I had heard some early reviews on #SaintsOfTheHousehold by #AriTison, so I was excited to receive this ARC from Net Galley. This story will resonate well with a teen audience. It begins with two BriBri American brothers returning to school after being involved in a violent act in which they beat up the school's star soccer player. This is a character-driven story with short chapters that help unfold a more complete picture of the incident and also the boys' life. I learned about BriBri and Costa Rica as I read the story; I appreciate that one of the brother's methods of telling his story was in poetry form. There are trigger warnings for domestic abuse, bullying, and mental health, but these topics are handled with care. While some adults may wish for more depth to some of the events in the way of longer chapters, teens will connect with the topics and the storyline. It is a definite purchase for my library. Thank you to the publishers and #NetGalley for the ARC.

I want to start off this review by acknowledging something important and crucial to the heart of this story written in the author's acknowledgements: "A deep acknowledgment that Indigenous women in Canada, the United States, and across Latin America are victims of domestic and sexual violence at rates that exceed the general populations."

Saints of the Household by Ari Tison tells the story of brothers Max and Jay who are in their senior year of high school. We first meet our protagonists after they are suspended from school for beating up Luca, the boyfriend of their friend, Nicole, after they hear a verbal argument occurring and assume their friend is in danger. The story starts off with their reflections of being boys in brown bodies and being deemed a threat at school. They can feel the shift in the energy when they walk down the hallway and hear the whispers of their peers. They are mandated to meet with the school counselor who is encouraging them to discuss their feelings, undergo peer mediation with Luca, and to consider the source of their internalized anger.

Parallel to the plot of the brothers at school and their journey navigating senior year while preparing for life after graduation, we meet their abusive father, their mother, and grandfather who eventually moves in with them when the domestic violence becomes so severe their Dad is arrested and the community at large finds out what has been occurring in their household. I loved the tender moments between the boys and their mother. Ari does a phenomenal job of showing the inner worlds of both Max and Jay who cope with the abuse they endure and witness very differently. I loved that Max's chapters were written in verse, a literary form fitting of the artist he is. I also was deeply touched by the portrayal of Jay's depression as the brother who eventually protects himself, his brother and his mother by resorting to physically defending the family against his father.

The author does a beautiful job of rendering the nuances of navigating depression as a young person while also trying to find joy in everyday life. The cultural references and storytelling aspects based in indigenous Bribri culture made the narrative richer and I know I will be thinking about these characters for a long while.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This story is everything it promises to be and more. There is a center on family, abuse, struggling with anger, taking on change, and an emphasis on Bribri culture and a desire to connect back to their roots.

First, I love that this novel applies the author’s culture and ancestry, because it is strongly needed representation. Next, it is presented in a way that is ingrained into the novel and deeper meaning while also showing the struggles of a family who are a bit disconnected. Jay, in particular, hungers for that connection.

The story is also told in two POVs, Jay with standard and short chapters and Max with poetic lines which reflects his artistic personality. Each boy has something they are particularly good at, Jay being so smart he recieves a 31 on his ACT and Max being a stunningly talented painter. You would think they have their futures laid out for them with nothing but the stars to reach, but under the surface is turmoil and tragedy. They face scrutiny under their Minnesotan high school’s perception after getting into a fight, and being tall and bulky dark skinned men. It doesn’t help that the person they fought is quite popular and can easily get people on his side. In the midst of that, their home life is hell, facing a demon far worse than anything they could endure at school.

They face challenges because of it, and these two brothers go on a journey of discovery… learning who they are and why they react in such a way to certain situations. They fear they’re becoming someone they’re not meant to be because of what they’re enduring. And their individual journeys just might form a wedge between the two.

From a personal standpoint, I immediately was drawn to Max and his more soft hearted nature and unsure of Jay, and as the story went I felt a shift. Jay is the older brother, and I could so strongly feel the dynamics between being an older brother and having the weight of the world on your shoulders to ensure your family’s safety. I grew to relate to him and even adore the journey he goes on. Max seems to grow in reverse, though he is still ultimately moving forward all the same. He’s more independent and doesn’t want anything to get in the way of his art. He knows what path he’s on and he’s ready to get there.

Overall, I think this is a stand out novel. The characters are strong, as well their journeys. The storytelling is unique in how the two POVs are presented and it adds a lot to their characters. We spend more time with Jay but it felt fitting as Max tends to be more aloof and not so obvious in his feelings.

I will be recommending this book highly to everyone.

This was a slow read for me. It probably just isn't for me, but it might be for you. Saints of the Household kind of reminds me of the show Little Fires Everywhere. It takes place in a small town and it talks about violence.

A breathtaking debut that is equal parts heartbreaking and healing.

This story is so dear to my heart. After reading snippets of it long ago, now seeing it in finished form with all the glorious potential realized is nothing short of a gift.

There is so much explored here: family and faith, art and rage, love and grief, identity and belonging. And yet Tison weaves all of these together seamlessly, flawlessly.

An absolute must read for all ages.

An act of violence. Two Indigenous Costa Rican brothers on the cusp of adulthood. Short descriptive chapters alternated with verses. Gripping and chest-tightening writing.
 
Two brothers, Jay and Max, born only eleven months apart, both in the last months of their senior year. When they hear someone in trouble, instinct takes over, and they intervene, beating up their high school's star soccer player. Only months away from their graduation, the boys have to figure out what this means for their future, their beliefs about who they are, and their bonds as brothers.
 
Jay’s chapters are told in brief snippets with short sentences, sometimes even without verbs. His voice is compelling and almost suffocating. It fits his struggles, his sorrow, his concerns about his mom and brother, his need to care for his family, his craving to save them.
 
Max’s chapters are told in melodic and sometimes angry and sometimes sad poems. His voice is more open, and throughout the poems, I felt his desire to express himself in his art, to follow his dreams, to spread out his wings, and to feel joy in life.
 
I read this story with a constant ache in my chest, rooting for those two boys who didn’t want to end up like their dad. The alternation between the two voices and the different writing made the story even more captivating. The second part of the story crushed my heart, but there’s healing too, and hope, eventually. Saints of the Household is an excellent debut, and I can’t wait to read more by Ari Tison.

this was such a well done book, it was a great idea to have alternating view points. I enjoyed that the viewpoints had a different voice. Ari Tison has a great writing style and it was such a beautifully done story. I really enjoyed what was happening and I felt for the characters.

"When it’s dark enough, I go back into the house. I sleep in the living room. I tell Max in my head over and over again, I am living. I’m just having a hard time. I’m messed up, and I’ve got nothing. Now I have less."