A review by anntharai
The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson

dark hopeful reflective sad fast-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

5.0

Jfc this book is devastating. Like. If you have a button, this story pushes - and not just the big ones in big obvious ways. It's the little ways it reminds you of things, the one liners that you need to pause and think about, but for others will just pass them by. Which, is really apt considering one of the main mechanics of the story. 

It's fucking terrifying, sad, hopeful.  Ita about trauma and finding yourself, inevitability and searching for good. 


I picked this up because it caught my eye in the new arrivals but I'm gonna be thinking about this book for years. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Biphobia, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, and Sexism

Moderate: Gun violence, Body shaming, and Kidnapping

Minor: Eating disorder