dani005's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Lyga's "I Hunt Killers" series where the character had so much depth as equally flawed as he had fantastic attributes as well. By comparison, the characters in this book seemed rather flat and static; neither having depth, to begin with and growing minimally if at all throughout the duration of the book. I love Lyga as a writer because of the talent I've seen in his other books but this one had little plot and you knew it exactly where it was going with little mundane acts to fill in the time and space as the book slowly got there. There was no surprise for me and nothing about the characters, plot or settings to make me fall in love with this book.
aprater's review against another edition
5.0
This book was tough to put down. The imagery evokes emotion and there were too many times I wanted to quote the insights to the world. I would be remiss if I did not mention the difficulty if the topics in dealing with death and life and the moments that frame a life. Certainly do not read this novel if you aren't ready to feel something or face your own humanity.
Although the entire book spoke to Me, some quotes are too good to lie just in memory of a good tale. "...wouldn't the world be boring if we were all the same? And wouldn't it be amazing if we were all different on purpose?" (p. 106) "I was so used to being an outcast that I thought only if what made her different, too, thinking that this bonded us..." (p. 286)
Although the entire book spoke to Me, some quotes are too good to lie just in memory of a good tale. "...wouldn't the world be boring if we were all the same? And wouldn't it be amazing if we were all different on purpose?" (p. 106) "I was so used to being an outcast that I thought only if what made her different, too, thinking that this bonded us..." (p. 286)
creeker868's review against another edition
5.0
This book tackles some major issues: Gun Violence, Gun Safety, Suicide and Racism. Sebastian killed his infant sister when he was just four years of age is this his defining moment? He is living with the guilt and wants to end it. The book is told from Sebastian's point of view it offers a realistic portrayal of his thoughts, his relationship with his parents and friends. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I thought Barry Lyga's treatment of the incident especially the later HISTORY chapter was brilliantly done.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
Finished reading: September 8th 2018
“Some things are private. And they should stay that way and they get to stay that way.”
Spoiler
I have been meaning to pick up another of Barry Lyga‘s books for ages. The Jasper Dent series is one of my absolute favorites and I had high hopes for Bang, but sadly it wasn’t as good as I hoped. This by no means had to do with the topic itself, which is really important and I appreciate the author shining a light on what is still considered a taboo. The question of having guns laying around with (small) children involved should never be ignored, as it can have devastating consequences. Likewise, depression and suicide should not be taking lightly either. That said, I felt that there was not enough focus on these two elements in Bang, the story instead concentrating on the whole pizza baking idea and contemporary romance scenes in general. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, since I’m a huge foodie myself, but the story fell rather flat for me. While there are some interesting elements, there was nothing that really stood out for me in Bang, with the topics that are most interesting and heartbreaking being pushed into the background. The writing is solid and some of the pizza recipes were mouthwatering good, but overall Bang wasn't what I hoped it would be.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
jhahn's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book. Hadn't seen this subject matter before. Brought some tears.
lazygal's review against another edition
5.0
Lyga has a real ear for how teens speak, and a great sense of how to portray their lives. Bang, his latest, may feel "ripped from the headlines" and perhaps sensationalistic, but with only one blip, it really worked for me. I won't spoil it for others, so I can't comment on that blip now... but the five stars is really four-and-a-half rounded up.
Sebastian's pizza, though? No recipes? Perhaps it's for the best... or maybe there'll be a real YouTube channel for the videos. A pizza lover can hope.
ARC provided by publisher.
Sebastian's pizza, though? No recipes? Perhaps it's for the best... or maybe there'll be a real YouTube channel for the videos. A pizza lover can hope.
ARC provided by publisher.
erincharp's review against another edition
5.0
Sebastian Cody accidentally killed his baby sister when he was 4 years old, practically a baby himself. Although he's years from that moment, he still firmly believes he does not deserve to live because he ended the life of Lola. He knows that he's living on borrowed time and soon it'll all end.
Enter Aneesa, a Muslim girl who moves into his neighborhood and makes Sebastian rethink things. Somehow, Sebastian forgets that his life isn't worth living, though it's always there in the back of his mind. Sebastian's journey really touched me. I can't imagine living life knowing that you killed your baby sister, even though no one in this world could ever fully fault you for it. This book was raw and real and really struck me.
Enter Aneesa, a Muslim girl who moves into his neighborhood and makes Sebastian rethink things. Somehow, Sebastian forgets that his life isn't worth living, though it's always there in the back of his mind. Sebastian's journey really touched me. I can't imagine living life knowing that you killed your baby sister, even though no one in this world could ever fully fault you for it. This book was raw and real and really struck me.
baronessekat's review against another edition
3.0
When he was 4 years old, Sebastian accidentally shot and killed his 4 month old baby sister. Ever since then he's dealing with the guilt of her death, his parents' divorce and the unspoken judgement of everyone he meets. He is just biding his time until his inner voice says it's time ... time to take his own life by gun and put everyone out of their misery.
Then the summer between Freshman and Sophomore year in High School, he meets Aneesa, a Muslim girl who has just moved into the neighborhood, and strikes up a friendship with her. She helps him find some fun in his life... but even still.. he waits for the voice to say yes.
+++
The story was... ok. I am not the target audience. I kept finding myself judging the adults in Sebastian's life who were clearly not helping him get the mental health treatment he AND they need. And unfortunately that truly colored my view to the entire story.
Then the summer between Freshman and Sophomore year in High School, he meets Aneesa, a Muslim girl who has just moved into the neighborhood, and strikes up a friendship with her. She helps him find some fun in his life... but even still.. he waits for the voice to say yes.
+++
The story was... ok. I am not the target audience. I kept finding myself judging the adults in Sebastian's life who were clearly not helping him get the mental health treatment he AND they need. And unfortunately that truly colored my view to the entire story.
harleyletoile's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars.
I wish I would’ve liked this book more, but I just didn’t. Don’t get wrong, it was sad. But it didn’t keep me invested. I feel like it was a little too easy to read.
I wish I would’ve liked this book more, but I just didn’t. Don’t get wrong, it was sad. But it didn’t keep me invested. I feel like it was a little too easy to read.
gneumann's review against another edition
5.0
One of the first books to make me cry in such a long time. I read it in one sitting. So visceral and raw and well written.