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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
3.5/5
Bruiser tells the story of a 15 year old boy named Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins, who is a loner, and has no friends. The kids at school bully him, even giving him the title "The Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty". But there is a very real reason why Bruiser can't make friends, when he cares about someone, mysterious things begin to happen.
Brontë and Tennyson are twins who attend school with Bruiser. (They are children of Literature professors, as if that wasn't obvious enough already). Brontë begins dating Bruiser, and at first Tennyson is adamantly against the two of them hooking up, but after getting to know Bruiser a bit, he changes his mind
There is a unique paranormal aspect to this novel, and Shusterman pulls it off nicely. I can't really share much about it without risking spoilers, but Bruiser has a unique ability that is a mixed blessing to both him, and those he cares about. As the mystery becomes revealed, the reader is drawn in, and can't help but feel both compassion and sympathy for all effected.
I recommend this book to anyone who reads YA Fiction, and even to those readers who usually only read adult fiction, as the book is not overly simplified for a younger audience.
This is the fourth book I have read by Neal Shusterman. I have read two books in the Unwind Dystology, as well as the first book in the Skinjacker Series. To me, his writing is witty, sharp, and entertaining. His characters are always sassy, and I love that.
Bruiser tells the story of a 15 year old boy named Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins, who is a loner, and has no friends. The kids at school bully him, even giving him the title "The Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty". But there is a very real reason why Bruiser can't make friends, when he cares about someone, mysterious things begin to happen.
Brontë and Tennyson are twins who attend school with Bruiser. (They are children of Literature professors, as if that wasn't obvious enough already). Brontë begins dating Bruiser, and at first Tennyson is adamantly against the two of them hooking up, but after getting to know Bruiser a bit, he changes his mind
There is a unique paranormal aspect to this novel, and Shusterman pulls it off nicely. I can't really share much about it without risking spoilers, but Bruiser has a unique ability that is a mixed blessing to both him, and those he cares about. As the mystery becomes revealed, the reader is drawn in, and can't help but feel both compassion and sympathy for all effected.
I recommend this book to anyone who reads YA Fiction, and even to those readers who usually only read adult fiction, as the book is not overly simplified for a younger audience.
This is the fourth book I have read by Neal Shusterman. I have read two books in the Unwind Dystology, as well as the first book in the Skinjacker Series. To me, his writing is witty, sharp, and entertaining. His characters are always sassy, and I love that.
"You think you want to know the secrets of the universe. You think you want to see the way things all fit together. You believe in your heart of hearts that enlightenment will save the world and set you free.
Maybe it will.
But the path to enlightenment is rarely a pleasant one."
I had this one as an audio book. Wonderful! The readers were excellent. Bronte's narrator was fabulous! I couldn't wait every morning when I got to pop this in and pick the story back up.
Of course, the story was also amazing. Brewster, Bronte, Tennyson, even the parents in the story were so well done. The conversations had me laughing out loud just as much as when my heart broke over what they were experiencing.
Maybe it will.
But the path to enlightenment is rarely a pleasant one."
I had this one as an audio book. Wonderful! The readers were excellent. Bronte's narrator was fabulous! I couldn't wait every morning when I got to pop this in and pick the story back up.
Of course, the story was also amazing. Brewster, Bronte, Tennyson, even the parents in the story were so well done. The conversations had me laughing out loud just as much as when my heart broke over what they were experiencing.
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I grabbed this book thinking it was going to be about an abusive boyfriend and be a super suspenseful book in that sense. Instead it is a book about a boy named Brewster that has an extraordinary gift. The gift tests him again and again when it comes to his feelings.
My biggest complain about Shusterman’s books always comes down to that he has so many damn narrators that can’t be told apart. In this book Tennyson and Brontë can’t be told apart. They sound identical. Brewster has a different format, so his is easily told apart (MIRACLE!). Cody is pretty much the same as Tennyson and Brontë, except every once in a while there will be a word like “runned” used since he is a kid. So 2.5 narrators can’t be told apart. It is my biggest pet peeve in books like this. If your characters are flat enough that I can’t tell them apart, then have a single narrator or a third person one.
However, just like with every other Shusterman novel the plot was enough to keep me reading and still scored it a really good rating. This plot was one of those quiet suspense ones. Everything was about emotions and it sneaked up on me. There was so much happening, then BAM it was quiet. The quiet was so disconcerting. It was obvious what was happening, but just in case Shusterman had a whole chapter about it before it did happen that laid out what was happening. Foreshadowing or not trusting readers to follow a basic plot? It is unclear, but even if I was being written down to, I was enjoying myself and didn’t feel like I was being made fun of. So I think that view will depend on how you are feeling by that point in the book.
There was a super dark scene that came out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Then the angst afterward. YES. For that scene alone, I would have been ok with all of my issues with the book (and all his other books too!). Everything after that scene with Uncle Hoyt didn’t matter. The book kind of dragged after that. The big emotional climax had happened for me. The ending twists and turns were really mild and not all that surprising in the slightest. It felt like the ending took longer than the rest of the book. I was enjoying myself, but I had no idea why the book was still going. I could tell where it was going and saw why Shusterman wanted to include it, but I just didn’t see why it really was included. It couldn’t match that powerful punch or even come close.
I grabbed this book thinking it was going to be about an abusive boyfriend and be a super suspenseful book in that sense. Instead it is a book about a boy named Brewster that has an extraordinary gift. The gift tests him again and again when it comes to his feelings.
My biggest complain about Shusterman’s books always comes down to that he has so many damn narrators that can’t be told apart. In this book Tennyson and Brontë can’t be told apart. They sound identical. Brewster has a different format, so his is easily told apart (MIRACLE!). Cody is pretty much the same as Tennyson and Brontë, except every once in a while there will be a word like “runned” used since he is a kid. So 2.5 narrators can’t be told apart. It is my biggest pet peeve in books like this. If your characters are flat enough that I can’t tell them apart, then have a single narrator or a third person one.
However, just like with every other Shusterman novel the plot was enough to keep me reading and still scored it a really good rating. This plot was one of those quiet suspense ones. Everything was about emotions and it sneaked up on me. There was so much happening, then BAM it was quiet. The quiet was so disconcerting. It was obvious what was happening, but just in case Shusterman had a whole chapter about it before it did happen that laid out what was happening. Foreshadowing or not trusting readers to follow a basic plot? It is unclear, but even if I was being written down to, I was enjoying myself and didn’t feel like I was being made fun of. So I think that view will depend on how you are feeling by that point in the book.
There was a super dark scene that came out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Then the angst afterward. YES. For that scene alone, I would have been ok with all of my issues with the book (and all his other books too!). Everything after that scene with Uncle Hoyt didn’t matter. The book kind of dragged after that. The big emotional climax had happened for me. The ending twists and turns were really mild and not all that surprising in the slightest. It felt like the ending took longer than the rest of the book. I was enjoying myself, but I had no idea why the book was still going. I could tell where it was going and saw why Shusterman wanted to include it, but I just didn’t see why it really was included. It couldn’t match that powerful punch or even come close.
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
like all neal shusterman novels, this one focuses on an aspect of human nature and the human condition that gets you to take a closer look at your inner self. i interpreted bruiser to be about what it means to be empathetic towards others and that sometimes sacrifices must be made. the flip side of the message about the necessity of sacrifices, is that boundaries are also necessary and you must allow people to fight their own battles.
overall, very well written novel with an interesting storyline and characters. not my favorite from neal shusterman, but still very good.
overall, very well written novel with an interesting storyline and characters. not my favorite from neal shusterman, but still very good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
read for the second time on the 22th of December 2019
---------------------------
read for the first time on the 19th of December 2018
A favourite ♥
---------------------------
read for the first time on the 19th of December 2018
A favourite ♥
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
if i could give this book 6/5 stars i would
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse
Everyone at school knows of Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins, the boy voted "Most Likely to get the Death Penalty," but until bleeding-heart Bronte Stenberger decides there must be more to him than meets the eye and begins a campaign to draw him out of his isolated life, no one has really known him...
As Bronte and her twin brother Tennyson find their lives entwining with Brewster's, they quickly discover why Brewster usually avoids relationships with others. When he cares about someone, he ends up taking on their pain and injuries - when they get cut, he bleeds. Can someone with this ability (or curse?) allow himself to care for other people, even if it means taking on almost unbearable pain, or is a life of isolation the only option?
Dark but not humorless, immediate yet ruminative, this is another good, solid Shusterman story. There's something in here for every reader - male and female POVs, unstereotypical popular jocks, a troubled loner, a smart girl, family drama, straightforward writing, chapters written in verse, etc. Aside from the violence and mature themes, it's also pretty clean, making this a good choice for most teens, especially those who want magical realism or strong male characters.
As Bronte and her twin brother Tennyson find their lives entwining with Brewster's, they quickly discover why Brewster usually avoids relationships with others. When he cares about someone, he ends up taking on their pain and injuries - when they get cut, he bleeds. Can someone with this ability (or curse?) allow himself to care for other people, even if it means taking on almost unbearable pain, or is a life of isolation the only option?
Dark but not humorless, immediate yet ruminative, this is another good, solid Shusterman story. There's something in here for every reader - male and female POVs, unstereotypical popular jocks, a troubled loner, a smart girl, family drama, straightforward writing, chapters written in verse, etc. Aside from the violence and mature themes, it's also pretty clean, making this a good choice for most teens, especially those who want magical realism or strong male characters.