I've been meaning to read all of the A.S. King books that I hadn't got to (I'm a bad superfan sometimes!!), so I figured this one was a good place to start!!

I had so much sympathy, confusion, and rage for Gerald's situation. You see, Gerald was on a reality show called Network Nanny, where the whole world watched as his family problems (and his escalating rage) played out. Now, he's 17 and is nationally known for being "the crapper"-- because he used to crap on things as a coping mechanism for things that were happening to him.

I've read about A LOT of shitty YA moms in my time, but I have to give it to Gerald's mom for being the worst one ever. I HATED HER. I realize she may have had some sort of untreated mental illness, but the harm that she did to her 2 youngest kids was inexcusable. She literally tells the nanny that she only loves her oldest (and psychopathic) daughter-- she only has room in her heart for this one child. It's DISGUSTING.

Gerald has so many issues. So many. He goes into his own world full of Disney Princesses and ice cream and trapeze swinging multiple times a day. He regularly thinks about hurting people and winding up in jail. He's forced to be in special ed because it makes his mother feel better about life. I don't want to say I loved reading about all his issues because that's kinda sick, but what he was going through made him into a complex character that I wanted to know and find out what the future was for him.

There is a romance in this book. I kind of hated to type that line because I didn't think this book needed that. Don't get me wrong, I liked Hannah as a character. I liked that she had issues too, and I think she definitely helped Gerald come to some important conclusions about his life-- but I didn't like the relationship. They seemed a little toxic to me. It was a completely believable teenage romance because it was super immature, but I think with what Gerald was going through, he didn't need a girl to "save him".

The ending of the book was super satisfying, and I have to admit I was a little bit surprised. A.S. King has broken and shredded my heart more than a few times, so I wasn't sure what to expect here. This ending was everything I wanted for Gerald, so I was happy.

OVERALL: A.S. King remains one of my favorite authors. She's so talented and always crafts realistic and complex characters. I don't think I've ever read a book like Reality Boy-- or about a boy like Gerald. He was the type of angry dude that I normally wouldn't like, but with King doing the writing, I rooted for him throughout. This one is a big yes for anyone who wants to read about something serious and heartbreaking.


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So yesterday I started 'Everybody Sees The Ants' and after finishing it this morning, I instantly started reading this, and have now finished it at 7pm. I think I may have discovered a new favourite author. ( )

It made my mind go very very quiet.
It's one of those books that turn you world sideways. In a very disturbing way. ( )

This book has an amazing premise and a narrator who will break your heart. For some reason, the author goes to some trouble to introduce side characters that don't actually contribute much, and the love interest falls a little flat. But solid 4/5. ( )

This started a little slow for me, and I wasn't sure at first that I'd like it as much as King's previous work. But it picked up as the book went on and got me thinking critically about a whole lot of stuff in my own life, and really, isn't that what good books are supposed to do? Hurrah for another great A.S. King! ( )