The truth of Jack and this book had to being me close to tears again. So many scarficies were made in this book. So many losses and accepting of the monsters within and the monsters we can’t change. 

It sucks when someone is trying to claim you as you own and it your name is taken from you. This book held a constant of them of reclaiming autonomy. In this book the kids are forced to face with things they “think” they need verse what they “actually” need. They are also understanding that just because someone thinks they are hero doesn’t mean they are and that they are acting in good faith. 

This one was goooood. Learning about different abilities and what is or is not “okay” was a great point of this story. Jack will forever be my character, although he is a monster. Kara didn’t bother me in this book. 

Ohhhh I love boundaries and this main character Kota (Cora) didn’t have them a few times in ways that made uncomfortable. I’m surprised I’m usually not turned away from stuff because of body parts being mentioned. Also the Sean’s narration of her voice was like nails scraping chalkboard and I was annoyed. 

I did like how the children at Wayward school was determined to help Kora on her quest to stay alive and find her mother. 

This book was five stars. It follows the story from two characters in the previous book. What made this book very enjoyable for me was the obvious push back against gender norms, childhood norms, different kids of grooming, love, and romantic love. I wish I had this book when I was a child. It would aided in me understanding the world a little more clearer. 

I am unsure what I was thinking that I did not read this book when I first started about a year and a half ago. The character development in this book was done so well and gave a great introduction into the characters. Often times my biggest issues with shorter books is the lack of character development and this was done very well. I did find some parts of this story to be slow but over all it was written well and gave a clear depiction of the School of Wayward children. This book foster imagination and provide so many nuances conversations that may young kids need to read and see in books. 

The best part of this book is how dark it is. 

People say that you should read what you enjoy. However, this was only part of the case for me when picking up this book. I typically enjoy memoirs but this book, chile! I initially did not want to read this book but decided to read it because I wanted to read it with Ashley (bookish realm) and add more recent reads to my Youtube Channel (Loc'D Booktician). Ultimately, I am okay that I read this book because a lot of my original thoughts about Harry were solidified in this book.

This review is a SPOILER written review, but if you want a non-spoiler review, head to my youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUuCCaUgMfw). Spare was split into three sections. It felt like we got childhood, adulthood, and current life. Reading the book's first quarter, I found myself immensely sad about the loss that Prince Harry endured. Then it went downhill for me. The first quarter of the book, when he described not caring about his family's history, put a sour taste in my mouth. Thus, I persevered to the next section of the book.

I was learning about his thoughts on war, and the people he killed in war stirred up thoughts that I have yet to put into words. I am a person who thinks that the U.S. obsession, appropriation, and cultural insensitivity of using Indigenous imagery and names for mascots is disgusting. I shared the same thoughts about the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst's usage of "Apache" training. I researched how common it was for equipment and battle training to be named after Indigenous people. However, I still can't help but find an issue with using the names of sovereign nations slaughtered by the English as tools for battle. That's just me...

Prince Harry felt very detached from reality in this book. He often said that his brother and father were detached from reality. I kept thinking, "sir, detachment doesn't fall very far from the detachment tree." I understand that detachment is necessary for many ways to cope with trauma. However, this felt unnecessary. 

The choice not to discuss the monarchy was difficult for me to swallow while reading this book. The way he discussed the continent of Africa could have been better for me. I understand he is a humanitarian and has done some life-changing work, but how some of it was phrased in the book left a bad taste in my mouth. His ignorance of race, class, and gender was nauseating. Although the box he grew up in and the privilege he was afforded explains away some of the ignorance, CERTAINLY not all of it.

I wish I had gotten more reflection from Harry in this book. Why write this book if you will gloss over so many important things? I understand he is a Prince, but to gloss over your family's legacy globally was tasteless and a slap in the face to many folks who read your book.

I can write about this book for days, but my peace deserves the best of me. So I will end with this, what in the hell did I read?" 

I struggle with this book and this rating. So many things didn’t make sense to me! The sections about Apache women and comparing them to her mom… it was rough! 

The only thing that was unsettling for me was the Christianity talk. But in the other hand, religion is powerful when a person is fling through something like cancer. I kept thinking of my mom as I read this memoir and I sobbed while reading. I had to take break while I was reading it was too much! 

Well Hilary… it was hard for me to read this!