A review by kaylascomet
Criterium by Tyler Jones

dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Heartbreaking, tragic story of grief, pain, and loss.

I usually avoid stories about addiction, as I find them tragic in a way that's all too prevalent in real life. I want escapism!

That being said, I'm so glad I decided to check out Criterium. The story follows Zach, a boy whose father struggled with addiction and who becomes an addict himself, following a path of self-destruction until he finds a creepy paranormal bike.

Is the entity a force of good? Evil? Neutral? It's a journey of self-discovery, leading to a vivid and existential conclusion.

Your own pain was all you ever saw, and it became so big that it made the world.

Lines like the above are succinct and visceral, and they cut like a scalpel in this book.

The story is a quick read with a tight narrative and rapid pacing. Definitely worth the read.