I enjoy poetry, but this was my first book written in prose, and it was incredible. The writing added so much dimension to an incredible story. So many pieces were incredibly evocative.

4 stars! 🌟

“I am the keeper named Gospel. The keeper who has lied, who has broken rules. The keeper who plays human to help the leaving.”

This book is entirely unique and in a genre of its own. Along with the flowery, poetic style writing, and elaborate comparisons this story felt like a quick but lovely fever dream. But, I liked it. I am not sure how to describe it other than that.

Thank you to Netgalley and by Feiwel & Friends for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

We are brought into this world with many questions, being slowly answered and explained by Gospel. Gospel is a keeper of what she refers to as the “leaving room” and she herself is a “keeper” of this room. She helps younger souls - aka children remember their most impactful memories in order to move their soul forward. One day, another keeper named Melody crosses paths with Gospel and they are stuck with one another. They start to develop feelings for each other and can’t help but what is next for them both in this unique situation.

When I read the synopsis of this book on Netgalley I was immediately intrigued. The concept of having a room to help you move from one plane in life to another is very comforting and creative. I was not expecting the writing to be so poetic. I thought the story would be more straightforward, so it took me quite some time to figure out what was taking place. I can see this being a controversial read for others. Please read at your own discretion 🙂

Seriously, this was so beautiful I had a hard time putting it down. It’s a quick read but kept me thinking days later. Amber McBride is always an author I check out and this book should not be missed. I seem to find myself gushing about her books because I’m always left in awe of her work. It was so touching and sweet. Definitely give this book a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

“It’s easier to be a Leaver.
It’s harder to be a Stayer.”
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Gospel is the Keeper of the Leaving Room—the place where young people go after they die and before passing on. Gospel feeds them, gives them something to drink, sometimes plays a game with them and then ushers them into the next phase, but little by little she starts breaking the rules. She’s not supposed to look at Leavers’ memories, but she does. She’s not supposed to sleep but one day finds herself napping. There aren’t supposed to be doors, but one a door appears and a Keeper named Melodee arrives and the two share rooms to usher in more Leavers together, something that’s also forbidden. As the two spend more time together they begin to fall in love, but can they find a way to leave The Leaving Room where this, too, is forbidden?
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Brilliant. AM this might be my favorite of yours so far. Fans of The Giver, Tuck Everlasting and other stories that buck the status quo and have characters questioning their existence and place in the world will devour this YA novel-in-verse the same way I did. Four minutes between life and death is the best tagline I’ve seen. I will be booktalking this one to death when it releases October 14. An easy 5 ⭐️!

CW: death, child death, car accident, medical trauma, grief, homophobia, trauma, hospitalization