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kaitlin123's review
3.0
This book spoke about such important topics and it had the absolute best intentions but it just fell a little flat.
Things I didn’t like:
The main problem with the book is that it’s told from two POV’s, Bax and Jules, when really it should have been told from just Jules’. It was her story it was telling, so whenever it went to a Bax POV the story lagged and it took away from Jules. I found myself not caring for Bax’s chapters until the end but even then, his chapters could have been told through Jules’ POV, it was just unnecessary to have it split.
Another thing that I didn’t like about this was the unnecessary romance between Bax and Aileen, it felt so stuffed in and it’s not that I didn’t like them together it’s just that the author spent more time developing them at times than Jules, and it was like this is not the important thing right now??
Things I did like:
The author dealt with the sensitive issues in a good way and gave Jules a good recovery process and by the end of the book you do feel like some sort of justice was given. However, I don’t think this was the epic, heart wrenching, truth telling book that it intended to be but it wasn’t a bad book and it did have some good moments, like the locker room scene and the ending chapters.
Favourite characters: Jules
Things I didn’t like:
The main problem with the book is that it’s told from two POV’s, Bax and Jules, when really it should have been told from just Jules’. It was her story it was telling, so whenever it went to a Bax POV the story lagged and it took away from Jules. I found myself not caring for Bax’s chapters until the end but even then, his chapters could have been told through Jules’ POV, it was just unnecessary to have it split.
Another thing that I didn’t like about this was the unnecessary romance between Bax and Aileen, it felt so stuffed in and it’s not that I didn’t like them together it’s just that the author spent more time developing them at times than Jules, and it was like this is not the important thing right now??
Things I did like:
The author dealt with the sensitive issues in a good way and gave Jules a good recovery process and by the end of the book you do feel like some sort of justice was given. However, I don’t think this was the epic, heart wrenching, truth telling book that it intended to be but it wasn’t a bad book and it did have some good moments, like the locker room scene and the ending chapters.
Favourite characters: Jules
hollymbryan's review
5.0
I devoured this in about 4 hours, starting reading before bed and ending up staying up until about 2 a.m. (and *bawling* in my bathroom at one point, trying to be quiet and not wake my husband or son!!). This novel was compelling, fascinating, and incredibly timely, particularly since I read it here in September (it came out in March or April) during the senate confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court. If you've paid attention to the news on that at all, you'll be amazed at the similarities between what happens in Kiely's book at a co-ed elite prep school in New England and what is alleged to have happened at the all-boys elite prep school Kavanaugh attended in DC, Georgetown Prep. Obviously Kiely wrote this book well before all of this news, but it's eerily similar and speaks to just how much has NOT changed. This is so worth the read, and Jules and Bax are incredible characters, both of whom I just wanted to hug for different reasons. Both characters have their flaws, to be sure, but Jules was the girl I wanted to be - the girl I hope I was - 25 years ago in college, and Bax is the type of guy I truly hope I am raising my 10yo son to be. One thing I loved most about this book was being able to read about the pressures on boys, especially football and hockey player Bax, in a sensitive and empathetic way, but without ever feeling like Kiely was apologizing for him. And Aileen and, especially, Javi were wonderful supporting characters.
I think Kiely did an incredible job with the story and the subject matter, and it is clear to me that he truly learned the lesson he says his parents tried to instill: LISTEN. Thank you, Brendan Kiely, for this incredible read.
I think Kiely did an incredible job with the story and the subject matter, and it is clear to me that he truly learned the lesson he says his parents tried to instill: LISTEN. Thank you, Brendan Kiely, for this incredible read.
amylandranch's review
3.0
The topic is timely and it is a heavy read, but an important one. Set at a boarding school in New England, the story is told in two points of view. Jules is just trying to keep her head down and get out of that toxic environment and Jamie is an athlete with a second chance to prove himself. If the story is factual about life at a rich boarding school (which I believe life experience from the author makes it so) then I am appalled. The classicism and sexism is hard to stomach. The rape culture at the school is also disgusting but there are so many parts that anyone can identify with, which is why it is an important and timely story. There is teen drinking and drug use, swears, consensual sexual contact and non consensual contact or rape. It pretty much gives a realistic view of what many teens face and it is daunting. 9th grade and up.
genesishollandbooks's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gileslibrarian6's review against another edition
4.0
James Baxter comes to the elite New England boarding school Fullbrook looking for a second chance. He quickly gets caught up in the traditions of patriarchy.
Jules Devereaux is a senior who is over the patriarchy and just wants to keep her head down and finish her high school career strong, get into a good college, and get out of Fullbrook.
Together they tackle the patriarchy and try to bring it down after one night changes everything.
This story serves as an important reminder of the meaning of consent and the fact that no means no.
I only gave the book four stars because I felt that the ending was loosely tied up and I wanted to see/know more.
Jules Devereaux is a senior who is over the patriarchy and just wants to keep her head down and finish her high school career strong, get into a good college, and get out of Fullbrook.
Together they tackle the patriarchy and try to bring it down after one night changes everything.
This story serves as an important reminder of the meaning of consent and the fact that no means no.
I only gave the book four stars because I felt that the ending was loosely tied up and I wanted to see/know more.
agentsab's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
pavi_fictionalworm's review
4.0
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: A physical copy of the book was provided via Penguin India in exchange for an honest review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
“There is no such thing as voiceless. There are only the deliberately silenced or preferably unheard.”
Arundhati Roy
Tradition is book that I absolutely relevant, not only in today’s times, but also in the current world environment!
Told in dual POVs – James Baxter and Jules Devereux – two very different students with two very diverse backgrounds – whose paths mingle in very traumatic way that neither of them ever saw coming at Fullbrooke Academy, a reputed boarding school!
Jules is a Grade A student; a part of Dean’s list – her focus is on academics & creating awareness among the students about important issues like women’s health & safety. She isn’t interested in dating nor is she interested in politics nor is she interested in sports – but her ideas, her strength and her outspokenness is not exactly understood nor is it abided at this prestigious school that thrives on tradition!
James is the new student – and it is a second chance for him at the Fullbrooke Academy. Here on a hockey scholarship; a second that he feels unworthy of. So here he is trying to cope up with all the expectations thrust upon him; he is slowly drowning under the pressure of keeping up, especially when he isn’t able to be who he is without facing ridicule!
Jules, James and their friends, especially Javi and Aileen end up not only the victims of the pressures at The Fullbrooke Academy – and it is a rush to read to find out if they will be able to stay true to who they actually are!
What I said at the start of the review remains true – Tradition is a book that remains relevant, if not more than ever, in today’s time of viewing one life worthier than others. It remains relevant because, where it seems easy to stay silent and move along complacently with the f***d up views about the world and the people living in it than it seems to stand up to the wrongs of the world!
The writing is quite ingenious actually, it simple and yet the reader ends up connecting with the characters at a soulful level – for they go through the same insecurities, same anxieties that we might be going through or would have gone through at some stage in life.
Yet it is the plot that somehow slows the pace down – it took a really long time to lay the foundation to the lesson that the author wanted us to learn – but if you stick with it, it’s a lesson that you will be glad to get to the heart of!
This is a book that is pertinent, but it is pertinent only if the lesson sticks with you – which it would if you would give the chance to the book!
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hsengteach's review
3.0
Good story about how tradition can cause people to not think before they do something. Wish I could’ve felt more connected with the characters in the story.
king_lyd's review against another edition
1.0
I agreed to give an honest review in exchange for an advance copy from netgalley.
This review contains spoilers.
This was a well written book tackling hard issues.
Did I like it? No. Not at all.
Basically I'm fed up of stories without satisfactory endings in this topic. With all of the recent media attention, the me too campaign and the abundance of rich male priviledge overriding common decency; I was hoping for a tale of hope or at least justice.
But this story just seemed to reiterate that if you were male and rich you could get away with whatever you wanted.
The boys received no comeuppance, no public naming or shaming. The girl was forced to leave the school and the poor scholarship kid lost his place for trying to be decent.
No repercussions, no victory, just more "she was asking for, she was crazy, boys will be boys" rhetoric.
Their one 'victory' of setting the lawn on fire backfired and would be quickly forgotten as the crazy girl who cried rape and got expelled.
Yes that is what it's like in real life. We don't need it shoved down our throats in fiction too.
Jules seemed to be designed to piss us off from the start and garnered little sympathy throughout. I'm wondering if that was deliberate in order to make her lack of vindication more palatable.
What I got from this book, besides rage? Don't go to private schools, rich men are scum who are all in it together... And there's nothing you can do to change it.
This review contains spoilers.
This was a well written book tackling hard issues.
Did I like it? No. Not at all.
Basically I'm fed up of stories without satisfactory endings in this topic. With all of the recent media attention, the me too campaign and the abundance of rich male priviledge overriding common decency; I was hoping for a tale of hope or at least justice.
But this story just seemed to reiterate that if you were male and rich you could get away with whatever you wanted.
The boys received no comeuppance, no public naming or shaming. The girl was forced to leave the school and the poor scholarship kid lost his place for trying to be decent.
No repercussions, no victory, just more "she was asking for, she was crazy, boys will be boys" rhetoric.
Their one 'victory' of setting the lawn on fire backfired and would be quickly forgotten as the crazy girl who cried rape and got expelled.
Yes that is what it's like in real life. We don't need it shoved down our throats in fiction too.
Jules seemed to be designed to piss us off from the start and garnered little sympathy throughout. I'm wondering if that was deliberate in order to make her lack of vindication more palatable.
What I got from this book, besides rage? Don't go to private schools, rich men are scum who are all in it together... And there's nothing you can do to change it.