I was worried this would be depressing. Since I was reading it for a book club and it therefore qualified as homework, I had no qualms about peeking at the end to see how it all turned out. This did not ruin the book for me in the least, and I think I was able to enjoy it more, knowing the rug wasn't going to get pulled out from under me.
There are a few things about the way this is written that normally bother me-the multiple points of view and the constant switching, to name a few. But something about Sam, Emily and Riddle, and the inherent goodness of so many of the supporting characters, made anything that would normally bother me just fade to the background. Even when the author kind of went off the rails with the extraordinary survival story and unbelievable coincidences at the end, I was just glad to see them all reunited and happy.
I think that's the trick, at least for me. If an author can get me to fall in love with the characters and really invest in their story, then I will put up with a lot of silliness. Not an infinite amount, but a lot.
I always like it when the adults in a YA book are portrayed as more than props or obstacles, and Emily's parents are wonderful characters. I also thought it was realistic that the teens latched on to their instant connection, but that it didn't mean their relationship had instant depth. Emily, normally empathetic, couldn't see how desperate Sam and Riddle's situation was. People complain about "insta-love" in YA novels, but I thought their relationship was something different. The author spent more time on the love between Sam and Riddle, and I liked that.
And the last thing that I really loved about this book was that it took many different characters, making small but good choices, to save these boys. That made the multiple points of view worth it. Except for getting the bear's point of view. That was just silly.
I really liked this, and I'm glad I kicked off the new year with it.
( )

In one sense this is a typical poor boy (Sam), with a dysfunctional family, meets well-to-do girl (Emily) from a normal one. Their meeting happens in a church during Emily's solo, and the two seem to bond; however, the criminal father goes on the lam taking his two boys away from the only happiness they have ever known and they get stranded in the wilderness while Emily tries to deal with the loss of her friend and attention/obsession of another boy. The ending was a bit too sappy/predictable for me. ( )

fiction (teen or adult). This was written for teens (judging from the reviews on the back) but it would satisfy any adult. Grab some tissues and enjoy. ( )

"Sam Border önskar att han kunde fly. Han har fått nog av det kringflackande liv som hans psykiskt sjuka pappa lever. Men han skulle aldrig kunna överge sin lillebror Riddle som har slutat tala för länge sedan och som istället beskriver världen genom sina märkliga och detaljrika teckningar. Så möter Sam Emily och allting förändras. När han hör henne sjunga i kyrkan löser den eviga knuten i magen upp sig för första gången i hans liv och han vet att han har kommit hem. Det är kärlek vid första ögonkastet och Emilys familj tar emot Sam och Riddle med öppna armar. För första gången får Sam känna hur det är att ha en riktig familj.

Aldrig släppa taget handlar om ett livsavgörande möte." ( )

this wasn't terrible!! thanks, book club!! the writing style was a bit annoying at times and it was melodramatic to the max, but it was mostly about teens so that's forgivable. it was super compelling, regardless, and I'll read the sequel next. ( )