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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
This was such a cool and interesting book. Initially I thought it was just a coming of age story about August and Eli, but later on there were twists and turns that really shocked me! It’s definitely good to go in blind on this one. The writing in this novel is so imaginative and creative, you really feel like you are seeing the world through a young boys’ eyes. The book was a bit abstract, sometimes confusing but so good. The last 100 pages were shocking, twisty and unexpected, keeping me up til late in the night to turn that last page. It was a whirlwind and I’m not even sure what happened there at the end but it was a satisfying ending that was tied up so nicely. It may take a few days to fully process this read and may be one I read again! Also, makes me want to read all of Trent Dalton books!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Wow! A brilliant thriller set in the environs of Brisbane, Australia, centered on the teenage years of a boy struggling to deal with his separated parents, traumatized mother, alcoholic father, mute older brother, and the criminal drug world that surrounds them. Mentored by a paroled old man who served decades for a murder he probably didn't commit (based on a true story), the boy and his brother seek meaning in life while forced to deal with the trauma and daily challenges of their reality. Taut, beautifully written, spell-binding. Thanks, Jim H!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I was really looking forward to reading this book for a long time. I think it suffered from me overhyping it, as I found it especially hard to get into at the beginning. However, as I kept reading, I found myself increasingly pulled in, and as I got used to the flowery prose, I started to enjoy it a lot more. The ending pulled together a lot of strings from the very beginning of the book, and tackled some serious and philosophical overarching questions in a satisfying yet ambiguous way. Some things seemed melodramatic, but then again I’ve never been the child of drug dealers, so there’s that.
I appreciate the meticulous planning that went into this book, and I’m pretty sure I liked this one a good, good bit!
I appreciate the meticulous planning that went into this book, and I’m pretty sure I liked this one a good, good bit!
This has been one of my best reads of the year. Loved the narrative voice and thought he and his brother were awesome. I've gifted this to my nephew for Christmas (he lives in The Gap, Brisbane so thought he'd enjoy the setting too) and if he doesn't love this as much as I do we may not be able to get along anymore.
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent
Completely one of a kind and indescribable.
Don’t look up the synopsis, just read it!
Don’t look up the synopsis, just read it!
dark
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated