riverquinn 's review for:

Release by Patrick Ness

4.75

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing 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

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Release // Patrick Ness

spoilers, probably 

How do you let go? What does it take to find your release?

Like most books, I went into this without knowing a thing. And I must say, the book surprised me in arbitrary ways that made me love it even more.

The entire book happens in the span of merely a day, and yet it is still an encapsulating experience, that tugs at your heartstrings at all the right moments. 

The writing, brilliant. The voice acting, phenomenal. The book is a serene yet

I identified with the characters, and felt their struggles, most especially with the main character, Adam. 

His struggles with coming to terms with his identity and sexuality, especially under a christian household, it made me feel for him. The confusion over your feelings for someone who doesn’t care, not enough. The accidental rejection of those who do.

I adored even more his relationship with his best friend, Angela. Their “til the end of the world” relationship absolutely captured what it’s like to love someone platonically. It’s beautiful, I have no more words.

Another thing I liked about the book is that it’s almost 2 books in one. Alongside our protagonist’s journey, we see the story of a soul unrested merged with the supernatural. Now that side of the story is absolutely wild, I love it, and how it converged with the main plotline at the end.

Going back a bit, I love how Adam’s relationship with his family is portrayed. I’m probably not gonna elaborate much on it, for this is a sensitive topic for me, but I must say it hit very close to home. I will, however, talk a bit about a particular scene.

There was a scene in church, between Adam and his father. Adam telling his father in detail about his homosexuality and relationship with his partner, while the homophobic father screams prayer at him, trying to pray away the “demons” within his gay son. No child should ever experience that, and yet too many do. It’s such a horrific scene, in a way that it’s too real. I was in shock the whole time, both at the absurdity of his father’s christianity, and at the raw emotion Adam screams back at him. I loved every bit of it.

And one last thing, I just wanna say that the way Adam’s older brother stopped in his tracks and turned around, finally coming to the realization that the way his parents are isn’t very christian. I like that, we love character development.

Any-who, this was a profound experience. One of heartbreak, love, and what it means to truly release what’s been holding you back.