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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
4-4.5 stars
Dang, T.J. Klune does it again! The story is structured so that the main character, Benji, is telling the story about a traumatic event in his life and a pivotal moment 5 years later when an angel fell from the sky and changed his life and the town's life forever. The style is such that he tells us the story, but then he also shares all the thoughts that flit through his mind as those events take place. I didn't think I would like this, but the narrator, Matt Baca, did an amazing job distinguishing between Benji's head voice and his storytelling voice, and it totally worked for me. He did a great job conveying the emotions without making it seem over the top. This is the first audiobook I've listened by Baca and I thought he was perfect for this story. The only thing with the sound was that occasionally you could hear background sounds (including breathing) and sometimes the tone of the recording would change. But those were minor issues for me.
For the story itself, well, I thought it was going to be a romance story about an angel and a human boy, and yes, that was an important part of the story and the connection between Benji and Kal was real. I also thought this was going to be about the mystery of what happened to his father, and once again, that was part of it and I felt the danger and suspense as the villains threatened, killed, and did all the horrible things. But at its core, it was about the relationship between Benji and Big Eddie, even though Eddie died before the book began. Through mostly flashbacks, you end up getting a full picture of the amazing man and father Eddie was, and it was amazing.
This book made me sob, but it also made me laugh, and sometimes it just quietly made me smile. In many ways, this felt to me like Benji was sharing the story of all that happened, and then commenting along the way, sort of how directors might do with a movie that they created. Occasionally the story seemed to lose steam, but never completely, and Klune always brought me back with an emotional moment that made me love the characters even more.
Many of Klune's books are long and this audiobook is almost 19 hours long (although I tend to listen to it at 1.5x speed), but that never ends up mattering to me. As with every one of his books, he makes me feel all the feels for his characters, and that's enough for me. Highly recommended.
Merged review:
4-4.5 stars
Dang, T.J. Klune does it again! The story is structured so that the main character, Benji, is telling the story about a traumatic event in his life and a pivotal moment 5 years later when an angel fell from the sky and changed his life and the town's life forever. The style is such that he tells us the story, but then he also shares all the thoughts that flit through his mind as those events take place. I didn't think I would like this, but the narrator, Matt Baca, did an amazing job distinguishing between Benji's head voice and his storytelling voice, and it totally worked for me. He did a great job conveying the emotions without making it seem over the top. This is the first audiobook I've listened by Baca and I thought he was perfect for this story. The only thing with the sound was that occasionally you could hear background sounds (including breathing) and sometimes the tone of the recording would change. But those were minor issues for me.
For the story itself, well, I thought it was going to be a romance story about an angel and a human boy, and yes, that was an important part of the story and the connection between Benji and Kal was real. I also thought this was going to be about the mystery of what happened to his father, and once again, that was part of it and I felt the danger and suspense as the villains threatened, killed, and did all the horrible things. But at its core, it was about the relationship between Benji and Big Eddie, even though Eddie died before the book began. Through mostly flashbacks, you end up getting a full picture of the amazing man and father Eddie was, and it was amazing.
This book made me sob, but it also made me laugh, and sometimes it just quietly made me smile. In many ways, this felt to me like Benji was sharing the story of all that happened, and then commenting along the way, sort of how directors might do with a movie that they created. Occasionally the story seemed to lose steam, but never completely, and Klune always brought me back with an emotional moment that made me love the characters even more.
Many of Klune's books are long and this audiobook is almost 19 hours long (although I tend to listen to it at 1.5x speed), but that never ends up mattering to me. As with every one of his books, he makes me feel all the feels for his characters, and that's enough for me. Highly recommended.
Dang, T.J. Klune does it again! The story is structured so that the main character, Benji, is telling the story about a traumatic event in his life and a pivotal moment 5 years later when an angel fell from the sky and changed his life and the town's life forever. The style is such that he tells us the story, but then he also shares all the thoughts that flit through his mind as those events take place. I didn't think I would like this, but the narrator, Matt Baca, did an amazing job distinguishing between Benji's head voice and his storytelling voice, and it totally worked for me. He did a great job conveying the emotions without making it seem over the top. This is the first audiobook I've listened by Baca and I thought he was perfect for this story. The only thing with the sound was that occasionally you could hear background sounds (including breathing) and sometimes the tone of the recording would change. But those were minor issues for me.
For the story itself, well, I thought it was going to be a romance story about an angel and a human boy, and yes, that was an important part of the story and the connection between Benji and Kal was real. I also thought this was going to be about the mystery of what happened to his father, and once again, that was part of it and I felt the danger and suspense as the villains threatened, killed, and did all the horrible things. But at its core, it was about the relationship between Benji and Big Eddie, even though Eddie died before the book began. Through mostly flashbacks, you end up getting a full picture of the amazing man and father Eddie was, and it was amazing.
This book made me sob, but it also made me laugh, and sometimes it just quietly made me smile. In many ways, this felt to me like Benji was sharing the story of all that happened, and then commenting along the way, sort of how directors might do with a movie that they created. Occasionally the story seemed to lose steam, but never completely, and Klune always brought me back with an emotional moment that made me love the characters even more.
Many of Klune's books are long and this audiobook is almost 19 hours long (although I tend to listen to it at 1.5x speed), but that never ends up mattering to me. As with every one of his books, he makes me feel all the feels for his characters, and that's enough for me. Highly recommended.
Merged review:
4-4.5 stars
Dang, T.J. Klune does it again! The story is structured so that the main character, Benji, is telling the story about a traumatic event in his life and a pivotal moment 5 years later when an angel fell from the sky and changed his life and the town's life forever. The style is such that he tells us the story, but then he also shares all the thoughts that flit through his mind as those events take place. I didn't think I would like this, but the narrator, Matt Baca, did an amazing job distinguishing between Benji's head voice and his storytelling voice, and it totally worked for me. He did a great job conveying the emotions without making it seem over the top. This is the first audiobook I've listened by Baca and I thought he was perfect for this story. The only thing with the sound was that occasionally you could hear background sounds (including breathing) and sometimes the tone of the recording would change. But those were minor issues for me.
For the story itself, well, I thought it was going to be a romance story about an angel and a human boy, and yes, that was an important part of the story and the connection between Benji and Kal was real. I also thought this was going to be about the mystery of what happened to his father, and once again, that was part of it and I felt the danger and suspense as the villains threatened, killed, and did all the horrible things. But at its core, it was about the relationship between Benji and Big Eddie, even though Eddie died before the book began. Through mostly flashbacks, you end up getting a full picture of the amazing man and father Eddie was, and it was amazing.
This book made me sob, but it also made me laugh, and sometimes it just quietly made me smile. In many ways, this felt to me like Benji was sharing the story of all that happened, and then commenting along the way, sort of how directors might do with a movie that they created. Occasionally the story seemed to lose steam, but never completely, and Klune always brought me back with an emotional moment that made me love the characters even more.
Many of Klune's books are long and this audiobook is almost 19 hours long (although I tend to listen to it at 1.5x speed), but that never ends up mattering to me. As with every one of his books, he makes me feel all the feels for his characters, and that's enough for me. Highly recommended.
What to say about a book that rips you emotionally on every level and leaves you wanting more. This book did just that for me. An absolutely beautiful book about love, hope, faith and acceptance.
While this book is the winner of the 2014 Lambda Literary Award Winner for Best Gay Romance, I have to say that this award is selling this book short and honestly could be the best Romance period that I have read.
This book has a fantastic spiritual element to it too which crosses into fantasy...leaving me questioning if this could really happen...I want to believe it possible.
I am going to close this review with a beautiful song "Lifeline" from Mat Kearney which I listened to yesterday and which for me is the perfect companion to this experience.
https://youtu.be/hFyt4UoOr9o
While this book is the winner of the 2014 Lambda Literary Award Winner for Best Gay Romance, I have to say that this award is selling this book short and honestly could be the best Romance period that I have read.
This book has a fantastic spiritual element to it too which crosses into fantasy...leaving me questioning if this could really happen...I want to believe it possible.
I am going to close this review with a beautiful song "Lifeline" from Mat Kearney which I listened to yesterday and which for me is the perfect companion to this experience.
https://youtu.be/hFyt4UoOr9o
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i LOVED the father-son relationship in the book, and i loved Big Eddie, but overall i felt kind of indifferent about the romance and the overall plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Drug abuse, Torture, Transphobia
SO.
Finished it and I'm not sure how I feel bout it.
This book was friggin long. And over-the-top dramatic and angsty, and that's coming from a person who's swallowing Amy Lane's books like candies.
The story was good and interesting and touching and made me cry and all that. The ending made me roll my eyes, but that's okay. But that doesn't mean I wasn't relieved when it was over, relieved that it was finally done. It's like I had a cramp the whole time I was reading it and now that it's over I can finally relax.
It's the same thing as with Burn.
I so need something short and light right now.
Finished it and I'm not sure how I feel bout it.
This book was friggin long. And over-the-top dramatic and angsty, and that's coming from a person who's swallowing Amy Lane's books like candies.
The story was good and interesting and touching and made me cry and all that. The ending made me roll my eyes, but that's okay. But that doesn't mean I wasn't relieved when it was over, relieved that it was finally done. It's like I had a cramp the whole time I was reading it and now that it's over I can finally relax.
It's the same thing as with Burn.
I so need something short and light right now.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oooofff I wanted to love this one but honestly it just didn’t vibe with me. I love TJ’s books usually, but this one was such a struggle. The writing was, as always, beautiful which is why it still gets 3 stars from me, but the plot just didn’t bring me joy.
Maybe it’s my own daddy issues lol, but this one was very very dad heavy (Benji was absolutely obsessed with his dead father… to the point I don’t feel it was healthy at alllll). Also lots about god and his plans… as someone who is not religious, I just didn’t care. Although the sassy archangels brought me joy.
There was an overarching mystery plot, with strange happenings in the town, but it ended up being quite mundane? I thought it’d be more supernatural honestly… especially with angels knocking about! I was expecting this story to have the weird twists and turns of Murmuration… but it just didn’t.
But I guess my biggest disappointment was the romance; Benji is selfish right up to the end, and I just don’t understand what Cal saw in him? Also, Cal has watched over Benji since he was born… so that was a bit ick also 🤣 I’m all for age gap romances, but sometimes 200 years is a bit much, y’know? Like I guess I just didn’t gel with either of them, but mostly I didn’t like Benji as a character, so it affected the whole book for me.
Also, the trans slurs used in this book? Like I get the townsfolk are supposed to be uneducated and fairly intolerant but having Benji’s dad who we’re supposed to be sympathetic towards calling people trannies repeatedly wasn’t the vibe honestly.
I feel like I’m gonna be sticking to the Green Creek series honestly, this one probably won’t be getting a re-read from me 🙈
Maybe it’s my own daddy issues lol, but this one was very very dad heavy (Benji was absolutely obsessed with his dead father… to the point I don’t feel it was healthy at alllll). Also lots about god and his plans… as someone who is not religious, I just didn’t care. Although the sassy archangels brought me joy.
There was an overarching mystery plot, with strange happenings in the town, but it ended up being quite mundane? I thought it’d be more supernatural honestly… especially with angels knocking about! I was expecting this story to have the weird twists and turns of Murmuration… but it just didn’t.
But I guess my biggest disappointment was the romance; Benji is selfish right up to the end, and I just don’t understand what Cal saw in him? Also, Cal has watched over Benji since he was born… so that was a bit ick also 🤣 I’m all for age gap romances, but sometimes 200 years is a bit much, y’know? Like I guess I just didn’t gel with either of them, but mostly I didn’t like Benji as a character, so it affected the whole book for me.
Also, the trans slurs used in this book? Like I get the townsfolk are supposed to be uneducated and fairly intolerant but having Benji’s dad who we’re supposed to be sympathetic towards calling people trannies repeatedly wasn’t the vibe honestly.
I feel like I’m gonna be sticking to the Green Creek series honestly, this one probably won’t be getting a re-read from me 🙈
"I know what love is," I snarl at him. "No," he says. "You know only grief now. There is a difference."
*softly* what the fuck.
This book surprised me completely. I was not expecting anything that happened. This was a book mostly about faith, religious faith, and fatherly love. There were some beautiful lines and thoughtful reminders, but I'm afraid they were so deeply buried in repetitive prose that they ultimately lost their impact. I was expecting several mentions of drowning in a river but never this many.
The characters were interesting. If Benji had had a little more depth besides his aching sorrow it would have been fantastic, but they definitely were good enough and I can understand that Benji being his grief was a point that Klune wanted to make. I did deeply love that final development
Spoiler
where Benji decides that he wants to live even before the voices of the men he loved prompted himFor the plot... just... ? The
Spoiler
Christie revelationSpoiler
the part with more angels? Seven and Felix?Spoiler
why is Benji so important? Why is the town? Like, they literally changed heaven's laws, and we don't know why they were this special?There were also some very transphobic dialogues that were never challenged and made my blood boil.
I'm sure this book would have benefited from some more rounds of editing, as there are many good parts but not enough to make it a worthwhile read for me. Klune's newer works definitely show improvement and I'm very glad for that!