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heathercottledillon's review against another edition
3.0
When Bronte starts dating Brewster, aka Bruiser, aka Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty, her twin brother Tennyson is not pleased. In fact, he's going to do anything he can to sabotage their relationship. But when he follows Bruiser around a bit with intentions of scaring him, Tennyson discovers that there's something unusual about Bruiser. When people are around him, strange things happen to them. Tennyson totally misjudged Bruiser, but when and Bronte learn his secret they have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
I've never read a book quite like this before. I didn't know anything about it before I picked it up, so it took me a while to figure out what was going on. The story alternates between Bronte and Tennyson's points of view, and Shusterman does a great job of differentiating between their points of view. They both feel real and I really liked both of them, and I especially liked Bruiser. The ending isn't what I expected...sort of sudden, but I liked it. Overall, a very entertaining story.
I've never read a book quite like this before. I didn't know anything about it before I picked it up, so it took me a while to figure out what was going on. The story alternates between Bronte and Tennyson's points of view, and Shusterman does a great job of differentiating between their points of view. They both feel real and I really liked both of them, and I especially liked Bruiser. The ending isn't what I expected...sort of sudden, but I liked it. Overall, a very entertaining story.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
When I read the summary for this book, I didn't think it was going to be what it was about. I thought it was going to be family abuse but I was wrong. I didn't expect it to have also the "fantasy" element of it too. That kind of surprised me because I thought it wasn't going to do that at all. I guess I might have expected that because of the other book that I have read by Nel Shusterman was sci fiction.
I enjoyed that this book had different points of views/alternating chapters between the main characters. I really liked listening to it on audiobook too. Books that are set up this way I believe you really get to know the characters better because you don't always get to see the other side of the story. I really liked Bronte and Brewster and not sure much Tennyson. I felt like he was a bully throughout the book and not until after he found out about Brewster's gift is when he started being nice to him. I really didn't care about the Cody parts, really didn't feel like he needed to have a part of the story like Brewster, Tennyson and Bronte.
I enjoyed that this book had different points of views/alternating chapters between the main characters. I really liked listening to it on audiobook too. Books that are set up this way I believe you really get to know the characters better because you don't always get to see the other side of the story. I really liked Bronte and Brewster and not sure much Tennyson. I felt like he was a bully throughout the book and not until after he found out about Brewster's gift is when he started being nice to him. I really didn't care about the Cody parts, really didn't feel like he needed to have a part of the story like Brewster, Tennyson and Bronte.
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
I really think Shusterman is an amazing writer but, while I liked this book, it just didn't have the same spark for me as the Skinjacker trilogy.
nat_montego's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, and Violence
rereader33's review against another edition
5.0
Allow me to get these obvious out of the way: this was an amazing novel! Neal Shusterman has been a favorite of mine since Challenger Deep, but the more I read the more I love his work. His writing is well-done, most of his characters are fun or at least interesting, and the pacing is spot on. I can never seem to put down his books once I start them and they always seem to fill my thoughts afterwards. Anyway, let's discuss this hidden gem, shall we?
I don't have much to say about the story aside from I'm glad it went in the direction it did. It was briefly touched on in the story that if the general public learned about Brew's abilities, he could be sent to a lad to be researched or used as a tool. I was worried this was where the story was headed, but thankfully it stayed grounded. I really liked that because, aside from Brew's abilities, this was a grounded story. That's all I really have to say, on to characters.
At first, I had mixed feelings about all of the characters sans Brew. Bronte was pretty obnoxious for most of the novel, but I was glad she remained consistent. She did change her personality on a dime and she didn't change for Brew, which could be either a good or bad thing. I didn't like how headstrong she was about fixing problems mostly because she always thought what she was doing was right. That kind of thinking can be dangerous and it proved to be just that when she and Tennyson practically blackmailed their parents into fostering Brew and Cody. However, I will say that I loved her interactions with Tennyson, I found them to be realistic and the banter enjoyable. Tennyson was a good character, a foil to Bronte in one way yet similar to her in another. On one hand, Tennyson tended to act in his own interests, which clashed with Bronte's need to help others. On the other hand, both are selfish if you consider how Bronte tends to help others without their permission, so in a way both exhibit selfish behavior, it's just Tennyson is aware of his selfishness while Bronte isn't. Brew himself was a great character, I loved his POV. I'm not much of a poetry person, but I loved, loved, loved how his POV was written in verse. It added depth to his character and was an absolute joy to read. Cody was a completely realistic child and as such I wanted to punch him for some of the decisions he made. Not a bad character, mind you, just kind of annoying. The parents were pretty awful, but this is YA, what do you expect?
As for the writing, I adore Neal Shusterman's writing. It's fun, casual, profound in places but heart-wrenching in others. Yes, it can be very on the nose, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. Also, I understand some YA fans have complained about the number of snarky, sarcastic characters proliferating YA novels. To add my two cents, I totally get where people are coming from and having so many characters like that in YA can be frustrating, but I will probably never be frustrated by Shusterman's sarcastic, snarky characters. Call me biased, I don't care.
Also, that ending was great. Loved it.
Overall, loved this novel, love this author, highly recommend it and his other novels.
I don't have much to say about the story aside from I'm glad it went in the direction it did. It was briefly touched on in the story that if the general public learned about Brew's abilities, he could be sent to a lad to be researched or used as a tool. I was worried this was where the story was headed, but thankfully it stayed grounded. I really liked that because, aside from Brew's abilities, this was a grounded story. That's all I really have to say, on to characters.
At first, I had mixed feelings about all of the characters sans Brew. Bronte was pretty obnoxious for most of the novel, but I was glad she remained consistent. She did change her personality on a dime and she didn't change for Brew, which could be either a good or bad thing. I didn't like how headstrong she was about fixing problems mostly because she always thought what she was doing was right. That kind of thinking can be dangerous and it proved to be just that when she and Tennyson practically blackmailed their parents into fostering Brew and Cody. However, I will say that I loved her interactions with Tennyson, I found them to be realistic and the banter enjoyable. Tennyson was a good character, a foil to Bronte in one way yet similar to her in another. On one hand, Tennyson tended to act in his own interests, which clashed with Bronte's need to help others. On the other hand, both are selfish if you consider how Bronte tends to help others without their permission, so in a way both exhibit selfish behavior, it's just Tennyson is aware of his selfishness while Bronte isn't. Brew himself was a great character, I loved his POV. I'm not much of a poetry person, but I loved, loved, loved how his POV was written in verse. It added depth to his character and was an absolute joy to read. Cody was a completely realistic child and as such I wanted to punch him for some of the decisions he made. Not a bad character, mind you, just kind of annoying. The parents were pretty awful, but this is YA, what do you expect?
As for the writing, I adore Neal Shusterman's writing. It's fun, casual, profound in places but heart-wrenching in others. Yes, it can be very on the nose, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. Also, I understand some YA fans have complained about the number of snarky, sarcastic characters proliferating YA novels. To add my two cents, I totally get where people are coming from and having so many characters like that in YA can be frustrating, but I will probably never be frustrated by Shusterman's sarcastic, snarky characters. Call me biased, I don't care.
Also, that ending was great. Loved it.
Overall, loved this novel, love this author, highly recommend it and his other novels.
joana_stormblessed's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I really loved this book. It was nothing like I expected it to be like, yet it was everything I needed at this moment. As I was reading this book, some pretty traumatic and sad events happened to me, and I was wishing for someone like Brew in my life, but by the end of the book, I really understood that going through our afflictions, trials and pains makes us who we are. We have to accept the pain life brings, and we have to deal with it on our own. No one can live the experiences for us. Our troubles, bruises, trials and pains, are ours to take and live.
In this book we follow Tennyson and Bronte who are twins. They are children from English teacher parents, which explains their names. Their parents however are going through a separation / divorce face, which kind of lets the siblings to fend for themselves. At the same time, Bronte starts to date this Brewster, whom everyone calls Bruiser. He is a dark and mysterious teenager that keeps to himself. It starts off by Brewster being Bronte's project, but quickly she realizes that she truly cares for him. Tennyson doesn't like this, because he wants to protect his sister. So he tries to scare the Bruiser away from Bronte, ends up following him home, and uncovers a secret that is impossible to carry. Brewster has a "gift" that seems completely impossible and that explains a lot about his attitude.
As I have said, this book was really great and I think that the fact that I read it at this moment in time has a lot to do with my feelings for this book. Definitely recommend it.
I really loved this book. It was nothing like I expected it to be like, yet it was everything I needed at this moment. As I was reading this book, some pretty traumatic and sad events happened to me, and I was wishing for someone like Brew in my life, but by the end of the book, I really understood that going through our afflictions, trials and pains makes us who we are. We have to accept the pain life brings, and we have to deal with it on our own. No one can live the experiences for us. Our troubles, bruises, trials and pains, are ours to take and live.
In this book we follow Tennyson and Bronte who are twins. They are children from English teacher parents, which explains their names. Their parents however are going through a separation / divorce face, which kind of lets the siblings to fend for themselves. At the same time, Bronte starts to date this Brewster, whom everyone calls Bruiser. He is a dark and mysterious teenager that keeps to himself. It starts off by Brewster being Bronte's project, but quickly she realizes that she truly cares for him. Tennyson doesn't like this, because he wants to protect his sister. So he tries to scare the Bruiser away from Bronte, ends up following him home, and uncovers a secret that is impossible to carry. Brewster has a "gift" that seems completely impossible and that explains a lot about his attitude.
As I have said, this book was really great and I think that the fact that I read it at this moment in time has a lot to do with my feelings for this book. Definitely recommend it.
abaugher's review against another edition
3.0
pretty good story, strange ability in the young man, somewhat too abrupt an ending.
amesthechamp's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting plot/idea. I loved it. Really made me think after I finished it.
katieb99's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while to get into this book. I'm so happy that I stuck with it. This story is so unique because it's so different from any other story. Having a character that is an outcast because of his special characteristics that nobody knows about and slowly but surely you see that brew needs people in his life. I love how through the story you see how brew has to fight so hard to be happy and the people around him happy. Definitely worth the read.