Release (Release)

by Patrick Ness

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

3.5*

There were parts of this book that I loved and found so, so important. And then there was a part that I kind of found... unnecessary maybe? But most definitely this was much more good than not. 

I loved Adam's story. Well, I didn't love it, because it was all so damn unfair to Adam. His family was wholly unsupportive of him because of his sexuality. While they all behave like a bunch of asshats, Adam's father is the asshattiest of the bunch. And he uses his conservative religion as an excuse to be cruel to his son. So yeah, to say I felt for Adam is an understatement. He's at such a tumultuous time in life, there are changes happening all around him (being vague on purpose!) and the people he should be able to count on are simply not there for him. The thing is, this is heartbreakingly real- Adam is not the only young person who will go through this, sadly. Frankly, this made Adam's story all the more devastating and important. 

But Adam does have people in his life who are awesome! He has a best friend who is there for him, and I love their relationship! And he has a complicated love life that reads as so, so realistic. He's struggling to get over past loves, figuring out his feelings for current ones. Another aspect of this book that I loved: it's incredibly sex-positive. 

The one thing I wasn't a fan of? There are chapters throughout the book that focus on... some kind of supernatural entity. (Again, being vague purposely.) I just never understood the point of these characters or chapters? Even after the book was finished, I was left wondering why they were in the story at all. To me, it took away from Adam's story more than it added to it. 

Bottom Line: A fabulous story about a young gay man who is trying to navigate a time of upheaval in his life without the support of the people who are supposed to be in his corner. It's heartbreaking at times, but also uplifting, and absolutely a book worth reading. I won't blame you if you skip the random chapters, though. ;) 

*Copy provided for review