All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

Buckle up, this is the most angry I've been about in a long time.

I'd give this book a zero, purely on an ethical standpoint, if I could.

The writing of the book is enthralling and beautiful- I can't deny that. The author is gifted at the changing POV structure, and each character has a distinct voice and viewpoint. The audiobook is incredibly well acted. However, no matter how interesting the prose is, it is mere cover for what this book is ultimately saying: that it is totally okay for a man to be sexual with a child, as long as it's “true” love. Disgusting, dangerous, and horrible.

If you visit the author's goodreads page- there are two huge red flags to me that really show that the author's point is to glorify a sexual relationship between a man and a LITERAL CHILD. I do not care how mature this child is, they are a child. It is NEVER acceptable, and always abuse. First off, the author says they were also in a self-described “loving” relationship as a young teen with a much older man and justifies it but saying it was consenual and that they “understood” each other. Secondly, they say that Kellen is not a pedophile but that he “simply fell for the right girl at the wrong time.” My jaw dropped when I read that. (Disclosure- I did not know what this book was about going into it, and when I started to figure it out while reading, I found myself reading these words on the author's goodreads page.) Guess what? He is. If you are sexually attracted to a child, you are a pedophile. How can anyone look past that? How can anyone be seduced by beautiful writing when the meaning behind the words are acutally so vile and horrific, and the author thinks they are some beautiful niche love story?

Imagine how dangerous this book could be if read by the wrong age at the wrong time. I usually try to be a person who can see the gray areas, but I draw the line at abuse of any type. Unacceptable that this book is so highly praised as a love story.

Truly concerning how many people defend these characters and call it romance. I hope you all seek to be more educated and learn more about consent, power balances, and abuse.