BOOK REVIEW | A LIST OF CAGES BY ROBIN ROE (SPOILER FREE)

June 16, 2020

Title: A List of Cages
Author: Robin Roe
Pages: 310
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Published date: 10 January 2017

Genre: Fiction

Kinokuniya | Book Depository

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 kindhearted. 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. (Source: Goodreads)

Some people have souls so big that they spread out, touching everyone they pass.

I really like this story, a lot. I think a friend like Adam is what everyone needs. I wish I could be more like Adam, shining bright to lighten the whole room. I feel like what the author was trying to do with Adam really worked out. The characters felt real to me, especially Adam and Julian. I could experience the journey they went through together. I could feel what they felt. I love Adam and Charlie's friendship. Despite how whiny Charlie is, and when normal people would find a friend like this annoying, Adam actually liked how whiny his friend is. I love how Adam always purposely annoyed Charlie just to get at him. I think it's cute! 😋 I don't really enjoy Adam and Emerald relationship. It's not like I dislike Emerald, I think she's okay but it just felt meh :/ but thank god there was not much of their scenes aha.

Although the writing was simple, I highlighted a lot of the quotes. I read the 1 star comments on goodreads, most people could not enjoy the author's writing and I could see why. I was not really enjoying it either, but I thought it was okay. The storyline was good. I did not think there was unnecessary scenes that did not contribute to the story being thrown in the book. I feel like whatever happened, eventually added up to the end. Though the end was a bit too sudden, I did not really mind about that. However, there was one thing bothering me. Adam was ADHD and the author had mentioned about his treatment. I did not know if it was realistic or not. But I went to goodreads, and most people also commented on the unrealistic treatment so idk.

But overall, I really enjoyed it. I think this book is very important. It taught me about life, how we should always, always be kind towards people because we never knew what they are going through. I know it's cliche, but sometimes we forget. And I am truly, madly and deeply in love with Adam the whole time. I think he was really charming and patient. He was always trying to do the right thing. I admired how much he wanted to be a hero 🦸

Rate: ★★★★✰