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pavithra_alice 's review for:
Bruiser
by Neal Shusterman
All because we longed for healing and happiness—as if happiness is a state of being. But it’s not. Happiness is a vector. It’s movement. Like my own momentum across the pool, joy can only be defined by the speed at which you’re moving away from pain.
I read this on a whim, intrigued by the premise, thinking it'll be some light fantasy romance read, but how so wrong I was! I didn't know what I was signing up for when I started but halfway through I realized it's much more than what I intended to. But I am just so glad I read it because this book? This book is original and heart wrenchingly beautiful.
"I’ve always considered myself so strong, so willful; but here is the truth: I don’t even have the strength of will to steal back my own misery."
You don't just read and wait for the couple to end up together, don't follow the characters uncovering the mystery of the gift/superpower the hero possesses. No, you just watch what happens and how their lives play out because of it. You wouldn't know what to expect, but you just read and observe every word because its just that good. I don't want to go into that, because everything I want to say feels spoilerish, but I can and need to say a few things.
The story is told from 4 POV's. A lot, I know, but each voice is so distinct and unique that you won't find it troubling at all. I enjoyed each one so much, especially Brewster's free verse, it was so very well done.
You brought us a new light,
But that light is false.
So is darkness better
Than a heartfelt lie?
What if we could live without emotional pain forever? Before this book, I would've said "wow, that would be great," but now? I am not so sure. What's life without pain anyway? It sure is not happiness, it'll be numb. I've never thought much about emotions in this light this book has portrayed before, but now I feel and understand how important it is to own them. That your emotions are also one of the things that makes you you. You don't grow if you don't feel anything, the pain, sorrow, hurt, grief, heartbreak and despair, but be in a constant state of contentment. It is okay to not be okay. We are humans who are designed to experience a whole range of emotions after all. We should only be worried if we feel nothing.
“What’s the point of living if you’re going to hate the world? Guard your heart if you have to, but don’t shut it away.”
Overall, Bruiser took my breath away in a good way. I loved it so much. I don't know how I didn't have it in me to read [a:Neal Shusterman|19564|Neal Shusterman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246977170p2/19564.jpg] before. Have I been living under a rock? I should definitely check his other books out. It both excites and scares me that there are so many amazing books out there, excited to find and read them and scared that I wouldn't be able to read many uff. Anyway, I am so glad I have the power to feel emotions(even the bad stuff, I am trying), thanks to this book. So, read this book and own your emotions y'all.
I read this on a whim, intrigued by the premise, thinking it'll be some light fantasy romance read, but how so wrong I was! I didn't know what I was signing up for when I started but halfway through I realized it's much more than what I intended to. But I am just so glad I read it because this book? This book is original and heart wrenchingly beautiful.
"I’ve always considered myself so strong, so willful; but here is the truth: I don’t even have the strength of will to steal back my own misery."
You don't just read and wait for the couple to end up together, don't follow the characters uncovering the mystery of the gift/superpower the hero possesses. No, you just watch what happens and how their lives play out because of it. You wouldn't know what to expect, but you just read and observe every word because its just that good. I don't want to go into that, because everything I want to say feels spoilerish, but I can and need to say a few things.
The story is told from 4 POV's. A lot, I know, but each voice is so distinct and unique that you won't find it troubling at all. I enjoyed each one so much, especially Brewster's free verse, it was so very well done.
You brought us a new light,
But that light is false.
So is darkness better
Than a heartfelt lie?
What if we could live without emotional pain forever? Before this book, I would've said "wow, that would be great," but now? I am not so sure. What's life without pain anyway? It sure is not happiness, it'll be numb. I've never thought much about emotions in this light this book has portrayed before, but now I feel and understand how important it is to own them. That your emotions are also one of the things that makes you you. You don't grow if you don't feel anything, the pain, sorrow, hurt, grief, heartbreak and despair, but be in a constant state of contentment. It is okay to not be okay. We are humans who are designed to experience a whole range of emotions after all. We should only be worried if we feel nothing.
“What’s the point of living if you’re going to hate the world? Guard your heart if you have to, but don’t shut it away.”
Overall, Bruiser took my breath away in a good way. I loved it so much. I don't know how I didn't have it in me to read [a:Neal Shusterman|19564|Neal Shusterman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246977170p2/19564.jpg] before. Have I been living under a rock? I should definitely check his other books out. It both excites and scares me that there are so many amazing books out there, excited to find and read them and scared that I wouldn't be able to read many uff. Anyway, I am so glad I have the power to feel emotions(even the bad stuff, I am trying), thanks to this book. So, read this book and own your emotions y'all.