Publisher: Atom Books
Source: Review Copy
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Blurb:
15-year-old Owen Marlow is experiencing a great, disorienting loss after his father suddenly passed away and his mother moved them to a new town. None of his old friends knew how to confront his grief, so he's given up on trying to make new ones. There is one guy at school who might prove to be different if he gives him a chance but lately, Owen has been overwhelmed by his sadness.
He's started to have strange, powerful hallucinations of skeletal birds circling above him. Owen tells himself that these visions are just his brain's way of trying to cope - until one night, the birds descend and take him to an otherworldly forest. There, he is asked to go on a dangerous journey that promises to bring him the understanding he so desperately seeks - if he can survive it.
This book was one of my most anticipated books of the year because I am obsessed with David Owens novels. Honestly, if you have not read any of his novels (ESPECIALLY THE FALLEN CHILDREN- MY ALL TIME FAVE) then please please do so!
This book touched me so deeply and moved me. I know a lot of people say "this book made me think of life differently" or "this book really connected with me" but when I say this now I really mean it.
This book deals a lot with grief and identity and mourning. The novel centers around our two main characters, Duncan and Owen. Owen has just moved to a new area after the death of his father. He is not coping very well and is also trying to fit in to a new environment. Duncan is struggling with his identity and how he feels about himself, while also encountering difficulties in his friendships.
Both boys really connected with me. Owens has written one of the strongest, most realistic and emotionally beautiful male characters and male friendship I've ever read. The two boys come together and as their friendship grows they begin to let the other in on their own personal turmoils and struggles. This unfolding of secrets, hidden truths and stories all unravel to reveal each boys true identity and their own personal journeys.
I really loved Owen. He was so sweet and odd and eccentric. He was so caring in his friendship with Duncan, but also not afraid to let him hear some hard truths and I loved his creative side. Duncan was a fun character, I felt his lack of "wanting to grow up and change" is a sentiment a lot of boys have at his age as they are no longer teenagers and venturing to adulthood, but most boys and men do not admit this feeling for fear of ridicule. Duncan's fear to reveal his mental health issues to his friends for fear of judgement was also well written and heartbreaking.
As Owen learns that there is so many ways to grieve and that often memory romanticizes a person, he is taken on a mystical mental journey which shows how strong his emotional character is.
I loved this book for its portrayal of realistic, emotionally strong men, male friendships, the intricate and testing dynamics of friendships, the many ways grief can affect someone and how they grieve. One of the most beautiful and heart warming male character stories I've read.
The only thing I did not enjoy about this book was the slightly mystical and symbolic nature of parts of the book. If you've read this I am sure you will understand me. Although I enjoyed the symbolism and the meanings behind this, I found it jarring when breaking up the story and sometimes a little bored as I wanted to return to the main events.
But overall, definitely a brilliant, equal parts tear jerking and heart warming story of how two boys become friends and change each others lives so that they may be their true and real selves.
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