Reviews
It's mostly Julian's story — but Adam's point of view is necessary to get the big picture. Julian's world is so small — from his attempts to cope with his anxiety, to how his uncle is treating him, to his own shyness. http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
4,5 stars! I read this in New Years Eve and this is me in the middle of splashing fireworks: Sadly the ending wasn't for me. It was too rushed and not very well executed. But of course the ending didn't stop me from loving this enough to give this 4,5 stars. It has amazing characters. Here we have Julian, who has dyslexia and got adapted by his abusive Uncle when his parents died. And Adam, he was once Julian's foster brother. And their friendship is so heartwarming. Adam is a wonderfully caring person, he has bubbly personality and Julian is sweet-sweet boy that you just couldn't help but loving him. And Charlie who seemed like a jerk at first but yall know what happened next!! It was such an amazing read with an important message about child abuse that we didn't get to see a lot in book. I would recommend this to everyone but just to warn you, the abuse scene might too much for some people.
this is such!! an emotional!! read!! again, i personally love stories about platonic relationships. and this book really shows that. the brother-like relationship of adam and julian is really touching. though, not everything is touching because of course, the main topic of this book is about child abuse and mental health. some of the abuse scenes really made me uneasy but that shows how amazing the writing is, showing us the raw reality of unlucky children like julian. its really painful.. but at the other side, there is hope. and there's warmth.
this book feels like a punch in the face. it also feels like a warm hug » “Adam…do you think we have missions?” He looks at me with a confused expression. “What kind of missions?” “Things we’re meant to do.” “I don’t know. Do you think you have a mission?” I shrug, disappointed. If Adam doesn’t know, then I guess no one does. A girl turns onto our hall, eyes red and sad, and as she passes, Adam sends her a smile. Her whole face brightens and she sends him a smile back. Hate ricochets, but kindness does too.
Not enough people know about this book!!! I'm kind of at a loss for words right now. I knew what this book was going to be about based on the blurb; I knew it was going to be horrible and heartbreaking. Throughout the whole novel I felt like I was watching one of those scenes in movies that is awful to look at, but you just can't look away. A List of Cages is an extremely emotional book. There are such intense, heavy topics covered and especially when written from Julian's perspective they are so terrible to read through because Julian has no idea how terrible his situation is. The worst part is that this isn't even some sort of fantasy book that we can put away on our shelves and return to when we need a good story. Abuse happens to real people. The characters were spot-on. Sometimes, it is important for me to be able to relate to characters. Although I could relate to no characters in this book, I felt everything they felt. I slipped into the characters' minds and saw things from their perspective. I felt scared and lost and confused when reading Julian's sections. I felt angry when Adam realized what was going on. I felt the exasperation and frustration that Emerald felt when Adam was oblivious to her feelings. This book is just so filled with feelings. These characters felt so real to me. Each character was written with great care, and I cared about every single one (except Russell. He can fall off the face of the Earth into a black hole and get ripped apart, thanks.) The writing was amazing - not much to say there. The pace was a tad slow at first, but as I became more immersed in the story, the pacing seemed perfect. There were parts of the story that were sped through, and also pauses for hard-hitting emotional scenes. Honestly, I don't know what to say. I feel like anything I write in my review will not do A List of Cages justice. Set aside a day to read this book. Take it in. Maybe keep a box of tissues next to you, if you're the kind of reader who cries about books. Read it.
Loved it. Incredible writing and characterization. Very fast paced and emotional
this was a punch to the gut
Tries to deal with themes of child abuse and mental health but it just feels shallow, it's all surface level. Plot wise, things just happened because they needed to, and a lot of the scenes were just unbelievable.
Heavy read. It does not make me feel good. It was good tho.
I wasn't expecting what I got from A List of Cages, which is a good thing—it was a lot more complex and powerful and heartbreaking. It was so, so difficult to read Julian's story. I hope he is doing all right now. Julian is a very distinct character, and well-written and very realistic. His reactions to his abuse aren't singular—they jump around. He can be angry and accepting and frightened by it. The choice of a dual POV was one that actually added quite a lot to the story in this case, because Adam isn't just another view of Julian's pain. He has his own detailed and well-done character development, outside of Julian's story, that strengthens both stories. Adam's friends made me so happy, that they were there for Julian not because he was Adam's friend but because they had become Julian's. Both Adam and Julian had two distinct voices, which I enjoyed. I couldn't stop reading once I got to the middle and it was written really well. It's definitely not for the faint of heart but if you can stomach it, it's a really beautiful story.
I cried and I laughed and I felt a lot of things reading this book. I loved the friendships that were made in this story and the relationships. The things Julian went through in his life are heartbreaking and I loved watching his growth and journey throughout this story.
*4.5
Wow. This book is, just wow. First of all a massive trigger warning for everyone considering to read this; this book contains ‘graphic’ scenes about abuse. The blurb that Jennifer Niven wrote might explain best how I feel about this book; I love this book with all my heart. It’s beautiful and achingly real. A heartbreaking yet hopeful reminder that kindness and love can change the world.’ I can’t begin to explain how achingly beautiful this book is and how it brought tears to my eyes. All of these characters are so well written and so real and you can’t help but feel connected to them. Robin Roe did something special with this book.
Julian hates being in school. Reading aloud is a tortuous experience and his relations with his peers are nonexistent. He's been dodging meetings with the school psychiatrist, but her new aide, Adam, has been tasked with him fetching him to make sure he actually shows up. Adam is Julian's former foster brother and he has a particularly interest in seeing Julian do well. Over the year, it becomes increasingly clear that there are problems with Julian at home that Julian isn't willing to talk about or try to fix. The strength of this book falls firmly on the friendship between Julian and Adam. They've known each other for years - though they've not spoken since Julian's uncle took him in - so Adam is particularly protective of Julian, which is exactly what he needs. Even just including Julian in the parties and outings Adam and his friends have helps Julian so much because it gives him the peer socialization and support that he needs. Reading what Russell did to Julian was horribly difficult. And Julian's meek acceptance was even worse. I just feel emotionally drained from reading it and helplessly angry. Child abuse is always difficult to hear about, but to see it described from Julian's point of view is especially hard. I know telling these stories can be important because they show how not okay it is, but it's just so hard to stomach a child being treated so horribly.
What a powerful read. I'd highly recommend. RTC.
"It's strange how many ways there are to miss someone. You miss the things they did and who they were, but you also miss who you were to them. The way everything you said and did was beautiful or entertaining or important. How much you mattered."As I'm reading this book, I was quite shocked by its similarities with the previous book I just finished—Counting by 7s, which involves the main character losing both of their parents. Compared to that book, A List of Cages feels a lot darker and has a somber mood surrounding the story because it involves physical and verbal abuse (I don't know if that spoiled too much, but it is one of the main themes of this book that I have to discuss in my review). I've read a few books related with abuse in the past, but it's still difficult to read every single time. I felt so many emotions while I was reading this book; and I was completely immersed in Julian's life story."I've cried in pain and I've cried in fear, but these tears are different, like I'm breaking apart.""But why can't good things feel like forever? It was all so fast...before they left. I want to spin it back...slow it down. Why is time like that? Why does it slow down in the places you don't want it to, but it speeds away when you're happy?"There are two sides of the story: one is written from the perspective of Julian, and the second one is from Adam's perspective. The start of this book seems very mysterious because there are a lot of things we do not know yet. But slowly, as Adam got closer to Julian, the mysteries started peeling off piece by piece until we are exposed to the heartbreaking truth behind Julian's life. I'm not going into too much details to avoid spoilers, but I have to say I felt really bad for Julian throughout this book 😟. I feel like no one should be treated that way, and I'm sure at that moment Julian would feel very alone in this world. There are several parts in this book that is sickening to read because it's just so horrible 😥. But I'll gladly say that the story ended on a good note. A bit bittersweet and it made my heart ache a little, yet it feels like the perfect way to end this book. The more lighthearted side of the story is when Julian started opening himself up to Adam and his group of friends. It's like a breath of fresh air after reading all the harrowing part of this book. I'm really glad to see Julian's character development and how he was able to influence the people around him with his kind and innocent heart. It was quite touching to see his interaction with Charlie, Adam's best friend, who at first had a difficult time accepting Julian who's exceptionally quiet and awkward around other people. It proves how a loving and kind heart will touch other people's life in ways we never expected. "Hate ricochets, but kindness does too." Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though it was quite difficult to read at the same time. It taught me about a lot of things, especially about overcoming our fears—just like Julian did. This book also reminded me how words can be so damaging to a person if used badly. Even when the things being said might not necessarily be true, the person on the receiving end might perceive it as the truth and live their lives believing it. That's why it is just beyond me why someone would intentionally use words to hurt or even manipulate other people 😟. Anyways, I might read more of Robin Roe's works in the future because I really liked her writing in this one! 😊 "The things I know stay in my head as I stand on my own two feet at the end of the day, and I walk back to my room with my journal to write my list of cages." Read the full review here: http://www.thebookielooker.com/2018/0...
4.5 This book has been at the top of my TBR pile since the spring. Every time I was selecting a new book I would pick this one up first, think about it for a moment and then decide I wasn't emotionally ready for it and put it back. I started out the day listening to this book while I ran errands and did things around the house. Even after I turned off my audio, I couldn't stop thinking about Julian and promptly spent the evening curled up finishing this one with a box of tissues at my side. This book will shatter your heart into a million pieces. Julian loses both his parents in an accident when he is in elementary school. He spends the first eight months after their death living with a social worker and her son, Adam, whom he had been partnered with at school as a mentor and reading buddy. Julian's world is completely turned upside down again when an uncle-by-marriage is located and he is uprooted to live with the uncle. His uncle is an abusive and controlling man and quickly alienates Julian from anyone who might reach out and help him or recognize he is in trouble, including Adam and his mom The story starts with Adam, a senior, recognizing Julian, a new freshman, at school and the school year is told in alternative viewpoints between Adam and Julian. This is a tough book to read and covers loss and extreme abuse and a stark look at how almost every adult in Julian's life failed to recognize the signs of neglect and abuse. 4.5 only because I felt the pacing was a little uneven and as a teacher I always bristle when every teacher a character encounters is hateful and turns a blind eye to a kid in need.
** spoiler alert ** Actual rating: 2.75 stars. What I liked: -The quote: “I fall, kneeling inside Adam’s anger.” -The relationship between Adam & Emerald. -So much rep. Abuse rep (not the actual abuse but the way Julian talked and thought about it was very realistic.) “whatever courage i felt last night is gone.”, ADHD rep & Dyslexia rep. What I didn’t like: -the pacing. I almost dnf’ed this book not even 30 pages in because the pacing was awful. Part one of the book moved too slow and part two moved entirely too fast. -the dismissive/unreliable/overreactive while not being helpful adults: first of all miss west. O m g at one point miss west is a complete bitch to a student with cerebral palsy and it’s not challenged or fixed at all? She just is awful then moves on. Are we supposed to forgive her because of her loss??? Then there was the nurse who didn’t care about Adams ankle AT ALL and wrote him up for falling!!!? I- then there was the cop at the end that wasn’t being compassionate at all and threatened to arrest Adam. Lmao wth. -the abuse. While I do feel the abuse rep was genuine and well intentioned it just felt so intense and almost unbelievable?
amazing book filled with such lovable characters! (except russel - ugh)
It was very good and i absolutely loved topics that most people refrain from discussing. My only problem is that its very plot driven and i prefer more character driven stories which made it harder to be emotionally attached and fully invested with the characters and what was happening. However, it was still amazing story that i would recommend to anyone.
This is one special book. I basically had to finish it in one setting as I couldn't put it down. It has so much going for it and is heart-stoppingly sad but also celebrates the strength of a lovely kind heart of an ADHD boy and the wonder and beauty of good friendships that pull through all sort of teenage angst and personal issues. Must read.
I went into this book knowing just the bare minimum about a foster brother of the past popping up in the main characters life again. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but so many readers have said this book broke their heart and I completely see why. This book goes back in forth between Adam and Julian's POVs. Adam is a senior with ADHD and has a good group of friends that understand his tendencies to not stay still and talk a lot. The book address how his emotions are very different from those who do not have ADHD and I found that aspect intriguing to see in a teenager because I have personally worked with pre-k children with ADHD. Julian is a freshmen but seems to be much younger with his behavior and habits. His past and how is being "raised" plays a role that. Seeing Julian and Adam reconnect and slowly learning about their past was a little slow for me and at first I was kind of afraid it wouldn't get better. But I really wanted to know more about why they stopped being foster brothers so it kept me in and I am so glad it did. It was heart breaking and I feel like it tackled all the elements in a good way but I also am not completely educated in ADHD, foster systems, and all the other behavior/mental illnesses. But I couldn't help feel like it was all handled with respect for those who have personal experiences similar. My only complaint with this book was that I feel like the ending was a little to simple and wrapped up too fast. The beginning took its time yet the ending just rushed through. I think a few chapters more would have made this a 5 stars for me.
This took me awhile to finish cause I was having trouble getting into it.
A List of Cages could seemingly be just another YA book. And maybe for some it'll be. But what made this stand out for me was the writing. Roe's writing is simple, emotional and strong. Her characters are good, although I'd have liked to see more development on some of them. Adam and Julian are really good MCs and Julian just broke my heart over and over. So, the plot wasn't the best ever written and was, in fact, a little underdeveloped, I think. That aside, I still enjoyed this book and I'd reccommend it.