“Tennyson:
Don’t get me started on the Bruiser. He was voted ‘Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty’ by the entire school. He’s the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, Brontë, dating him? One of these days she’s going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it’s not going to end well.Brontë:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way—no right to threaten him. There’s a reason why Brewster can’t have friends—why he can’t care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can’t be explained. I know, because they’re happening to me.” [Publisher's Summary]
Told in alternating points-of-view, Bruiser leads off with Tennyson, and Shusterman absolutely knew what he was doing giving Tenny the lead. I was immediately hooked and halfway in love, and knew without question it was going to be one of those books that promised both pleasure and pain. And it delivered.
Tennyson. Brontë’s quick-witted brother got to me fast. He walks the bad boy line deftly; he’s the type that makes a girl think thoughts of redemption. But Tennyson doesn’t need that girl; he’s disarmingly self-aware. He understands that his popularity and prowess have given him a confidence out of proportion to reality. And the bravado that he easily backs up is a result of a protective heart. It’s Tennyson who first clues into what’s going on with Brewster. And it’s Tennyson who, after a hard fought battle with himself, decides to do something about it. More reasons to love him: He owns his name, makes mistakes and corrects himself, or at least acknowledges what he’s done, and he loves his sister, defends Brew. If not for the fact that Shusterman’s characterization was wonderful overall, I might have resented the fact that Tennyson had to share the stage with three others.
I was whole-heartedly invested in these characters. And that I had a sense of what was coming…Worry churned, blurring the line between having to turn the pages quickly and not wanting to turn them at all. I will admit: I bought the premise hook, line and sinker. I’ll also admit: Not everyone will. For me, Shusterman had so much going right with Bruiser. The characters – all of them real to me, each different – but also the tension, and the writing, which I thought wonderful. It was an impossible, uneasy ride that managed to be humorous, ripe with moments of satisfaction, and compelling in its portrayal of friendships, family dynamics, and sacrifice.
I loved Bruiser and so even though it’s my first Shusterman, it won’t be my last.
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Neal Shusterman’s stories are brilliant; you should try or . They’re both thought-provoking and have amazing and heart-pounding plots and captivating characters
Amy – Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve heard good things about both and so will definitely be checking them out at some point.
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I loved this book! It was so surprising for me because I thought it was going to just be another thug-meets-girl-and-reforms book, but Bruiser’s definitely not a thug at all, and his special ability, although kind of a burden, brings out his kind and gentle nature. The ending almost killed me because I loved him so much.