A List of Cages Review – Buddy Read with Irena at Book Dust Magic

Synopsis from NetGalley: 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.

About: A List of Cages is a fiction novel written by Robin Roe. It will be published on 1/10/2017 by Disney-Hyperion, 320 pages. The genres are young adult and contemporary. This book is the author’s first novel. Please see below for more info about the author.

Buddy Read Questions and Answers:

1) Who was your favorite character?

Irena: Charlie was my absolute favorite. Even though he was a side character, we got to know so much about him and his situation, and he went through major character development.

Jasmine: I really like Adam. We all need Adam in our life. He exudes so much happiness and confidence. He changes peoples’ moods when he’s around. He just smiles and reach out to people by saying hello first. He doesn’t discriminate people by their look. He extends the same kindness to anyone.

2) What do you think about this story being turned out into a movie? Do you think A List of Cages would be a good movie?

Irena: I would like to see A List of Cages movie adaptation one day. I can already imagine it as a drama with great music in the background and scenes that will stay with us for a very, very long time. I hope we’ll get to see it on big screen someday, because that way even more people will have a chance to know this very important story.

Jasmine: I would really love if this book can be turned into a movie. It’s an important topic and many people should be made aware. The sad things doesn’t just happen to other people, and if it does, help should be made available. And when someone is happy, that happiness should be shared. I strongly believe the movie will be absolutely great!

3) If you could point one thing you got from this book, what would it be?

Irena: If I’d have to point just one thing, it’s that our fears are our cages and we have to do our best to let them go, free ourselves from them. If we are lost, we have to speak up, find our voice. There is no shame in asking for help and speaking about problems no matter how big they seem. To speak is sometimes hard, but it is the way to be heard.

Jasmine: I like the kindness Adam extends to everyone. When he has a gut feeling that something is wrong, he acts on it. When others talks bad about Julian, he defended him. I like that he gives people a chance even though at times he thinks Julian is weird for not finishing his thought or silent on long stretches of time. He just be patience and gives a push when needed. This kind of kindness is a great role model for everyone.

My Experience: I started reading A List of Cages on 12/13/16 and finished it on 12/16/16 at 1AM. I’m super excited to read this book with the wonderful blogger Irena @ BookDustMagic! Please click on her blog name to read her rave review of this book! This book is an amazing read. I was so consumed with this book that I couldn’t do anything else, yes, including sleep. A must read book! If you love Ari & Dante, this book is as awesome as that book. It’s not the same, but it’s that good!

“When I was little, thoughts would always fill my head, because I knew as soon as school ended, my mom or dad would want to hear them all. When you know you’re going to tell someone everything, you see your day through your eyes and theirs, as if they’re living it alongside you. But when you don’t, it isn’t only not seeing double – it’s not seeing at all.” 29%

In this book, we follow the point of views of Julian and Adam. Two great main characters that leave you breathless and speechless after your read and at the same time, make your mind race and your emotions to go haywire while you read it. It’s a book that reminds you to be compassionate toward others. It’s also a book that reminds you that not every family is the same behind closed doors. Although this book is a fiction novel, I can strongly believe that things occurs in this book do occur in real life. I am glad the author wrote a book about situations like this because people need to be aware of others. These two quotes are the ones I love the most from this book.

“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?” 80%

Adam is such a great character, despite him having ADHD, he’s a happy, handsome, smart, considered, friendly, and an awesome person. He’s the popular guy with a heart for all people. He brings happiness to everyone with his good moods. We all need him in our lives. Julian, on the other hand, is an exact opposite. He avoids people, doesn’t know what to say, has no friends, and always afraid. The supporting characters are really great too. Adam’s friends are highly supportive. I like that this book is filled with characters with some sort of health issues, like hoarder, ADHD, anxiety, etc. I also like the suspense and couldn’t guess the ending. Some parts scared me and some parts makes me happy. This book is a perfect read from beginning to ending.

Pro: couldn’t put down, fast-paced, page-turner, adrenaline rush, emotions pushed & pulled, thought provoking, humor, lessons learned,  definitely top 5 books of my 2016 reads (I read 51 books so far), more than 1 POV, an eye-opener, a must-read

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

Grab yourself a copy here: Book Depository

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 to run a mentoring program for at-risk teens. She later became a high school special education teacher. (Info from her website).

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the publisher for inviting me to read this book via NetGalley. I am extremely honored to be invited to read such an awesome book! Please be sure that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine