Publishers Weekly - Audio
★ 02/02/2015
In his narration, Heyborne proves once again to be a voice-actor extraordinaire, especially with his portrayal of Matthew Turner, the protagonist. In this book about loss, each emotion of the complicated but immediately sympathetic and likeable young man—including faux indifference, teenage lust, and indignant grieving—is realistically verbalized by Heyborne. Hopkins’s story line is logical and progressive, highlighting an endless loss and encompassing grief, the loss of a sibling, suicide, bullying, homosexuality, divorce, and relationships with authorities and peers. Dialogue is thoughtful, yet free-flowing, and Heyborne never fails at vocally embodying the essence of each character. The tale remains consistently cohesive until the last several tracks, when a rushed and unsatisfying ending is saved only by Heyborne’s unwavering telling of an otherwise expertly written story. Nevertheless, the coupling of Hopkins’s words with Heyborne’s voice is still fairly close to a slice of audiobook heaven, and a sequel to this book, offering the reader yet another glimpse of this impressive character in his altered young adulthood, would be most welcome. Ages 14–up. A S&S/McElderry hardcover. (Dec.)
Publishers Weekly
06/16/2014
Hopkins again tackles hot-button subjects through free verse, taking on cyberbullying, censorship, the role of religion, and the difficulties of veterans returning from war. At the center of her overstuffed but well-constructed story is smart, opinionated 18-year-old Matt, who is struggling with anger and a disintegrating family following the suicide of his gay younger brother, Luke. Matt leans on his girlfriend, Hayden, for support, while raging against her religion and the evangelical Christians whose bullying he blames for Luke’s death. When Hayden’s father tries to get the school board to remove copies of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Matt counters that “Maybe if the kids who drove over the brink had read the right books, they would’ve understood that being gay doesn’t make you bad or even different.” A violent twist very late in the story leaves Matt with new, life-altering challenges—something that he makes peace with rather suddenly, given the circumstances. Still, Hopkins expertly documents Matt’s increasing ability to accept and love others in his life, and eventually himself. Ages 14–up. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Aug.)
Booklist
Hopkins’ many fans... [will find] catharsis and comfort in her portrayal of teens facing and surviving myriad societal problems. Fans wait eagerly for the next Hopkins book, and this one will be no exception."
VOYA, August 2014 (Vol. 37, No. 3) - Rachel Wadham
Matthew’s life has spiraled out of control ever since bullying led to his gay brother’s suicide. Unable to reconcile how Christians can express a love of God while being so hateful toward others with differences, Matthew cannot find much hope. A strained relationship with his girlfriend, who is influenced by her pastor father and the new youth minister, has Matthew questioning everything. As his parents’ marriage disintegrates, Matthew can only find solace in the arms of his old friend Alexa and at his uncle’s shooting range, until a deranged patron sets off a bomb and Matthew is caught in the crossfire, an experience which leads him along the path of understanding. Hopkins is well known for her ability to address difficult situations with skill and sensitivity, and this novel is no exception. The free verse is the perfect form to capture the intense emotions Matthew feels, many of which will connect with a wide audience of teens. However, the plot progression of this story is less than perfect, with unconnected pieces such as a book-banning sequence, and sudden changes in character motivation, such as when Matthew’s mother cannot face the breakup of her marriage but then quickly moves on to a new life. Additionally, while they are most likely well thought out, many of the line breaks which should put emphasis on words and thoughts seem arbitrary, especially when they end in prepositions or adjectives. Fans of Hopkins and those who will find solace in Matthew’s journey, however, will certainly connect with this novel. Reviewer: Rachel Wadham; Ages 12 to 18.
Children's Literature - LeAnn Deel
Some stories start or end with a bang, but this book slowly builds into an emotionally wrought rumble: another lyrical free verse novel, courtesy of poet Ellen Hopkins. This book touches on many of the same topics Hopkins has tackled in previous novels, including LGBQT themes, bullying, and suicide. Eighteen-year-old Matt is having a tough time comprehending his brother Luke’s suicide. Luke was gay and bullied by supposed Christian classmates. Since Luke’s death, Matt’s life has been in shambles. He tries to lean on his girlfriend Hayden for support, but Matt soon realizes the relationship is doomed. Matt must also deal with his parents’ divorce, loss of friends, and his breakup with Christian zealot, Hayden. Matt starts acting out in self-destructive ways, experimenting with alcohol and promiscuity. His torrent of pain reaches a final crescendo at the end of the novel when a violent event occurs. Instead of letting the tragedy break him, Matt finds strength in Luke’s memory and kindness and decides to rebuild his life one piece at a time. The controversial themes of religion, bullying, suicide, and homosexuality are Hopkins’s signature, but this novel fails to inspire. The subject matter remains bleak and dark throughout, even though Matt forgives his enemies. The story makes for a painful read, despite the poetic eloquence and skill Hopkins harnesses. The somewhat uplifting ending is the novel’s only saving grace. Reviewer: LeAnn Deel; Ages 12 up.
School Library Journal - Audio
03/01/2015
Gr 9 Up—Matt Turner's world is falling apart—his beloved younger brother was bullied into suicide and his home life is in turmoil. He is angry at God, who let it all happen, and he's sick of hearing that he has to forgive, even when the message comes from Hayden, his loving girlfriend, who's spending an increasing amount of time with her youth ministry group—and its handsome young leader. Matt decides to live life as he wants, even if that means making not-so-great choices, but when an event happens that's out of Matt's control, he is forced to reexamine his position. Ultimately, this is a story of redemption, faith, and forgiveness. Narrator Kirby Heyborne gives life and voice to the author's characters. VERDICT This book will appeal to Hopkins's fans, as well as students seeking to explore homosexuality, PTSD, and dysfunctional family relationships.—Amanda Rollins, Northwest Village School, Plainville, CT
Kirkus Reviews
2014-06-10
Almost six months after his younger brother’s suicide, a high school senior slogs through tangled resentment and guilt.Matt’s world has never been rich with happiness, what with his cold parents who retreat “to their separate alcohol-soaked / corners.” Dad bitterly rues the one-night stand that created Matt and forced the marriage; their house “is a sponge, / absorbing regret until it can hold / no more and disillusionment drips // through the bloated pores.” Now Matt shoulders his own crushing regret. Luke was three years younger—Matt should have protected him from the homophobic and religious bullies; he should have told adults how depressed Luke was, even sneaking Mom’s Prozac, which can be dangerous for teens. He definitely shouldn’t have been distracted by his girlfriend on Luke’s last, desperate day. Now that very girlfriend seems to be “trading [Matt] in // for Jesus.” The sturdy, fast-reading free-verse poems—which sometimes shift into elegance—give a heavy sense of Matt’s anger and discomfort, as well as how he vacillates between decency and churlishness. Themes of combat-induced PTSD, Christian fundamentalist bigotry, forgiveness, and foreshadowed violence integrate deftly. The climax surprises in the best way. Brief but explicit acknowledgement of the It Gets Better campaign (and why it didn’t help Luke) grounds the contemporary setting.Readers devour Hopkins regardless, but this is strong and worthy. (Verse fiction. 14-18)
