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thefreckledbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Special thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of his book!! I appreciated how this was a quick, and easy read, and the chapters are short, which makes it easier to take breaks. There were a few spelling mistakes / sentences that didn't quite make sense, but overall well written. It's definitely a writing style that can appeal to many readers.
This novel is full of twists and turns. I, however, would've liked to see more diversity.. this story was really about white, cis, and straight teenagers. But, I enjoyed this book nonetheless.
So anyways, this is the story of Wilder, and how he needs to come to terms with his disfigurement as a burn survivor. Throughout the book, he beats himself up about his scars, and he has a general pessimist attitude. I appreciated reading about his character growth, especially when he realized that fixing his scars won't miraculously heal him on the inside. This book wasn't written to feel sorry for Wilder. It's about not letting your past haunt you forever and on how to overcome those obstacles that prevent you from moving on, especially when you experienced a traumatic event(s). It's a beautiful coming of age novel, that's for sure.
The main characters in this story are relatable, and human. The teenagers felt very real and all played a different role in the High School "system". I wish there had been more of Lane, I really loved her and her dark humour. And that black hole metaphore
This novel is full of twists and turns. I, however, would've liked to see more diversity.. this story was really about white, cis, and straight teenagers. But, I enjoyed this book nonetheless.
So anyways, this is the story of Wilder, and how he needs to come to terms with his disfigurement as a burn survivor. Throughout the book, he beats himself up about his scars, and he has a general pessimist attitude. I appreciated reading about his character growth, especially when he realized that fixing his scars won't miraculously heal him on the inside. This book wasn't written to feel sorry for Wilder. It's about not letting your past haunt you forever and on how to overcome those obstacles that prevent you from moving on, especially when you experienced a traumatic event(s). It's a beautiful coming of age novel, that's for sure.
The main characters in this story are relatable, and human. The teenagers felt very real and all played a different role in the High School "system". I wish there had been more of Lane, I really loved her and her dark humour. And that black hole metaphore
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
Wilder Tate was horribly burned when he was 10 years old. Despite the burns and the bullying, he has become a good basketball player. Now he is starting high school, at a new school. He na dPreston are the only 2 kids from their old school to make this transition. Even though they weren't friends at the old school, out of solidarity, they bond at the new one. The new school has heard of Wilder though, both for the burns and for his basketball prowess. To his surprise, he starts making friends. But then things start going terribly wrong....
LOTS of swearing, some teen drinking, bullying, a character who was sexually abused (no graphic details - definitely a trigger warning though!). This book is intense in many ways but thought provoking and well-written.
LOTS of swearing, some teen drinking, bullying, a character who was sexually abused (no graphic details - definitely a trigger warning though!). This book is intense in many ways but thought provoking and well-written.
amysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
The Escape of Light is a coming-of-age novel whose protagonist, Wilder, was severely scarred when he was a child and now has to try and live a normal life with very visible scars on his face and body. Navigating high school is already tricky, but for Wilder, it’s extra hard, and as he begins his sophomore year, he’s about to discover that the new people he’ll meet will complicate things even more.
The tone of this novel really reminded me of John Green’s style; I don’t often like YA, but although the protagonist of this novel was a teenager, it wasn’t at all guilty of the YA stereotypes which I don’t like. A good example (and part of the reason I like John Green) is that the dialogue wasn’t just “text talk” or trying to imitate a young person’s language and just completely missing the mark. It was realistic, authentic, and felt relatable. Plus the quippy remarks between Wilder and his friends were funny and plausible, made me like the characters, and definitely part of this reason I enjoyed this novel so much.
I think there were parts of the novel which could have been fleshed out a little more, most specifically the basketball element. I would have liked to see more of that part of Wilder’s life, and perhaps gain more of an understanding about why it means so much to him. On the other hand, I really like the character Lane – she was likeable, quirky, and it would be easy to see how she would be everyone’s favourite character in the book. Again, she was also very plausible and if she had been based off a real person, I wouldn’t have found that hard to believe at all.
There was something very compelling about how Wilder dealt with his situation, and his outlook on life, despite the hand he had been dealt. He’s definitely not the kind of person that would want everyone’s sympathy, but at the same time, you can’t help but think he definitely didn’t deserve what he got. I don’t think Venturini wrote this novel with the point of making you feel sorry for Wilder, but rather, see what can happen if you don’t let your past haunt you.
Beginning with Wilder recounting how he got his scars, and ending with the high-school prom, this novel was the perfect coming-of-age story, with a sympathetic protagonist, and an enjoyable and fast-paced storyline. Venturini got the voice of his characters spot-on and allowed for enough twists in the plot that I was never bored or able to anticipate what would happen next. He has succeeded with The Escape of Light, and I would happily read his work again.
The tone of this novel really reminded me of John Green’s style; I don’t often like YA, but although the protagonist of this novel was a teenager, it wasn’t at all guilty of the YA stereotypes which I don’t like. A good example (and part of the reason I like John Green) is that the dialogue wasn’t just “text talk” or trying to imitate a young person’s language and just completely missing the mark. It was realistic, authentic, and felt relatable. Plus the quippy remarks between Wilder and his friends were funny and plausible, made me like the characters, and definitely part of this reason I enjoyed this novel so much.
I think there were parts of the novel which could have been fleshed out a little more, most specifically the basketball element. I would have liked to see more of that part of Wilder’s life, and perhaps gain more of an understanding about why it means so much to him. On the other hand, I really like the character Lane – she was likeable, quirky, and it would be easy to see how she would be everyone’s favourite character in the book. Again, she was also very plausible and if she had been based off a real person, I wouldn’t have found that hard to believe at all.
There was something very compelling about how Wilder dealt with his situation, and his outlook on life, despite the hand he had been dealt. He’s definitely not the kind of person that would want everyone’s sympathy, but at the same time, you can’t help but think he definitely didn’t deserve what he got. I don’t think Venturini wrote this novel with the point of making you feel sorry for Wilder, but rather, see what can happen if you don’t let your past haunt you.
Beginning with Wilder recounting how he got his scars, and ending with the high-school prom, this novel was the perfect coming-of-age story, with a sympathetic protagonist, and an enjoyable and fast-paced storyline. Venturini got the voice of his characters spot-on and allowed for enough twists in the plot that I was never bored or able to anticipate what would happen next. He has succeeded with The Escape of Light, and I would happily read his work again.
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