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alogan6's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
findingriley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
5.0
probably one of my favorite books of all time, really need to go and reread it again.
justreaditalreadypod's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ciuli's review against another edition
5.0
| We remember the past, live in the present and write the future |
TW: I think it's important to say that this book deals with suicide, depression, physical and sexual assault as well as bullism and domestic abuse.
I loved this book and it's probably my favorite by Shaun David Hutchinson. I know that it's his most famous one but I only got to read it now, after having read three of his other works. I like his writing style and I like that there is always this veil of sci-fi in his stories and you never know where it's going to lead you, and I can definitely affirm that he is one of my favorites YA authors ever.
Henry is dealing, or trying to deal, with life after his boyfriend's suicide. Jesse hanged himself and didn't leave a note for him or any explanation as to why he did it, and Henry can't help but blame himself for it. Then there's high school, which is a nightmare for Space Boy, as everyone call-mocks him because sometimes he gets kidnapped by aliens. At school there's also Marcus, the popular guy he fools around with but there are also Marcus' friends, who never lose a chance to shut the fuck up. Then there's life at home, where his Nana has Alzheimer, his mother has given up all her dreams after his dad left them and his brother got his girlfriend pregnant. And then there's Diego, the new guy he can't quite figure out because of all the secrets about his past life he is so reticent to reveal. Along with all these things, the aliens tell him that he's the only one who can save the world and that he can do so by pressing a button. What will he do?
This book wrecked me. I could feel Henry 's sorrow through the author's words and I couldn't help but want to hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. He is struggling to keep his head above the water, he is trying to be okay as everyone seems to want him to be but he can't, because he can't recognize on his own that he is not fine. He is dealing with a lot but at the same time he is not dealing with it at all.
I have lots of feelings for this book and my review is definitely not enough to describe them all, but just know that I'd 100% recommend it to everyone who wants to read of the struggles of getting better, of realizing that asking for help doesn t make you weaker, but that is what really shows your strength.
5/5
TW: I think it's important to say that this book deals with suicide, depression, physical and sexual assault as well as bullism and domestic abuse.
I loved this book and it's probably my favorite by Shaun David Hutchinson. I know that it's his most famous one but I only got to read it now, after having read three of his other works. I like his writing style and I like that there is always this veil of sci-fi in his stories and you never know where it's going to lead you, and I can definitely affirm that he is one of my favorites YA authors ever.
Henry is dealing, or trying to deal, with life after his boyfriend's suicide. Jesse hanged himself and didn't leave a note for him or any explanation as to why he did it, and Henry can't help but blame himself for it. Then there's high school, which is a nightmare for Space Boy, as everyone call-mocks him because sometimes he gets kidnapped by aliens. At school there's also Marcus, the popular guy he fools around with but there are also Marcus' friends, who never lose a chance to shut the fuck up. Then there's life at home, where his Nana has Alzheimer, his mother has given up all her dreams after his dad left them and his brother got his girlfriend pregnant. And then there's Diego, the new guy he can't quite figure out because of all the secrets about his past life he is so reticent to reveal. Along with all these things, the aliens tell him that he's the only one who can save the world and that he can do so by pressing a button. What will he do?
This book wrecked me. I could feel Henry 's sorrow through the author's words and I couldn't help but want to hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. He is struggling to keep his head above the water, he is trying to be okay as everyone seems to want him to be but he can't, because he can't recognize on his own that he is not fine. He is dealing with a lot but at the same time he is not dealing with it at all.
I have lots of feelings for this book and my review is definitely not enough to describe them all, but just know that I'd 100% recommend it to everyone who wants to read of the struggles of getting better, of realizing that asking for help doesn t make you weaker, but that is what really shows your strength.
5/5
sophiejay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
shksprsis's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
grilledsneeze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape, Homophobia, Self harm, and Miscarriage
madzia's review against another edition
2.25
TO BYŁO OKRUTNE ZAKOŃCZENIE, CZEMU NIE BYŁO TAM TEGO CO TAM POWINNO BYĆ
seyahrue's review against another edition
5.0
If you could save the world by pressing a button, would you do it?
I loved this book even more than I thought I would (tell me a book is even vaguely about space and I will 100% want to read it). Honestly, I didn't really know what this book was about, only that everyone I know who has read it already really enjoyed it and said I would too (I was even able to ignore that fact that it was written in the first person, which if you know me doesn't happen very often) - so thank you for that!
Henry was a great character, and it was so interesting to see how he changed throughout the book, from believing the world deserved to die, to only considering to save it because of his family and friends, to eventually wanting to save it for himself. I loved both Diego and Audrey as well, and the rest of Henrys family - all of their relationships were really well developed and even Marcus' storyline, although horrible to read at times, was really well done
I think my favourite part about this is how the ending left you wondering if there had ever been any aliens at all, or if this whole time Henry really had been suffering with a form of sleepwalking and was hallucinating the whole thing. I don't actually know which option I would prefer, but I like that I don't have to decide.
I loved this book even more than I thought I would (tell me a book is even vaguely about space and I will 100% want to read it). Honestly, I didn't really know what this book was about, only that everyone I know who has read it already really enjoyed it and said I would too (I was even able to ignore that fact that it was written in the first person, which if you know me doesn't happen very often) - so thank you for that!
Henry was a great character, and it was so interesting to see how he changed throughout the book, from believing the world deserved to die, to only considering to save it because of his family and friends, to eventually wanting to save it for himself. I loved both Diego and Audrey as well, and the rest of Henrys family - all of their relationships were really well developed and even Marcus' storyline, although horrible to read at times, was really well done
I think my favourite part about this is how the ending left you wondering if there had ever been any aliens at all, or if this whole time Henry really had been suffering with a form of sleepwalking and was hallucinating the whole thing. I don't actually know which option I would prefer, but I like that I don't have to decide.