A List of Cages



Books that touch on real issues? YES PLEASE!

A List of Cages is the newest book to have stolen my heart. Robin Roe's debut book has been one of the most raw and real books I think I have ever read. Okay, maybe not ever... but definitely this year.

Anyways.

If you are like me, then you are someone who loves to read about "real world" issues. Stories ranging from bulimia to abusive situations, I'll read them all. In the past my library has consisted of books all about mental illnesses and eating disorders. I love to see how authors tackle these real world issues, so when Roe's back cover mentioned one of her characters living in an abusive relationship, I was hooked.

Julian, one of the main characters in Roe's book, is a freshman in high school. Freshman year for anyone is exhausting and terrifying and life altering. However, Julian is not the typical freshman who is having anxiety about if other kids think his sneakers are cool or if the cheerleaders think he's cute. For Julian, his main source of anxiety is when his uncle is going to hit him again. At 14, Julian is living in a world full of darkness, and is constantly being caged into this life that he does not recognize.

Adam, on the other hand, is a thriving senior who is living an amazing life. Surrounded by wonderful friends, Adam Blake is ready to graduate and go off to college with his best friends by his side. With a new relationship emerging, Adam  has everything. A beautiful girlfriend, great grades, a loving Mom, and the best friends. And to top it off, Adam lands the easiest elective ever.

Or so he thought.

On the first day of his elective, Adam sees a ghost from his past. Julian is in the same place at the same time. Older and still reading the same books, Julian looks the same to Adam. Young, broken, and beaten down. To Julian, Adam looks the same too. Happy, smiling, and... happy. The polar opposite of himself.

As the elective continues throughout the year, Adam and Julian rekindle some of their old relationship. However, Adam notices a dark cloud looming around his younger friend. Worried about Julian, Adam dives deeper into Julian's life and discovers some dark, dark secrets.

The reason I love this book so much is because everything that takes place in this story is so genuine and authentic. Julian and Adam don't become friends overnight. Adam's girlfriend doesn't become his girlfriend in a cheesy super quick type of movie way. Everything in this book takes its time to develop and mature in the way that it should.

I also appreciate that Roe writes the issues in the way that she does. Many authors try to do unrealistic things to their characters and make their struggles way too... fake. Many authors tend to try to make their books more interesting and appealing by making the struggles their characters face be way too much. Roe presents her characters struggles in a very real and authentic way.

The other part of this book that stole my heart, was how well Roe wrote her characters. She provided the perfect amount of information about these two leading men. Roe didn't present too much information, she left some room for mystery. I really admired how she wrote Adam and Julian because most people either do not give enough information, or give you way too much. The mystery that she left really helped to build suspense in the book for me.

Lastly, I really appreciate that Julian was the one getting abused. In most stories, it's a woman or young girl who is getting abused. Roe breaks through that by writing about a male getting abused. I'm not saying that other people don't write about males getting abused! It is simply that most authors write about women. I think Roe shed some light on the fact that people of all genders can be in abusive situations.

All in all, I loved this book with my whole heart. I laughed and I cried and I never wanted to put it down. Honestly, I might pick it up right now and re-read it. I loved it that much. If you like realistic books about realistic issues, I 10000% recommend picking up a copy of this book at your local bookstore. 11/10 would recommend!

Thanks for reading and I'm so sorry it took so long to post a review! My summer has been off to a wild start.

Xo,

Allie

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