Popping back to give another review of this story. I think I spent a while getting my thoughts together because there was a significant change in Ethan, which I didn't like, but it's an interesting twist to give more depth to his character.
Characters:
As stated above, Ethan's turned into someone with clear ideas. However, part of the "taking care of your younger sibling" has morphed him to I what I view as a more judgy personality. That actually makes him a little more human, not per se likable, but could be an interesting thing to follow to see if/how he matures with the upcoming events revolving around Rhys. The idea that Ethan could think his words are to help his brother is painful, as clearly that type of "insight" into one's outfit doesn't do anything whatsoever, but he believes that he needs to say something. That's something a whole lot of normal people are apt to do as well.
Of course, with Rhys, he's got his vices in his addiction and the, I'm guessing, romantic history with Mr. Black. The concern that his teacher shows makes me curious as to the whole parameters of the possible relationship they had, or even wanted, and how it may have ended. That the adult knows about Rhys' drug habits should be a good thing down the line, but I'm really not sure if it's going to be a helpful thing or not. Rhys needs help here, and he needs it sooner than later, but unless something really bad happens, some people are stubborn enough to hide away and "deal" with problems by themselves. Which, yes, it's understandable if one doesn't feel like any people they know are trustworthy, but it's easy to get sent down into a spiral that's very hard to get out of.
With both of these characters and the side ones as well, there seem to be multiple sides, multiple parts that make them all up, which makes for a more rich and enjoyable reading experience. Except for the parts that the characters are doing bad things or are simply bad people in general.
Setting:
I think the reader gets a decent sense of where all of the parts of this chapter are happening - most people can picture a classroom, with the added bonus of "back seat" helping that image. I understand the whole wanting to finish the school day to skip over to the house and the party, and I feel like that transition kind of works. I think it would be interesting to get a look into the neighborhood and the city itself that this story takes place in - is it small? Big? Farms? Lots of stores? Lots of parks? I'd be curious to see how the area around Rhys is developed, as that could play into the overall atmosphere of the typical passerby. The fact that his transition wasn't accepted in any sense is disheartening at best and just horrible and seems like most opinions could come from what type of place he's growing up in. Possibly.
Pace:
This chapter kind of reads as three sections, even without some typical scene dividers. I wanted the first part to be longer, in a way to learn more about Mr. Black and just watch how Rhys and he interact with each other, but I do understand wanting to get into the start of something awful happening to Rhys. The tension for me as certainly built up reading this chapter and the previous one, as I'm a previous reader, so I know what's coming. I think this chapter has pretty decent flow, as even with Rhys getting high was descriptive in a way to really get the reader engaged.
Overall:
I think the way you've described Rhys' addiction in (sort of) calming and grounding him and then setting off his anxiety later is an interesting thing to read, and really makes me feel for him. The constant back-and-forth of highs wearing off and feeling bad and then getting back on drugs tough to imagine living through, but I do hope someone will be able to help him in someway of trying to wean him off drugs or to help him cope in healthier ways. Maybe a random Leah will.
I think this was a well done chapter overall.
Points: 31520
Reviews: 415
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