Review Posted On: 
 Eden of Books 
 Spoiler Free Review: 
 A List of Cages was the exact book I was looking for. Books that highlight friendship are extremely rare in YA, so naturally I was really excited about this release. It definitely did not disappoint and it could quite possibly be one of the most heart wrenching stories I've read. 
 In particular, I enjoyed this book because it highlighted the friendship and brotherly relationship between Adam and Julian. In a lot of books that take place in high school, the romance and drama are the main focus of the story, but that was not the case for this book. In addition, Adam had ADHD but was still able to be successful in school. I loved that there was a positive representation of mental illness. One thing that I was uncertain about was the way Adam described how by taking his ADHD meds, he could "fix" his mental illness. ADHD is not curable, so I felt that maybe should have been addressed. 
 Adam is described as the popular kid in the school and he's perceived as perfect, he has a lot of friends and is good friends with the teachers. He has this very infectious and upbeat attitude, he's kind of the energizer bunny. 
 "A teacher can be approaching, face stressed or sad, and body bent as if they're carrying something too heavy. Then they see Adam. They blink as if blinded, and their mouths spreads into a Christmas-morning smile." 
 He was adorable and so positive and supportive. It was nice to see a different kind of teenager then the stereotypical teenage boys (they all suck). "He looks happy. Not acting nice or feeling sorry, but genuinely happy, as if he likes her as much as he likes everyone else." So many teenagers in YA lit are always troubled or going through rough times which isn't the case for majority of teenagers. It was very refreshing to see a character that was actually genuinely happy. 
 Julian is basically the polar opposite of Adam. He has dyslexia and is very shy and reserved and a lot more relatable. He doesn't really fit in at school and doesn't have any friends either. His parents' death as well as his situation at home caused to be sad and closed off. Despite his situation, Julian still managed to be kind and loving. He had this child-like innocence to him and I felt like the situation he was in made him seem a lot younger than he actually was. But at the same time, he was wise beyond his years as well. He wanted people around him to be happy. Julian was a precious cinnamon roll, absolutely loved him. Also, because of Julian, I really want a younger brother. (Which is a little weird, considering we're the same age but whatever). 
 "Hate ricochets, but kindness does too." 
 This was one of my favorite quotes from this book. This story really does highlight friendship and love. As cheesy as that sounds, for it to be shown through the eyes of two boys, who come completely different situations is refreshing. This book is hard hitting, adorable and heart warming. I would highly recommend it for everyone. 
 Rating: 4.5/5 
 *Warning: This book can be triggering for those sensitive to domestic violence.