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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
The story is about Ozzie who is living in an ever contracting universe looking for his boyfriend who has not only disappeared from his life, but from the memories of everyone.
I am not saying a lot more about the story, but it is worth being discovered, the characters are so well written, I haven't been a teen in, okay, not saying exactly... decades, but what I remember of it makes all the characters in this book true, sure, maybe a little too much happens in Ozzie's close circle, but if I wanted reality I would be reading nonfiction. Lots of drama, but the way the people are is as real as anyone you could meet.
I especially liked Calvin as a character I found echoes of myself in him. My story is very different from his, but in the end what happened to me when I was a baby has caused a mental illness and living with it that I recognize in Calvin.
I found the ending very satisfying even though I had not guessed the reason for the universe shrinking. I'll give a warning to people on their tablets because mine doesn't seem to cut the spoilers like the computer does, the rest of the paragragh is a nono, fair warning.
I haven't read a lot of young adult literature since I've been an adult so I'm not comparing the author within the genre, but with all the books I've read (and I do have an eclectic reading list) and he's very, very good. I will have to pace myself or I won't have anything to read by him too soon; I always feel bad about devouring a book when I think of all the hours invested in writing it and me just zooming through it, don't you?
I recommend this book to anybody who loves reading and is open minded.
I am not saying a lot more about the story, but it is worth being discovered, the characters are so well written, I haven't been a teen in, okay, not saying exactly... decades, but what I remember of it makes all the characters in this book true, sure, maybe a little too much happens in Ozzie's close circle, but if I wanted reality I would be reading nonfiction. Lots of drama, but the way the people are is as real as anyone you could meet.
I especially liked Calvin as a character I found echoes of myself in him. My story is very different from his, but in the end what happened to me when I was a baby has caused a mental illness and living with it that I recognize in Calvin.
I found the ending very satisfying even though I had not guessed the reason for the universe shrinking. I'll give a warning to people on their tablets because mine doesn't seem to cut the spoilers like the computer does, the rest of the paragragh is a nono, fair warning.
Spoiler
I'm not sure I was wrong in thinking Ozzie in the throes of a psychosis, having had one, I knew how much it can alter your perception of reality and even though it is not exactly what the book seems to hint at, I can see it as what Ozzie was living... or I could believe it is a sci-fi explanation, I just don't think it isI haven't read a lot of young adult literature since I've been an adult so I'm not comparing the author within the genre, but with all the books I've read (and I do have an eclectic reading list) and he's very, very good. I will have to pace myself or I won't have anything to read by him too soon; I always feel bad about devouring a book when I think of all the hours invested in writing it and me just zooming through it, don't you?
I recommend this book to anybody who loves reading and is open minded.
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love this book. It's the second book by Hutchinson that I've read, and I think he's a new favorite author. I love not knowing what will happen in a book, and this book was really unpredictable.
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Sometimes it’s hard to focus on what’s right in front of me when all I can think about are the things behind me.”
The only way I know how to describe this book is as The Perks of Being a Wallflower meets Donnie Darko. It's a brilliant blend of science fiction and emotional drama with a terrific cast of queer characters whose sense of humour keeps this book full of serious topics entertaining.
I think it would be easy to find Ozzie frustrating but I just found him fascinating and I had to know what was going on in his head. I loved the relationship he developed with Calvin and how his friendship with Lua - a wonderful genderfluid character in their own right - evolved over the course of the novel. And props to how Hutchinson wrote about Calvin's depression and self-harm - sensitive and realistic without sensationalising what he was doing to himself.
But I must say, I did find the ending a bit of a letdown. By all means, reveal why the universe was actually shrinking and why no one remembered Tommy, Ozzie's first love, but it was disappointing to have the new friendships Ozzie had made ripped away.
An unusual novel full of emotion that is sure to delight fans of AS King and genre-defying fiction.
Warnings: self-harm, domestic abuse, injury detail, homophobia, transphobia, past adult/minor relationship, some ableism.
Thought-provoking and dark, but ultimately hopeful. Definitely an older YA/early adult novel, with honest and compassionate portrayals of mental illness. Excellent genderqueer character, as well, for those who (like I do) crave accurate and loving depictions of themselves.
I'm mad that I was so sluggish and reluctant to read this book. once I actually got into it I finished it in one day. it was such a good book. the characters were interesting enough that I felt connected to them. I felt as though the issue that were hap0ening could happen to any of us. who is to say if any of us are real?
This also shows how involved we are with our own universes
This also shows how involved we are with our own universes
Damn, never read a book so beautifully written as this one. And the way lgbtq characters were described in this story was so different from what you usually read. I loved every bit of this story. So emotional but at the same time beautiful and deep.
I can’t wait to read more of this author!
I can’t wait to read more of this author!