I'm not sure anyone even reads my posts, I wouldn't be surprised. But, I'm doing this because I want to. I want to talk about some books, and maybe I will be silent after this post, maybe not. I don't know.
I won't promise more reviews or more posting because of a lot of reasons. But, I can say that I want to write more on here, even if no one cares, because I care, and that's what's truly important. (That was too cheesy.)
Now, enough being extra!
I'm here right now, so onto the review!
Title: Running With the Pack
Author: A.M. Burns, Caitlin Ricci
Expected Publication: September 8th, 2016
Page Numbers: 180 (Kindle edition)
Genre: YA/LGBT+
What I Rated It: 3.5
Publishing Company: Harmony Ink Press
Favorite Quote: "I couldn't think of a single thing except for being with the two of you."
Goodreads Blurb: Finn is about to start his senior year of high school when he and his family move from Austin, Texas, to Woodland Park, Colorado. Everything is different—even the elevation—and Finn’s having a hard time getting used to his new home. Life takes a turn for the better when he meets Ivan Dubovasky at a farmers’ market. Finn finds not only a close new friend but a fulfilling volunteer position at the High Mountain Wolf and Wild Dog Center, which Ivan’s family runs. Before long Finn develops an affinity for the wolves under the center’s protection.
Things only get better for Finn when he starts a relationship with Ivan; and Ivan’s best friend, Adrian, who’s asexual, completes their small pack. But it all comes crashing down when the bully plaguing Adrian crosses the line and Adrian goes missing. Finn and Ivan are determined to bring their boyfriend home safe, but they might not be able to do it alone. Luckily there’s a special wolf ready to lend a paw.
Disclaimer: I got this book from Net Galley and was no way paid for this review.
I was very excited for this book, because polyamory and gay. Two things that are very me. This book was a very quick read, and I liked it a lot, truly.
It starts with Finn moving to a new town in Colorado, and almost immediately he meets Ivan, which it is very easy to tell that he will later be involved with him. He meets Adrian, Ivan's friend that is clearly not just a friend, later, and again, it is quite obvious that Finn and Adrian would be romantic later on, because they have that tension.
I can't say I was disappointed in this book, because I wasn't, I was going to read it for the gay and poly relationship, and because I needed something to help me out of my reading slump. It had all it said to have, but the writing at times got to be sort of embarrassing. Something would happen and it would be unrealistic or just ridiculous things that Finn says and I'm like "Really? Finn, WHY?" And then, there wasn't enough conflict. Like with the bullies, Esteban and Channing, it was bad, but it was resolved so quickly, as was every mountain they faced. (Mountain, get it?) Something bad would happen and just like that, it would be resolved. There was no conflict with any of the boys families, though that was sort of nice to have supporting familes, but still, there was no big conflict, really. I would've liked the book to be longer, with more conflict and angst and maybe more pining, but that's just my opinion on it. I also would've liked for more scenes of Finn, Ivan and Adrian after they became a couple, but the end scene with them was cute.
I really liked the fact that this book had a poly relationship, because you never (or at least I've never) seen that in a YA book, and it is refreshing and nice to see something of yourself represented in something that you love so dearly. Too often have I seen people say that polyamory should be kept out of YA books because it is sexual or too adult or wrong, even, when in reality it isn't any of those things and it isn't more sexual and adult than many things that are included in some YA books. (But that's none of my business..) Why should a relationship with more than two people be considered more sexual and adult than a monogamous relationship? Same with gay relationships, it's seen as wrong or too adult as well, when it isn't at all. It is truly an amazing feeling to have yourself represented in something when the community for that tells you frequently that you and your sexuality and relationships are wrong or not suited for younger people.
All in all, it was a good and pure book, and I can see myself reading it again, but the writing was not as developed and eloquent as it could have been, though that doesn't make it entirely unlikable, it just could have been improved a bit more, I think.
Until next post (whenever that will be),
Mal
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