Deviations by Anma Natsu - non-spoiler review

Hey there!!

I was recently sent a review copy of Deviations by Anma Natsu from XPressonReads. It was a super interesting read.

Firstly, a brief outline of the novel:

Deviations 

by Anma Natsu Publication date: February 14th 2016Genres: Romance, Young Adult

Blurb:“We’re just deviants, that’s all.  You, me, Taka.  We’re deliciously, wonderfully deviant.”

ScarredSeventeen-year-old Miho has spent years struggling to deal with the aftermath of a tragic accident.  Between the nightmares, PTSD, depression, and her parents’ abandonment, the burden of being the sole survivor has her near her breaking point.  The darkness whispers to her, promises of release from the pain, from being a burden, if she is willing to give up.
BatteredWhile the girls love classmate Shinji’s blond hair and blue eyes, to his father it’s all the proof he needs that his wife was unfaithful.  Unwanted and unloved, Shinji is used to his mother’s hatred, his brother’s indifference, and his father’s violence.  Male or female, he doesn’t care; his regular string of sexual partners helps him temporarily forget that he will soon have to leave the only person he loves, if he can survive that long.
ControlledAs the first-born son, Shinji’s best friend Taka has known from birth that his future was not his own.  He’ll go to the right schools, get the right grades, take over the family business, and produce a perfect heir with a perfect wife, just as his father dictates.  Taka’s wants and desires are irrelevant; he can’t change his fate nor escape it, any more than he can protect the only person who keeps him sane.
AttractedDrawn to one another like moths to a flame, the three find themselves torn between what society deems acceptable and a happiness they never dreamed existed.

My thoughts:

I went into this novel with no idea whatsoever of what to expect, and was extremely surprised! The cover gives very little away, but there are so many intriguing themes present throughout this book. In regards to the characters, they were extremely well fleshed out, each with their own flaws and issues at home. 

The setting was also very interesting; I haven't read many books set in Japan, so I enjoyed reading through that different cultural lens. 

In regards to the romance, I believe it was extremely well done, and seriously challenged me! Without giving anything away, it was not at all what I expected.

Anma Natsu's writing is both poetic and relatable, and she is able to articulate some extremely serious issues and tragic situations quite eloquently.

For a trigger warning: there is depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental issues throughout this novel. There is also domestic violence present. 

I would recommend not reading this novel unless you are 18+, as it has a lot of explicit sexual content and covers serious domestic issues. 

Overall, I found this a challenging read in regards to the content, however I believe it was dealt with extremely well. Not something I normally pick up, but was definitely an eye opener and would recommend if you would like to read something from a different cultural perspective that deals with mental issues, domestic issues, and sexuality.

Rating: 3.75/5

Love always,

Ari