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A review by inmydreams
폼리스 총4권 by 원리드
5.0
Official english title (manhwa): Formless. Chapters: 73 chapters + extras.
4.5 stars. This was a surprise. I knew the type of content this had because I started the manhwa adaptation previously and came to the novel right away because I needed to know how close it was to the original source. I'm very glad the didn't disappoint. The novel is more explicit during the brutal scenes, having a better pacing and tone.
The story is about Woo Heewoon, a poor college student who has a crush on a junior, Seo Kangwoo. He's rumored to be a chaebol, a heir from a powerful family, or related to dirty business. Heewoon is curious and starts following him around, until one night he discovers the truth: he sees Kangwoo murdering a man. Kangwoo stops Heewoon trying to escape, so he coerces him into obeying his demands and avoid spreading his secret, in exchange of keeping him alive.
This novel goes deep into the darker themes it explores, something I'm always interested in. I enjoyed the perspective it tells the story from, mostly following Heewoon, since it makes it better to empathize with the situation he finds himself in. It also depicts an abusive dynamic really well, making it clear there's an abuser and a victim, never trying to imply otherwise. It's a story about posession and obsession, showing the lengths a person in power goes in order to get what they want.
Both characters are nicely constructed. The author did a great job at making the MC have realistic reactions to the circumstances he's living, as someone who's family has a big debt and must take care of his mom. The later is something I found endearing and a great subplot to the story. I usually find works involving young adults where the parents are gone or not really present despite being part of their lives, but the MC never forgot about that here. Then we have Kangwoo, someone in a position of power, both in money and connections. The progression of the story shows that his character is well done because he's always honest, and while his mood swings are crazy, he never pretends to be a good person with Heewoon. The narrative makes it clear that he's an abuser and it's never dismissed.
A second good thing is that the dynamic between the couple had an organic development. The manipulation Kangwoo uses with Heewoon is the key element and it's fascinating how the methods he partook in were masterfully created to use Heewoon's actions and decissions agaisnt himself. The fact that the author feels realistic, otherwise it wouldn't feel right according to Kangwoo's personality and upbringing.
The pacing was another well done element. The story was always moving and there was no moment that felt boring. Few elements were predictable, but the thrill of trying to guess Kangwoo's next moves was awesome. Ultimately, the plot feels rewarding by the finale because of how everything comes to a full circle. I enjoyed the ending because it felt beliavable. This might be a controversial opinion, but I think the decission Heewoon took was the right one according to the circumstances. It wouldn't have been beliavable otherwise, not only due to the.
Heewoon being conscious that he's a victim and never becoming too blinded is what made me feel satisfied with the progression of their dynamic. The more I think about it, the more I find them interesting, because even if Kangwoo is the one in power, Heewoon is still able to, which is a relief in a way.
PS. I forgot to mention about certain things I wasn't a fan of: some awkward sentences and bits of the dialogues, although this might be due to no official english translation for the novel, and the fact that part of dialogues (sounds) don't translate well to other languages. Giving it a pass, since it's mostly not onto the author.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Kinks:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
4.5 stars. This was a surprise. I knew the type of content this had because I started the manhwa adaptation previously and came to the novel right away because I needed to know how close it was to the original source. I'm very glad the didn't disappoint. The novel is more explicit during the brutal scenes, having a better pacing and tone.
The story is about Woo Heewoon, a poor college student who has a crush on a junior, Seo Kangwoo. He's rumored to be a chaebol, a heir from a powerful family, or related to dirty business. Heewoon is curious and starts following him around, until one night he discovers the truth: he sees Kangwoo murdering a man. Kangwoo stops Heewoon trying to escape, so he coerces him into obeying his demands and avoid spreading his secret, in exchange of keeping him alive.
This novel goes deep into the darker themes it explores, something I'm always interested in. I enjoyed the perspective it tells the story from, mostly following Heewoon, since it makes it better to empathize with the situation he finds himself in. It also depicts an abusive dynamic really well, making it clear there's an abuser and a victim, never trying to imply otherwise. It's a story about posession and obsession, showing the lengths a person in power goes in order to get what they want.
Both characters are nicely constructed. The author did a great job at making the MC have realistic reactions to the circumstances he's living, as someone who's family has a big debt and must take care of his mom. The later is something I found endearing and a great subplot to the story. I usually find works involving young adults where the parents are gone or not really present despite being part of their lives, but the MC never forgot about that here. Then we have Kangwoo, someone in a position of power, both in money and connections. The progression of the story shows that his character is well done because he's always honest, and while his mood swings are crazy, he never pretends to be a good person with Heewoon. The narrative makes it clear that he's an abuser and it's never dismissed.
A second good thing is that the dynamic between the couple had an organic development. The manipulation Kangwoo uses with Heewoon is the key element and it's fascinating how the methods he partook in were masterfully created to use Heewoon's actions and decissions agaisnt himself. The fact that the author
Spoiler
never tried to redeem him, because his actions are that: irredeemableThe pacing was another well done element. The story was always moving and there was no moment that felt boring. Few elements were predictable, but the thrill of trying to guess Kangwoo's next moves was awesome. Ultimately, the plot feels rewarding by the finale because of how everything comes to a full circle. I enjoyed the ending because it felt beliavable. This might be a controversial opinion, but I think the decission Heewoon took was the right one according to the circumstances. It wouldn't have been beliavable otherwise, not only due to the
Spoiler
effects of manipulation, but because having a better life compared to what he had previous to Kangwoo for himself and his family is his priorityHeewoon being conscious that he's a victim and never becoming too blinded is what made me feel satisfied with the progression of their dynamic. The more I think about it, the more I find them interesting, because even if Kangwoo is the one in power, Heewoon is still able to
Spoiler
get some of what he needs from him if he acts appealing to himPS. I forgot to mention about certain things I wasn't a fan of: some awkward sentences and bits of the dialogues, although this might be due to no official english translation for the novel, and the fact that part of dialogues (sounds) don't translate well to other languages. Giving it a pass, since it's mostly not onto the author.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
Spoiler
coercion, noncon/dubcon, conditioning, physical violence, abuse, resource control sexual harassment, stalking (all of these between MCs), kidnapping, stalking by others, suicidal ideas, unhealthy/toxic/abusive dynamic and love interest, gangters-Elements:
Spoiler
size difference-Kinks:
Spoiler
belly bulge, dirty talk, dacryphilia, "it's too big", spanking, virginity, hair pulling-Sexual act(s):
Spoiler
rough/aggressive sex, painful sex, barebacking, fainting after sex, creampie, blowjobs, facial, fingering, riding-Dynamic: