A review by tayloranne
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

If I could give 6 stars I would. What a moving piece. When Will's brother is shot dead by, he assumes, a rival gang member, Will takes justice into his own hands as deemed by 'the rules'. Justice for his brother's death brings him to the elevator that the story takes place, where he rides with the souls of others in his life taken because of gun violence. I'm not sure if the ending is telling us that Will did not follow through with his revenge after hearing all of the stories of his loved ones in the elevator, or if it shows that he did follow through and joined them. Sean didn't react to or acknowledge his brother until the very very end, and that could show that Will has joined him in death OR, I think, that Will has decided to turn back to his life and forget the so-called rules.