A List of Cages
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4.3 • 22 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
This "gripping and moving" story of two foster brothers sharply examines the impact of loss, grief, and abuse (Emma Donohgue, bestselling author of Room) -- and celebrates the power of friendship. 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Roe draws from her work with at-risk teens to create her first novel, a psychologically taut tale of foster brothers unexpectedly reunited. The story alternates between the perspectives of Adam, the son of a social worker, and Julian, who lived at Adam's house for a time after his parents died. Seven years later, Julian, who currently lives with his uncle, enters the same high school where Adam is a senior. Adam again finds himself playing the role of big brother to Julian, but besides having grown older, some things about Julian have changed: he's quieter, his clothes don't fit, and he seems to be sick too often. After drawing grim conclusions about Julian's home life and guardian, Adam opts not to speak out, a decision that could have serious consequences. Roe gives a close-up view of two teens with disabilities (Julian has dyslexia, Adam has been diagnosed with ADHD) while building a sharp contrast between their views of the world and sense of normalcy. Written with honesty and compassion, this book will resonate with a wide range of readers. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Darker than I expected for YA
I first heard about A List of Cages in 2019 in a book recommendation video on YouTube, and I’m just now getting around to reading it. I will say I spent about 15% of the time reading it confused. I would sometimes have to go back and reread some pages to figure out who said what (however I’m not faulting the author for that because that could just be my attention span) I thought that they were like 16-19 in age until the chapter where they got to Emeralds birthday and they made a comment about him being 14. (Once again that could be blamed on me just not paying enough attention, but I did assume that they were a little closer in age). There were also a few parts that made me sad for Julian, (not sad enough to cry, but more of a aww I wanna hug him way) such as the part about when the clothes got brought up or Adam having to pay for a drink because he spent his allowance on the butterfly for Emerald. Then the whole shaving his legs thing? What was that all about? There’s only a few characters in this book that I don’t like And Russell because of obvious reasons. And most of the teachers Julian has but I don’t really count them. I didn’t like Charlie at first but he came around.
There is also just a lot of seemingly random things that happen in this book that doesn’t make too much sense. To me at least. For example the part where emerald told Adam she liked him and there was no Brett. (I genuinely don’t understand the point of her doing that) The part where Julian checks on his teacher and it’s her dead sons birthday. (I just felt that chapter was a little out of place. Not completely unnecessary because Julian talks about his parents, but nonetheless). Like I understand the chapters are just letting us see bits and pieces of what both boys go through at a time (I assume) and it’s all connected in a way but it doesn’t feel like it, until you see where it connects, like most of it I assumed it was just random, oddly placed, weird stuff happening until I got to the part where it connects. I don’t hate it but the setup is just not my favorite, however it’s also the first book I’ve read that’s like that I think.
The part where Russell locked that poor kid in his trunk made me quite literally feel sick to my stomach. I was very surprised to find out that he was never at work and using Julian’s money. It made my jaw hit the floor. I was rooting for Adam when he went to Russell’s house like men do when they watch football. And the flash drive? That made me feel so many emotions at once that I had to put my phone down for a moment. The last 30 pages, everything happened so fast it just about gave me whiplash.
All of this being said, I do overall like the book.
Check trigger warnings before reading!!!!
A trigger warning would have been great!!! Thought this would be a good simple hurt comfort trope with a good plot. If you have had any past family trauma or anything similar please check the triggers online omg. Was quite a shock and definitely more angsty than expected. Obviously this isn’t the authors fault but it could have been better advertised. I don’t want to finish it now but I hope it ended happily.