Reviews

Representation: Black characters
Score: Seven points out of ten.

This version of Long Way Down circled my recommendations for a while and when I saw this in a library I visited, I immediately wanted to pick it up. Soon enough, I did and then I read the Long Way Down adaptation, but not before glancing the blurb. Despite being heavy, this story was enjoyable, leaving me wondering what the original text is like.

It starts with the first character I see, Will, whose last name remains undisclosed with his brother Shawn, when someone shot him, and no one reported on it. That is all according to the rules: don't cry, don't snitch and, most prominently, get revenge. Thus begins Will's quest to get Shawn's gun and shoot the shooter but he gets on an elevator and has to wait until it reaches the ground floor. In the elevator, Will meets other people who have died in a shooting, all due to the third rule. Once someone shoots another person and they get revenge, the cycle neverendingly continues. Sometimes the poetry is part of the art, which I enjoyed observing. The pictured helped me visualise the story more, but the poetry wasn't that impressive. It was one of many examples where someone pressed the Enter key many times and called it 'poetry.' The conclusion is open, as it's unclear whether Will will get revenge or break the third rule. I hope he chooses the latter.

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was such a heartbreaking and poignant read. It was so powerful and holds great impact.

The author utilises this story in graphic novel form to truly capture the depth of cyclical violence within young people, particularly. It portrays how they are especially vulnerable and can become victims of violence.

The story focuses on Will who has just lost his brother, so now he plans to go by the rules. ‘No. 3: Revenge.” In his attempt to get retribution for his brother’s death he is visited by people from his life, who were also victims of the same violence.

The author leaves the ending a mystery, it has you questioning whether Will actually goes through with his plans. This was a really good touch to the book because it’s a good way to get the readers wondering if the cycle has finally been broken.

The novel really plays on the readers empathy; as the reader I was emotional from the beginning and my heart was breaking for Will—not just because he lost his brother, but also because he thinks he has to carry out revenge; he believes he has to go by the rules; continue the cycle of violence. He was a victim himself.

Finally, I loved the artwork. The watercolours were done so well and was such a beautiful addition to the story.

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