This is the story of Oby- a pyromaniac teenager trying to find where he fits in. His story takes place over the course of a year.

Though I wasn't sure how I'd enjoy a coming of age story from a boy's perspective, I ended up liking it. Oby is the kid that most people either knew or were from their childhood. He found an outlet of fire and explosives that sadly caused a misfortune. But once he got some direction with the help of a teacher, he had a clear goal for where he wanted his life to go.

There was the acclimation to Ben Rogers not using quotation marks to designate when people are speaking. It did make it a little hard to read, but at the same time it made sense since this story is Oby reflecting on that year.

Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story of growing up. Granted, there were some moments I needed to take a step back from. But ultimately I enjoyed this story and how Oby's life grew over a summer.

A coming-of-age story that checks all the boxes:  first kiss, budding sexuality, fitting in...and with a few explosions thrown in for good measure.  Young Oby is a boy whose obsession with anything combustible will lead him down the path to adulthood, while meeting some interesting characters along the way.  Entertaining and compulsively readable, I highly recommend this one.

A bit slow-paced, but a very full action-packed story with enough wit to sharpen a stick. I would say that there was a little bit too much info-dumping at times, while also occasionally leaving us wondering what on earth is going on. But all-in-all this was a fun read. Experiencing something new in this world is beautifully eye-openning.

This should have been a boring read. I don't care about explosions, or really a boy's coming of age, but it was engaging.

Oby is all about explosions and aim to win a Nobel prize. Along the way toward this dream he starts accidental fires, literal and figurative, in the lives of those around him.