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A review by book_mark_shelf
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
3.0
I saw this book being heavily advertised in my social media and I seen it was available on my local library’s website on audiobook, so I decided to take a chance on audio for a change and I am still trying to figure out if it was a good or a bad decision. I enjoyed Cal’s and Leon’s story, especially the NASA mission and the fact that all the involved families are included in a ‘reality’ show. It reminded me of a less messed up version of the Hunger Games, the bigger picture not the action! Or maybe big brother would be a better analogy.
Cal is a very successful social media journalist and has many followers because of the truth and coverage he has on the NASA missions. Then, his dad was accepted as an Astronaut with NASA for a possible mission to Mars (Orpheus Mission). Cal and his family then have to relocate to Houston for his dad to take on this new position, meaning Cal having to leave his friends behind in Brooklin.
Cal was not prepared for the level of coverage and stardom from ‘Star watch’ who covers the news, updates and drama of the Orpheus project. He was now the interviewee and he was being watched like big brother!
All is not bad though because Cal meets Leon, the son of another Astronaut. Leon was a gymnastic but could no longer cope with the pressure of this sport and slipped into a depression. The author shows great insight into depression that most LGBTQIA+ teenagers experience and how that affects people, showing how lonely it is.
This is a great coming of age story and identifying ones self in the world but I feel that romance is a little stale. I feel like the author could look at more in the romance of the two young characters with cupid’s arrow.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook but, I don’t know if it is just me, but I think I would prefer to read more than listen. So, this is my preliminary review until such time I read the book.
I have rated the audiobook 3 stars. I did enjoy the story, but as I said audiobooks may not be for me and I feel that the author could delve more into the romance between the two characters.
Cal is a very successful social media journalist and has many followers because of the truth and coverage he has on the NASA missions. Then, his dad was accepted as an Astronaut with NASA for a possible mission to Mars (Orpheus Mission). Cal and his family then have to relocate to Houston for his dad to take on this new position, meaning Cal having to leave his friends behind in Brooklin.
Cal was not prepared for the level of coverage and stardom from ‘Star watch’ who covers the news, updates and drama of the Orpheus project. He was now the interviewee and he was being watched like big brother!
All is not bad though because Cal meets Leon, the son of another Astronaut. Leon was a gymnastic but could no longer cope with the pressure of this sport and slipped into a depression. The author shows great insight into depression that most LGBTQIA+ teenagers experience and how that affects people, showing how lonely it is.
This is a great coming of age story and identifying ones self in the world but I feel that romance is a little stale. I feel like the author could look at more in the romance of the two young characters with cupid’s arrow.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook but, I don’t know if it is just me, but I think I would prefer to read more than listen. So, this is my preliminary review until such time I read the book.
I have rated the audiobook 3 stars. I did enjoy the story, but as I said audiobooks may not be for me and I feel that the author could delve more into the romance between the two characters.