Masterfully read by Charlie Thurston, I’m not sure I even relate to some of these other reviews. He gave so much life to Demon that I would say the book was hopeful above all else. As a character, he goes through so many ups and downs, and when he’s down, he’s really down. But Demon’s voice and perspective always carry a wry humor and very little self pity. He takes things as they come, has a rock solid moral core, and even when he’s making some bad choices, he loves and tries to take care of the people around him.

So yes, there are a lot of tragedies in this book. And a lot of stories about good people who help each other just because someone needs it. Who stumble and make mistakes and fight to change because they’ve seen what happens to people who don’t. Who take whatever joy life has for them in the moment, even when they have problems that could sink a person’s spirit. It’s absolutely heartbreaking in its portrayal of foster kids, child abuse, drug addiction, and cycles of poverty — but Demon shines bright through it all, and it’s impossible not to root for him. He has so much personality and so much goodness in him, it was an honor just to get to spend so many hours listening to him tell his story.

Get the audio version if you can. You won’t regret it.