Boy Swallows Universe is a coming of age story like no other. Dalton's beautiful prose, compelling characters and emotionally tragic story was tinged with mystical elements that gave the book an almost otherworldly feel.

Eli and August are brothers being raised amongst drugs, violence and poverty. Yet amidst all these dangers these boys have such a special bond and connection, helping each other through heartache and tragedy. Eli is the story's central character and his life is anything but easy. His older brother August is a selective mute, his mother and her boyfriend are drug dealers, his babysitter is a notorious ex-criminal and his drunken father is non-existent in his life. Despite all the violence and wrongdoing around him, Eli has big aspirations for himself to become a journalist and above all be a good person.

The characters in this story were wonderful, probably because they were loosely based on people in Dalton's childhood. You can tell he fleshed them out from the heart. They were vivid, engaging and integral to the storyline. Eli and August completely stole my heart - what amazing boys! Their sense of family and their desire to do something good was so strong. You can't help but to root for them to finally have the kind of life they so desperately desire.

Thank you to Trent Dalton, Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.