Hardcover, 293 pages
Release Date: June 2, 2015Published by: Soho TeenStand-aloneSource: Own (Giveaway win)For fans of: Sci-fi, Romance, LGBTQIA, LOL, Diversity FTWThe Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-relief procedure seems too good to be true to Aaron Soto — miracle cure-alls don’t tend to pop up in the Bronx projects. But Aaron can’t forget how he’s grown up poor or how his friends aren’t always there for him. Like after his father committed suicide in their one bedroom apartment. Aaron has the support of his patient girlfriend, if not necessarily his distant brother and overworked mother, but it’s not enough.
Then Thomas shows up. He has a sweet movie-watching setup on his roof, and he doesn’t mind Aaron’s obsession with a popular fantasy series. There are nicknames, inside jokes. Most importantly, Thomas doesn’t mind talking about Aaron’s past. But Aaron’s newfound happiness isn’t welcome on his block. Since he can’t stay away from Thomas or suddenly stop being gay, Aaron must turn to Leteo to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he is.Adam Silvera’s extraordinary debut novel offers a unique confrontation of race, class and sexuality during one charged near-future summer in the Bronx.
*MY THOUGHTS*
The diversity this book featured was what drew me in to this book. The sci-fi aspect made hooked me to it. And last but not least, the emotions in it made me fall in love with it. Adam Silvea’s book was one of the best debuts I’ve read so far this year.
“she’s holding out her palm as a loanding place for a firefly. It’s easy to forget it’s there when it’s not glowing, until all of a sudden it comes back and surprises you; it reminds me of grief.”
pg. 36
There’s a place that relieves memories.Things that haunt people day in and day out. But some things people like Aaron can’t get the procedure to forget. Some people just have to try to think about other things. But things change when Thomas shows up. And he ends up not wanting to forget.
“I like waking up from nightmares. Sure, the nightmare itself is a mind fuck, but knowing I’m okay? That’s what I like.”
pg. 53
This book definitely caught me off guard. When I started it, I was hooked onto the contemporary romance aspect of it. I seeing the cutesy moments were what made me fall in love with this book. But then when the sci-fi aspect came into it, it made it even better. It made it really cool and gave it a super cool twist. It gave it a unique twist, something I’ve never read before.
“When your life sucks, your story sucks. Sometimes your story is worth reading about because your life sucks.”
pg. 132
But the main thing that made me fall for this book was the emotion in it. From the smiling, to the laughing, to the heart breaking emotions that I felt while reading this, it wasn’t a surprise I couldn’t put it down once I had time. I felt everything that Aaron went through and by the end of the book I was gutted. Like completely. This was such a good book.
“Happiness shouldn’t be this hard.”
pg. 157
As far as the diversity, I loved this part so much I started recommending it to a co-worker before I even finished it. The first thing he mentioned (besides the fact that Adam Silvera was hot lmao) was the fact that the main character kind of reminded him of himself. Although he’s not a teen, I love the fact that I was able to book push it. Diversity in any book is exciting, but in YA, I have to say it makes me “More Happy Than Not.” (Pun intended.)
“The hated and hateful aren’t exactly a popular crowd.”
pg. 195
So much about this book I wasn’t expecting but when it came down to it, that’s what I loved. Adam Silvera’s debut has made me super impatient for whatever else he plans to write!
Overall, I give this
Awesome review. I have this book on my shelf, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
Aj @ Read All The Things!