A List of Cages by Robin Roe
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
Blurb (on back of book):
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 a 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 kindhearted. 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 lion-hearted characters.
MY OPINION: *****
This is definitely my favorite book of this year 100%. BEST BOOK EVER.
Before I start the usual rant, I just want to warn you all that this book contains a lot of abuse. If you are someone who is going to be affected about reading about abuse, then I would not recommend this book to you. Otherwise, please go read it now. Or at least after this post :)
OK, I loved this book so much!!! Best book ever because of many reasons. But I'm going to start with one thing.
Russell was the craziest, most abusive guy I have ever read about. He was insane. Literally. I will say one thing: he whips his kid with a wooden rod. He also does other stuff. SPOILER.
He locks Julian in a SUITCASE for 19 days!!!!!! WHO DOES THAT?
So, back to the beginning.
Adam Blake is popular. He's a senior, he's got good grades, and he's basically just got high school made. He becomes an aid to the school psychologist and through there, he meets his old foster brother, Julian.
Julian used to live with Adam after his parents passed away. Honestly, they seemed like amazing parents. His uncle, Russell, takes Julian away from Adam after a while.
Julian is a dyslexic boy who likes to read picture books. He is very quiet and shy and doesn't speak up. He eats alone, he has no friends, he is abused. This kid has literally gone through everything.
Adam reunites with Julian. Adam soon discovers that Russell is abusing Julian physically, and actually in a way, mentally. Russell is evil!!! I mean, he does so many bad things in this book that I just can't believe. I was literally scoffing every time he did something. I was gasping in disbelief, and I just couldn't believe how crazy this guy was. He literally had NO REASON TO ABUSE JULIAN AT ALL. He was just insane. Something was mentally wrong with this guy.
Adam wants to do the right thing and call the police, but Julian convinces him not to. Julian actually wants to stay with him for whatever reason. Russell has brainwashed him, in my opinion. He literally gives Julian the choice to leave, but he doesn't. When Julian finally decides he wants to leave, Russell whips him with a wooden rod. I give up! This guy is insane.
Besides, if Adam calls the police, it will totally make it worse. Child abusers apparently only go to jail for a few days, and when they come back, I'll bet they are even angrier and will totally take it out on the kid even more, especially if the kid doesn't fight back.
This is a multi perspective book and is told from Julian's and Adam's point of view. It's fun to read both sides because Julian and Adam are so incredibly different. They live different lives in general.
Adam's friends are nice. Camila got on my nerves, though. She was so annoying. Emerald was also not my favorite. She was way too needy and whiny in my opinion. She was only nice to Julian.
Adam was so stupid to not see that Emerald liked him. I actually guessed that from the first time we meet Emerald. Honestly. No joke.
Charlie. I can't decide on my feelings about him. He seems totally rude, but I think that's just a mask to hide his true self. Charlie wants to seem tough, but in reality, he does have a heart and he is nice to Julian.
In the end, when Russell dies, I think that this was not the best ending. Charlie should not have been the one to do it. Does his offense count as self-defense? I don't know, because he technically was not in danger. It was Adam and Julian who were. Would Charlie get in trouble? Or would he not?
They find out that Russell has been filming the times he whips Julian! WHAT?? I don't get that. How can someone find pleasure in watching themselves hurt someone else?
I really hope this author continues to write more stories because they are bound to be amazing. I mean, this is my favorite book of the year, if not all time! It was just so amazing! If you guys have any recommendations of books similar to this one, PLEASE comment below! I'll give you a shoutout!
Ok, I know this was an incredibly short review for me, so to wrap it up, I'll state my faves and least faves...
Favorite Character: Julian/Charlie
Least Favorite Character: Camila
Favorite Scene: When Charlie lets Julian play the game. Also, the play.
Least Favorite Scene:
When Russell locks Julian up in a suitcase for 19 days and rarely lets him out and almost kills him.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes YA and is ready for a new amazing book in their lives.
Main Character: Adam, Julian
Sidekick(s): Charlie, Emerald, Camila, Matt, Jesse, etc
Villain(s): Russell, child abuse, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: All of this is very real, but I really hope it never happens!
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