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A List of Cages

by Robin Roe (Goodreads Author)

4.36 · Rating Details · 923 Ratings · 385 Reviews

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 dodg ...more

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published January 10th 2017 by Disney-Hyperion

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Community Reviews

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Feb 01, 2017 Jesse (JesseTheReader) rated it it was amazing

wow. this book has one big emotional punch. it's gonna take me a few days to recover. i went into this book not knowing anything about it & i instantly added it to my list of favorite books when i finished it.

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Feb 01, 2017 Hailey (HaileyInBookland) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, 2017-releases, to-review, diverse, read-in-2017

What an incredible, heart achingly beautiful story. This book surprised me by how engrossed I was. I cared for the characters immensely. I was sent this for review/ to do a sponsored video surrounding it by Disney Hyperion (thank you to them!) so stay tuned for a review and that video coming soon!!

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Nov 06, 2016 Emma Giordano rated it it was amazing

I have recommended a lot of books over the last 3 years, but truthfully, I don't remember the last time I recommended one so meaningful and important.

FTC Disclosure: I was sent an advanced reader copy of this novel from Disney Hyperion in exchange for a review. Full review sponsored by Disney Hyperion is coming to my YouTube channel soon.

I legitimately cannot form the words to start this review. I have never been left so speechless by a book in my entire life. All I can say is this is a book tha I have recommended a lot of books over the last 3 years, but truthfully, I don't remember the last time I recommended one so meaningful and important.

FTC Disclosure: I was sent an advanced reader copy of this novel from Disney Hyperion in exchange for a review. Full review sponsored by Disney Hyperion is coming to my YouTube channel soon.

I legitimately cannot form the words to start this review. I have never been left so speechless by a book in my entire life. All I can say is this is a book that will change your life with every page. By page 5, I was bawling and I don't think I have ever read a work of fiction that left me so emotional. I can't think of a single time where I picked up this book for a reading session that did not leave me with either tears in my eyes or at least a tight sensation in my chest (in the most painful and wonderful way possible).

"A List of Cages" is an EXTREMELY emotional book that deals with a wide variety of critical topics. Friendship. The meaning of family. ADHD. Foster care. Child abuse in multiple forms. Trauma. Growth. As many of these topics are important to me not only as a reader and a student in a field encountering many of these subjects daily, they're issues I value to the highest degree and I cannot tell you how pleased I am that they are written from the viewpoint of an author with an education and experience with individuals in these types of situations. Color me entirely satisfied with the incorporation and execution of the intense content described in this novel.

The writing is beautiful. Each character had a distinct voice that developed alongside the narrator. There are most definitely quotes that conveyed certain ideas that will be sticking with me for a very long time.

Our two main characters will absolutely remain in my heart for the rest of my life. They were so REAL and I cannot explain to you how much they mean to me.

Adam is sincerely the most genuine character I have EVER read about. This is someone who embodies the word "good". The kindness in his heart is so palpable and he never asks for anything in return. It is so rare to find a protagonist like him that truly does not care about anything slightly materialistic in life, only the well-being of his loved ones. Adam is the epitome of a perfect character (not in an unrealistic sense as he is of course flawed, but in the way that he showcases every ideal quality one would consider "pure"). I adored him with every fiber of my being and my life honestly feels more complete after meeting him in this story.

Julian is the most wonderful soul. My heart broke for his struggles through every word. I am so emotionally attached to this character, it felt like reading about an imaginary younger brother. I do not want to go into too much especially as I have never suffered to the degree of Julian, but from what I know about people like Julian through my education, he is a very accurate representation of someone in his particular situation. He is one of those characters that I just want to shrink down and keep in my pocket so I can tell him kind things all day long because he truly deserves the world.While our lives may be polar opposites, I was still able to really relate to many of his feelings and I will be spending a very long time hoping my little warrior keeps moving forward.

I also want to say while there is a smaller romance in this novel, it was SOOOOOOO refreshing to read about two YA protagonists that had a love for each other than ran so much deeper. You cannot ignore the connection these two have with each other, the book practically smacks you in the face with it with every word. Not even just Adam & Julian, the other characters in this novel are fantastic representations of what it means to be loved an accepted by others, regardless of the differences you may have at first glance. While side characters can kind of be grouped in together, Charlie and Emerald especially have distinct relationships with both Adam & Julian that give a special substance to their characters. Friendship is seriously passed over in the young adult genre, and this was the exact book I needed to restore the faith I have in the power of it.

"A List of Cages" has truly opened my eyes in a way many books have failed. I'm afraid many of the feelings I've expressed may sound very exaggerated or unrealistic, but I truly feel a change within myself after reading Julian & Adam's story. This is a book that will break your heart but keep it warm at the very same time. I've come out of this book transformed and I will treasure my time reading it forever. While my feelings are all very new, I really think this makes the list of one of my all time favorite novels. I feel very blessed to have read this book, and I seriously implore you all to give it a try. Please indulge in this powerful story, I have no doubts that you will love it. "A List of Cages" hits shelves January 10th, 2017 and I cannot wait for this book's message to be spread to the world.

Stay tuned for a very mushy video review coming soon and a super unique giveaway that may land a copy (or more) of this treasure in your hands. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Disney Hyperion, for giving me the opportunity to read this book. x ...more

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Dec 01, 2016 Larry Hoffer rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

I'd rate this 4.5 stars.

This book is at times harrowing and heartbreaking, at times hopeful. But what adds to this book's power is the fact that its plot isn't fantasy, and there are children dealing with these issues every day.

Life changed for Julian five years ago when his beloved parents died. He lived with a foster family until a relative took him in. He misses his parents every day, and this loss truly encompasses him, because they understood him, they supported his creativity, and made lif ...more

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Jan 07, 2017 Cait (Paper Fury) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary, 5-star, disability, ya-male-narrators, read-2017

This is the most precious cinnamon roll of a book I have ever read. It absolutely DAMAGED MY SOUL but it was beautiful and heartfelt and the characters just sort of sneaked off the page and became incredibly real and relatable people to me and just GAHHHHH I LOVED IT SO MUCH I CANNOT EVEN.

(Also this is my first 5 star read of the year!! I'm so excited!!)

Basically this is a story about friendship and abuse. I will warn you: it's not easy to read. It does heavily feature child abuse and stockholm ...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Kimi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, made-me-cry, smells-like-pain, ya, netgally, arcs, contemporary

Out today!

(I received a free arc from Netgally in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out in January 2017.)

"I used to think that if I concentrated, I could make myself disappear. I don't believe that anymore, but sometimes I still have to try."

Trigger warning: (view spoiler)

Holy guacamole.

I think I've just been eaten by a giant blob of feels. This was one of easiest five stars I've given so far this year. This book is definitely the next big thing. Like ...more

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Dec 02, 2016 Lala BooksandLala rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-releases

This book just destroyed me.

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Jan 05, 2017 Korrina (OwlCrate) rated it it was amazing

I may have already found my top book of 2017, because I don't know how something will top this. So sad I didn't read this in time to include it in an OwlCrate box. It comes out on January 10th and I highly encourage everyone to pick it up!

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Jan 11, 2017 Cait • A Page with a View rated it it was ok

Thank you to Disney-Hyperion for sending me an advance copy of this book! All of my opinions are my own.

So... at the very least, this was one of the most unpleasant books I've ever read. It alternates between the POVs of Adam and his former foster brother Julian who was taken away from Adam's family a few years ago by a seriously psychotic uncle who abuses him beyond anything I ever wanted to read about. So the story mostly revolves around Adam learning about Julian's situation and exploring a ...more

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Feb 02, 2017 Joshua Gabriel (Forever Bookish Josh) rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Fans of "The Problem with Forever" and "It Ends with Us"

Recommended to Joshua Gabriel by: Jill

Shelves: favorites, contemporary, netgalley, digitally-received-or-purchased

Thank you, Disney-Hyperion, for sending me an ARC of this book (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

People heal a whole lot faster when they're with someone who loves them. —Delores

A List of Cages is my first favorite book of 2017. I've been hearing nothing but positive things about it, particularly from people in the BookTube community. I used to think that the praise was quite exaggerated, but now I understand why this book has garnered so much hype.

Essentially, A List of Cages is Thank you, Disney-Hyperion, for sending me an ARC of this book (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

People heal a whole lot faster when they're with someone who loves them. —Delores

A List of Cages is my first favorite book of 2017. I've been hearing nothing but positive things about it, particularly from people in the BookTube community. I used to think that the praise was quite exaggerated, but now I understand why this book has garnered so much hype.

Essentially, A List of Cages is similar to Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Problem with Forever, in that it also explores the mechanics of foster care and its occasional, traumatic consequences. Furthermore, this book also features troubled characters who eventually find healing in each other's company. The protagonists, Adam and Julian, both have psychological problems. The former has ADHD, while the latter has a much more serious "illness" that is unraveled throughout the novel. Regardless of their four-year age gap, Adam and Julian are able to form a very platonic and meaningful friendship. As Julian's secrets are gradually brought to light, Adam becomes determined to protect him at all cost. That being said, A List of Cages is inevitably an emotional piece of literature.

Honestly, A List of Cages made me tearful so many times. I felt quite stupid because I kinda expected it to give me positive feels only because it was published by Disney, which is famous for its love for happy endings. Believe me when I say that this book trumps Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us in the popular list of Cry Worthy Books. Not-so-sincere apologies to Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid. If Adam and Julian won't make you cry (or at least tearful), then you need to have a doctor heal your stone cold heart!

With that in mind, the best thing I liked about this book was its character-driven story. Given her background in psychology, I wasn't surprised that Robin Rowe really did an effort to create such impactful and inspiring characters. As flawed as they were, Adam and Julian's personalities felt so authentic. And since the novel was written in dual perspectives, I loved getting to know them in a deeper and virtually personal way. Adam's chapters were fun and lighthearted, while Julian's chapters were generally morose and tear-jerking. This seesaw of alternating voices definitely messed with my emotions, thereby giving me a wonderful and memorable reading experience.

Overall, A List of Cages is YA contemporary fiction at its finest. It's a short novel that surprisingly has super substantial content. For the sake of objectivity, the only thing I did not like was its tendency to be shockingly graphic. I sincerely enjoyed this novel, and I would happily recommend it to all of my bookish friends. I just might reread it by listening to its audiobook version. :)

...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Amber Robertson rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, young-adult, contemporary, best-covers, wishlist

"People heal a whole lot faster when they're with someone who loves them."

A List of Cages will be the most emotional book I read this year, I feel. It was painful. It was so damn good that I couldn't put it down. If you know me, you know I go to bed before 10pm every night without fail, I'll usually stop talking to you at 8:30pm as well. However, I was up until midnight finishing this book and crying into my pillow.

I've thought about this book for a week and I still can't possibly formulate a ...more

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Nov 30, 2016 grace rated it it was amazing

EMOTIONS HOLY HECK. Video review to come!

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Feb 01, 2017 Sara rated it liked it

First and foremost, I loved the message of this book. It’s not often that you find a YA book that primarily highlights the meaning of friendship and kindness. It was refreshing to read a book that didn’t focus on romance. I absolutely loved Julian. He was an adorable cinnamon roll. The second half of this book is absolutely heartbreaking and I just wanted to give Julian a big hug.

Julian:
description

My main critique with this book is the writing style. While there were some very meaningful and quotable exc ...more

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Jan 08, 2017 Sarah rated it liked it

Shelves: r2r-read, netgalley-edelweiss, young-adult, death, abuse, contemporary, read-2017

(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to Disney Book Group and NetGalley.)

This was a YA contemporary story, about a boy with ADHD and his younger friend.

Adam cared for Julian in this story, and he certainly went above and beyond to try to keep him safe and to work out what was going on with him.

The storyline in this was about Julian being abused, and Adam trying to help him. The pace in this was pretty slow though, and I struggled to keep reading because I was so bored. Thing ...more

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Dec 21, 2016 Irena rated it it was amazing

A List of Cages is not a book that grabs your attention immediately.
At least, it was not in my case.
I saw it’s cover on Netgalley, but didn’t pay much attention to it until I got an invitation to review it.
That invitation made me read what this story is actually about, and, since it sounded interesting and like something that could possibly make me learn something new, I decided to give it a try.
I am so glad I did! This book ended up as one of the best books I read in 2016, because of the powerf ...more

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Jul 02, 2016 adam (booksss.0k) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-expo-america-2016, favorite-novels, arcs, review-copies

ORIGINALLY POSTED TO BLOG: www.booksss0k.com

DISCLAIMER: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS QUOTES FROM AN UNCORRECTED PROOF OF THE NOVEL. QUOTES ARE NOT FINAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Review: 5 / 5

“This part is hardest. A billion years of evolution tells your cells to run. But you can’t run. You have to turn around and face the desert wall. You have to be still. He doesn’t care if you cry, but you can’t fight.
A sound fills the air, then pain so sharp, you feel sick. Slash after slash, cutting deep

“This part is hardest. A billion years of evolution tells your cells to run. But you can’t run. You have to turn around and face the desert wall. You have to be still. He doesn’t care if you cry, but you can’t fight.
A sound fills the air, then pain so sharp, you feel sick. Slash after slash, cutting deep, one on top of the other. They don’t stop until you’re screaming into your palms.”
— Robin Roe

I do not believe that Robin Roe is a debut author, but yes, she is, and I am just blown away. This book doesn’t come out until January, but it should be on everyone’s radar right now. It may be too early, but I see this book having the success of All the Bright Places or Eleanor and Park. This book was such a surprise that words can’t explain how great it truly is. The main story revolves around two boys and the friendship that they maintain through tragedy, love, and traumatizing events. It was a refreshing YA novel that takes the genre in a place that I haven’t really seen done. (I know that events in this novel happen in other YA novels [the abuse], but I haven’t come across novels.)

“It’s strange how many ways there are to miss someone. You miss the things they did and who they were, but you also miss who you were to them. The way everything you said and did was beautiful or entertaining or important. How much you mattered.”
— Robin Roe

I am able to picture all of the characters in this novel because they are so relatable. The whole cast of characters are so realistic that I can relate them to people I see in my own life. That point just makes the book so much more personal and engrossing. This book is not something to be taken lightly, it is an emotional ride from beginning to end. If I could go back and read it for the first time again, then I would in a heartbeat. The authenticity of this book just makes the reader feel so in touch with the story and all of the characters involved. This book is going to be a massive hit with everyone who comes upon it.

“My mother once said that the planet was like an enormous womb, and every single one of us was a fetus. Death was nothing to be afraid of. It was just birth to another world, and someone would be waiting for us there. Sometimes I try to see this, my mother and father as two newborns holding hands and ejected into this other world. There they are just beginning.”
— Robin Roe

I grabbed this book on a whim because of the Emma Donoghue blurb on the back, but after reading it I can tell that there are going to more quotes for influential authors on the final copy. This is deserves to become a literary phenomenon (TFiOS level). If this doesn't get its rights picked up by a distribution company for a film, then I will be floored. Everyone do me a favor and support this book when it comes out, it is just that incredible.
...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Emi rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, bookshelved, cover-porn, male-protagonist, 2017

What a powerful read. I'd highly recommend. RTC.

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Feb 01, 2017 Carole (Carole's Random Life) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, reviewed, net-galley, 2016

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

This book was amazing. When I decided to read this book, I hadn't seen anything about it. The description looked compelling so I took a chance on it. I made a very good decision because this book ended up not only being one that I couldn't put down but one that I couldn't stop thinking about long after reading the final page. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful with characters you want to spend as much time with as possible. This was This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

This book was amazing. When I decided to read this book, I hadn't seen anything about it. The description looked compelling so I took a chance on it. I made a very good decision because this book ended up not only being one that I couldn't put down but one that I couldn't stop thinking about long after reading the final page. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful with characters you want to spend as much time with as possible. This was an incredibly well told story.

Adam is the kind of kid that seems to have everything going for him. He has a great relationship with his mother and a very good home life. He has a tight group of friends that he cares about. He is a senior in high school and he is doing great in school. Adam seems to know just the right thing to say and sometimes can even make things better by offering up a quick smile at just the right time. Adam does have to deal with his ADHD but he has things generally under control.

Julian has had to deal with a lot in his life. His parents both died in a car crash when he was very young. He actually spent some time in the foster system and lived with Adam and his mother for a period of time. Julian moved in with his uncle years ago and as far as everyone knows everything is fine at home. But everything is not fine at home. Not by a lot. To make matters worse, Julian has no friends and is often teased and bullied at school. When Adam sees Julian at school and they reconnect, Julian is eager to be around someone that actually wants him around.

This wasn't really an easy story to read. My heart broke so many times while I read this book. I felt like I was there with Julian every time somebody said something mean to him and I was there with him at his house with his uncle. I also felt Adam's uncertainty regarding what was the right thing to do. Adam's determination to be there for his friend no matter what was equally powerful. The truly sad part of this book is that these kind of stories aren't too different than what really happens to some teens.

This book was wonderfully written. I honestly put the book down once to sleep and then picked it back up again and couldn't put it down until I was done. I loved the characters. Adam and Julian were wonderful but there was a whole cast of people in this book that each added something worthwhile to the story. Some scenes were intense and the way that they were written made them seem so incredibly real and vivid.

I would highly recommend this book to others. I think that this is a book that needs to find its way into everyone's hands. I cannot remember the last time that I was as emotionally involved in a book as I was with this one. It was really that good.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Disney Book Group via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
All I can think to say right now is...wow. I couldn't stop reading this book. It broke my heart and gave me hope all at the same time. ...more

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Jan 11, 2017 Beatrice Masaluñga rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, young-adult

I received an ARC from Disney Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A List of Cages is a beautiful, touching debut novel and fighting back the tears is impossible. It's well written, there are parts that broke my heart and I can't help but shed tears on it. It's a story about two boys, Adam -- a senior student who has ADHD and Julian -- a dyslexic boy whose parents passed away and is now under the care of his abusive uncle. Also, he's Adam's former foster brother.

I love the fr ...more

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Dec 17, 2016 Maria (Big City Bookworm) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-books, pretty-covers, netgalley, arc, 2017-new-releases, read-2016

I would like to thank Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me with an ARC of A List Of Cages in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my personal rating.

-

“But why can’t good things feel like forever? […] I want to spin it back…slow it down. Why is time like that? Why does it slow down in the places you don’t want it to, but it speeds away when you’re happy?”

This book. This book completely broke me. It was devastating, yet beautiful. Does that even make sense? Probably not, b ...more

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Feb 01, 2017 Mary rated it it was amazing

Ten million stars.

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Dec 19, 2016 Ashley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

This book...wrecked me. Robin Roe did an amazing job handling such intense subject matter and the two main protagonists were fantastic. There were some issues I had with some of the minor characters and their lack of development, and there were some points that felt rushed but I highly recommend this read.

I will say this isn't for the faint of heart. At times it was very difficult to get through, but it's totally worth it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me a copy for revi ...more

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Feb 02, 2017 Alana rated it it was amazing

One of the most thought provoking books I've read in a long time.

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Feb 01, 2017 Gabby rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, favorite-male-characters, inspirational, young-adult, liked-it, reviewed, contemporary, read-in-one-day, 4-star-books, all-time-favorites, read-in-2017

“It's strange how many ways there are to miss someone. You miss the things they did and who they were, but you also miss who you were to them. The way everything you said and did was beautiful or entertaining or important. How much you mattered.”

Well damn, I feel like I've just been punched in the gut. This story follows a boy named Adam Blake who is a senior in high school and he suffers from ADHD. In alternating chapters we get the POV of Adam's previous foster brother, Julian who is a freshma ...more

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Feb 01, 2017 WL rated it really liked it

Shelves: contempoary-realistic-fiction

"In a heartbeat, a thousand memories at once. All the times I knew things I couldn't have known. All the times he was assigned to me."

4.5 Stars! This is such a heartbreaking and emotional book!! Julian, oh god Julian. He is just so precious and lovable and needs to be protected at all cost. To imagine the inhumane cruelty he had to endure, the grief that consumes him, the scars he bears...I don't even know how to describe the aching pain in my heart for him. But I am so very certain of the pure ...more

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Dec 01, 2016 Jill rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

"What keeps you trapped?"

This book was phenomenal. Freaking phenomenal. It has rendered me utterly speechless. However, I desperately need to write a review for it because I feel like my heart is going to explode if I don't share how absolutely amazing this story was. So, I will attempt to organize my thoughts and come up with words that are sufficient in communicating the praise that this book deserves. A List of Cages is so very important and magical and a truly exceptional work of art. It m "What keeps you trapped?"

This book was phenomenal. Freaking phenomenal. It has rendered me utterly speechless. However, I desperately need to write a review for it because I feel like my heart is going to explode if I don't share how absolutely amazing this story was. So, I will attempt to organize my thoughts and come up with words that are sufficient in communicating the praise that this book deserves. A List of Cages is so very important and magical and a truly exceptional work of art. It moved me in ways I cannot accurately describe. I feel utterly blessed that I was able to experience this story and that it even exists at all. I know this book will be a huge release in January, I can already tell, and it 110% deserves it. I honestly think everyone out there should read this book. Like seriously. It's that important and remarkable.

"Hate ricochets, but kindness does too."

Ok now moving from less fluff to more concrete. (This is completely spoiler free too). Julian and Adam. Wow. I don't think that I have so deeply loved and cherished two characters in my reading career. They are so very precious. Their friendship represents the truest form of hope. I truly believe it does. I'm not going to lie, this story was rough. It was really hard to read at times. I was basically crying the entire time. I was so emotionally connected to these characters, and when these awful, horrible, unspeakable things happen to them, I felt my heart physically breaking. I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug them and tell them it's all going to be okay. They inspired me. Especially Adam. He is so kind and loving and so PURE. He seriously represents the essence of goodness. And Julian. Don't even get me started on my little star. He is so brave. I would be willing to swear a vow to protect him with my life for the rest of my days if that meant he would be happy. I just want him to be happy. Whatever it takes, I'm willing to do it.

"I remember when Julian was a little kid, he was so stubborn, but maybe that's a good thing to be--a force of will that doesn't die no matter how many horrible things happen to you."

Like I said before, this story is a hard one to read. *Trigger warning for physical and emotional abuse.* There were times when I had to put the book down due to what was happening. However, I think this fact just better shows why it is so important. I have never before read a book that effected me like this one did. And I think I needed it. I needed to read this story because I think it has made me more aware and a better human being in general. That's pretty high praise, I know it, but I really believe it. I was cautious going into this book knowing that it has been getting phenomenal reviews (Most notably, Emma Giordano), but there was no reason for this, because I was truly blown away and believe that this story deserves all the hype that it has been getting.

I hope I have convinced you to pick this book up when it comes out in January. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this book it. That is all. One more shoutout to Adam and Julian for being such freaking champs. My heart belongs to you guys <3

...more

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Feb 01, 2017 Donna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-releases

This book broke my heart. I cannot explain the emotional connection I had for Adam and Julian. Adams character filled my heart, I fell n love with his honesty, his judge free personality, his pure generosity as a senior in high school. His friends accepted his ADHD and let him be the spirited person that made him so unique and loved by everyone around him.

Julian's character filled me with the need to comfort and heal his broken life. I was heartbroken for him, and it was so hard to read about h ...more

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Oct 14, 2016 V.V. Mont rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I finished this at three in the morning in tears and would've stayed up all night if there were more. How can I describe how much this book impacted me? How deep it is etched into my heart? I have this urge to drive over to Adam and Julian's house, give them each a fierce hug, put them in my pocket, and keep them safe forever. Just... wow. Aside from Robin's gorgeous writing and wonderful descriptions, the heart in these characters is just staggeringly beautiful. Even thinking of them now I have ...more

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Sep 18, 2016 Joanne O'Sullivan rated it it was amazing

This heart-wrenching book is so finely craft and deeply felt that it's a seamless, immerse experience to read it. I found myself comparing it to Hanya Yanigahara's "A Little Life," but it is written with a great deal more compassion and hope. Both main characters- Adam and Julian- are so genuine (so lovable really) that you're invested right away. A List of Cages will resonate with you emotionally long after you're finished with it.

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Feb 01, 2017 Javi rated it it was amazing

This book warmed my heart...but not before it broke it into a million little pieces. It's heartbreaking, heartwrenching and ultimately uplifting, and I'm not ashamed to say that it made me bawl my eyes out several times.

It's told from the POVs of the two main characters, Julian and Adam. They had been foster brothers in the past but one day Julian was taken away from Adam's home and they never heard from him again until Adam bumps into him at school several years later when he is now a senior a This book warmed my heart...but not before it broke it into a million little pieces. It's heartbreaking, heartwrenching and ultimately uplifting, and I'm not ashamed to say that it made me bawl my eyes out several times.

It's told from the POVs of the two main characters, Julian and Adam. They had been foster brothers in the past but one day Julian was taken away from Adam's home and they never heard from him again until Adam bumps into him at school several years later when he is now a senior and Julian a freshman. Julian is shy, dyslexic, probably suffers from some kind of arrested development and has a very hard time speaking to other people, while on the other hand Adam is outgoing, hyperactive because of ADD and enjoys the company of his friends- in fact, everyone enjoys having Adam around. Adam befriends Julian again and soon he's surrounded by the rest of his friends who kind of take him under their wing. There were parts of the story that reminded me a little bit of " The perks of being a wallfower" but unlike that book, this one has a valid reason for Adam and Julian's friendship, since they had lived together in the past, while in the other everyone befriended Charlie for no apparent or good reason.

But things are not going well for Julian, at all. He's suffering from domestic abuse at the hands of his uncle and that's one the main points of the story, one that, given the circumstances, is handled with class by the author. She doesn't revel in it for the sake of violence and doesn't indulge in it more than necessary but it is nonetheless horrendous to witness. We don't get to be inside the mind of the psycho uncle but we see the hatred, the violence and the sheer hunger for inflicting pain reflected on Julian's eyes. I'm not going to go into detail regarding what it is that Julian is subjected to, since that would be too spoilery, but suffice to say that it makes you wanna cry and yell.

Julian doesn't have anyone in the world since his parents died, he has no kind of safety net in the form of family or friends and can't turn to anyone for help because he is too traumatized...until he meets Adam. And that makes you think of how many kids out there are in the same situation with no help whatsoever.

Tackling an issue like abuse can be a tricky thing to do and not every author pulls it off. Sometimes, like in " A little life", we are forced to witness sickening forms of self inflicting pain that at times seems too much and almost falls on the category of torture porn. But not in this case, since the whole point of the book is that a friendship can save a life.

The prose flows well, even though it uses little dialogue and short sentences but it doesn't feel stilted and it soon has you turning pages. The one weak point of the book is the characterization of the whole ensemble of secondary actors, which is almost non existent. They do play an important role but the author doesn't spend enough time with them, focusing instead on Adam and Julian who are very well crafted and defined.

All in all, despite the horrible violence we witness, the book is touching and moving and I can assure you that, even if you end up crying like I did, it will certainly warm your heart.

4 and a half stars rounded up to 5. ...more

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*Note: I rarely check this site, so the best way to reach me is on Twitter @robinroewriter or by using the contact form on my website: www.robinroewriter.com

Robin Roe is the author of A LIST OF CAGES, which has received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, School Library Journal, Shelf Awareness, and Publishers Weekly. She has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s from Harva ...more

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