The Nest - Kenneth Oppel

I'm giving this book ★★★★ 4.5 stars!

This book was VERY unexpectedly wonderful! I know there are lots of extremely mixed reviews about it, and I totally get that. BUT IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. Honestly, one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.

I'm quite shocked that I liked it that much.

I only started reading it because it's so short.

I guess I should get this out of the way: I'm giving it 4.5 stars as opposed to 5 because it was just a tad underdeveloped for me.

Guys, confession. I've never cried because of a book. Fact. I know I am a heartless monster. But this is the closest I've ever come! Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but to me this book was about accepting imperfections and loving ourselves and others anyway. The main character, Steve, was someone I could totally connect with - even though this is a middle grade book and I am 23. Steve is often worried, anxious, depressed, obsessive-compulsive... and I loved that he seemed so REAL even though the book was bizarre.

Apparently it was exactly my kind of bizarre.

So, if you're not aware, here's the basic storyline:
A boy has a new little brother who has a lot of health problems and he's constantly at the hospital. No one is sure that he will survive. A huge wasp visits Steve in his dreams, telling him that she will make his brother better and that she needs Steve's help. But Steve is pretty sure that it's not just in his head...

I feel like that's basically all I can tell you.

I generally am not into books that teach lessons - again, I know I'm a monster - but this book spoke right to me. It was creative and touching and gorgeous and absolutely unexpected in every way. I think this is just one of those books that you'll either love or hate.