Bruiser

Awesome Read!

This book was a web of astonishment. A true! ...but not so true story. Throughout the book, you have the voice of four unique characters that tie things up with a great message. In my opinion, this story told a message in the most unique way I've ever read so far.

In a nutshell, the story is about a girl, Bronte, who has been dating the Bruiser and soon finds out with her brother Tennyson that there's more to him them just the name "Bruiser".He has a special ability that I dare not mention because it's far more deserving than to just blab about.
Neal Shusterman has written a well thought-out book so I recommend you read it.

If that's not enough...the humor, action, science, and sheer wonder of the story will hopefully get you to read this book.

8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

A Quiet Book That Packs A Big Punch

My first Neal Shusterman book was Unwind, which completely blew my mind, so much so that I still haven't been quite able to put my thoughts to paper and write a review. After experiencing Unwind (and after a little decompression period, because wow, that was an intense read) I wanted to check out more from the author. Lucky for me I found a copy of his latest, Bruiser, at my local library. The jacket description of the book seemed to indicate some kind of supernatural element in it, but I was unsure what that might be starting the book. But you know, I found that to be kind of refreshing. Most of the paranormal books I read these days let you know right from the start: "Hey,You! This book is about werewolves (or vampires, or zombie's, etc.)" There was no jarring reveal in Bruiser, the special talent that he possesses is gradually revealed to the reader. But what I love about Bruiser, is Shusterman's writing. The book is told from multiple view points: brother and sister Tennyson and Brontë, Brewster (aka Bruiser) and his younger brother Cody. Sometimes this works in a book, and sometimes it doesn't. I, however, liked these alternating POV's, they gave real insight into the characters. Brewster's narration is written in verse, which I LOVED because it is a total play on irony. Brewster, the kid, who according to his classmates is most likely to die by lethal injection, thinks in poetic verse. Reading his passages you realize this misunderstood boy has the heart of a poet with the tragic life story to match.

Bruiser is a classic fairy tale in many ways, seemingly light and magical but really dark and tragic. Like Unwind, there is an underlying tension early on in the story that never really releases its grip. And like Unwind, many parts of Bruiser moved me to tears, especially the parts where Brew tells the story of his growing up, the loss of his mother, and his reasons for shutting himself off from the world. It's truly heartbreaking to read. The passages with Brew's Uncle Hoyt are intense, terrifying, and engrossing. Yet there is also a love story between Brew and Brontë , and Bruiser, at it's core, is a book about love and friendship, loyalty and sacrifice.

In Bruiser, Shusterman writes a story that is at one moment terrifying, the next touching and tender, and I love that. To say I am anxious to read more of his work is probably an understatement. Some reviews I have read had issues with the ending, but I walked away from the book feeling pretty satisfied, if not a little emotionally spent. While this book has a supernatural/ paranormal aspect to it, it's written so realistically that it was not hard at all for me to suspend my disbelief and feel these events could really take place. To me, that is the mark of a great read. And it would appear that Bruiser is a stand alone book. In this YA world of sequels and prequels, Bruiser wraps up nicely with no big cliffhanger’s. Bruiser is a quiet book that packs a powerful punch.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

This book is a year above my grade level but i still love to read it. Its perfectly plotted and i love the turning points. The author did a great job writing this and how he connected the four characters together. I recomend this book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Interesting

The authers writing here is very unique in style ...... and so is the topic! Its told from 4 different perspectives so its hard to really hate tenny, brew,cody,or bronte cause you understand them. The book is neutral gender written for anyone to injoy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Omg

Soo good i loved and still love.this book is great for everyone im 12

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

AWESOME

Omg yew have got to ead this if your a 7th grade or 8th grade teacher you need to reccomend this book also read Full Tilt...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

I loved this book but it made me cry!! The end ia so sad! But then on the last page it gets happy but i was still crying

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Deep, passionate, memora YEAR

In my lifetime, I've given very few books five stars.
The Harry Potters, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, Markus Zusak, the occasional one hit wonder....
But I certainly haven't give a book five stars in quite a while.
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman however, deserves that rating completely and utterly.

A while ago, I read Everlost and Unwind by Neal Shusterman. They are both considered children fantasy (and pretty much earning that title) so I was happy when I heard about Neal Shusterman's Young Adult debut.

I like it when I can actually grow up with an author. You see, if I read a book made for children by one of my favorite authors as a child, than have them write young adult books while am a young adult, then finally write adult books as I become grown up, the cycle would be perfect.

Ah, if only J.K Rowling would follow this cycle.

Anyway, I picked up Bruiser from the library not knowing quite what to expect. Neal Shusterman's fantasy is usually of...epic proportions, so how it be?

Let's find out, shall we?

Bruiser is a novel about three teens, and narrated by then. Brewster, Bronte, and Tennyson. One day, while in the library, Bronte bumps into Brewster. He is generally a social outcast, with the rumor mill revolving around him. He tells Bronte he's looking for a book of poetry (Sorry I can't remember the name) and she thinks he's just trying to impress a girl.

Bronte learns that he's a lot deeper than that, and soon, begins to date him.

Tennyson, however, is looking to protect his sister. He believes that Tennyson is just a no-good thug, so one day, he confronts him and tells him to stay away from his sister.

Deciding he needs to learn a little bit more about Tennyson, he follows him home. He sees a younger brother, and a potentially psychotic uncle. Bruiser spots him and invites him in, to shows him he doesn't live in a trash can. The house is normal. Tennyson apologizes, and they become friends.

Bronte continues to date Brewster, and soon, she and Tennyson learn a secret about him. Anytime he starts to care about someone, and if that person gets hurt, the pain (and the scar) is transferred to his body.

This is why he can't get close to anyone.

And why he can't leave his uncle.

In a string of events (and a 1/3 narration from Brewster in the form of poetry) we face humor, hurt, sadness, and suspense. It's a nagging, annoying (but ultimately satisfying) feeling that Brewster, as hard as he may try, can't take away from the reader.

This book was AWESOME. I finished it in give or take three hours, which now angers me because I should've been smart and paced myself.

This book is very deep, touching, and (unintentionally) dramatic. It's very suspenseful at times, especially at the part when Uncle Hoyt gets drunk and Brewster is not there to save little Cody....

The book also has a few moments of hilarity, and I'm only noting that because it takes a while to stop laughing after each bittersweet joke.

Brewster's narration was probably the best [1/3 mind you] part of the book. He wrote in the form of free verse poetry, which made parts slightly incoherent, but appropriate.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone. It has a message lying between the words, and you'll be a better person for seeing what it is.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Such a deep book!

It has a lot of meaning to it, both in the story and the affects of it afterwards. Such a good book! Id recommend it!!

Great book

Neal shusterman has done great job with this book! It is great! It has some weird features and that makes it interesting!

Best book for 2012!

Loved it i read it in sixth grade amazing book!!!!!

Um.... GREAT

Reading some other comments and some people say they are dissapointed...! I loved this book. So much that I read it multipul times.

Nutmeg

This book is a 2013 teen nutmet nominee

Interested

It sounds like the point of view shusterman used is the same as marianne curly's the named ( readers u might wanna check that one out!). Full tilt was an awesome book, cant wait to read this one

Nlt what i expected

I was disapointed by this book. After having read the everlost series, The shwa was here and Unwind, this book didnt come up to the expectation i had after reading those

Excellent

Written like a poem Bruiser is an amazing book. I love Neal Shusterman(author) and if you liked this, i would suggest Unwind, or the Graveyard Book

Great Read

this book is an amazing read for teens.it teaches many life lessons such as always getting to sides to every story before making assumptions about someone.

Is this a good book?

My freind is reading this but idk if it is good but will someome tell me?

EXCELLENT!!(:

Read this book in 1st period for only 5 minutes each day. I have to admit, the suspence was killing me! This book was so good!(:

Must read!

Just a wonderful, wonderful book. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D