A review by juicelina
Bang by Barry Lyga

4.0

I wasn't really expecting much going into this book. I wasn't expecting it to be the best book I've ever read or the worst. I read Barry Lyga's Boy Toy a long time ago and I really enjoyed that one. I still think about it sometimes and it's definitely one I want to reread. So I've been meaning to pick up another one of his books.

I really liked how everything was done in this one. The impending suicide was not the main focus of this book, but it was always there. This book focuses more on the friendship between Aneesa and Sebastian. I really loved how it was done and how it turned out.

Spoiler

I like the fact that Aneesa and Sebastian didn't end up in a relationship. I like that Aneesa said that she just wanted to be his friend. I feel like it's weird of me, but I actually really liked that.

It didn't make it seem like having a relationship is going to suddenly make you feel non suicidal, but it does help. Sebastian isn't contemplating suicide because he's depressed (at least that's not really the vibe I was getting). It was more like something he felt like he needed to do. And he was experiencing more of a PTSD than depression. This was so interesting to read. I don't really know how else to describe it. Barry Lyga's books have a way of making you think (at least the two that I've read) and I really like that. It's probably not a book for everyone, but definitely worth the read.

Also the descriptions of food in this book made me so hungry and I'm so sad that I will never be able to taste any of Sebastian's pizzas :(