Hello and welcome to today's promotional stop for Robin Roe's A LIST OF CAGES, which was released yesterday from Disney Hyperion! I'm so thrilled to team up with Disney to celebrate the release of Robin's debut. Below you'll find my review, and a GIVEAWAY! First, here's a little bit about the book:
ABOUT THE BOOK
By: Robin Roe
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Released on: January 10th, 2017
Add it to Goodreads
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, in exchange for my honest review
When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian--the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years.
Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.
First-time novelist Robin Roe relied on life experience when writing this exquisite, gripping story featuring two lionhearted characters.
This book absolutely broke my heart. I haven't felt so gutted reading a book, in a long time. I feel like I'm a mixed bag of emotions writing this review. There's so much I want to say, yet I feel like not much needs to be said about this book. This is an emotional gripping, raw, troubling, powerful, hopeful, kind of read. Roe holds nothing back. Her writing will break you, and at the same time she will have you rooting for the two main characters, and their friends.
I'm not a big contemporary reader. I think the reason is because I get so sucked into the books I'm reading, that when I read a book like this, I have a harder time emotionally detaching from the book when I'm done reading it. My word, Julian's story ripped my heart out. All I wanted to do, is do exactly what Adam's Mom does.
This story feels far to real. Roe's debut is a book that won't be for everyone. There are definitely a lot of triggers in this book. This is a book that while it's troubling at times to read, there's power, hope, and a voice in this book that hopefully someone who has been in or is in a situation similar to Julian's, will find.
Friendship is a huge part of this book. It's a friendship that goes beyond age, and demographic. It's a friendship that is more of a brotherhood/family, between Adam and Julian. I loved what Adam does for Julian. It's something that starts out as friendship, and, and grows into something that is much more like a big brother protecting his little brother. Adam's acts of kindness really stand out in this story. This is a friendship that just clicked, and it's one that's hard to describe, but once you read it, you'll know the kind of friendship I'm talking about. It's a life long one.
It's hard to read all that Julian endures. Very hard. It's troubling knowing that this book is someone's reality. Roe doesn't hold back on writing those reasons. They're brutal, raw, and utterly heartbreaking. There's also power in this book. There's power that comes in the form of the support Julian receives from Adam, and those close to Adam, whom become Julian's own tribe. They lend him their voices and support, until he can find his own voice, and on his own inner strength.
There is also hope! Things aren't perfect, and nothing can erase what Julian's spent years enduring. However, with his support group around him, Julian's story ends with hope, and the endless possibilities for his future.
This story does contain scenes that may be a trigger for some readers. There is abuse, and mentions of abuse. There is also some mild language, and nudity, that may make this book unsuitable for younger YA readers.
I'm not a big contemporary reader. I think the reason is because I get so sucked into the books I'm reading, that when I read a book like this, I have a harder time emotionally detaching from the book when I'm done reading it. My word, Julian's story ripped my heart out. All I wanted to do, is do exactly what Adam's Mom does.
This story feels far to real. Roe's debut is a book that won't be for everyone. There are definitely a lot of triggers in this book. This is a book that while it's troubling at times to read, there's power, hope, and a voice in this book that hopefully someone who has been in or is in a situation similar to Julian's, will find.
Friendship is a huge part of this book. It's a friendship that goes beyond age, and demographic. It's a friendship that is more of a brotherhood/family, between Adam and Julian. I loved what Adam does for Julian. It's something that starts out as friendship, and, and grows into something that is much more like a big brother protecting his little brother. Adam's acts of kindness really stand out in this story. This is a friendship that just clicked, and it's one that's hard to describe, but once you read it, you'll know the kind of friendship I'm talking about. It's a life long one.
It's hard to read all that Julian endures. Very hard. It's troubling knowing that this book is someone's reality. Roe doesn't hold back on writing those reasons. They're brutal, raw, and utterly heartbreaking. There's also power in this book. There's power that comes in the form of the support Julian receives from Adam, and those close to Adam, whom become Julian's own tribe. They lend him their voices and support, until he can find his own voice, and on his own inner strength.
There is also hope! Things aren't perfect, and nothing can erase what Julian's spent years enduring. However, with his support group around him, Julian's story ends with hope, and the endless possibilities for his future.
This story does contain scenes that may be a trigger for some readers. There is abuse, and mentions of abuse. There is also some mild language, and nudity, that may make this book unsuitable for younger YA readers.
Praise for A List of Cages
"A remarkably gripping and moving tale of a life saved—in more than one way—by the power of friendship."
—Emma Donoghue, best-selling author of Room
"As inspiring as it is heartbreaking, A List of Cages is a hero story you will never forget."
—Tamara Ireland Stone, best-selling author of Every Last Word
"A poignant, hopeful story about loss, grief, abuse, and the transformative power of friendship."
—Amber Smith, New York Times best-selling author of The Way I Used to Be
* "A triumphant story about the power of friendship and of truly being seen."
—Kirkus Reviews starred review
* "A page-turner with a lot of compassion."
—Booklist starred review
About the Author
Robin Roe has a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a master's from Harvard. She counseled adolescents in Boston before she moved to Dallas, Texas to run a mentoring program for at-risk teens. This is her first novel.
Official Links + Social Media
Visit Books.disney.com
Follow Robin Roe on Twitter
#AListofCages
#BeBrave
ENTER TO WIN
One (1) winner receives:
- A copy of A List of Cages
- Plus a $50 Visa gift card to put towards a day of friendship.
Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Anne from Anne of Green Gables is my best literary friendship ever.
ReplyDeleteKell and Rhy from A darker shade of magic!
ReplyDeleteI really like Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights!
ReplyDeleteMeg, Jo, Beth and Amy in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI like Tom and Huck in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
ReplyDeleteI have to go with the Classic Golden Trio of Hermione, Ron, and Harry. Those are so ride or die (literally) friends right there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win; the book sounds awesome and I really love that the focus is on male friendship.
my favorite is the greasers in the outsiders!
ReplyDeleteI love Pooh and Piglet! They are adorable together!
ReplyDeleteI love the friendship of the children from Little House on the Prarie.
ReplyDeleteI think "literary friendship" refers to friendship between writers. "Friendship in a book" is probably the term that refers to friendship in a book. I guess the characters in "The Wind In the Willows" would be true friends.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read this book. It sounds absolutely amazing. I've been hearing nothing but great things. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI used to like the Babysitters Club friends.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite literary friendship is that between Frodo and Sam from the Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteheather hgtempaddy@Hotmail.com
Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Bennett and Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteSancho Panza and Don Quixote in Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKay and Mary in The Group
ReplyDeleteMeg, Jo , Beth and Amy from Little Women and Ann Shirley and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables.
ReplyDeleteI definitely pick Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
ReplyDeleteThe trio from The Serpent King!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite friendship is told in A Taste of Blackberries.
ReplyDeletePoirot and Arthur Hastings from Agatha Christie mysteries. The first books that got me hooked on reading.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are Pip and Herbert from Great Expectations.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite friendship was Jem and Tessa from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
ReplyDeleteI love lots of friendships but the strongest one to survive lots of stuff in a series I love is Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
ReplyDeleteHarry, Ron, and Hermione is my favorite friendship in books.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Travis and Old Yeller for the book Old Yeller
ReplyDeleteSafiya and Iseult from yhe Witchlands series.
ReplyDeleteWilbur and Charlotte from Charlotte's Web. I wish I had a friend that was willing to save my life!!
ReplyDeleteLegolas and Gimli from the Lord of the Rings!
ReplyDeleteI like Elizabeth and Jane from Pride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite literary friendship is Lena Kaligaris, Tabitha (Tibby) Rollins, Bridget Vreeland, and Carmen Lowell from Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. I just love their friendship!
ReplyDeleteWinnie the Pooh and Piglet.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth and Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice. I also love Harry and Ron in the Harry Potter books.
ReplyDeleteErika W.
Harry, Ron and Hermonie from Harry Potter series
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite is Pooh and Piglet.
ReplyDeletePoor and Tigger
ReplyDeletetweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
Pooh and Tigger
Deletetweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous review Katie :D Yay for liking this one; but sorry it wasn't all awesome. It do sound pretty good and heartbreaking. Ack. It looks gorgeous, though :)
ReplyDelete