An eternal life. That’s what some of us sometimes wish for, right? I’m afraid to die. I want to stay in this world and see with my own eyes what happens. I want to make a difference. I want to be with my loved ones. But what if they’re all gone and I’d be the only one still living? Hmmm, the world might be incredibly lonely by then.

Shahriar has huge dreams. Believes in a world that gets better over time. He’s desperate for eternal love. He’s also selfish. According to Lily, one of the side characters (but the most important one!) he’s: “An unloved child who thinks he can remake the world in his image.”

Oliver is used to hiding. He thrives in groups where he can be himself. Needs love from other people. He’s also depressed at times. “I always told you I was afraid. That it was the worst of my qualities.”

Exquisite Things is a story about two seventeen-year-olds who find eternal life. And always stay seventeen. The concept is marvelous and only an author like Abdi Azemian can pull this off. Two POVs in three different timelines. He did it in Only This Beautiful Moment and is doing it again, a story so small and so grand at the same time.

I don’t want to say too much about it. Just know the two boys live their lives on their own—sometimes decades apart—but always find their way back to each other. The eighties timeline stood out for me the most. The harshness of that time, but also filled with so much love and music: Spandau Ballet, the Human League, David Bowie, and so many others.

Some people always look back. Nostalgic because in the past everything seemed to be better. Others live in the future, with big dreams. But maybe we should try to live more in the now, even with all the terrible stuff happening at the moment. Hold on to the ones we love. And to ourselves. Give ourselves breathing room.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 because I could’ve done with a few less adverbs in the dialogue tags.

Nazemian is a really good writer, and I'll continue to always read his releases, but this was my least favorite thing he's published so far. Other than the main characters being 17, it didn't really feel like a YA book to me for some reason. I also just personally don't love books that jump around in time, but that's a me problem not a problem with the book. However, I did think there wasn't enough development of the relationship between the two main characters - I didn't understand what they like about each other between how they looked and their shared history, and I didn't feel like the reader was given enough to want them to end up together. Plus, I found both of them to be a bit selfish and manipulative. I did like that parts of this were set in Massachusetts though, that was fun for me!

Once this book got going, I could hardly put it down. There were several quotes about life, being queer, and everything in between that made me have to put the book down and think “wow”.
A lot like another of Abdi’s books, this one had characters so complex and a story so well told that I didn’t want the book to end, I felt so strongly that what we get on page is not the whole story and the characters’ stories continue after the book stops.

This is a six stars book if I’ve ever seen one.
This is compared to Addie LaRue but while I do love that book this feels a lot deeper and more meaningful. I wish this was out already so everyone could read it this month, it’s the perfect read for pride month.
We follow Bran and Oliver through the decades as the world changes and evolves(or not). Bran wanted to experience love in a time he could do it freely, and he gets the opportunity by becoming immortal somehow. Upon meeting Oliver he does the same for him with the hope they could live together forever. Obviously things don’t go as swimmingly as he hoped.
This book is so well written, I underlined many parts. The descriptions are so vivid I felt like I was there. I felt the character’s helplessness and rage, their love and their hope. I am sure it will stay with me, it moved me like very few books ever did. I honestly don’t have words to describe how great it is.
Exquisite Things is about love, community, justice, prejudice, acceptance, rage, and above all, life. This feels like required reading, I urge everyone to read it once it comes out.