Earth to Alis

I requested and received an eARC of Earth to Alis by Lex Carlow via NetGalley. The novel focuses on Alistair Woodson, a high school student, who seems to exist in near total social isolation. After a betrayal from his former best friend, Jordan, Alis finds himself labeled an arsonist and the target of increased bullying by Jordan’s boyfriend and the group of friends she seemingly chose over him. Between constant academic pressure from his mother, overwhelming anxiety, and the stinging rejection from Jordan, he finds it difficult to enjoy himself on his class graduation trip to Europe. Things begin to turn around when Craig Miltenberg, a somewhat goofy and sappy classmate, begins to pay attention to him, drawing him into a new circle of friends and experiences. Despite these new found sources of joy and companionship, Alis finds himself unable to escape the intrusive thoughts that plague him.

I really enjoyed this story, particularly because of the wonderful characters that inhabit it. I found Alis to be very relatable. Much like Alis, something I have always struggled with is the ability to show true vulnerability. The way he fumbled his way through the story, learning to open himself a little bit more at his own pace, felt very healing. His decisions often angered me and saddened me and I wanted nothing more than reach through the page and give this poor kid a hug. Carlow did a really magnificent job of creating a history for Alis and Jordan that made the wreckage of their friendship feel very real, despite Jordan not physically appearing in the story aside from flashbacks. The tenderness and understanding that Craig demonstrates with Noor (and vice-versa) felt so special and served as an excellent foil for the friendship between Alis and Jordan.

Thematically, this book is very heavy. It is targeted for older, YA audiences, and I would encourage paying close attention to the content warnings for this particular book. I don’t say that to deter anyone from reading this story, but rather to fully prepare them. Suicidal ideation, self harm, anxiety/depression, and abuse all play a role in this novel. There were a few scenes in the novel that were difficult to read, but they always felt necessary to the story. It’s refreshing to see such a nuanced approach to mental health issues, particularly as the author doesn’t attempt to shield their characters from the attitudes and realities of the world they inhabit. Carlow has crafted an exceptional experience for any reader who chooses to follow Alis’ journey, and while the path may be bumpy, it is certainly worth the effort. I think the blurb suggests that this is perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and The Perks of Being a Wallflower and I couldn’t agree more. The darkness of the story is balanced by moments of joy and hopefulness and the result is very moving.

From the MC to the sidekicks - even those we're supposed to loathe - I don't think I've liked a cast of characters in its whole as I did the one in this book. Even those not present - Jordan's constantly mentioned, but she isn't physically there - hooked claws into me, and had me putting myself in their shoes and trying to understand the whys and the whats behind their behaviour. And for me, at least, these were understandble, for there are always two sides to every coin and what we get here is Alis's side, meaning we're left to imagine what the shoe feels like on the other foot. I'd say the author did a very good work of it, because they made me go there, to the other foot, to pull on that other shoe, which is rare with books of this ilk - we're meant to root for the MC and stand by them at all times, loyal to the end, because the 'villain' is just a bad person who hurt our baby. In this case, i'd say the author weaved the tale in such manner that I put myself in the shoes of every character - whether they were pro or against Alis.
I liked the way Alis evolves and opens up on his own, discovering himself as he does Craig and Noor and the rest. I loved the manner in which he slowly - but so quickly, at the same time - gives himself these small little chances, and the permission to trust again, after all that happened. I also like the way in which he somehow, deep down, knows he's been regarding only his side of events, assuming things about everyone else that are based on his own personal prejudices and fear. And I love the way he tries to fight against that. All in all this was a very feel good book - yes, even though some really dark places are visited and some really bad things happen. It's a book filled with hope and determination and the light that friendship can light upon someone. Is it realistic? I sure hope so, though life's shown me different. But it's books like this that make you somehow believe that good things can happen, and loyal, honest, real people still exist, and that no matter who you are, love can be there for you, as well. Because you can also learn to love yourself.
This novel is right now sitting at the top of my fave reads, this year.

This was in a lot of ways hard to read. That being said, I loved it.

Honestly, I have pretty much no notes.

I loved the characters. They were all so distinct and dimensional, and I think the story couldn’t have existed without that. I loved the varying dynamic between them all.

The plot never dragged to me. Every time I thought there might be a lull, there wasn’t. Ant it was never outlandish or unbelievable. It was just another event in Alis’s life.

The only little thing that was niggling at me is that I would have liked to see more not-perfection from Craig. He existed in a lot of ways to be perfect for Alis and I wanted to hear more about struggles from him too, in a way that was serious. The reason this hasn’t lowered my rating is because we’re getting Alis as out narrator and he is so into his own head that I’m sure it’s happening, we just don’t see it.

But really, I loved this book. I’m not sure that I could have read it in high school because I would have rejected his growth, not seen the toxicity in relationships for what they were, but now it was great. I’m so proud of Alis’s growth and the way it’s happening.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

‘I’m hoping one day you’ll start liking yourself as much as we do and we won’t have to worry about you anymore’.

That quote hit hard. Largely because it’s a variation on what I’ve said to a couple of people close to me, who struggle in a similar way to Alis.

This book was such a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s pretty heavy and intense, but I felt like it was done so so well and respectfully. The presentation of mental health struggles, self harm and trauma rang incredibly true. As did the portrayal of supporting someone with these difficulties.

Other than the atrocious bullies (obviously), I adored these characters and wanted to give them all huge hugs (well the ones that would appreciate it!)

The pressures on Alis and their utter lack of self worth was devastating. Although sometimes you wanted to be like don’t push people away please!? It made perfect sense and matched up with what I’ve seen of people in the real world, who truly think everyone would be better off without them around.

Seeing Alis slowly open up to new friends, have some fun and experience people actually caring about them was so moving. I adored Craig and Noor and how they provided such a safe harbour of understanding.

Also, Lachlan was an epic teacher! I want to be her!! Though my goodness she went through it with these students on this school trip!

One of the best depictions of pretty severe mental health issues in a young person that I’ve read. I’d say people just need to be aware that it really doesn’t shy away from tackling tough topics head on, so go check the content warnings before reading.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and Lex Carlow for the opportunity to read this fantastic ARC.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out today! This beautiful queer mlm book about abuse, bullying, trauma and self destructive behavior completely shattered me. As someone who has a shitty past and trauma too I related so hard to the story. I absolutely recommend this book but please read the trigger warnings first. It doesn't shy away from details and isn't a light read. I wish I had this book when I was a teen.

i cannot with this book, i feel like i am back in awe of little books with pretty covers *that i definitely judged. im currently in awe of the writing of this book, it is sooo beautiful and amazing. i enjoyed my time with this book so much, these characters will haunt my brain for ions to come.

AHHHH this BOOK. Wow. Okay, first off, PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS. This book has the potential to be /very/ triggering so please do know what you're getting yourself into.

I have so many thoughts that it's hard to know where to start. This book is so heavy and dark and /hard/ but it's also so filled with hope and life and light. It takes a really horrible and never-talked-about topic and it puts a brutal spotlight on it. It says, "This is what this looks like. This is how this feels. This is what it means to do this, and why it's not easy to simply stop." I have never seen that in literature before, and it's sorely needed. I've worked in public schools for several years, and for such a wildly common issue, it's discussed with alarming rarity. A huge thank you to Carlow for not hiding from that brutal truth and for baring this issue to the world in such an honest and accurate way. It never felt like Alis' mental illness was used for entertainment or plot, even though it did line up for plot beats. But it wasn't /used/, if that makes sense. It was shown in its full honesty, and that was so rewarding to read.

Also just ... all of Alis' relationships were so heartwarming. It took him so long to learn to let others love him--to realize that was even possible. And then once that started to become possible, watching him let them in, one by one, and slowly letting their love help him love himself ... it was just so real and beautiful.

This is the kind of book that sticks with you, and if you have the capacity to read it, it will change you for the better.

"But I'm hoping one day you'll start liking yourself as much as we do, and we won't have to worry about you anymore"

Please make sure to read the trigger warning before reading this book. This book felt so real and was also so heavy. It was so beautiful written and I really loved the characters and their friendships, the found family was perfect. The quotes in this book were beautful. This is a story that I willl think about for a long time.

Thank you Netgalley and Spinning Rock Press for this arc.

Brilliantly painful reflection on trauma and mental health. I tore through this in two days--absolutely couldn't put it down. Craig is the world's biggest cinnamon roll and deserves ALL THE HUGS, Noor is brilliant, but Alis's pain and slow growth into accepting himself was what made this book shine. It was so heartfelt and raw in all the best ways. What a beautiful book full of hope.

I felt an immense amount of emotion reading this book. This kind of work is, to me, the best kind of piece contemporary YA has to offer - unflinching in its honesty, hope, and boundless empathy. The subject material is heavy, enough so that I had to put the book down on multiple occasions to feel able to keep reading (this is only a compliment, I promise), but that makes the emotions hit all the harder and the highs soar ever higher.

Being a teenager is messy, and being a mentally ill teenager is even more so. Carlow tackles that so sensitively and realistically that I'm still reeling (again, this is a compliment!) and I'm overjoyed I read this book. There's space for people who do good things and bad things without their being dismissed as good or bad people with nothing else going on. Knowing that Alis would lash out and mess up wasn't off-putting, just... comforting, in a way. He messes up time and again and the grace and understanding he receives from the narrative is really, truly precious. Nothing felt truly like it was there for shock value, no matter how bad things got. This book was so thoroughly human.

I love that Alis is gender nonconforming and no one who matters has anything but kind words for that. I love that Craig is queer and it's normal for him and everyone around him. I loved how real the friendships felt (I ADORE Noor), and how the teachers weren't pinnacles of terrible or saintly but were instead real people who were varying levels of prepared for everything happening. I'm coming back around to how human everyone felt, because that's the ultimate descriptor of this book. It was wonderful.

I want to thank the author, if she sees this, for sharing such an incredible, heartfelt story. I want to encourage anyone ELSE reading this to read this book. It's a journey, and it'll stick with me for a while.

Alistair Woodson, a self-imposed loner after a past trauma, finds his isolation challenged during a graduation trip through Europe, where he grows closer to his classmates, particularly Craig Miltenberg. As these new connections bring up painful memories, Alis’s self-destructive behaviors escalate, threatening his newfound relationships and forcing him to confront his mental health and accept help.

Oof. Wow. This book……. This book is beautiful, smart, funny sometimes and has some incredible character work. I love Alis. He’s so much more than just a sad goth stereotype. (When asked why he dresses in all black, he has this awesome answer I think about all the time, and honestly, he’s convinced me just a little bit.)

All the side characters are great, and also have so much beautiful personality. This really is a book about friendship as much as it’s a book about anything else. This is the “chaotic queers on a European roadtrip” book everyone should be reading this summer.

THIS ALL BEING SAID. There are some truly horrifying things that go on in this book (things done by people who are meant to be terrible). I recommend this, but not without reading the CWs first. The author did a great job of providing the list of CWs in the front of the book, which I will nest here in the comments for anyone interested.

Thanks to NetGalley and Spinning Rock Press for a copy of this ebook.