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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I thoroughly enjoyed how this book was told from 4 different perspectives and how reading from these different perspectives slowly unlocked the mysteries of what was really going on--somehow I didn't know to expect a bit of fantasy in this realistic fiction. The writing is very enjoyable and strong (I especially liked the sections written in verse). However, I didn't entirely love any of the characters and it bothered me how long it took Tennyson and Bronte to figure things out completely. Some good ethical questions are brought into the plot, as well, making this book all the more enjoyable.
This was an interesting mix of realistic fiction themes of abuse and bullying, with a little bit of science fiction thrown in. Brewster has an unusual ability that affects all his relationships.
Do you ever think of something that would be a really cool idea, and then someone does it, but they don't do it in the way you would have and that makes you irrationally dismissive of it? That's how I feel about this book, so this review will be subject to my irrational biases.
I think part of it is that so much of Neal Shusterman's writing is this tightly-wound, intricately designed braid of cleverness he has. It's not a bad thing--it's why I liked UNWIND and EVERWORLD when I was younger--but I really don't think that this plot is the place for it. He lessens the witticisms here, but for some reason in a world where only one thing speaks of unreality these recurring too-witty-for-real-life touches are jarring and make the whole setting seem more artificial to me. I think it's because in the other books I've read of Shusterman's, the whole world was very clearly something constructed, maybe even reminiscent of film. BRUISER tries to wedge one fantastic thing into the real world, and I found it much less believable than the other settings.*
I did enjoy it, but I wish it were a little bit more one-thing-at-a-time. 3.5/5, would recommend to a friend who I knew well enough to know they would be interested.
*"what about THE SCHWA WAS HERE?" listen it's different. the schwa was here seemed constructed even before the weird things started happening. BRUISER vacillated between delicate-unexplained-magic, overly-clever-asides, and teenage-normalcy and it was hard for me to follow.
I think part of it is that so much of Neal Shusterman's writing is this tightly-wound, intricately designed braid of cleverness he has. It's not a bad thing--it's why I liked UNWIND and EVERWORLD when I was younger--but I really don't think that this plot is the place for it. He lessens the witticisms here, but for some reason in a world where only one thing speaks of unreality these recurring too-witty-for-real-life touches are jarring and make the whole setting seem more artificial to me. I think it's because in the other books I've read of Shusterman's, the whole world was very clearly something constructed, maybe even reminiscent of film. BRUISER tries to wedge one fantastic thing into the real world, and I found it much less believable than the other settings.*
I did enjoy it, but I wish it were a little bit more one-thing-at-a-time. 3.5/5, would recommend to a friend who I knew well enough to know they would be interested.
*"what about THE SCHWA WAS HERE?" listen it's different. the schwa was here seemed constructed even before the weird things started happening. BRUISER vacillated between delicate-unexplained-magic, overly-clever-asides, and teenage-normalcy and it was hard for me to follow.
3.5 stars
Bronte and Tennyson are siblings whose parents are having marital issues. As if this weren't stressful enough, Bronte starts to date a boy whose nickname is Bruiser and who has been unofficially voted as "most likely to get the death penalty" by his classmates. Tennyson does his brotherly duty and goes to warn Brewster away from his sister. While doing this, he does discover that Brewster does indeed have a secret, but it is nothing like anything this family has ever encountered before.
A fascinating plot twist, written with Shusterman's usual aplomb.
Bronte and Tennyson are siblings whose parents are having marital issues. As if this weren't stressful enough, Bronte starts to date a boy whose nickname is Bruiser and who has been unofficially voted as "most likely to get the death penalty" by his classmates. Tennyson does his brotherly duty and goes to warn Brewster away from his sister. While doing this, he does discover that Brewster does indeed have a secret, but it is nothing like anything this family has ever encountered before.
A fascinating plot twist, written with Shusterman's usual aplomb.
I continue to love Neal Shusterman and this was definitely an original story but I'd still place some of his other books as my favorites.
Book: Bruiser
Genre: YA
Type: Audiobook.
Book rating: ☆☆☆☆•5
Narration rating: ☆☆☆☆•5
Review
So I was really excited about reading another Neal Shusterman book, his writing tends to be unforgettable.
I wasn't disappointed at all....phew!
Loved this book, loved the characters, loved the story, loved it!!
Someone (I don't know who sorry) described Neal Shusterman as the Tim Burton of YA books, and that is a really good call.
If you have never read a Shusterman book before, firstly WHAT ?!?!?!
What he does in his books is a little like a college professer in class, he leaves you thinking "what would I do?"
Class......"If you could legally abort your child after the age of 13, just by signing a piece of paper that is legally binding, and that said child,now 15 years old pissed you off BIG TIME one night, would you sign it......what about in anger? would you"............DISCUSS........
^^^That above is what it is like reading Unwind, one of my all time favourite YA books, I haven't met anyone that read it and went mehh, and if you say "that" scene to them, they just nod and shudder, ..........do it, read it.
In Bruiser, we meet Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins, he is the boy at school you avoid, who never smiles, who never talks, who never looks you in the eye.
We also meet Tennyson and Brontè, twins from a loving stable family.
And lastly we meet Cody, Brewsters little brother.
There is a reason for Brewster (brew for short) being so stand offish, he cannot get close to anyone, otherwise it could literally kill him.
If you had the chance to take someone's pain away would you do it? Where would this end? Bruises, cuts, broken bones?? And who would this stop at, just people you cared for? Just your family? .............DISCUSS. ....
Brontè starts to go out with Brewster, much to her brothers dismay, after all he was voted the person most likely to get the death penalty!
However, a friendship arises between them all and everything is fine, until one day Brontè cuts her hand quite badly...........and then it is gone, and Brewster shows up with a sliced hand!
With a F'd up life living with his abusive uncle, this book shows us all 4 lives as they intermingle with each other, as it is told in 4 POV's one of them being in verse.
Read this book, or something by Neal Shusterman, you will not be disappointed!
4•5☆
Genre: YA
Type: Audiobook.
Book rating: ☆☆☆☆•5
Narration rating: ☆☆☆☆•5
Review
So I was really excited about reading another Neal Shusterman book, his writing tends to be unforgettable.
I wasn't disappointed at all....phew!
Loved this book, loved the characters, loved the story, loved it!!
Someone (I don't know who sorry) described Neal Shusterman as the Tim Burton of YA books, and that is a really good call.
If you have never read a Shusterman book before, firstly WHAT ?!?!?!
What he does in his books is a little like a college professer in class, he leaves you thinking "what would I do?"
Class......"If you could legally abort your child after the age of 13, just by signing a piece of paper that is legally binding, and that said child,now 15 years old pissed you off BIG TIME one night, would you sign it......what about in anger? would you"............DISCUSS........
^^^That above is what it is like reading Unwind, one of my all time favourite YA books, I haven't met anyone that read it and went mehh, and if you say "that" scene to them, they just nod and shudder, ..........do it, read it.
In Bruiser, we meet Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins, he is the boy at school you avoid, who never smiles, who never talks, who never looks you in the eye.
We also meet Tennyson and Brontè, twins from a loving stable family.
And lastly we meet Cody, Brewsters little brother.
There is a reason for Brewster (brew for short) being so stand offish, he cannot get close to anyone, otherwise it could literally kill him.
If you had the chance to take someone's pain away would you do it? Where would this end? Bruises, cuts, broken bones?? And who would this stop at, just people you cared for? Just your family? .............DISCUSS. ....
Brontè starts to go out with Brewster, much to her brothers dismay, after all he was voted the person most likely to get the death penalty!
However, a friendship arises between them all and everything is fine, until one day Brontè cuts her hand quite badly...........and then it is gone, and Brewster shows up with a sliced hand!
With a F'd up life living with his abusive uncle, this book shows us all 4 lives as they intermingle with each other, as it is told in 4 POV's one of them being in verse.
Read this book, or something by Neal Shusterman, you will not be disappointed!
4•5☆
Wow! Throughout this book, I kept making connections to Mr. Hyde, pure evil. Yet Bruiser was a kind, loving soul who took on the pain of those about whom he most cared. Bruiser's body looks worse than that of an abused child although he denies that he is abused.
For many years I didn't want a pet because of the emotional pain I'd experienced when my dogs died. Now I have two dogs again and must remind myself that the pain of their loss will be so much less than the joy they give me on a daily basis.
I'd like to think that Bruiser finds this a good way to live his life. I am reminded about a piece I saw on the news about a girl who was allergic to water. Can you imagine?
This is a good book for reluctant readers, yet offers many talking points for all readers.
For many years I didn't want a pet because of the emotional pain I'd experienced when my dogs died. Now I have two dogs again and must remind myself that the pain of their loss will be so much less than the joy they give me on a daily basis.
I'd like to think that Bruiser finds this a good way to live his life. I am reminded about a piece I saw on the news about a girl who was allergic to water. Can you imagine?
This is a good book for reluctant readers, yet offers many talking points for all readers.
This was a fast read. There were parts that were absolutely gut-wrenching, and just hit me in all of the feels. I don't want to really give anything away, but the concept was incredibly interesting behind Brewster's character!
I have read the Unwind series by Neal Shusterman and was told by my daughter that I would enjoy this one as well. It was definitely very different from the Unwind books, but it was also very good.
Brewster is a boy who has a "gift" that people don't really understand and most don't know about. It's taken advantage of by someone close to him and causes him to keep himself closed off from other people.
I really enjoyed the alternating points of view in this book. Told by Bronte, and Tennyson, and then eventually adding Brewster's voice and that of his younger brother Cody. Different points of view, in my opinion, help tell a fuller story.
The ending of the book is quite emotional. I found myself gasping and my heart hurting for what they were going through. But it was a very well written and interesting and original book.
Brewster is a boy who has a "gift" that people don't really understand and most don't know about. It's taken advantage of by someone close to him and causes him to keep himself closed off from other people.
I really enjoyed the alternating points of view in this book. Told by Bronte, and Tennyson, and then eventually adding Brewster's voice and that of his younger brother Cody. Different points of view, in my opinion, help tell a fuller story.
The ending of the book is quite emotional. I found myself gasping and my heart hurting for what they were going through. But it was a very well written and interesting and original book.
Very interesting idea here and a very easy read. Probably a 5 star rating for a young adult. I would say for adults this book could be developed with more detail. I have no idea how Neal Shusterman comes up with these ideas but they are fascinating!