This book is an anguished masterpiece. It follows Leonard, a troubled suicidal boy with a messed up life and a resolution: kill Asher, his best friend until the incident. In a perverted A Christmas Story plotline, Leonard gives four gifts to the four people who matter to him before he ends Asher’s life and his.
This book has an incredibly human aspect, discussing societal pressure and taboo topics for young adult books like racism, pre-marital sex, rape and sexual abuse, and suicide. There are very mature tones that are dealt with in a light hearted manner that makes this book unsuitable for young teenagers. However, Leonard is one of the most human and interesting protagonists, and at the end of the book realises what friendship, love and happiness are. The book is hard to put down with its anecdotal nature and quotable scenes. The only thing this book lacks is a resolution that satisfies completely. A couple of threads are left hanging, but maybe that is what makes this story more human. This is a four out of five, and an extremely good read for mature readers, though caution yourself if you struggle with any issues such as self-harm and sexual abuse.