swhence's review
challenging
reflective
sad
5.0
In just 320 pages, 'Ultimatum' is packed with emotions. The story is about two brothers struggling to mend their broken relationship. While the older brother Vance is about tough love and expressing oneself, Oscar is soft-spoken and sensitive. Somewhere along their life, they stopped communicating their feelings. When difficult things begin to happen, they are forced to find a common ground.
Both the brothers had a lot going on in their lives and my heart was breaking for them. With more hardships, Oscar was building up a shell, while Vance had to be tough and clean up after everything. Through their struggles, they realised that their parents were people, with flaws. Despite what life put them through, the brothers were trying their best.
I was very invested in the story and could not stop reading. The alternative narration between Vance and Oscar was smart and both their voices were distinct. In brief, the story of these two brothers is worth reading.
Both the brothers had a lot going on in their lives and my heart was breaking for them. With more hardships, Oscar was building up a shell, while Vance had to be tough and clean up after everything. Through their struggles, they realised that their parents were people, with flaws. Despite what life put them through, the brothers were trying their best.
I was very invested in the story and could not stop reading. The alternative narration between Vance and Oscar was smart and both their voices were distinct. In brief, the story of these two brothers is worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
mustlovemustypages's review
5.0
Rated this 5 stars purely because there was one 1-star rating on this book. It doesn't even come out until next year people. Don't be that person.
jessicamarywrites's review
5.0
We're running a giveaway of this amazing book! Visit RRWrites.com to enter the giveaway and read an excerpt!
meganlouise815's review
4.0
I received a free ebook copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This was a raw, emotional and heart-breaking novel about grief, mourning, alcoholism, and family relationships. It tells the story of two brothers - popular and sporty Vance, and quiet, different Oscar - who lost their mother and are about to lose their father. I love how the chapters switch between Oscar telling the present story, and Vance telling their story from 2 years ago. I can't recommend it enough.
This was a raw, emotional and heart-breaking novel about grief, mourning, alcoholism, and family relationships. It tells the story of two brothers - popular and sporty Vance, and quiet, different Oscar - who lost their mother and are about to lose their father. I love how the chapters switch between Oscar telling the present story, and Vance telling their story from 2 years ago. I can't recommend it enough.
themoodyambr's review
4.0
This book was really heartbreaking. You have two brothers who are basically on the different side of the spectrum. Vance, popular lacrosse player and sort of selfish and then introverted Oscar. He loves drawing and classical music. Both boys have lost their mother and now they are both about to lose their father. This story focuses a lot on grief, alcoholism, regret and closure.
This book was really good. It was so emotional and deep. It was told in the perspective of the brothers. Oscar in the present day and Vance in the past leading up to the present day. I enjoyed that format. You see how Vance sort of grows up from before his father landed in the hospital to present day and Oscar becomes more sure of who he really is. The family of the two boys was very dysfunctional. Dad was always drinking, Vance always into sports and Oscar is a recluse majority of the time.
The brothers show growth and even though they dealt with death and grief and wasn't really sure where the future held for them at the end they was able to set aside their differences and be brothers once and for all.
*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM NETGALLEY FOR A HONEST REVIEW*
This book was really good. It was so emotional and deep. It was told in the perspective of the brothers. Oscar in the present day and Vance in the past leading up to the present day. I enjoyed that format. You see how Vance sort of grows up from before his father landed in the hospital to present day and Oscar becomes more sure of who he really is. The family of the two boys was very dysfunctional. Dad was always drinking, Vance always into sports and Oscar is a recluse majority of the time.
The brothers show growth and even though they dealt with death and grief and wasn't really sure where the future held for them at the end they was able to set aside their differences and be brothers once and for all.
*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM NETGALLEY FOR A HONEST REVIEW*
booksonhermind's review
5.0
I'm crying so much! This was beautiful. It took a while but I started seeing Vance change and Oscar change. Vance and Oscar both realized how wrong they were about their parents and about each other. Such a beautifully written story. And how it all came together... K.M. Walton can write.
bookcaptivated's review
5.0
This book focuses on complicated family relationships. The brother-to-brother interaction was so strained their whole lives. They have to face their issues when they realize they may be all each other has left if their father passes away. The format really worked for the story as you read Oscar's real time reactions and Vance's past memories.
More...