ŷ������

SECOND REVIEW
*crying hysterically* I just finished this with time to spare before it's 2019 at midnight oh my heck! I'm so happy! Also this marked book 64 of the year which is A HUUUUUUGE RECORD of reading this many books in one year. And what a great book to end just in time to end 2018? I normally don't reread but I'm finding myself with those exceptions and I remember the first time I had ever read this I KNEW I wanted to reread this and I'm so glad I did. Also Neil Gaiman personally does the audiobook and he truly was and is an AMAZING reader/narrator and knows how to tell/read the story. This book is truly a masterpiece and just so unique and an instant classic and favorite! But it's also underrated. So put this at the top of your list if you haven't read this yet or if you're planning on reading this because I have to say this was a lot more fun and more mesmerizing the second time through. And if you're also known to cry in books, well, prepare to see some happy tears but maybe a lot of crying. I was sobbing this second time and I wasn't expecting to do so but dang it I couldn't help it. It's just so well written. I'll keep my original review up as well as this new one.


ORIGINAL REVIEW

BOD (6 years old at this time): "Why amn't I allowed out of the graveyard?"
SILAS: "You AREN'T allowed out of the graveyard because it's only in the graveyard that we can keep you safe. This is where you live and this is where those who love you can be found. Outside would not be safe for you. Not yet."
BOD: "YOU go outside. You go outside every night."
SILAS: "I am infinitely older than you, lad. And I am safe where I am."
BOD: "I'm safe there too."
Bod's Guardian: "I wish that were true. But as long as you stay here, you ARE safe....You were given the freedom of the Graveyard, after all. So the Graveyard is taking care of you."


What a STORY and holy tears! I'm a HUGE crybaby so when I kept seeing reviews seeing that people said they cried, I KNEW I was in deep trouble haha. And I was right because tears were definitely shed. But oh my heck I loved this freaking book!

Have you ever truly read a book that's been out for years, you start it and end up loving it soooo much and ask yourself where you were all these years? Well, that happens to me once in awhile and this book for me was one of those moments gah! I loved Bod and knew from this first encounter with him in chapter two, Nobody (Bod for short) Owens was going to be someone special and he certainly was.

I LOVED the relationship he had with his guardian Silas (who's isn't what he seems) and how he was more like a father figure to Bod in a way up until the end. I loved how he made friends with those who were dead there and also learned more about the real world and their time they were alive.

Bod also undergoes many adventures and makes mistakes but learns from them. Even when he questions as to WHY he needs to stay in the graveyard because he was being protected by something dangerous, he still stayed. Except one time and Silas had to "bail him out" after a fight the two had one night but in the end, they said sorry to one another and forgave each other. That's how strong Bod and Silas's relationship was and I loved it. Not only did Silas teach Bod different things, but he taught Bod about him having potential and about living his life......


SILAS: "It had been eleven years, Bod. Eleven years that you have been with us.....You know you're different. That you are alive. That we took you in-THEY took you in here-and that I agreed to be your guardian. You had parents. An older sister. They were killed. I believe that you were to have been killed as well, and that you were not due to chance, and the intervention of the Owenses....Out there, the men who killed your family is, I believe, still intends to kill you."

BOD: "so? It's only death. I mean, all of my best friends are dead."

SILAS: "Yes. They are. They are, for the most part, done with the world. You are not. You're ALIVE, Bod. That means you have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything. If you change the world, the world will change. Potential. Once you're dead, it's gone. Over. You've made what you've made, dreamed your dream, written your name."

This I think was one of my favorite conversations between these two and Silas helping Bod realize that yes we all die at some point BUT we also need to live our lives. To me it's more than just what Silas said. Personally to me it means to live life to the the fullest, do the best you can, know you're going to make mistakes but that way you can pick yourself up and try again and live on with your life. Set goals, have dreams but enjoy life while you can and that's what Bod did.


I'd HIGHLY recommend and words just can't describe how much I loved this book and became so special to me now in a way. Especially the very last chapter when it's time for Bod to leave and be out in the real world.


So if you truly want an amazing good book, read this. Also if you get the chance, get the audio for this because Neil Gaiman personally reads this himself and he does a FANTASTIC JOB OH MY GOSH!! Even if you don't do audiobooks or rarely listen to them, make this one an exception because he seriously is the best and I loved him! So go find this book and read it now or as soon as you can and I promise you will not be disappointed.

Solid 5 stars!! :D :D