Styled Book Review: The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

Posted November 27, 2017 by shooting in Book Review, Fashion / 18 Comments

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The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

Review by Lauren

source: copy from ALA17; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add on Goodreads): When August learns that his best friend, Jack, shows signs of degenerative hallucinatory disorder, he is determined to help Jack cope. Jack’s vivid and long-term visions take the form of an elaborate fantasy world layered over our own—a world ruled by the Wicker King. As Jack leads them on a quest to fulfill a dark prophecy in this alternate world, even August begins to question what is real or not. 

August and Jack struggle to keep afloat as they teeter between fantasy and their own emotions. In the end, each must choose his own truth.

Review: I read an ARC of The Wicker King and I must get my own finished copy ASAP. This is such a fantastic novel. It follows August and Jack as Jack starts to hallucinate a new world where he’s the wicker king. As it gets worse and worse, August does what he can to help Jack. Everything except tell an adult or bring him to the hospital. While this might not make sense at first, it starts to when you read the book. August might not be “mad” like Jack, but he is in a co-dependent relationship with Jack that borders on abusive. August is adamant that he’s not in love with Jack – and he has relationships with two girls throughout the book – but he’ll do almost anything for Jack even if it harms himself. It would definitely not be called love, but it’s close to obsession. August needs to be possessed by Jack, in a way, and he’s willing to go along with Jack’s fantasy world if that means that Jack stays with him.

Styled Book Review: The Wicker King by K. Ancrum (with products to match the cover!) #bookreview #styled Click To Tweet

I love the set up of the book – and I’m sure the final version is even better – because it includes relatively short chapters, actual photos, and the pages of the book even start to get darker as the book goes on. It’s definitely a metaphor for the spiral that August and Jack go down as Jack’s fantasies grow more vivid and August finds himself almost trapped in that world with him. The Wicker King is a bit difficult to explain without giving away spoilers, so really, you should just read the book for yourself. It’s absolutely fantastic. Plus, it says The Wicker King #1 on Goodreads, so *fingers crossed* that means a  sequel. It ends at a moment that could definitely lead to more and I’d happily read more about these two young men.

This is my first ever Styled Book Review. These posts will include items (mostly fashion and/or beauty related) I feel fits a character, the book as a whole, or even just the cover. For The Wicker King, I’m using the cover as inspiration as I love that black and gold look!

Let me know what you think in the comments: does the book sound good? Do any of these black and gold products call your name? Let’s Talk!

18 responses to “Styled Book Review: The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

  1. Oh this book sounds really good! I like that the physical book itself mimics the character’s spiral–so creative. I may have to pick this one up!!

  2. I’m big on referencing Goodreads before I pick up a book! Which is silly. But, so far, I’ve loved all the recommendations so I head there first before I purchase a new one. This looks like one I have to check out!

  3. Oh wow, the format alone sounds incredible, I’ve never seen ombre type pages before. It sounds brilliant Lauren and love the book styling! That journal is absolutely stunning, so much want! Fabulous review <3

  4. I only found out about this book around a week ago and I need to read it! I don’t know why people haven’t been talking about it because it just sounds so good. I’ve put it on hold at my library so I’m hoping it will come in soon so I can read it 😀

    I really like books that explore friendships, and it looks like The Wicker King really takes that to the next level. I cannot wait to read about August and Jack – they sound incredibly interesting.

    Your Styled Book Review is such a fun idea! I love black and gold, and I think the shoes you picked are great matches for the cover 😀

    Lovely review, Lauren!

    Chiara recently posted: Diverse Comics On My TBR

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