Primrose | REVIEW SHOP [ OPEN ]

✦ { Kamila } Burn After Loving

Client: seeunator

Reviewer: Kamila_DeRico

Title + Cover: 8/10

'Burn After Loving' is a simple title that captures the general theme and core idea of the book. It may be uncomplicated, but it feels like a short summary of the book itself.

Considering the cover: I love the color theme, it's not only aesthetically pleasing but personally, I feel it resonates with the book itself. However, the font is a bit two small for effortless reading, and the color used on it makes it a even more unclear.

Additionally, every other writing on the cover othan the title is completely unseeable.

Summary: 10/10

Your summary is the full package with proper character introduction, setting of the conflict and stakes and introduction to our setting.

We as the readers immediately have enough information to know what we're getting into by reading, yet, not too much that it feels like the whole book has already been explained to us.

Plot: 6.9/10

The plot of this book is simple and graspable, but it usually glosses over really important things like they're nothing.

The book follows Rowan Zhang, an Asian/Canadian university student that was transferred into Havorshire university as a 'visiting student'. There, he meets Theo Montgomery, a rich boy who basically controls the school.

Seems simple on the surface—until, it is revealed that Theo and his clique go around illegally and nonconsensually taping sexual activities they engage in with unsuspecting victims, and then playing these tapes for their friends to watch and rate.

Now, there's nothing wrong with this premise. It seems like a good start to an interesting book where the villains are apprehended at last. Unless, it's not!

My gripe with this premise is that, the book seems to find this situation not that serious. And even when the main protagonist finds out this secret, although disgusted, he doesn't consider the other innocent victims that have been taped without their consent, as he makes a deal with Theo for access to his wealthy life in return for not exposing the tape to the police. Especially considering the fact that there are more victims to come if the truth isn't revealed.

Rowan's reaction to discovering the truth is too lackluster in respect of what he finds. And, he takes less than one chapter to bring up that deal where he doesn't even think of the other victims but himself, before making that decision.

Now, I'm not saying you should make him a saint, who must stop every evil, but a stronger reaction to the truth is needed. He should be rightfully repulsed by this, and not just for one chapter like it is done in the book.

That being said, this book does end before any majorly important scenes take place, so, it is unfair to judge without knowing the ending.

Writing Style: 8.8/10

The writing style is one of the redeeming qualities of this book. It clear, concise, detailed in a way that isn't too flowery or too dull and immerses the readers in completely.

I really fell in love with it and I think it is one of, if not your strongest writing quality.

That being said, there are a few errors here and there I met throughout the course of reading. There are not a lot but are definitely noticeable.