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A review by keziamichela
The Kings of Nowhere by C.G. Drews
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Kings of Nowhere by C.G. Drews – 5 Stars!
“When he walks, he leaves a comet trail of sadness glittering in his wake, but no one would notice that.”
I am a puddle of feelings on the pavement, and I might need someone to help peel me off once I have re-solidified. Which will likely only occur with the series’ continuation. Until then, I am willing to accept TKON’s reserved place within my daily thoughts, alongside its prequel, The Boy Who Steals Houses (TBWSH), and the wonder that is the De Lainey family.
This journey was marvellous and emotional and completely and utterly heartbreaking and heart-melting. Everything about this soul-altering, find-a-family novel is perfect.
The writing is beautiful. C.G. Drews has written some of the most heart-stopping, eyes-bawling, soul-piercing lines I have ever read, and this book is overflowing with them, practically gushing.
“They are the kings between nowhere and the end of the world, both of them made of broken edges so sharp that anyone who touches them will be cut. They are all each other has. And it’s not enough.”
The dialogue is also on-point! I loved every interaction, both the serious and the humorous and all others in between.
“Why are you doing this?” His voice is low, almost soft in his confusion.
“Because I’m keeping you,” Jeremy says. “I mean, we’re keeping you. You’re being kept.”
The characters are realistic, endearing and inspiring. Their personalities are deep and unfurl little by little with each chapter, in such a way that you begin to feel as though you know them so well, what they are going to do, how they will react. You quickly begin to care about them so deeply and fully that it becomes difficult to remember that they only exist, breath, within pages and in ink.
“He can’t get comfortable in this house, with this family, not even as his soul reaches for something. For someone.
It would be easier if they hated him for all the trouble he’s caused.
But of course he’s stuck with the one family who refuses to lose patience.”
And then there’s that fierce protectiveness of the De Laineys. The love and unity and loyalty, to each other, and their vibrant and chaotic butter yellow house.
“…break one De Lainey heart and you get the rest of us lined up to end you.”
The plot is gripping and wonderfully paced. Slow-burn and gradual character development progressing in tandem is something I live for, and C.G. Drews delivers this in TKON flawlessly. Additionally, I love that the focus of this captivating novel is on the plot, the romance is there, always present, but it does not take front and centre.
C.G. Drews focuses on family growth and unity. On the relationships between De Laineys. How they deal with trials, working together unified. Taking on responsibility for one another even when they feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Drews also addresses past trauma and how it takes shape in the present. The struggles that come with living with it and allowing others to see it. Then there is the complicated and heart-shredding reality of the Lou brothers. Through Avery and Sam, Drews tackles the task of representing what it’s like being autistic – the habits, thoughts, needs, the way they perceive and express – and the various types of ASD. And how living in a world where most people lack understanding, and do not care to better this gap in their knowledge, affects their lives, their experiences, taints moments through assumptions and false accusations.
While reading I felt sorrow, anger, panic, terror, and tremendous happiness and relief so palpable that I was often in tears or struck into stillness from shock. Numerous times, and in various sequences.
Every aspect, every detail within TKON is delivered with eloquence and care. One can easily tell that this work of art is held precious by the author, every line expressing how close the story and characters are to her heart.
“A strange feeling spreads through Avery’s chest, a slow, honeyed warmth he can’t ignore. It seeps over the fear, the sorrow, the bitter wretched dread that has always lived inside him, and it clings like a stain against his ribcage.
This feeling that is somehow terrible and holy and beautiful all at once.
He is not alone.”
“When he walks, he leaves a comet trail of sadness glittering in his wake, but no one would notice that.”
I am a puddle of feelings on the pavement, and I might need someone to help peel me off once I have re-solidified. Which will likely only occur with the series’ continuation. Until then, I am willing to accept TKON’s reserved place within my daily thoughts, alongside its prequel, The Boy Who Steals Houses (TBWSH), and the wonder that is the De Lainey family.
This journey was marvellous and emotional and completely and utterly heartbreaking and heart-melting. Everything about this soul-altering, find-a-family novel is perfect.
The writing is beautiful. C.G. Drews has written some of the most heart-stopping, eyes-bawling, soul-piercing lines I have ever read, and this book is overflowing with them, practically gushing.
“They are the kings between nowhere and the end of the world, both of them made of broken edges so sharp that anyone who touches them will be cut. They are all each other has. And it’s not enough.”
The dialogue is also on-point! I loved every interaction, both the serious and the humorous and all others in between.
“Why are you doing this?” His voice is low, almost soft in his confusion.
“Because I’m keeping you,” Jeremy says. “I mean, we’re keeping you. You’re being kept.”
The characters are realistic, endearing and inspiring. Their personalities are deep and unfurl little by little with each chapter, in such a way that you begin to feel as though you know them so well, what they are going to do, how they will react. You quickly begin to care about them so deeply and fully that it becomes difficult to remember that they only exist, breath, within pages and in ink.
“He can’t get comfortable in this house, with this family, not even as his soul reaches for something. For someone.
It would be easier if they hated him for all the trouble he’s caused.
But of course he’s stuck with the one family who refuses to lose patience.”
And then there’s that fierce protectiveness of the De Laineys. The love and unity and loyalty, to each other, and their vibrant and chaotic butter yellow house.
“…break one De Lainey heart and you get the rest of us lined up to end you.”
The plot is gripping and wonderfully paced. Slow-burn and gradual character development progressing in tandem is something I live for, and C.G. Drews delivers this in TKON flawlessly. Additionally, I love that the focus of this captivating novel is on the plot, the romance is there, always present, but it does not take front and centre.
C.G. Drews focuses on family growth and unity. On the relationships between De Laineys. How they deal with trials, working together unified. Taking on responsibility for one another even when they feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Drews also addresses past trauma and how it takes shape in the present. The struggles that come with living with it and allowing others to see it. Then there is the complicated and heart-shredding reality of the Lou brothers. Through Avery and Sam, Drews tackles the task of representing what it’s like being autistic – the habits, thoughts, needs, the way they perceive and express – and the various types of ASD. And how living in a world where most people lack understanding, and do not care to better this gap in their knowledge, affects their lives, their experiences, taints moments through assumptions and false accusations.
While reading I felt sorrow, anger, panic, terror, and tremendous happiness and relief so palpable that I was often in tears or struck into stillness from shock. Numerous times, and in various sequences.
Every aspect, every detail within TKON is delivered with eloquence and care. One can easily tell that this work of art is held precious by the author, every line expressing how close the story and characters are to her heart.
“A strange feeling spreads through Avery’s chest, a slow, honeyed warmth he can’t ignore. It seeps over the fear, the sorrow, the bitter wretched dread that has always lived inside him, and it clings like a stain against his ribcage.
This feeling that is somehow terrible and holy and beautiful all at once.
He is not alone.”