Review: AMAZING!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 16, 2014
Simply amazing! Oh man, how I love these guys. If you're reading, or considering reading this one, you must already be acquainted with Bear, Otter, and the Kid. TJ Klune is a gifted writer. No question. The relationships between the characters here are so nuanced and multi-faceted, and, this book is long so there's plenty of story to delve into. Yes, it's angsty. Yes, it's melodramatic. Of course, there are tears. And earthquakes. The Kid hasn't had it easy so all of that is to be expected. But ultimately, after reading well into the night, the impression I'm left with is a great appreciation for L-O-V-E. Between brothers...between lovers...it doesn't matter. Klune's writing reminds you to appreciate every moment with loved ones, every safe haven, and to hold on tight to whatever or whomever anchors you. For me, that's what makes his writing so rewarding. So yes, I recommend this one. And full disclosure: as much as I appreciate Klune's writing in this series, I don't always think it translates as well for other novels. His other books are certainly very good; I've probably bought most If not all of them, but for me, writing this family is where he's at his absolute best. I say that because there always seems to be a fan brigade that gushes and praises in their reviews of their favorite authors unequivocally without assessing each work individually on its own merit. To each his own--I'm not detracting from other readers' style or preference. For me, though, that's not the point of writing a review. I try not to gush unless I really really really think it's warranted. And guess what? For this book, it so is!So what did I love here? I) Good characterization, I mean the descriptions are enough to invoke a clear mental reel of every scene. II) Incredibly authentic and often funny dialogue. Ty has always been precocious and strangely verbose, and now as a young adult, he's serving up a great sense of humor and fair amount of snark. III) Excellent plot development. And I do mean development in every sense of the word--this story at its core is about growth. These are the years in which the Kid, or Tyson rather,  grows up.  I love that this starts and ends in the same place but with such a crazy journey in between. And last, IV) familiarity. Klune is at home writing about his boys, and his fondness for them is evident throughout. They are beloved and familiar, and it was great to reconnect with this family that is seemingly unorthodox, but in reality, is just a 'normal' family like any other. The have their good points and bad, neuroses, hopes, disappointments, and everything else that both set them apart and bind them together.  Reading about them was a great way to spend a few hours and certainly got me out of my reading slump. Finally, something worth staying up late to read! 5 stars.