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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Moving, visual and lyrical look at grief and a fall... and clamber back into the light.
This had me in tears more than once. It hits home and wallows in some fairly dark places with maturity and without glossing over the causes, the impact and the pain.
I only chose this as it was shortlisted for the Carnegie, as I like to try and complete this every year. It's one of the darkest on there, yes, and does force the reader through some emotional turmoil. But it's so very well-written, an unusual style and presentation.
At the start, we understand that Kai, now around 18, should be finishing his A-Levels but through some undisclosed family trauma that his friends have helped him through, he is now behind. He is writing down his experiences to put himself in order, and the rest of the book is then his story. His friends also share their own rememberings of the last few years, the good and the bad, the nostalgic yearnings for their younger years, and their own observations of Kai's life, his problems, their own coming together to help him.
So we know from the first that Kai is going to be okay. But that somehow doesn't make it any easier to live through his teenage years again with him and his friends. A best male friend, a female friend Kai feels attraction to, and the refugee boy who sees in Kai a brother and fellow sufferer, who needs to be the one to bring everyone together to help a friend in need.
Beautifully put together, the book adds a dimension that personally I don't usually like, with ravens becoming metaphor and character in their own right, playing the role of protector and symbol. Without them I felt the story would have worked just as well, but this is my own singular view and I understand that for many, much of the beauty of the book will have lain with Rain and Bow.
Black and white illustrations add further impact to the text, the characters feel real and in pain, young and earnest. It's hard to read but a worthy read and shortlisted award title.
For ages 13 and above.
This had me in tears more than once. It hits home and wallows in some fairly dark places with maturity and without glossing over the causes, the impact and the pain.
I only chose this as it was shortlisted for the Carnegie, as I like to try and complete this every year. It's one of the darkest on there, yes, and does force the reader through some emotional turmoil. But it's so very well-written, an unusual style and presentation.
At the start, we understand that Kai, now around 18, should be finishing his A-Levels but through some undisclosed family trauma that his friends have helped him through, he is now behind. He is writing down his experiences to put himself in order, and the rest of the book is then his story. His friends also share their own rememberings of the last few years, the good and the bad, the nostalgic yearnings for their younger years, and their own observations of Kai's life, his problems, their own coming together to help him.
So we know from the first that Kai is going to be okay. But that somehow doesn't make it any easier to live through his teenage years again with him and his friends. A best male friend, a female friend Kai feels attraction to, and the refugee boy who sees in Kai a brother and fellow sufferer, who needs to be the one to bring everyone together to help a friend in need.
Beautifully put together, the book adds a dimension that personally I don't usually like, with ravens becoming metaphor and character in their own right, playing the role of protector and symbol. Without them I felt the story would have worked just as well, but this is my own singular view and I understand that for many, much of the beauty of the book will have lain with Rain and Bow.
Black and white illustrations add further impact to the text, the characters feel real and in pain, young and earnest. It's hard to read but a worthy read and shortlisted award title.
For ages 13 and above.
sarah_and_duck's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beenb's review against another edition
DNF. I just couldn't get my head around the writing style. It was all over the place, repetitive and confusing. Got 15% of the way in and still had not clue what was going on. For a YA, it felt very inaccessible.
adequateanja's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missoliviareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Nominated for the YOTO Carnegie Medal 2023
Having just finished this, I'm a bit lost for words at the moment on what a special little book this is.
A heartbreaking, raw yet devastatingly beautiful story discussing grief, mental health and losing yourself.
This book has moved me to the point of tears - I'll be back when my heart has settled ❤️❤️❤️
Having just finished this, I'm a bit lost for words at the moment on what a special little book this is.
A heartbreaking, raw yet devastatingly beautiful story discussing grief, mental health and losing yourself.
This book has moved me to the point of tears - I'll be back when my heart has settled ❤️❤️❤️
ruthmaloney's review against another edition
5.0
This startlingly powerful departure from Brahma hari's usual writing has really taken me aback. It would certainly be worthy Carnegie winner.
squirrelsteph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bethanypaisley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kelly_174's review against another edition
5.0
It was just amazing the book has such great depth on problems and solving them and that Kai had gotten over Orla even if it took him a long time to do that. And that it is best to let out your problems then bottle them in.
adaaawwwg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25