xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This short audiobook packs a punch. Dead serious.
So, this story feels like the author plucked a moment of time out of Trev's life and showed us all the facets, as if showing off a jewel. Trev is so scared of what will happen when his stepfather (SF) gets released from jail that he works super hard to build his muscles. He wants to be able to throw hands the way his SF does so he can protect his mom from SF.
Trev thinks a lot and has several conversations with all his Uncles (not blood but still family) about throwing hands and escaping the projects. He's told over and over again, even by his teacher, that he has promise, and is warned again and again that throwing hands will destroy his chances of escape.
I think one of my favorite lines was from his teacher. She told him (paraphrasing here), "Do not let the promises you make ruin YOUR promise."
Now that I think about it, this story feels like the modern version of those books that now-dead philosophers wrote, where a main character goes around talking with others and learning what they believe in, and it's kind of more a moral treatise than a story. But this really works.
So, this story feels like the author plucked a moment of time out of Trev's life and showed us all the facets, as if showing off a jewel. Trev is so scared of what will happen when his stepfather (SF) gets released from jail that he works super hard to build his muscles. He wants to be able to throw hands the way his SF does so he can protect his mom from SF.
Trev thinks a lot and has several conversations with all his Uncles (not blood but still family) about throwing hands and escaping the projects. He's told over and over again, even by his teacher, that he has promise, and is warned again and again that throwing hands will destroy his chances of escape.
I think one of my favorite lines was from his teacher. She told him (paraphrasing here), "Do not let the promises you make ruin YOUR promise."
Now that I think about it, this story feels like the modern version of those books that now-dead philosophers wrote, where a main character goes around talking with others and learning what they believe in, and it's kind of more a moral treatise than a story. But this really works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Death
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