Note: I was really angry, passionate and frustrated when I finished this book. So I do get a little heated and cuss. (Just to let you know.)
RATED: 4.5
They said it was too dark, graphic, disturbing and edgy.I just say it's real.
This book broke my heart. And I know for a fact that PIECES OF US is going to stay with me for a while.
Gone is that funk that was hanging over my head for weeks. Because when I went out in the middle of reading this book, all I could think about was coming home and finishing it. It has been too long since I have felt like that about a book. Too long since I have been this engrossed.
What do I say about Katie, Alex, Julie and kyle? Well, let's start with Alex. Alex is one fucked up asshole. And Julie is an equally fucked up Bitch. in fact, I'd go as far to say they deserve each other. And that's all that i'm feeling right now after finishing this book. Just a whole lot of sadness and anger. Because although I understand what Alex went through as a child was horrible, he still chose to do the things he did. and although Julie was clearly disgustingly neglected by her mother, it doesn't take away all common sense. Alex, in particular, is very messed up. (maybe the fact that the two actually enjoy watching chickens getting their heads cut off was a bit of a hint, eh?) he's cruel and just made me uncomfortable at times. Because you see the sweet, soft side when he's with Katie but when he's not with her you see how he treats other girls. To him Katie is this saint. She's not like the other 'hos'.
The problem with this is that - what happens the moment he thinks she is? The moment she's not the perfect Katie that he see's as different to all the other blurry faces that he has hurt, prodded and broken over the years. That's the real question.
When it comes to Julie, it truly makes me wonder: can jealously really create so much hate, and towards your own sister too? It's just all so ugly. I mean. it was almost, no wait. Let's be honest here. I know for a fact she actually enjoyed watching her sister suffer. and it gives me shivers to say it. but it's the truth. That's how messed up she is. As things go more and more downhill for Katie - to the point where I just wanted to walk away and close my eyes to it all - to make things worse, she just continues judging her, constantly ignoring her even though all the signs are there - even though her sister tries so hard with her. Katie is not perfect, I know that, but god, she's a saint next to her little sister. I can't imagine going through what Katie does. I just can't. And my heart reaches out to her because so many times I wanted to hold her and protect her. I felt her loneliness and sadness and it scared me. Thank god for Kyle. That's all I have to say.
Kyle was a bit of a strange one. The second person narrative always made me feel like there was this barrier that I was constantly trying to push through when it came to him. It didn't help that he was so guarded. But I love how he is so wise and such a great observer. He see's everything around him. Maybe more than he wants at times, because even if Alex see's him as weak, Kyle can never back down when it comes to something he believes in. I admire that about him. I respect him for it.
On the flip-side, it was annoying at times how there was more telling than showing, (especially when it came to certain scenes I really wanted to see) and I did find it a little unrealistic how Katie's mother loved one daughter so bluntly over the other (also the reasons for her behavior just seemed a little meh). and that ending?
I kind of had this WTF moment. It was so abrupt and random that it just didn't seem to fit in with the book.
A part of me considered knocking down the (.5) because of it, Because even now that ending really pisses me off, but it would be a big disservice to the book. Because it really just was that brilliant.
You have no idea how much I ached in those last few pages. I was so heart-broken and such a mess.
So forget those low stars, guys. Give it a chance. I think you'll find yourself a little changed by the end of it.
oh, and by the way. You'll find yourself really appreciating the cover after reading the book. It's so much more meaningful to me now :) <3
Definitely one of the great highlights, reading-wise, of 2012.
Out in stores NOW. (RELEASE DATE: 8th March 2012)
Out in stores NOW. (RELEASE DATE: 8th March 2012)
Posts
