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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
How is this getting 2 stars from people? This book is freaking BRILLIANT. And painful - what an insanely rough read. But it's so worth it. Wow.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
what an oddly dangerous narrative… however, matt and tariq did reach into my soul and hurt me. especially that parking lot scene. i’m glad we’ve all thought about how many calories are in cum
This is getting 5 stars in part because I loved it so much more than I expected to. I pulled this because I needed an audiobook and it was already available. I would shelve this with things like Speak as far as "genres about teens dealing with some sort of trauma that is well done."
This book, expectedly, contains some serious triggers for eating disorders so recommend, or read, with caution but to the best of my knowledge is well handled.
The prose is delicious, well written, descriptive and the correct level of heart-wrenching.
I also enjoy that the influences here are, eh, somewhat varied but the protagonists book of interest (On the Road - Kerouac) actually doesn't seem to be the major influence. Certain parts seem reminiscence of Perfume, and some clear Kafka references. The weaving in of magic and powers is actually something I enjoy, and for books like these, prefer to be unjustified. Miller's choice to not justify or over explain Matt's powers is correct and reads a well done YA magical realism technique.
This book, expectedly, contains some serious triggers for eating disorders so recommend, or read, with caution but to the best of my knowledge is well handled.
The prose is delicious, well written, descriptive and the correct level of heart-wrenching.
I also enjoy that the influences here are, eh, somewhat varied but the protagonists book of interest (On the Road - Kerouac) actually doesn't seem to be the major influence. Certain parts seem reminiscence of Perfume, and some clear Kafka references. The weaving in of magic and powers is actually something I enjoy, and for books like these, prefer to be unjustified. Miller's choice to not justify or over explain Matt's powers is correct and reads a well done YA magical realism technique.
”In the hospital, and at the rehab center, I used to imagine Better was a place you could get to. A moment when I would look around and see that Everything Was Fine. But that’s not how this works. Being better isn’t a battle you fight and win. Feeling okay is a war one that lasts your whole life, and the only way to win is to keep on fighting.”
Actual rating: 2.5
This entire review is confusing to write. I enjoyed this book; in a sick way at points, and at others, the way you enjoy a good story. While it was interesting, I’m still not sure how I feel about it as a whole. Because, holy crap, this book was weird.
Every book is written to be special and unique, I know. But this book was Different.
Matt, our lovely spitfire MC, is convinced that by starving himself, he’s enabling his body to manifest and sustain superpowers. While this sounds like it’s going to be some sort of teenage thriller, it’s not. Matt’s mentality is more that of a misguided religious follower.
There are points in this book that you feel you’re going to be emotionally scarred by the way Matt views himself, (because while the blurb may confuse you on this point,) the book and characters acknowledge that superpowers or not, Matt has an eating disorder and it’s heartbreaking to watch him stumble through his battle with himself. Especially since he doesn’t understand that what he’s going through is an illness, and not some sort of monk chi crap.
The writing is solid, and the story (while confusing and downright strange at times), is engaging. The characters feel real and are free of the shiny romanticization YA is known for; especially Matt, Tariq, and Matt’s mom (I loved getting to read all three).
If this title peaks your interest, I would give it a shot. This book handles a gay teenage boy with an eating disorder, and while I’m none of those things, it’s important to have more stories like this that provide a more diverse view of eating disorders than ‘teenage-girl-who-hates-herself.’ (Those stories are important as well; it’s just nice to read something different.)
Overall, a worthwhile read, but get ready to ask yourself ‘what the literal heck’ quite a few times. :)
Actual rating: 2.5
This entire review is confusing to write. I enjoyed this book; in a sick way at points, and at others, the way you enjoy a good story. While it was interesting, I’m still not sure how I feel about it as a whole. Because, holy crap, this book was weird.
Every book is written to be special and unique, I know. But this book was Different.
Matt, our lovely spitfire MC, is convinced that by starving himself, he’s enabling his body to manifest and sustain superpowers. While this sounds like it’s going to be some sort of teenage thriller, it’s not. Matt’s mentality is more that of a misguided religious follower.
There are points in this book that you feel you’re going to be emotionally scarred by the way Matt views himself, (because while the blurb may confuse you on this point,) the book and characters acknowledge that superpowers or not, Matt has an eating disorder and it’s heartbreaking to watch him stumble through his battle with himself. Especially since he doesn’t understand that what he’s going through is an illness, and not some sort of monk chi crap.
The writing is solid, and the story (while confusing and downright strange at times), is engaging. The characters feel real and are free of the shiny romanticization YA is known for; especially Matt, Tariq, and Matt’s mom (I loved getting to read all three).
If this title peaks your interest, I would give it a shot. This book handles a gay teenage boy with an eating disorder, and while I’m none of those things, it’s important to have more stories like this that provide a more diverse view of eating disorders than ‘teenage-girl-who-hates-herself.’ (Those stories are important as well; it’s just nice to read something different.)
Overall, a worthwhile read, but get ready to ask yourself ‘what the literal heck’ quite a few times. :)
more like 3.7 stars. i wonder if the pacing is how most YA fiction reads. I found myself bored at times, wondering "what can happen next? why is it taking so long to get to the next event?" there is an ebb & flow to the story, which isn't so bad. i have mixed feelings about the book. i can appreciate the exploration of an eating disorder (& also the eating disorder of a young, gay male). the book is honest and i guess that's what i appreciate about it most of all. i was satisfied with the ending in a real life kind of way. everything wasn't necessarily perfect the way i would have wanted it to be but overall it was a nice read.
i think being addressed directly as the reader makes the read interesting. and even though i was slightly annoyed with Matt's thirst for blood, i couldn't help rooting for him.
i think being addressed directly as the reader makes the read interesting. and even though i was slightly annoyed with Matt's thirst for blood, i couldn't help rooting for him.
Some odd choices in the storytelling that I really enjoyed.
Over-all a great read.
Over-all a great read.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
I am not the intended audience for this book. I'm not a teenager; I'm not gay; I'm not anorexic. I got to about page 40 and was just depressed by the bleakness of the protagonist's life. Plus, there was no fantastic element to the book; I understand there is some kind of superhero content later in the book, but there was no indication of it in the part I read and so I was a bit mystified why it was a Hugo Award finalist.