Ehhh I wanted to like this, I did, but it's mostly just some bro humor in space. Not even especially clever, tbh.

Maybe would appeal more to teenage bros?

Hmm, I probably wouldn't have picked this up except that someone said it was better than it sounded? Caroline, maybe?

Anyway, it is better than it sounds. I respect that it's very up front about being a blatant Battle Royale/Hunger Games rip-off, and it's not like it's out of character of Arcade to read those books and decide to recreate them.

I hope [b:Avengers Arena, Vol. 2: Game On|17785925|Avengers Arena, Vol. 2 Game On|Dennis Hopeless|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379897261s/17785925.jpg|24873304] has more Laura Kinney in it cuz she's my faveee.

This was meant to appeal to Hunger Games fans and honestly, I think it will. It's nowhere near as complex of a dystopia/social commentary/etc but whatever, everyone knows being forced to fight to the death is great for character development.

Ahh so scary!! A really innovative twist on zombie stories, especially given that I do not really care about zombies, like, at all. It's okay because this isn't really about zombies, they're just like, there, in the background, for some compelling and scary teen character development. Very hard to put down.

My wish for more X-23 was fulfilled!! Other stuff happened also!!

I still love all these characters but I kind of forgot some plot threads from [b:Young Avengers Vol. 1: Style > Substance|22090768|Young Avengers Vol. 1 Style > Substance|Kieron Gillen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400120043s/22090768.jpg|41432274]?? I still really enjoyed it.

This was a really intense page-turner! It flashes back and forth in time to before and after "The Rush," which is when the cult David's family belongs to believes believers will be taken to Heaven. (They don't like the term "Rapture" because they feel other cults have ruined it.)

I thought this was a thoughtful, compelling look at grief and belief. It was interesting that David did identify as a born-again "Jesus freak" who liked going to church--he didn't reject all of his parents' beliefs, just the "Rush." I also appreciated the complexity of his longtime best friend Kane coming out. David responded by finding Biblical interpretations that being gay is okay, which David's parents' rejected. A lot going on! I was into it.

A good readalike for [b:Rapture Practice: A True Story About Growing Up Gay in an Evangelical Family|18656002|Rapture Practice A True Story About Growing Up Gay in an Evangelical Family|Aaron Hartzler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392326250s/18656002.jpg|19042639], and.. uh... I don't know. I don't feel like there are so many contemporary teen books where Christianity is a focal point, aside from like Melody Carlson and other Christian Fiction books. Hmm.

Ehhh umm this was definitely cute and funny and very in line with the humor and creativity of the show. But mostly I just felt like, why not just watch the show? Ehhhhh? Like this was fun but it would have been funner with their cute cartoon voices and all. Is this a curmudgeonly opinion? very well then I am a curmudgeon.

I guess it's good for Adventure Time fans who ~just can't get enough~. This circulates like crazy at the library (and I've had to replace it 3 times) so obviously its target audience is into it.

Oh, and I did like the footnotes.

OH NOO I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS THE ENDDDD

I WANT MORE

>:(

I cried at least 3 separate times at this book?!

DAMN YOU KENT FAMILY, DAMN YOU AND YOUR MOVING HUMAN GOODNESS :'(

Really interesting, fast-paced slice of history. Should definitely appeal to young true-crime fans.