A List Of Cages by Robin Roe (BEDM)

A List of Cages has been on my TBR for a little bit of time now, and finally, once i saw it in a book shop i decided to pick it up. I knew it would be a fast read and something i could get through quickly, so i was saving it for a time when i wanted something to run through fast. I wasn’t expecting to soak up every word and savour this book so much.

First of all, there is no denying that i’ve found one of my new favourite books. A List Of Cages is stunningly written, has a beautiful story and is everything you want in a heartfelt and deep book. I had absolutely no idea what to think going in to this book, except that one of the characters has ADHD. I’m so glad that i left it to myself to find out, as i truly experienced it in ‘real time’ almost.

The story follows Julian who’s reunited with his foster brother Adam after a few years. The pair haven’t spoken to each other since, and both have changed dramatically from their younger selves. Adam has grown in to someone semi-popular with a lot of friends, and Julian has become shy and reserved. Complete opposites. A List Of Cages follows these two boys figure out their own issues while still figuring out how to know each other again.

First of all, i’m an absolute sucker for a friendship novel. Anything that has a strong friendship group is my jam. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy and i will become very emotionally attached to all of those characters. When that friendship story turns in to a ‘found family’ story, you can guarantee i’ve found a new favourite book. If you’re looking for something that has a strong friendship relationship and a great support network (with really good developing characters), A List Of Cages is definitely for you. The friendship is wonderfully real and powerful and i absolutely adore it.

I also really appreciated the character development between Adam and Julian themselves and how they evolved as people. It really shows how support can help you, and how you change at the hands of someone new.

One thing i loved about this book was the way it was written. It had such an easy writing style that made you never want to stop reading. It was simplistic but in parts incredibly poetic and wonderful. Also the point of view flitted between Adam and Julian, which really helped in understanding each of the characters better from their own lives.

Another thing i liked about A List of Cages was the inclusion of ADHD representation. It was incredibly realistic and was mentioned enough to keep it in your mind that the representation is there. Otherwise it was written incredibly well in to the story. I appreciated just the small mention of everyone being different, no-one was the classic ‘popular’ girl in the book, everyone had their own thing or their own quirk that made them different, and i love that about these characters, that they weren’t incredibly over the top and unrealistic about it.

There are some huge trigger warnings for this book however, which make it not a read for everyone. The biggest warning would be for abuse, which is incredibly prominent and detailed in some parts. Also family death and grief are very prominent in this book.

If those are triggers that do not affect you, i think this book is absolutely stunning and without a doubt you should pick it up. It’s incredibly character based and filled with loads of loving moments that help you realise that the world has great people in it. I finished reading it with the most warm feeling in my heart. I’m really looking forward to whatever Robin Roe releases next!