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bettielovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
People who know me know I am very affected by the sad, and boy! There’s sadness in this book, so I cried and I cried and I cried a little more, but I still loved it, even though I thought it wasn’t shown enough how Rusty and Andrew fell in love, we were told more than, I just love the way Shaun writes, really do and it was sad but I felt the sadness what justified and there was hope at the end.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Andrew Brawley lives in a hospital. Ever since his family died in a car crash a few months ago, he's told himself that he will never leave the hospital, just like they never did. He's adamant that he'll wait for death. The authorities are looking for him but he's good at hiding. He has friends and a job, he's fine.
Then another boy comes in, Rusty, who's suffered a great trauma, and things change for him. Now there's a new person in Andrew's life who he's pulled toward. Andrew wants to help Rusty. And in the process, he finds himself opening up about things that he's kept locked up ever since his life turned upside down. They feel a kinship, these two kids who are both afraid of the outside world. Andrew because of his guilt and his belief that he doesn't deserve to live. And Rusty because of the pain the outside world holds.
This is a sad book. Andrew is shoving down so many things. And, in his mind, he's made up reasons for why he's doing what he's doing. At first, you're confused at what's going on with him. Then, as you get to know him and what happened to him, you understand his feelings and his methods of coping.
And while Rusty seems like a very important part of the novel, and he is, he's not the only important part. Rusty is going through his own problems and he matters to Drew. But we also have Drew's two friends who live in the pediatric ward. We have Drew's boss in the cafeteria and three ER nurses who he's befriended. They all play an important part in Drew's life and they're all developed well. Usually, with quite a few character, you find yourself mixing them up but here, it didn't happen even once. And I liked all of them too. I cared about them and what they meant to Andrew.
The story pulls you in through its characters. I do think that, at one point, the book became too sad. Like, you're supposed to build up to the big, bad moments. But when it's one after the other without much ceremony, it's not as effective. And I feel like the author started slacking a little toward the end. The emotional punches stopped landing. Also, I'm just not sure how I feel about the ending.
I liked this novel. I thought it was well-written, easy to get through and with really good characters. But toward the end, things went a little wrong. Maybe it was rushed... I think it might have been. But overall, a good book.
Then another boy comes in, Rusty, who's suffered a great trauma, and things change for him. Now there's a new person in Andrew's life who he's pulled toward. Andrew wants to help Rusty. And in the process, he finds himself opening up about things that he's kept locked up ever since his life turned upside down. They feel a kinship, these two kids who are both afraid of the outside world. Andrew because of his guilt and his belief that he doesn't deserve to live. And Rusty because of the pain the outside world holds.
This is a sad book. Andrew is shoving down so many things. And, in his mind, he's made up reasons for why he's doing what he's doing. At first, you're confused at what's going on with him. Then, as you get to know him and what happened to him, you understand his feelings and his methods of coping.
And while Rusty seems like a very important part of the novel, and he is, he's not the only important part. Rusty is going through his own problems and he matters to Drew. But we also have Drew's two friends who live in the pediatric ward. We have Drew's boss in the cafeteria and three ER nurses who he's befriended. They all play an important part in Drew's life and they're all developed well. Usually, with quite a few character, you find yourself mixing them up but here, it didn't happen even once. And I liked all of them too. I cared about them and what they meant to Andrew.
The story pulls you in through its characters. I do think that, at one point, the book became too sad. Like, you're supposed to build up to the big, bad moments. But when it's one after the other without much ceremony, it's not as effective. And I feel like the author started slacking a little toward the end. The emotional punches stopped landing. Also, I'm just not sure how I feel about the ending.
I liked this novel. I thought it was well-written, easy to get through and with really good characters. But toward the end, things went a little wrong. Maybe it was rushed... I think it might have been. But overall, a good book.
jazz1e_01's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely slow burn romance that is propelled by a horrible accident that happens to one of the mmc.
I enjoyed that their relationship isn’t the main plot point of the story it’s secondary to his cat and mouse chance game his is playing with child protective services.
I would be careful when reading this because there is duplication of physical assault, loss of family members, depression and suicidal ideation.
I enjoyed that their relationship isn’t the main plot point of the story it’s secondary to his cat and mouse chance game his is playing with child protective services.
I would be careful when reading this because there is duplication of physical assault, loss of family members, depression and suicidal ideation.
uzername's review against another edition
5.0
im jus shocked nobody realized he was squattin in the hospital
bwolf16's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
moonbeamdmercutio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jessicajessica101's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Est-ce qu'on peut juste prendre une petite éternité de notre vie pour dire à quel point ce livre est magnifique ? A quel point les personnages que l'auteur a crée volent notre coeur dès le début, à quel point l'histoire nous entraîne, à quel point ce livre aborde tous ces sujets, d'une façon si juste qu'il est impossible d'en ressortir indemne ? Est-ce qu'on peut parler des larmes que j'ai versé pour ces personnages que j'ai appris à aimer si vite et si fort ?
Ce livre est tout simplement magnifique, et je commence à penser que c'est là le talent de Shaun David Hutchinson. Ses livres sont à la fois banals et singuliers, ils abordent tellement de sujets important mais avec une quasi légèreté qui nous prend aux tripes, l'angle avec lequel il aborde ces sujets est à chaque fois particuliers, et tellement captivant qu'il est impossible de lâcher ses yeux de son talent une fois qu'on a commencé un de ses lèvres, et surtout ses personnages, mon dieu, ils souffrent de tout ce qu'ils ont vécu, ils souffrent tellement, ils voient le monde d'une façon qui les étouffe mais quelque part ils parviennent à vivre bien plus que les autres. Ils apprennent qu'il y a une vie pour eux, qui les attend juste, ils apprennent que même si ils souffrent, ça ne sera jamais de façon permanente. Ils apprennent qu'il faut aimer, plus que tout, car c'est le seul moyen de survivre.
Ce livre est tout simplement une merveille, et je le conseille du fond du coeur.
Est-ce qu'on peut juste prendre une petite éternité de notre vie pour dire à quel point ce livre est magnifique ? A quel point les personnages que l'auteur a crée volent notre coeur dès le début, à quel point l'histoire nous entraîne, à quel point ce livre aborde tous ces sujets, d'une façon si juste qu'il est impossible d'en ressortir indemne ? Est-ce qu'on peut parler des larmes que j'ai versé pour ces personnages que j'ai appris à aimer si vite et si fort ?
Ce livre est tout simplement magnifique, et je commence à penser que c'est là le talent de Shaun David Hutchinson. Ses livres sont à la fois banals et singuliers, ils abordent tellement de sujets important mais avec une quasi légèreté qui nous prend aux tripes, l'angle avec lequel il aborde ces sujets est à chaque fois particuliers, et tellement captivant qu'il est impossible de lâcher ses yeux de son talent une fois qu'on a commencé un de ses lèvres, et surtout ses personnages, mon dieu, ils souffrent de tout ce qu'ils ont vécu, ils souffrent tellement, ils voient le monde d'une façon qui les étouffe mais quelque part ils parviennent à vivre bien plus que les autres. Ils apprennent qu'il y a une vie pour eux, qui les attend juste, ils apprennent que même si ils souffrent, ça ne sera jamais de façon permanente. Ils apprennent qu'il faut aimer, plus que tout, car c'est le seul moyen de survivre.
Ce livre est tout simplement une merveille, et je le conseille du fond du coeur.
charlotteg's review against another edition
3.0
The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley is an amazing and well written book full of interesting metaphors. (My favorite is Death=counselor) It probably deserves 5 stars. I just did not enjoy it that much. I am soooo glad that I read it on my eink nook (black and white) because that graphic novel was GORY!!
timvindigni's review against another edition
4.0
Halfway through and I was bracing myself for a 3 star (which is a good rating).
I was enjoying myself, but it just felt like something was missing. We Are the Ants is (I think) my favorite book of all time. So I was kinda holding it to that standard and waiting for something special to happen.
Then the second half hit and I realized I should have never questioned Shaun’s ability to take things to the extreme. I like that I am somewhat confused by the ending. I think I get it, but I’m also second guessing myself. Which personally, I enjoy.
I was enjoying myself, but it just felt like something was missing. We Are the Ants is (I think) my favorite book of all time. So I was kinda holding it to that standard and waiting for something special to happen.
Then the second half hit and I realized I should have never questioned Shaun’s ability to take things to the extreme. I like that I am somewhat confused by the ending. I think I get it, but I’m also second guessing myself. Which personally, I enjoy.