A LIST OF CAGES by Robin Roe / Book Review & Giveaway #AListofCages #BeBrave

Hello and welcome to today's promotional stop for Robin Roe's A LIST OF CAGES, which was released yesterday from Disney Hyperion! I'm so thrilled to team up with Disney to celebrate the release of Robin's debut. Below you'll find my review, and a GIVEAWAY! First, here's a little bit about the book:

ABOUT THE BOOK

By: Robin Roe 

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Released on: January 10th, 2017

Purchase from: Amazon | B&N

Add it to Goodreads

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, in exchange for my honest review 

When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian--the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years.

Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.

First-time novelist Robin Roe relied on life experience when writing this exquisite, gripping story featuring two lionhearted characters.

This book absolutely broke my heart. I haven't felt so gutted reading a book, in a long time. I feel like I'm a mixed bag of emotions writing this review. There's so much I want to say, yet I feel like not much needs to be said about this book. This is an emotional gripping, raw, troubling, powerful, hopeful, kind of read. Roe holds nothing back. Her writing will break you, and at the same time she  will have you rooting for the two main characters, and their friends. 

I'm not a big contemporary reader. I think the reason is because I get so sucked into the books I'm reading, that when I read a book like this, I have a harder time emotionally detaching from the book when I'm done reading it. My word, Julian's story ripped my heart out. All I wanted to do, is do exactly what Adam's Mom does. 

This story feels far to real. Roe's debut is a book that won't be for everyone. There are definitely a lot of triggers in this book. This is a book that while it's troubling at times to read, there's power, hope, and a voice in this book that hopefully someone who has been in or is in a situation similar to Julian's, will find. 

Friendship is a huge part of this book. It's a friendship that goes beyond age, and demographic. It's a friendship that is more of a brotherhood/family, between Adam and Julian. I loved what Adam does for Julian. It's something that starts out as friendship, and, and grows into something that is much more like a big brother protecting his little brother. Adam's acts of kindness really stand out in this story. This is a friendship that just clicked, and it's one that's hard to describe, but once you read it, you'll know the kind of friendship I'm talking about. It's a life long one. 

It's hard to read all that Julian endures. Very hard. It's troubling knowing that this book is someone's reality. Roe doesn't hold back on writing those reasons. They're brutal, raw, and utterly heartbreaking. There's also power in this book. There's power that comes in the form of the support Julian receives from Adam, and those close to Adam, whom become Julian's own tribe. They lend him their voices and support, until he can find his own voice, and on his own inner strength. 

There is also hope! Things aren't perfect, and nothing can erase what Julian's spent years enduring. However, with his support group around him, Julian's story ends with hope, and the endless possibilities for his future. 

This story does contain scenes that may be a trigger for some readers. There is abuse, and mentions of abuse. There is also some mild language, and nudity, that may make this book unsuitable for younger YA readers. 

Praise for A List of Cages

"A remarkably gripping and moving tale of a life saved—in more than one way—by the power of friendship."

—Emma Donoghue, best-selling author of Room

"As inspiring as it is heartbreaking, A List of Cages is a hero story you will never forget."

—Tamara Ireland Stone, best-selling author of Every Last Word

"A poignant, hopeful story about loss, grief, abuse, and the transformative power of friendship."

—Amber Smith, New York Times best-selling author of The Way I Used to Be

* "A triumphant story about the power of friendship and of truly being seen."  

—Kirkus Reviews starred review

* "A page-turner with a lot of compassion."  

—Booklist starred review

About the Author

Robin Roe has a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a master's from Harvard. She counseled adolescents in Boston before she moved to Dallas, Texas to run a mentoring program for at-risk teens. This is her first novel.

Official Links + Social Media

Visit Books.disney.com

Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Robin Roe on Twitter

#AListofCages

#BeBrave

ENTER TO WIN

One (1) winner receives:

• A copy of A List of Cages
• Plus a $50 Visa gift card to put towards a day of friendship.

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion

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