitely needed to be more reconciliation in order to feel satisfying.
I liked the intensity and the ideas behind this book. It definitely was complex and mirrored a lot of miscommunication issues we see in friendships.
However.
It almost felt unfinished in a way, like the character’s problems weren’t really solved. Even the fantasy chapters felt that way. For everything that went on, there definitely needed to be more reconciliation in order to feel satisfying.
December 1, 2017
Found it hard to empathise with the main character which meant that I didn't really care that bad things were happening to him. And I'm not entirely sure what the fantasy world sections were supposed to add. You could remove them and it wouldn't make any difference to the story. Found myself skim reading it by the end.
December 27, 2017
Un roman réussi qui vaut surtout pour son utilisation d'un monde médiéval imaginaire dans un récit parallèle à la trame principale qui tourne autour de l'amitié contrariée entre deux adolescents. L'intrigue n'est pas très originale mais le double récit rend l'ensemble plus intéressant qu'il pourrait l'être.
February 18, 2019
A bit bleak
This is very well done but hard to keep reading as the main character hates himself so much it rubs off on the reader and events are so bloody and dramatic all the while.
This is very well done but hard to keep reading as the main character hates himself so much it rubs off on the reader and events are so bloody and dramatic all the while.
November 2, 2021
Honestly a truly loving book. While the main character has some problems you are able to view them and understand where he comes from. The setting changes in the book are also done quite well, good world building.
August 22, 2024
Life or fantasy?
Not a type of book that I would normally read but enjoyable all the same. The fantasy world took me by surprise initially, but I soon adjusted to the worlds in parallel. Worth reading.
Not a type of book that I would normally read but enjoyable all the same. The fantasy world took me by surprise initially, but I soon adjusted to the worlds in parallel. Worth reading.
July 1, 2017
Review by M.T.: "I didn't like the slow start but once it picked up, it was interesting." (2.5 stars)
August 8, 2017
Incredible and brutal and fantastic as a story about what sustained pain and fear can do to you.
Read
November 28, 2020Oh man I read this in school like forever ago and I loved it. Can't believe this is written by the same lady as who wrote The Binding which I adored. She really loves writing gay main characters!
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