It's been awhile since a book have emotionally grabbed like this one. It's the story of two boys who's lives are connected and how life can be cruel and still redeeming.

If you liked Perks of Being a Wallflower, than I think this would be a read for you. It was honest and brutal at times, but so beautifully real and eye-opening.

Oh man, this book! I was apprehensive about reading it, because I started to read it, way back, either before it was published, or shortly thereafter, and honestly, I got scared about the subject matter. I knew that it had a boy being abused in his home, and I didn't want to read about him with that pain because I didn't want him to have it. But it deserved to be read, so I did. And it's a great book, but it is hard to read!

That this book is about a boy who is getting abused at home, that's an important topic that needs to be talked about. It unfortunately happens in real life, and having examples in fiction, of being seen, is a powerful thing.

We were in both Adam and Julian's perspective. So we see Julian, who doesn't really have a safe place, and believes he doesn't have anywhere to go. And we have Adam, who just wants to help. Seeing things from both their perspectives really rounded out the story.

If you're someone who gets emotional at books, this one will get you. I'm not one, but this got to me, just a little bit. The depression, the despair, the pain, these boys go through a lot, and this book really keeps close to what's going on.

This book is a great one to exists, and I'm so glad that it does!

Major TW for physical and emotional domestic abuse
TW: death, grief, self-preservation, bullying
Rep: dyslexia, ADHD

So, I got this as an eARC in 2017 and DNF'd it about 8 times. I couldn't get into it, and/or I had enough foreboding feelings about it that it wasn't something I probably could've finished back in 2017 and am even surprised I was able to finish now in 2022.

That all being said, I loved this book, but I'm also absolutely shocked that Disney published such a dark read. I thought it was going to be about a young gay romance (though idk if a gay romance is something Disney Publishing would endorse either but at least it'd have been more of an HEA). I was 5000% wrong, either way.

This book is about the foster system, domestic abuse, found family, brotherhood, and the things that trap us. Part one of the novel establishes the relationships and history of the characters - who they are, how they got to where they were (particularly Julian), and it builds up this expectation of an HEA.

Part two just shatters all of that. I don't think I've ever read a book that turned around so quickly (but realistically) - everything that built up in part one implies escalation, but holy crap. My heart. I honestly couldn't read the details or else I would've DNF'd again. The book gets dark, and real, and so utterly sad that my heart just breaks for the life Julian has had and what he's been forced to endure - both mentally and physically. I loved Julian and part of the reason I took off a star is because we don't get to see his healing arc as much as I thought we would after everything that happened.

I loved Adam's character - his general bright outlook on life was a huge juxtaposition to Julian's POV. I liked seeing his perspective and his acceptance of himself and others around him. I also loved how well developed his friend group was and how they accepted Julian into it (some more easily than others). The fact that each one of them got a little bit of a character arc for themselves, even with everything going on, was really nice to see, especially Charlie.

The end as a whole was mostly why I took a star off for - while I did like it, it felt unfinished (which makes sense because realistically healing is a journey), but with everything that happened I wish we got to see more of Julian's POV and his journey to healing, his adjustment to his new home and new life, his return to school or his love for his friends. Instead, it felt very disconnected from the rest of the book and a bit abrupt, even moments of healing felt like we were no longer connected to him but were observing from behind a glass. I just needed a bit more sunshine, or at least hope for it.

Last comment, the school and the social work system did a terrible job of supporting Julian both through his transition from foster home to guardian, for the death of his parents, for his learning disability, and his grades. It was a realistic and sad look at many North American systems in terms of support for students, orphans, and kids across the board.

All in all, this book was a surprise, definitely something I'd recommend, but I'd caution readers to be in the right mind set and to make healthy choices as they read because it does get very heavy and hard, especially part two.

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

eARC obtained via NetGalley by Disney Book Group via Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I had a good time reading this book. It's very beautiful and I loved the author's writing style.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

For teens who love stories of friendship and overcoming trauma. This story of 2 boys who become unlikely friends because one of the boys desperately needs a friend is heartwarming and will appeal to boys and girls.

A heartwarming story that definitely made me feel so many emotions. Love these two boys, their bond and the writing.

I am so disappointed in myself because I did not like this book. Maybe I didn't read it at the right moment in my life or maybe I'm just cold hearted because I felt nothing for this book. Contrived plot development and characters I felt no emotional connection to had me skim reading by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Book Group (Disney-Hyperion) for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

I really didn't know what I was getting myself into. For some reason, I though this will be easy story to read, but boy was I wrong. I quite possibly somehow confused this book for something else, and wasn't at all prepared for the heartbreak that it'll bring to me. It was so so hard to read at times, since it focuses on the abuse. It's beautifully written story of struggle and neglect, which left my heart in pieces.. a couple of times. I'll be definitely looking out for future releases from this author, because I see so much potential and I need more.

This was a very gripping and moving book. Very well written and I will be reading more of this author. Thanks Netgalley for the Arc

This. Book.
People asked me if it was good while I was reading it, and you don't want to say it's good because of what is happening, but you are so angry/upset/frustrated-you-have-to-stop-reading-and-work that everyone around you will know about this book and has to find out what it is about. Julian and Adam will tear you apart and (maybe) put you back together by the end.
I have three people at my work alone who are now going to be reading this book due to being around me while I was reading it.

I wasn't able to get into this one. I tried until 24% and decided it just wasn't for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read this title.

Overall, I did not enjoy this book the way I expected to. The characters felt emotionally distant, and I did not like what this book had to say about psychiatric medication. Normally, this is a story I would really enjoy, but I did not find that to be true here.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

Not something I would probably have picked myself, I got one of those pre approval emails from Netgalley for this one. Since I never get approved for anything by Disney Hyperion I jumped at the chance to try something they were offering.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book much.

Trigger warnings for extreme abuse – both physical and mental.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, I did skim a few reviews on Goodreads before-hand so I was aware of the subject matter. The novel deals with two different boys who were once friends, despite a few years age difference. Quiet and reserved Julian the younger boy, and off the wall Adam. Adam is bright, friendly handsome and very chatty. He has ADHD. Something that’s referenced throughout the novel.

Julian lives with his uncle and suffering terrible abuse he keeps hidden. He’s miserable at school, not doing well in his classes, and doesn’t talk to anyone. Adam is popular with lots of friends, not the best student, maybe. He finds himself reconnecting with Julian when he gets a job as an assistant to the school psychologist and has to collect students to go to their appointments – Julian is one of those students.

We learn that they spent some time living together some years ago after the sudden and unexpected deaths of Julian’s parents. Adam and his mom became Julian’s foster family. Until Julian’s uncle showed up.

The uncle is a monster. I can’t even go into the level of manipulative torture he inflicts. It’s gut wrenching and horrible to read. I just wanted to hug Julian and keep him safe. He finds solace in Adam and his friends, who include him as one of their own. And they all get involved and help when things start going south and they discover what’s going on at Julian’s home and try and remove him from it. Uncle is slipping and becoming more off balance and cruel.

One thing I really liked was the sense of friendship and togetherness of Adam and Julian and how Adam’s friends helped Julian fit in and open up again.

There was just something about this book that wasn’t working for me. And I think it mostly had to do with the fact that every adult in this book was a villain of some sort. The teachers were mean, Julian’s teachers seemed to single him out, the psychologist wouldn’t listen, the police when they were involved were bullies who wouldn’t help. Adam’s mom was portrayed as the only competent adult. She had some odd ideas about how to handle Adam’s ADHD – herbal remedies instead of proper medication?!? I know nothing about ADHD so I shouldn’t judge but that doesn’t sound right.

The novel had its moments, but I didn’t really enjoy it all that much. The writing had some potential, so I would definitely read this author again.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the pre-approval email.

Such a touching and timely book. I had to put this book down at times because it was so intense and touching. This should be required reading!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC of A List of Cages by Robin Roe.

Julian is a painfully shy ninth grader just doing his best to get through HS. Having lost his parents to a tragic accident, he has very little support living with his uncle, and finds himself often hiding from the world. His clothes don't fit and he is bullied for being awkward.

After too many times of skipping his appointment with the school counselor, Julian gets a HS escort to make sure he gets to his meetings. It sounds horrible in theory, but ends up being Adam, a senior, and once Julian's foster brother when they were young kids. Julian feels safe in Adam's company, and Adam, being bright, charismatic, and popular, becomes Julian's protector and offers him a social circle.

But this story takes a very dark turn when we find just how desperately Julian really needs Adam because of his life at home. Just how far is Adam willing to go to rescue this boy from a life of pain...

Ok, I am a very seasoned reader, and this may be one of the most intense books I've ever read. I actually had to skim over parts because of how difficult it was to get through it. It's a YA book, and I'm not one for censure, but it felt just a bit much. The ending certainly redeemed it though, so if you are planning to read it, there is hope!

An okay read; not what I had initially expected. If you want to read this book for the cover's sake, like I did, then you might do well not diving into it.

This novel alternates perspectives between Julian, a withdrawn 9th grader whose parents died when he was younger and lives with his awful uncle, and Adam, a popular senior at the same high school who has a free period at school assigned as the aide to the school psychologist who tasks him with escorting Julian to see her - who coincidentally was briefly his foster brother. Adam is a tremendously appealing character; Julian is a little harder to connect with but is very sympathetic. This book was a quick read but a pretty heavy one - it's ostensibly YA, but it gets pretty dark.

What an incredible, heart achingly beautiful story. This book surprised me by how engrossed I was. I cared for the characters immensely.

It’s beautifully-touching and never manipulative. The author doesn’t seek to control our reactions, but of course being the decent human beings that we are, we quickly notice that Russell has deep-rooted issues that only hurt Julian and prevent him from living a good life.

I can’t believe it took me so long to give this one a chance, especially since I read it in a single day. I was afraid it would be too dark, but while Robin Roe does include scenes that are hard to witness, her goal isn’t to overwhelm us to the point of not being able to read this book either.

.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