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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Another Firstread win for me. An excellent story about the aftermath of 2 boys that were kidnapped and returned to their families. It shows the trauma that results from such an event for the victim and the sibling of a victim. Trauma, and what it looks like, is portrayed very accurately. This is an excellent YA realistic fiction novel.
This book was a lot deeper than I was expecting/prepared for.
This was well-written and approached a sensitive topic with respect and grace. It feels strange to say that I liked this, as it tells the story of two kidnapped boys returning home. One boy was held for a week and one for 5 years.
I remember when the two boys in Missouri were found in a very similar situation. It's hard to think about what these kids have to go through, including the tumultuous journey after they've returned home.
If this is a topic you are interested in, it is a good book and I would recommend it.
I remember when the two boys in Missouri were found in a very similar situation. It's hard to think about what these kids have to go through, including the tumultuous journey after they've returned home.
If this is a topic you are interested in, it is a good book and I would recommend it.
Very good book about abduction written from two points of view.
I really liked this book. I won the Audiobook and really enjoyed it, actually more than I thought I would. It is through the eyes of two teens who become friends after one of them and other's younger brother are kidnapped. I like that it tackles the after effects of victims and families after horrifying events happen.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
UGH
I loved this book.
There are some odd moments of ableism, but despite that, it’s a story of a girl and a guy healing from some really traumatic events. I just love it so much, probably because it hits close to home in a lot of ways.
I will say, if you’re a person who needs a lot of action and plot twists, you’re not going to enjoy this book. This book is about healing and therapy and coping, so don’t go into this book expecting a massive thriller. Go into this book expecting to see people just living their lives and finding ways to get better. That’s what I love this book for :)
I loved this book.
There are some odd moments of ableism, but despite that, it’s a story of a girl and a guy healing from some really traumatic events. I just love it so much, probably because it hits close to home in a lot of ways.
I will say, if you’re a person who needs a lot of action and plot twists, you’re not going to enjoy this book. This book is about healing and therapy and coping, so don’t go into this book expecting a massive thriller. Go into this book expecting to see people just living their lives and finding ways to get better. That’s what I love this book for :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault
I was enjoying this book until the end - it stopped with no clear conclusion. There were so many unanswered questions and loose ends that I felt cheated. It needed more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Roaring Brook Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate it!
This was a tough one for me to review.
It isn't unusual for authors to see stories in events that hit the news. I'm grateful that Mathieu waited a while before publishing this. It's - of course - inspired by the rescues of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby, who spent four years and four days respectively, in the clutches of Michael J. Devlin, a convicted child rapist.
The boys have thankfully been kept out of the spotlight since their rescues. I hope the release of this book doesn't tear apart the fragility of any peace they have managed to find. With that said, on with the review.
Afterward is a subtle and spare novel. There are no histrionics or overwrought passages. Fitting, as it's told largely from the perspective of Caroline, a young teenager dealing with the kidnapping - and rescue - of her little brother. When Dylan returns, Caroline struggles to understand the snatches of her speech her brother (who has autism) manages to convey. As his behavioral problems escalate and her parents' already fractured marriage begins to crumble further, Caroline seeks out the boy who was rescued along with Dylan - hoping to find answers, and peace.
With Ethan, Caroline discovers an unlikely friendship. In Ethan, we discover a boy who was not allowed to be 'whole', and instead, was disassembled by his kidnapper, until only fragments of memory remain. A blessing? Or a curse? Ethan attends therapy, wrestles with conflicting feelings about his return, and strikes up a budding relationship with Caroline.
Despite a few ill-advised kisses, thankfully Mathieu does not change the focus of the book into a romance. The friendship between Ethan and Caroline is rich enough in scope without adding the complication of sex into it. But it does provide a moving portrait of how a boy might adjust after being tortured - and crucially, seduced - for so long, by his kidnapper. As Ethan opens up in therapy, the book becomes heartrendingly realistic, and doesn't shy away from the difficult, often agonizing questions.
All in all, a very thoughtful and sensitively written book about the aftermath of trauma, from all perspectives.
This was a tough one for me to review.
It isn't unusual for authors to see stories in events that hit the news. I'm grateful that Mathieu waited a while before publishing this. It's - of course - inspired by the rescues of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby, who spent four years and four days respectively, in the clutches of Michael J. Devlin, a convicted child rapist.
The boys have thankfully been kept out of the spotlight since their rescues. I hope the release of this book doesn't tear apart the fragility of any peace they have managed to find. With that said, on with the review.
Afterward is a subtle and spare novel. There are no histrionics or overwrought passages. Fitting, as it's told largely from the perspective of Caroline, a young teenager dealing with the kidnapping - and rescue - of her little brother. When Dylan returns, Caroline struggles to understand the snatches of her speech her brother (who has autism) manages to convey. As his behavioral problems escalate and her parents' already fractured marriage begins to crumble further, Caroline seeks out the boy who was rescued along with Dylan - hoping to find answers, and peace.
With Ethan, Caroline discovers an unlikely friendship. In Ethan, we discover a boy who was not allowed to be 'whole', and instead, was disassembled by his kidnapper, until only fragments of memory remain. A blessing? Or a curse? Ethan attends therapy, wrestles with conflicting feelings about his return, and strikes up a budding relationship with Caroline.
Despite a few ill-advised kisses, thankfully Mathieu does not change the focus of the book into a romance. The friendship between Ethan and Caroline is rich enough in scope without adding the complication of sex into it. But it does provide a moving portrait of how a boy might adjust after being tortured - and crucially, seduced - for so long, by his kidnapper. As Ethan opens up in therapy, the book becomes heartrendingly realistic, and doesn't shy away from the difficult, often agonizing questions.
All in all, a very thoughtful and sensitively written book about the aftermath of trauma, from all perspectives.
Decent, but not memorable.
I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting with this book, but it wasn't what I read. I should emphasize that the book was still good. I just, I don't know...I think I was expecting something more powerful: some bigger reveals...some shocking truth...a real emotional twist. All those elements were there, they just weren't big or intense moments.
I was also surprised by the heavy topics in this book. I shouldn't have been surprised; it's a book about healing after trauma after all. I guess I just didn't get that impression of this book from the cover or book description.
Some of the content might be questionable for younger teens: Caroline drinks alcohol and smokes pot, she fools around with boys, and she goes to parties with drinking and drugs. As for Ethan, we get some glimpses into his memories of his abuse, and in one particularly heartbreaking scene with his therapist,. I would say that none of these things are a focus in the book (really, the focus is the blossoming friendship between Caroline and Ethan), but they do show the characters' growth and development. But it's food for thought if you're questioning if this book is appropriate for a reader.
I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting with this book, but it wasn't what I read. I should emphasize that the book was still good. I just, I don't know...I think I was expecting something more powerful: some bigger reveals...some shocking truth...a real emotional twist. All those elements were there, they just weren't big or intense moments.
I was also surprised by the heavy topics in this book. I shouldn't have been surprised; it's a book about healing after trauma after all. I guess I just didn't get that impression of this book from the cover or book description.
Some of the content might be questionable for younger teens: Caroline drinks alcohol and smokes pot, she fools around with boys, and she goes to parties with drinking and drugs. As for Ethan, we get some glimpses into his memories of his abuse, and in one particularly heartbreaking scene with his therapist,
Spoiler
Ethan discusses his abuser's sexual assaults and questions his sexuality since his body "responded" (Ethan thinks the word "erection" but doesn't want to say it aloud)
I wondered why I liked the style of writing so much and then I checked the author's profile and realized I loved The Truth About Alice and I just loved the fluidity of the story in the same way. It is a story that is so hard to read in that it has so much depth of emotion.
You have Ethan who was kidnapped at the age of 11 and suffered so much during his 4 year of captivity and then you have Dylan, a boy with Autism that was captive for a few days. The story goes into how they cope with the aftermath of going home. Since Dylan doesn't speak his story is told from his sisters point of view, Caroline. Caroline reaches out to Ethan in order to understand what her brother went through in to figure out his outbursts.
Ethan explores all his emotions and triggers with a therapist who uses a dog to help calm his patients. With his therapist Ethan discusses his guilt, his fears, his friendships and his desire to just be normal.
Power, emotional and honest just a overall great book.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
You have Ethan who was kidnapped at the age of 11 and suffered so much during his 4 year of captivity and then you have Dylan, a boy with Autism that was captive for a few days. The story goes into how they cope with the aftermath of going home. Since Dylan doesn't speak his story is told from his sisters point of view, Caroline. Caroline reaches out to Ethan in order to understand what her brother went through in to figure out his outbursts.
Ethan explores all his emotions and triggers with a therapist who uses a dog to help calm his patients. With his therapist Ethan discusses his guilt, his fears, his friendships and his desire to just be normal.
Power, emotional and honest just a overall great book.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.