The writing in this book is absolutely beautiful.  The author has such a magical way with words.  This book will rip you apart, rearrange you and put you back together.  All the stars.

The below contains spoilers, because I feel like trigger warnings are necessary. 

The story starts when Damien is a child, and he is physically and emotionally abused by his foster parents.  This is on-page.  There needs to be a trigger warning, not just for the abuse, but for an on-page suicide attempt.  Damien's life is hard and dark, and in some ways, the friends he makes end up as a contrast, showing him what life COULD be, but isn't.  The suicide attempt alerts the adults in his life (other than the foster parents) as to his situation and they intercede, and Damien's life improves.  But how can Damien believe that he deserves the good, that he deserves the love, that he is worthy of happiness, that he is a good person....when for so long he was taught that he did not and was not?  This is the journey we see Damien travel.

 

This is a dark, emotional story, and I am not ashamed to admit that it made me cry.  But it's also beautiful and sweet and reminds you of the good in the world.  Seriously, all the stars.