Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Expected Publication Date: March 5th, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
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Buy Links: Kinokuniya Malaysia | MPH Online
Source: Huge thanks to Pansing for the ARC copy in return for an honest review
Rating: 5⭐
Blurbs
An emotionally rich and current story of suicide, mental health, bullying, grief and growing up around social media.
When fifteen-year-old Nathan discovers that his older brother Al has taken his own life, his whole world is torn apart.
Al was special.
Al was talented.
Al was full of passion and light…so why did he do it?
Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan begins to retrace his footsteps. And along the way, he meets Megan. Al’s former classmate, who burns with the same fire and hope, who is determined to keep Al’s memory alive. But when Nathan learns the horrifying truth behind his brother’s suicide, one question remains – how do you survive, when you’re growing up in the age of social media?
When fifteen-year-old Nathan discovers that his older brother Al has taken his own life, his whole world is torn apart.
Al was special.
Al was talented.
Al was full of passion and light…so why did he do it?
Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan begins to retrace his footsteps. And along the way, he meets Megan. Al’s former classmate, who burns with the same fire and hope, who is determined to keep Al’s memory alive. But when Nathan learns the horrifying truth behind his brother’s suicide, one question remains – how do you survive, when you’re growing up in the age of social media?
TW: Suicide, intense bullying.
The moment I read the blurbs I knew this is not an easy read and I need to read it at the right time to fully immersed into the story with a good state of my mind. I finished reading in a span of two days. This is by far the first book that really put me in a very emotional state. It was really a heart-wrenching and heart-breaking reading. It really is painful to know what had happened and made me angrier towards the bully also hating them so much. How could they do that to him? I sobbed throughout my reading.
This story follows with a 15-years-old, Nathan who lost his brother and he is the one who discovers what had happened. It wasn't easy for him after that. He couldn't believe it happened but he knew that something is not right. Something/someone has hurt his brother and he decided to find the truth behind it all.
Just like I mentioned, this story is not an easy read, in fact, it is very intense. But that, I want to go on and on to unravel the truth along with Nathan and Megan. The story was told in two POV - Nathan and Megan. I love how the author has written in these two POV so, I could follow and understand and these two bonded well. Although, it was really hard for them but I'm glad they have each other to talk and share anything about Al.
Overall, I think this is an important, powerful, thought-provoking story that the author has written. Although it is very intense, heart-wrenching, an upsetting story that makes you downhearted also makes you angrier but there is a light - a hope in it that the author wants us to find it. This is definitely highly recommended.
And The Star Were Burning Brightly is available at all good bookstores on March 5th, 2020.
Wow.. a good review.. really goods and its make me want to read it too..
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