💛💛💛💛💛 / 5

🌶️.5 / 5

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Review:
I don’t really know how to describe this book, other than saying it was beautiful. Beautifully written, but also a beautifully raw representation of grief and the inner turmoil of not feeling good enough. Kristin stripped each of her characters back to the bare bones of their being and managed to construct a story of grief, companionship and healing without properly revealing their backstories, not an easy feat. I cried, I laughed, I grieved and then I slowly started to heal along with Atlas.

I cannot recommend this book enough, it’s a fantastic book to bridge the transition between YA and NA by tackling important topics while also allowing the reader to take a breather and laugh through their tears (I will admit to doing this a lot). The last 10 chapter has me silently sobbing at every other page while smiling as I wiped away my tears. Honestly an emotional rollercoaster that I really want to read again.

Atlas was written so incredibly well, I think a lot of misunderstood and ignored teenagers and people will relate to her and her outlook on life. I adored that her found family allowed her to be herself and feel what she needs to feel with out invalidating her emotions or pressing her to share her grief. But also her journey and personal growth was superb, I was rooting for her the whole time while also wanting to tear my hair out, but I’m so happy she achieved what she needed to.

I could honestly talk about this book for hours, but it’s late and I stayed up LATE last night finishing this book so I’m tired and I’ve a new book to start! Please read this book, it’s incredibly powerful and a perfect way to embody your emotions.

At the core of the story, it is about a girl called Atlas (also known as Maps) who is grieving the loss of her father after watching him battle against cancer. Now feeling broken and alone, she begins to act out and eventually gets put onto a program to help her. This program basically puts troubled teens together where they have to go on a long hike to try to help them overcome the issues they are facing. On this hike, she ends up finding a family with other kids who are also struggling and in doing so, helps her heal a little. She also ends up meeting King who she begins to have feelings for.

I really enjoyed their romance and how it is explored throughout this story without it taking away from the grief Atlas was dealing with. I loved the balance between her dealing with her grief and whilst also her finding love which helps her heal in some ways but the grief is always there which is realistic. I also love the way that the story builds connections between the characters and the way they see each other as family is so wholesome.

This story moved me in so many ways and I think it sends out a real powerful message of family, love and dealing with grief.

Axie Oh was so not lying when she blurbed this book, picking up the broken pieces of your heart is exactly how this book feels.
I’m not a big cryer when it comes to books and films or really in general but I am someone that has lost a parent at a relatively “young” age or at least I still felt young and very cheated by my mothers death. It felt unfair and harrowing in a way that is so hard to come to terms with and to express but this book is so spot on with the experience of my own grief it had me sobbing on several occasions.

Simple lines such as this one about the burial of her fathers ashes resonated so deeply with me:

“Something about it just never felt like the goodbye I wanted for him. So now he sits inside cardboard and tape behind winter coats I never use”

My mum is still on my bookshelf behind a TBR that’s destined for dust, nothing seeming quite good enough or time never feeling quite right to do anything.

This book expresses expertly how letting go is painful and angry, how grief is loud and quiet all at the same time and Dwyer manages to mix such raw emotions of grief with a love story and amazing character growth. I’m actually in complete awe of this book and it will stay with me for a very long time.

Cried multiple times!! I loved how this book showed Atlas navigating through her grief in some of the most unconventional ways, and her abusive internal monologue made me extremely sad. I could see how so many of her relationships were strained by this. When she finally started talking and getting help her life began to change and while there will always be this giant whole that was her dad in her life I felt like by the end she was living for herself again. Plan to re read again this summer!!

Following the untimely loss of her father, Atlas joins a group of misfits on what promises to be a transformative hiking trip as part of a community service program. However, lies and withheld secrets jeopardize the group's budding camaraderie, in turn complicating Atlas’ growing attraction to her team leader.

Dwyer's portrayal of grief in this book is tender and heartfelt, offering a compassionate exploration of the difficulties and complex emotions tied to losing a loved one. As Atlas grapples with her grief, we are presented with a lost and confused teenage daughter at a crossroads in her life—an ideal setup for a compelling coming-of-age story.

The budding romance between Atlas and King is a natural and inevitable part of the narrative, although a deeper insight into King's character and backstory could have strengthened this element. The main conflict later in the story also unfortunately drifts a little too much into melodrama territory, but this is mostly forgivable considering the genre and age of the characters.

The Atlas of Us is a strong sophomore novel that highlights Kristin Dwyer as one to watch in the world of young adult literature. In the meantime, I'll definitely be picking up her first book whilst low-key hoping for a follow-up from Junior's POV... 👀

Many thanks to Harper360 YA for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

“I’m sharp rocks that haven’t been softened by time. I’m still fractured and exposed and I don’t know how to be water.”

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Atlas James has lost her way. In a last-ditch effort to pull her life together, she’s working on a community service program rehabbing trails in the Western Sierras. The only plus is that the days are so exhausting that Atlas might just be tired enough to forget that this was one of her dad’s favorite places in the world. Before cancer stole him from her life, that is. Using real names is forbidden on the trail. So Atlas becomes Maps, and with her team—Books, Sugar, Junior, and King—she heads into the wilderness. As she sheds the lies she’s built up as walls to protect herself, she realizes that four strangers might know her better than anyone has before. And with the end of the trail racing to meet them, Maps is left counting down the days until she returns to her old life—without her new family, and without King, who’s become more than just a friend.

Atlas is not in a good place when we are introduced to her. She’s bitter with the world, a world that is moving on when she doesn’t want to, especially when it is without her father. I think she is a brilliant character. She doesn’t lose her identity when she becomes Maps, Atlas no longer. I had feared that she would change just because her name did but I’m glad this wasn’t the case. She really goes on a journey of self-discovery but also a journey on how to manage and understand her grief. It’s not a simple thing to recognise and accept but I do believe we get to see Atlas reach that point which is amazing. There is no overcoming grief - it’s always with us, just diminishes gradually over time until it’s no longer all consuming - and Atlas allows hers to go from consuming her to being by her side, a companion in life.

I wasn’t sure on what to expect in this book but the blurb intrigued me and I wanted to give it a go. And I am glad I did! The plot is very well paced, going to day to day seamlessly and making short time jumps whilst not being jarring. I found myself flying through this book gladly, feeling engaged the entire time which I love! The characters were interesting too. They were all in a situation together but all had their own approaches, influenced by their pasts. I really like how different they were but successfully worked as a team together on the trail. There was a lot of yearning in this story and I am here for it! The nice thing was, it didn’t overshadow the overall tone of the book or the focus on the most important thing - grief. The way grief is addressed is beautiful. I am in the very lucky position that I have not experienced grief to the extent Atlas has but seeing her journey here was very eye-opening and felt incredibly real. Dwyer balances the emotions perfectly, bringing a blend of positive and negative feelings to life whilst Atlas navigates this new position in her life. I think Dwyer has done a brilliant job with this story. The ending made me rather emotional too. I cannot think of a better way for Atlas’s story to end than how it did.

Overall, The Atlas of Us is a book that handles grief perfectly and had me sucked in from the start.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and HarperTeen for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on 12th April. It is live now on Goodreads.

Ah! The emotions, the feelings! Ladies and Gentleman, ready the tissues! Tears guaranteed!
The Atlas of Us is a beautiful story that deals with topics of grief, depression, sadness. In very beautiful way it portrays the healing journey, dealing with heartbreaking past and embracing new beginning.

Atlas James - the main character of the story - is lost. Not only she experiences the loss of her dad but also feels lost in her life. She failed to graduate from high school, lost her job, her friends and doesn’t seem to have any purpose in life.
With her mum’s last effort to help her and her dad’s bucket list in hand she embarks on a journey to complete the hiking trail her dad never got the chance to.
During the journey she makes new friends. Friends that quickly become her new family, people that may understand her pain and struggles without the judgement.
Will the journey be cathartic? Will she be able to come back to her old life?

This was my first book by Kristin Dwyer and it won’t be the last. Her writing style is absolutely beautiful and it so easy to get lost in the story. It’s addictive and enticing and full of emotions. Characters felt very real and explorations of grief and loss meaningful. The found family trope was a true highlight of this book. Romance felt a little bit insta love but it grew on me and I loved all the tender and quiet moments between the characters.
Be careful, this story will touch your soul and squeeze your heart. You will cry, but you will be happy about it!
Quickly, add this book to your tbr! You won’t be disappointed!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Simran at Harper360Ya ; HarperCollins Children’s Books/HarperTeen for sending eARC my way! I had amazing time reading!

This book is one that will stick you. While providing an alternative view of what happens after high school, Atlas deal with the overwhelming grief of losing her dad at such an important time in life. Story was written to keep reader engaged while dealing with overarching big issues, sprinkled with fun dramatic aspects and falling in love. While the romance is a little one sided and not real deep on the love-interest's development, it is still a love story to be enjoyed.

I'm a huge fan of the author's debut Some Mistakes Were Made, and I was so very excited to read this one. And it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! This novel is so poignant, heart-wrenching, and emotional that at times I had to put the book down and breathe a bit. My reader's heart went out to the main leads, and I was totally engrossed. I don't want to write too much because I feel this is a book that's better approached without prior knowledge-- it packs quite a punch to the gut that way. Highly recommend.

Atlas has lost her way. In a last-ditch effort to pull her life together, she’s working on a community service program rehabbing trails in the Western Sierras. The only plus is that the days are so exhausting that Atlas might just be tired enough to forget that this was one of her dad’s favorite places in the world. Before cancer stole him from her life, that is.

This was an unexpected treasure. I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. From the beginning, I was a little skeptical because I was not sure if it was my thing but after about 5 chapters, I was engrossed and could not put this down. I read it in pretty much one sitting.

The characters were all so likeable and there is nothing more I love than found family. I cried a handful of times because of the friendships between the characters and the fall outs between the characters.

I can't describe how much I needed this book and I did not even realise it.

I rated this book 5 stars.

What an incredibly moving book. I knew absolutely nothing about camping/trail culture and was still able to follow along with the antics of Maps, King, and their crew. I sleuthed out some of the relationships prior to secrets being revealed but that didn't detract from the reward of the reveals.

Trigger warning: if you are particularly sensitive to stories involving cancer & death of a loved one and the ensuing grief, please be aware that this book includes those topics frequently.

I have a soft spot in my heart for chosen family stories, and this tale definitely incorporates that theme along with a compelling narrative about love and grief that I found completely heartrending and contemplative.

Thank you so much HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars
From the moment that I read the first, I knew this was a book that would leave me reeling. And it did. When I finished reading The Atlas of Us , I felt such profoundly intense emotions, ones that I hadn't felt in a while. Kristin Dwyer's writing style is so immersive, I could clearly see myself as Atlas and feel all the emotions she was feeling. This book is a such a beautiful exploration of grief, loss, love and family and your identity as well.

Reeling from the loss of her father, Atlas has been struggling. And because of that, she finds herself enrolled in a wilderness rehabilitation program with others, except under a different name. Maps. As Maps, Atlas carves out a new identity for herself, one where she is not drowning because of her grief, but is a thriving college student with a great social life. Dwyer has done such a fantastic job of portraying grief and loss and how that affects everything you do, and has done it in the most perfect way.

The Atlas Of Us is a heartwrenching, but heartwarming (one of my favourite phrases to use) book and I am truly not going to stop thinking about it.

A great read for people dealing with grief, especially ones who like the outdoors. The descriptions of the trials is great. I like the vulnerability that is shown by all of the characters. It is nice to see kids away from screens and learning to appreciate nature and each other. I am happy with the ending.

A fairly standard plot any more - teens sent into nature to help cope with grief. The combination of manual labor and separation from their normal life helps them connect with people on a deeper basis and come to realizations about themselves. The plot doesn't tread any especially innovative ground but the plot and characters remain believable.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper360YA for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It delves into grief and the lasting impact it leaves on the ones left behind. At its core Atlas is trying to figure out herself and who she is without her dad. This book explores sadness, depression, anger amongst other emotions, and it was executed beautifully. At times this book had me welling up at the emotions, and other times i felt frustrated with atlas and her decisions. What this book shows is how much a journey grief is for people, and having a secure group of people to be there for you really helps. The cast of characters each felt vivid and really made this book come to life. The author had a way of describing the setting that really transports you with the characters. Overall, this book will stay with me for ages, and i would highly recommend picking this up!!
(*4.5)

I gave this book a 3.5. This was such a great story about grief, love and healing. I enjoyed the found family elements of this story the most,

Kristen does it once again. Her storytelling is just so relatable and refreshing. Gosh. I just love her stuff. Anyone who reads this. Just recommend it. 1000/1000.

This was such a good book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an early copy of The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer.

DNF

I honestly only made it a few chapters into this book and I could already tell that the characters and story would just not be for me.

I really did enjoy this author's debut novel - full of first love angst and drama = and while I knew this one would have more of the same, I don't think I'm the right reader for this story.