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A review by aprildiamond
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
5.0
Wow. Where do I even start?
I opened this book and barely two pages in someone was already punching a locker and I was like
And then not even 2 pages later a DEAD CHICKEN makes an appearance and I just got progressively more shook.
That really hyped me up and kind of encapsulated what the book was going to be like. What caught my attention right away was the narration. Sal is funny and immediately engaging. And the book was funny. And when we meet Gabi, she is incredible. The two main characters basically jump off the pages, because they're so full of life and written amazingly well.
I normally go for plot-driven books as opposed to character-driven. Like, even if I don't totally care for the characters, I'm still able to enjoy books with good plots. Vice versa, not really. But this one is definitely an exception. The sci-fi plot isn't the main focus here - it's what the characters are going through. It's about life, and learning, and growing, and the connections we make with other people. And it's all told through 2 kids who are living and trying their best. Because Sal and Gabi are so real and imperfectly perfect, their story is compelling to me even though I wouldn't really go for this type of book otherwise.
The book was funny, but I also cried more than once. It just hits different so many times. (honestly near the end I nearly rioted whenI thought Iggy was going to die. I was almost devastated. )
Some more stuff I loved:
-Gabi dads!! omg (the whole book was very inclusive yay)
-their SCHOOL??? it sounded so cool I wanted to go there
-the fact that Sal didn't hate/dislike his stepmom (his family was so cute)
-the ending at the hospital :)))
-hilarious dialogue
-it's just very wholesome.
Best Scene Award:
This was so hard to pick but I think it has to be the scene in class where Gabi brings out her LIE DETECTOR in front of EVERYONE to make Sal tell the truth. The RIVALRY. The SHOWMANSHIP. The whole thing was just *chef's kiss*
Runner up is definitely Gabi's introduction. When Yasmany said "My lawyer is coming" as he's sitting in the principal's office? absolutely nothing could have prepared me for that iconic moment.
I would recommend this for anyone. beautiful and entertaining :)
I opened this book and barely two pages in someone was already punching a locker and I was like
And then not even 2 pages later a DEAD CHICKEN makes an appearance and I just got progressively more shook.
That really hyped me up and kind of encapsulated what the book was going to be like. What caught my attention right away was the narration. Sal is funny and immediately engaging. And the book was funny. And when we meet Gabi, she is incredible. The two main characters basically jump off the pages, because they're so full of life and written amazingly well.
I normally go for plot-driven books as opposed to character-driven. Like, even if I don't totally care for the characters, I'm still able to enjoy books with good plots. Vice versa, not really. But this one is definitely an exception. The sci-fi plot isn't the main focus here - it's what the characters are going through. It's about life, and learning, and growing, and the connections we make with other people. And it's all told through 2 kids who are living and trying their best. Because Sal and Gabi are so real and imperfectly perfect, their story is compelling to me even though I wouldn't really go for this type of book otherwise.
The book was funny, but I also cried more than once. It just hits different so many times. (honestly near the end I nearly rioted when
Some more stuff I loved:
-Gabi dads!! omg (the whole book was very inclusive yay)
-their SCHOOL??? it sounded so cool I wanted to go there
-the fact that Sal didn't hate/dislike his stepmom (his family was so cute)
-the ending at the hospital :)))
-hilarious dialogue
-it's just very wholesome.
"I know that's not how you treat people, especially not people who are trying to do better."like period!
Best Scene Award:
This was so hard to pick but I think it has to be the scene in class where Gabi brings out her LIE DETECTOR in front of EVERYONE to make Sal tell the truth. The RIVALRY. The SHOWMANSHIP. The whole thing was just *chef's kiss*
Runner up is definitely Gabi's introduction. When Yasmany said "My lawyer is coming" as he's sitting in the principal's office? absolutely nothing could have prepared me for that iconic moment.
I would recommend this for anyone. beautiful and entertaining :)