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A review by sapphistoire
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
2.5
I really had mixed opinions about this book. On the one hand I absolutely adored the whole NASA space program aspect. I loved all the hype around the mars mission, the sort of "found family" among all the astronauts families and when the experts talked about their different projects - you can really tell that Phil Stamper loves what he's writing about! I loved the drama with the news station and the last 20 or so percent of the book was so much fun, I really had a ball reading it! I also really appreciated the discussion of mental illness (for the most part) and therapy in particular, especially this quote - "People aren't broken, and therapists couldn't fix them if they were. But maybe someone can make things a little better, or help them be a little happier"
However, I did have a few pet peeves about the book. I didn't really like the main character at all. He was very selfish and really does not know how to communicate! He fell out with his best friend over something quite silly very early on in the book, didn't contact her for half the book, gave her a pretty meh apology and everything was fine again? I also didn't like how he kept pushing Leon to apply to universities, particularly when he supposedly understands how tough Leon's battle with his mental illness is. Furthermore, I also wasn't a fan of the relationship, unfortunately. It was the biggest case of insta-love I have seen in a long time! They knew each other for about a week and decided they were in love with each other! The pacing felt very off and I just couldn't really get into it, but I did think by the end they were quite cute together (when they finally decided to communicate!)
Overall, a fun, quick read but not the best ya contemporary I've read recently!
However, I did have a few pet peeves about the book. I didn't really like the main character at all. He was very selfish and really does not know how to communicate! He fell out with his best friend over something quite silly very early on in the book, didn't contact her for half the book, gave her a pretty meh apology and everything was fine again? I also didn't like how he kept pushing Leon to apply to universities, particularly when he supposedly understands how tough Leon's battle with his mental illness is. Furthermore, I also wasn't a fan of the relationship, unfortunately. It was the biggest case of insta-love I have seen in a long time! They knew each other for about a week and decided they were in love with each other! The pacing felt very off and I just couldn't really get into it, but I did think by the end they were quite cute together (when they finally decided to communicate!)
Overall, a fun, quick read but not the best ya contemporary I've read recently!