Reviews

Thank you to @catapult for sending me Brother & Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella. This book is about a complicated sibling relationship between Willa and Justin. In the present day, Willa builds dioramas of events from her and Justin’s youth. She keeps them private, and she lost contact with Justin a long time ago. When Justin turns up on her doorstep, old wounds reopen, and old traumas are revisited. It’s not clear if the relationship can be salvaged. In the timeline from the past, Justin enters a doomed relationship with an older boyfriend that will have lifelong impacts.

I read this in August of last year, and to be honest, I can barely remember what happens in this book - I had to look up a synopsis. At the time I thought this book was fine, but I wasn’t moved or very compelled. I think it just wasn’t the emotional heavy hitter that I was hoping for. I was a little bored reading it, and it shows considering I barely remember it. But, if you like complicated sibling relationships, maybe you’ll connect with it more than I did.

hurrrae's review

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dark sad slow-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

4.0

Other reviews say it best. A uniquely told story of trauma and a horrifying coming of age. I do not forgive Willa. I do not forgive Grace. I am done with the book but wholly in the forest with Justin and deeply sad that his biological family cannot forgive him for things that happened to him. It’s rare that a “found family” story involves so many insights from the biological family and their apathy/disgust regarding one member’s trauma. I almost would rather have heard the story centered on Justin and Shivam, just so I wouldn’t hate Willa so much for her inability to decide if she still loves her brother. I hate Willa. I hate Willa.

haileylm's review

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3.0

3 stars because i feel like this was objectively well written. however, while i read it fairly quickly, i found this to be a difficult read. a very raw depiction of trauma and its lingering effects on an individual. none of the characters were really developed nor did they exist beyond this trauma, and there wasn’t much of a plot either. since it wasn’t something i could personally relate to, i found the whole
book difficult to connect to or become invested in

tryan1794's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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