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Reviews for Never Eighteen

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  • Courage and closure - bring tissues5

    Joanne Levy I've read several books kind of like this one, where the reader knows, as does the main character, that he or she isn't going to make it: Jenny Downham's Before I Die and Chris Crutcher's Deadline to name two, and I think it's the 'what am I going to do in the short time I have left?' that makes them so poignant and popular. I'm normally not the kind of person who goes out of her way to pick up what is sure to be a tear-jerker, but I really enjoyed Austin's "road trip of courage and closure", as I like to call it. Austin knows he's dying and he needs to get his affairs in order and that means saying what he needs to say to the people in his life, even if they don't want to hear it, won't change anything or take his advice. It's all we can do, though, live our lives the best way we know how and hope that we made an impact the way Austin and his legacy made an impact on the people in his life. I do wish that I was more familiar with the geography of this book's setting and how Austin visits his favorite places, but as it was, these scenes were well drawn and evocative. I think fans of the two books I mention above will enjoy (or at least sob throughout) this one as well. by Joanne Levy

  • Review from Book Nerds are Pretty Too5

    Shantal ==Original Review at www.booknerds-are-pretty-too.com==


    "Life doesn't wait. If we stand still it passes us by and by the time we understand that, it may be too late".

    In this book we are introduced to Austin Parker a 17 year old boy who's never going to see his eighteenth birthday, he has leukemia. This, however, does not stop him from trying to find meaning in his life. The book is narrated in first person and we get to know all the emotions the main character is feeling.

    With the help of his best friend ( and secret love) Kaylee, he visits every person around him that needs to appreciate life and not take anything for granted, Austin speaks in a voice that is honest, funny and unusually eloquent. His relationship with Kaylee is amazing, I loved how they cared for each other, you can't help but feel for them. If anything I would have loved to had more backstory to their relationship.

    While Austin is burdened with his own feelings he's still trying to live the rest of his live to the fullest, he is determined to confront his fears and help all the people around him. The waterfall scene was perfect, every detail made you feel right there with them. There's some language and sexual content. I would suggest the book for a young adult 14 and up.

    Overall Never eighteen is a powerful novel. I'm not going to lie, you may need a box of tissues, the ending did make me tear up and that is not an easy task for a book to make me feel so much. I found myself absorbed in his journey. Megan Bostic manages to bring all these emotions to life and makes you feel them along with the characters. This is a great debut novel and can't wait for more from this author.


    Review based on an Advanced Reader's Copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. by Shantal

  • A more to-do before the toodle-loo3

    theEPICrat never eighteen hits the ground running - and right from the start, despite waking up from that recurring dream, Austin takes off to accomplish his to-do list of people to see, places to go, truths to voice that makes time feel even shorter and more precious to hold.

    I got a little impatient with never eighteen since the reason for Austin's to-do list does not become clear until the end. It gets a little obvious (and I suppose the summary does hint at it), but it is almost as if everyone was in denial and no one said it outright - including myself. I would have expected Austin to have mentioned it earlier on, especially since he was so bent on seeing everyone before he goes.

    I can see how Austin desires closure for himself and everyone in his life, but it is hard to determine whether he makes an impact on everyone he visits. Some of the people seem pretty random - he knows them, but no longer that well, so his interest in their well-being - while compassionate - is taken with a grain of salt. Other people like his separated parents make more sense - and ends on a good note.

    Well-written and thoughtful, never eighteen follows a teen who wants to make the most of his life and leave a lasting impression on people he values. by theEPICrat

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