The Paper Swan

My kryptonite: I’m kind of the fluffy bunny for my blog, the low angsty, funny read girl. I prefer to laugh than cry during my reads. But every once in a while I dip my toes into dark waters. The kind where the laughter is more of the hysterical kind because it’s either that or lose your mind. Nothing draws me deeper into those dark waters than a couple whose love is a bit twisted. My OTP (one true pairing for those who’ve never shipped) is a couple who did unspeakable things to each other, committed acts that make no logical sense to other people, yet couldn’t stay away from each other. So for those who aren’t sure - there is no love triangle, but there is violence and tragedy. This is a tale of darkness and light, beauty and horror, but above it all, it’s about love - the kind that endures, the kind that forgives, the kind that overcomes all. When I see that, I can’t help but read on. All the feels: Emotionally, the writing is very evocative and poignant. There were moments where I gasped, cried, laughed and sighed. It gave it all to me and while dramatic, I never felt that it went into melodramatics because the darkness isn’t without consequence, and prices are paid for each and every action taken. Best of all, it (eventually) gave me the fuzzy warm feels that all good romances should. I wouldn’t read spoilers beforehand: I went into this story blind, and I truly believe that’s the best way to experience it, so I am being deliberately vague with my review. Not knowing would would happen next kept me trepidatious. I was immediately swept up in the fear and the panic of those first few chapters...and yet I loved the way the story is structured, giving you just enough of the puzzle when you need it most to keep you invested. There are time jumps, so as things unfold in present day, there are flashbacks to the past, as well as chapters where you learn the full backstory of the characters. I couldn’t help but keep turning those pages well into the night. Skye’s an unusual heroine: She has a big heart and the conditions she survives and thrives under made me empathize with her and connect with her. The story alternates from first person for Skye to third person for everyone else, so it certainly feels more intimate when it came to her side of the story. Dah-me-yahn, damn you!: At first I was like Damian? What the ever loving hell, man? I started with alot of feels for this man, not the least of which was anger. Just the thought of him made me all stabby. Then the full story unfolds, little by little, and when the first of several twists was revealed...well I was a little horrified that I was softening. By the end of it all though? Yeah, Damian had me all in. So, those twists and turns: I would shave a hair off the rating because I could read the signs for each turn. Could be because this ain’t my first rodeo, or I have a lifelong love of romance novels and soaps. Still, it managed to spook me each time, like that scream that escapes you even when you know there’s someone waiting to jump out at you. The Bottom Line I loved it. This is a story goes from darkness into the light and it’s a hell of a ride getting there. I definitely recommend it for those who are into those angsty, redemptive love type of romances.

Author: Leylah Attar Genre: Mystery Thriller/Romantic Suspense Release date: August 4, 2015 # of pages: 273 Blurb: "Intense, gritty, and full of heart." They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. They lie. For 21 days she held on. But on Day 22, she would have given anything for the sweet slumber of death. Because on Day 22, she realizes that her only way out means certain death for one of the two men she loves. A haunting tale of passion, loss, and redemption, The Paper Swan is a darkly intense yet heartwarming love story, textured with grit, intrigue, and suspense. The beginning of the book did grab me. I was so curious as to what was going to happen. I was reading as fast as I could. However, it did start to slow down and I was beginning to think, is this a romance book or just a thriller? I had a love/hate relationship with the main characters. They had very likable characteristics and very unlikable ones. I really fell in love with some of the other characters as well, but wanted to kill some of the others. “if you close your eyes and think about someone you love, what comes back is not a precise list of hair color, eye color, or the things that go on their driver’s license. Rather, it’s the bits and pieces that seep through your consciousness, the things about them that you never realized you were storing away.” I would like to say how beautifully written this book was. This author defiantly has a way with words. This was a thriller/ romantic suspense novel for sure. However, we didn’t really see the romance side until about 66-70%. The story was separated in to sections told by Skye (1st person) and then switched to Damian (3rd person). This was confusing to me which lead to the 4 stars. You read about the series of events that take place before, during, and after Skye is abducted. The relationship between these characters was really defined by a quote in the book, which I really loved. “we are a question that hasn’t been answered yet, a hiding place that hasn’t been found yet, a battle that hasn’t been fought yet.” The ending, made this book for me. Everything was tied together wonderfully. It was a long ride to get there but I really do love a HEA. I would recommend this book to friends that liked this type of genre. It was somewhat violent and that isn’t for everyone. This author is very talented and I will be reading more from her in the future. 4/4.5 Stars 💚💚💚💚 😊

I am haunted by this book. I have so many words to describe this book, and yet I feel that it won’t be enough to truly express the way I feel about The Paper Swan, by Leylah Attar. It’s a struggle, a fight, a love story, a trap, a storm, and I couldn’t put it down. As soon as you start this story you are immersed into darkness, you meet Skye who seems to still have her humor and kick-ass personality, all the while she is taken. She is a wealthy young woman, and you want to make assumptions about her, and all I can say is, make every assumption you want, because Leylah is going to blow your mind! I knew Skye would be different. Come on she is thinking about her headline while being dragged to God only knows. ‘KILLER SHOES’ “the image would feature a deadly, lacquered heel sticking out of my abductor’s body” She is faced with death, and in death you are faced with images of loved ones you have loved the most, some you haven’t thought about, but never left your soul. Terror hovers over her, as her captor is confident, his stride is slow and careful. He pushes her to a breaking a point and tortures her physically and emotionally. Damian, the captor is good looking; mysterious with a great body, but his eyes are black and only hold vengeance. You question him, you believe in him, and you hate loving him. At times Skye would retreat to her childhood memories, where she was best friends with a boy 4 yrs older than her, named Esteban who is the son of her nanny who they call MamaLu. I think she recalls these times, because they are salve to her emotional wounds. Through the childhood memories Leylah gives us best friends that are from two vastly different worlds. One poor, one rich, but to one another they are playmates, protectors, and soulmates. Esteban and Skye were enchanting together. “What do you do, Skye?” he asked. “I fight back and I fight hard.” “Ready?” he said. “On five.” 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … Skye reminds herself of where she came from, in order to fight back against her captor. However, something will change between the captive and the captor and the world around them will build up and slowly crumble to ash. Leylah presents us with characters that are a result of their environment; they are a result of a series of links made for them by adults in their life. Now adults themselves, how do you survive, how do you change, grow, and make the world your own? How far would we go to protect our own blood? There is always a reason behind the choices we make. Those choices will always have a consequence. “You always don’t get the treasure by holding on. Sometimes the magic happens when you let go.” This story was poetic, well written, twisted, and passionate! It had everything! Prepare to be devastated in the most beautiful way! (marla, after this page book blog)

“It’s not over, you know. It never has been,” he said. “Whether you say yes or no, you will always be my forever.” I am sitting here having just finished this book and wondering how the heck I’m going to review this that will a.) appropriately capture the depth and emotion that made up this story and b.) that won’t spoil anything. I don’t know that I will be able to accomplish A, but I will certainly make sure to accomplish B because this is a book that is truly best experienced by going in blind. Read the blurb, but try not to seek out any other spoilers because this story is filled with so many twists and turns that are so expertly woven together to create this remarkable book. This isn’t the type of story that I typically read, it was much darker and grittier than I am used to and I did struggle a little in the early stages of the book with the horrific situation Skye was in but as the story went on and discoveries made I was able to connect to the book and to the plight of both our main characters. As I said, everything was so perfectly interconnected that you couldn’t help but root for things to work out and in the end you are rewarded with an epic love story that spans decades. “You can only choose love or you can choose hate, because where one lives, the other will die.” I’m not going to say much about the storyline itself because as I said, you really ought to experience this as it comes. But at its heart this is a story about love and hate and learning to let one go in order to truly have the other. It’s amazing how one innocent moment can forever change the course of so many lives. It’s a story of family and of vengeance, of losing yourself and finding yourself again. It’s a story of love and redemption. And it’s not just one character, there are so many layers to this story and in some way I think all the characters experience these things. I know that this is very vague, and I wish I could say more but I really don’t want to spoil anything. Just be prepared for a deeply emotional journey that will keep surprising you at every turn, your heart will race both in fear and in excitement. The story is intense and raw and gritty, both in its darkest moments and in its lightest moments. ‘…because there is no space too dark or too vast or too irredeemable that can’t be filled with love.’ I thought this book was beautifully written. The descriptions were almost poetic and I could clearly picture everything that was going on. The struggles of our characters, both past and present, were clearly depicted and I could feel their despair, their fear and their joy. I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, but it certainly surprised me and I really enjoyed it. This was the first book I’ve read from this author but I will definitely be seeking out her other titles to give them a try! If you’re looking for an epic love story that defies boundaries and that is filled with passion, suspense, love and loyalty then I would definitely recommend checking this one out! “Sometimes everything gets dismantled so something better can be pieced together.”

Fierce, powerful, and absolutely breathtaking, this beautifully-written book will sweep you away in an epic love story that spans years and lasts a lifetime. The Paper Swan is a must-read for any romance readers who are searching for a completely unique story that’ll captivate you from start to finish. While the twists and turns are intense, gritty, and sometimes even dark, this was actually one of the sweetest and most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read. I loved every word and highly recommend it! I want to be very clear that this is a standalone romance with no love triangle. It’s also not tragic (really, the ending is gorgeous) so you do not have to worry about anything. Yes, it’s a truly crazy ride, but I’m almost certain that any romance reader will love this and not have any problem with any of it’s content. This is one of those stories that you just need to have TRUST with. Trust the author and trust me when I say that its better not to know anything about this story before you start it other than the blurb… And I know there are a bunch of you right now sitting here reading this and eyeing this blurb warily but just trust me, I get it. The very first thing I did when I saw it was go out and make sure there was no triangle/cheating/death before I even considered reading the book, and even though the blurb is accurate, it’s also not what you think. I promise, cross my heart, and pinky swear that it’s not going to devastate you. It’s just a really unique love story, but it has everything that would make a romance fan happy even though it’s edgy and has darker moments. You guys know that I always warn you whenever there’s anything I think you should know beforehand but this is one of those times when really, you’ll be fine. I wouldn’t say that unless I meant it. Just dive in! When you start the book, holy hell, the prologue just throws you right into the story! It’s immediately captivating because you’re suddenly in this intense, life-threatening situation with the heroine and, just like her, you have absolutely no idea why it’s happening, or what is going to happen next. There are so many questions and so many possibly directions for the story to take so it just begs you to turn the page! I loved that the heroine was strong, smart, and capable. She was relatable, down-to-earth, and just felt very much like a real person I’d love to get to know. And I totally fell for the hero (or, you could really say anti-hero). This guy had been dealt a truly unfortunate hand of cards and his life lead him down a dangerous and destructive path, but with the way it was written, you were shown why he’d become that man. At what point does a person bear too much pain? At what point does it change them? I loved the complexity of his character and the range of emotion his story drew out of me over the course of this book. This is a story that keeps you guessing the whole way through and toys with your heart while unraveling an intricate tale of passion, vengeance, redemption, sacrifice, acceptance, forgiveness, and the purest form of love, where the lines between good and bad are often blurred, and with writing so vivid that you feel like you’re experiencing the story alongside the characters. It begins in childhood and tells the story of how a boy turns into a monster and loses himself while trying to save the one he loves most, but how that monster can too find love because even though he’s no longer that boy, a part of him still remembers who he was and who he loved. It’s filled with emotion, intrigue, suspense and passion. I couldn’t put it down! That’s honestly as much as I want to say about the story. I feel very strongly that you should just go into this book blind. I can technically categorize the type of romance but I want you to be as surprised and thrilled as I was while you read. Despite this story’s gritty and sometimes even violent twists and turns, this was honestly turned out to be one of the heart-warming love stories I’ve read. Leylah Attar’s stunning writing wraps you up in this epic journey and sweeps you away. This book had it all — beautiful writing, beautiful story, beautiful cover. It’s one of my top favorites of this year and a must-read recommendation!! “It’s not over, you know. It never has been,” he said. “Whether you say yes or no, you will always be my forever.” Rating 5 stars! Standalone contemporary romance.

Review by Jennifer 4 Powerful Stars WOW! This was a powerful story that definitely packed a punch with it! It had everything in it…love, lies, sex, kidnapping, murder and suspense. For a good part of this book I was on the edge of my seat wondering what in the world was going to happen next and was I going to be able to handle it. The Paper Swan is an emotional story about what happens when a person is so blinded by revenge that it’s all him/her can see. It also lets the reader experience what can happen when one chooses to let go of all the hatred that they have kept inside for so long. “You don’t always get the treasure by holding on. Sometimes the magic happens when you let go.” These two characters endured so much throughout this book. It was heartbreaking at times and I would think to myself how much more can they take but I had to see it through to the end. I had to know the full story and I am so glad I did. When I started the book, I felt one way about them and by the end I felt something completely different. I so desperately wanted them to find their hea. “If I die tonight, I want to die remembering what it was like to hold the whole world in my hands.” This book will definitely take you on a ride through all of your emotions. You won’t know which way is up for a while, but just hang on you will make it through alright. I have to add to this review how beautifully written I thought this story was. The Author did an outstanding job writing it in my opinion.

I know so many have loved this book. Like most of us here, I saw it promoted on every book blog as the best book of 2015, soooo amazing, etc. I was very hesitant to even check it out since most early reviewers suggested going in blind. I've been burned too many times that way...and now I'm really never doing it again. ** Spoilers ahead!! ** The Paper Swan is well written, but I didn't find the breathtaking prose I was expecting. It was simply a well written, decently developed story. I did appreciate the way Ms. Attar incorporated the past into her story without having long, drawn out, boring flashbacks. Maybe it was because of the back story that nothing, and I mean not a single thing, in this story came as a surprise. There was no need for going in blind or avoiding spoilers, because it was so incredibly predictable. So - was there ever actually a doubt for the readers that Damian was Esteban? How predictable and unrealistic is this?! I'm really tired of authors trying this trick. I don't care that it was 15 years since Skye had seen him (side note - I had to look their names up, that's how ho-hum this book was), she would recognize him. So then of course, the daughter, and how obvious it was that she was the one coming to the house (can't remember the name of that either. Paloma or something?) - not to mention that she existed at all - just predictable, predictable, predictable, and also unbelievable. What parent allows her child to wander on her own in a foreign country for hours and not ask her where she's been? The way Damian treated Skye was unforgivable. I don't care what kind of past they had. And his confrontation with her father?! What in the world is wrong with this chick that she decided she still wanted to be with him? Fully admitting I'm in the minority here, and I'm always left wondering why I'm the one who dislikes such popular books. This has happened with Mud Vein, the past couple Colleen Hoover books, Fisher's Light, etc. Maybe the genre has grown too predictable and I've grown too cynical. My apologies for not the greatest book review; I realize this is my stream of consciousness, but I hope maybe someone will read it and realize they too are not alone in feeling let down. The Paper Swan was a decent book, and for $2.99 it was not one I would return, but I wasn't blown away as I expected to be based on the raving book world. Readers take note!

"You can either choose love or you can choose hate, because where one lives, the other will die." THE PAPER SWAN by New York Times bestselling author Leylah Attar left me completely and utterly enthralled! I knew even before going in, after hearing all the positive buzz and glowing accolades, that this book was going to be something special. But nonetheless, there are no words to adequately describe for how absolutely MAGNIFICENT it was!! This is truly one of the most deeply moving, harrowing, hauntingly beautiful romantic suspense novels I have EVER read. THE PAPER SWAN is an epic story, spanning decades, which follows the lives of two childhood friends-turned foes-turned lovers, who are tragically separated by time and distance, torn asunder by blistering rage and unbearable heartache and festering resentment, but whose destinies are forever intertwined! There is so much gorgeous imagery and symbolism weaved throughout the book, and I am still trying to wrap my brain around it all. But in the end, my takeaway is that this story about innocence lost and found again, finding hope and quiet majesty even in the darkest moments of despair, and the incredible resilience of the human heart. "We lay on the floor, wishing for the simplicity of childhood, the wholeness of hearts, the sweetness of pure, unadulterated life. Muddy puddles and chocolate faces and skinned knees and skipping rope; me hiding behind MaMaLu’s skirts after painting his face ballerina pink as he slept under the tree." This stunning novel held my heart in a vice grip from the first page to the very last, and sometimes I was so embroiled in the story I barely came up for air! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough yet at the same time I wanted to read in slow motion so I could savor each and every exquisite word. Very gorgeous nuance. Every spellbinding, searingly emotional moment. To put it simply, this book left me transfixed! The narrative was eloquent, poetic and beautifully textured, the plotline gritty and raw, the love story brutally painful yet sweepingly romantic, and the characters so profoundly flawed yet endearingly human they splintered my soul. It hard to describe the gamut of chaotic feelings this novel evoked in me. Anger. Fear. Trepidation. Devastation. Outrage. Love. Longing. Hope. Tenderness. Euphoria. My emotions kept swinging back and forth like a pendulum, and it was such an incredibly taxing, gut-wrenching read at times that I had to take breaks in between to avoid sensory overload. Is it a dark, twisted, disturbing read? Heck yeah!! But at its core is a heartstirring love story that stands the test of time. Through good times and bad, happiness and sorrow, these two soulmates were tethered together by their all consuming passion for each other---and the legacy of one remarkable woman, MaMaLu. But the cruel hands of fate nearly destroyed them both. In the classic setup of an eye for an eye, Damian was out to right a past wrong. He lived for vengeance. Retribution. Revenge. And it set him on a dark, diabolical path of destruction that nearly decimated both their worlds. "Hate was an illusion, rage was an illusion, vengeance was an illusion. They were all empty husks that he had watered and nurtured, and in the end, they bore no fruit." It is via the sheer power of Ms. Attar’s writing that she was able to make me sympathize with a "hero" who I started off absolutely loathing. Damian Caballero was evil personified in the beginning, a cold-hearted, soulless monster who did despicable things to our beloved heroine, Skye Sedgewick. In fact, some of the physical and emotional torture he inflicted on the innocent heiress made my skin crawl. But as the story started to unravel and shift, flashing between the present and the past, so did my feelings for this confounding, complicated man. I eventually came to realize that NOTHING was as it appeared. Was Damian worthy of redemption? Of love? Of forgiveness? Could he ever truly atone for his sins? Yes…yes…1000 times YES!! Because by book’s end not only was he fully rehabilitated in my eyes, but I ended up forgiving him fully and loving him as fiercely as I once reviled him. And, miraculously, what started off as a dark, depraved story of cruel captivity transformed into an exquisitely beautiful, LIBERATING, fiercely tender love story that moved me to tears. “When I follow my heart, it always leads me back to you.” For no matter what obstacles were strewn in their path, no matter how much danger and madness, murder and mayhem and bars of steel were erected between them, Skye never stopped loving Damian, never stopped fighting for a future with him, ultimately giving him the courage to claw his way out of the darkness. For her. The girl who’d forever own a piece of his soul. Her strength, courage, kindness, capacity for love and forgiveness were absolutely AWE-INSPIRING! "Because when we love, we carry it on the inside, and we can turn on its light even in our darkest moments. The deeper we love, the brighter it shines. Love don’t die. " This plot was so brilliantly crafted and executed, with so many jaw dropping twists and turns it had me gasping at times! I relish big “full circle” moments in books, where everything that has been building from the beginning reaches a shattering crescendo, and this novel had one of the most spectacular climaxes I have EVER read. I still get chills just thinking about it! And the ending couldn’t have been more perfect. Ultimately, THE PAPER SWAN is a powerful, profound, hauntingly beautiful story that branded my heart and soul. This is my first novel by the marvelously gifted Leylah Attar, but it will certainly not be my last!!

Confesso que a sinopse deste livro ao mesmo tempo me intrigou e me rechaçou, isto porque se por um lado eu me vi extremamente curiosa a respeito de sua trama, por outro eu não pude deixar de me perguntar se esta seria mais uma estória figurando um triângulo amoroso. E aqueles que me conhecem sabem que a minha alma odeia triângulos amorosos. Dessa forma, eu acredito que deva começar esta resenha deixando bem claro que aqui você não encontrará uma heroína divida entre duas paixões (ufa!). The Paper Swan, em verdade, traz uma belíssima e original estória de amor, brilhantemente arquitetada de forma a te deixar sem fôlego. Por meio de reviravolta atrás de reviravolta você experimentará uma jornada louca, surpreendente e por vezes perturbadora, escrita num ritmo intenso e de forma instigante. Mas, sobre o que é este livro? Bom, esta é uma daquelas estórias em que você terá que confiar em mim quanto eu te digo que quanto menos você souber melhor será. Tudo o que eu posso dizer é que ela fala de um menino que ao ter tudo o que ele mais amava arrancado de sua vida, acaba entrando num mundo perverso que o transforma. E, claro, como todo bom romance, aqui o amor, talvez, seja a única coisa capaz de trazer de volta a pessoa que um dia ela já foi. A narrativa começa de forma intensa, o prólogo já te joga no meio de uma tempestade de adrenalina. Eu me vi rapidamente cativada e intrigada. A heroína se encontra em uma situação de risco e assim como ela você não tem a mínima ideia do que está acontecendo. A medida que a estória vai progredindo as duvidas e suspeitas só vão se intensificando. Eu definitivamente engoli este livro. A necessidade de saber o que aconteceria em seguida me fez esquecer de que, sim, eu preciso de mais de três horas de sono para funcionar durante o dia. Portanto, se esta resenha talvez não esteja fazendo muito sentido, lembre-se de que eu estou me movendo em modo zumbi a base de cafeína. Eu realmente adorei a nossa heroína. A forma dela pensar e a sua força me encantaram. E o herói, ou melhor o nosso anti-héroi, é simplesmente admirável. A complexidade de seu personagem me deixou completamente intrigada e o caleidoscópio de suas emoções eram tão pungentes e cruas que eu pude sentir a dor dele em meus ossos. The Paper Swan é uma linda e intrigante estória de amor que brincará com o seu coração e com a sua mente enquanto você desvenda sua intricada trama que tem como escopo a vingança, a redenção, o amor, o sacrifício e o perdão. A ténue linha entre o amor e o ódio e entre o certo e o errado muitas vezes se tornará turva, mas não se preocupe, no fim tudo valerá a pena. Se recomendo? Só se for muito!

There are no words. This story spans years Skye and Estebans lives. It shows the intense connection they shared, one they thought could never be broken. It shows how people can hold onto something they love so dearly and use it for better or for worse. It touches on so subjects people might not like, but i beg you to keep reading. I am not romanticizing anything that happened in this book, but the bare bones where already there, their story had already begun and it deserved an ending. To me The Paper Swan is a story of love, redemption and friendship. Its two people trying to figure out the world and everything that happens in it. Its about carving your own path and knowing when you have done wrong and when you need to just let things go. Its is well written, flows beautifully and the character development is brilliant. I loved both characters, i hated them too but mostly i just felt for them and i think that is what makes it such a stunning story. Its all about the feels.

I haven't read a contemporary novel for such a long time, so when I bought this novel I had mixed feelings about whether I'd like it or not. But the reviews for this book were all over the place and I can now say deservedly so. It's a very well written, well-executed and deep book. When you meet one of the main characters, he's a ruthless and mean jerk. I couldn't stand the guy and was hoping someone would see what was happening and give him what was due. But somehow during the novel.... and I'm saying this with awe....I suddenly found myself rooting for him, even feeling sorry for him, which of course can only mean one thing. That the author knows how to write. This is a beautifully touching and inspiring novel. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy. You won't regret it. A winner for me.

This book made its way to my "best shelf". It has it all: -revenge; -drug cartels; -childhood sweethearts; -spoiled heiress turned survivor; -dangerously attractive abductor; -action; -romance; -hot sexual chemistry.... I was hooked from the first sentence and had to put it down with great reluctance when I had to work or do some (un)necessary chore. I loved Skye and Damian. I cried for MaMaLu. I laughed when Gidiot got what he deserved and I wanted to kill Victor myself. And I loved when Sierra kicked him in the balls. Way to go girl! Really, all the rave about this book is well deserved. Just read it, especially if you're in a bookhangover and miss your quality reading fix.

it had -kidnapping -morally grey characters -a bit mafia -one of the most beautiful writing ever and the most heartbreaking story to tell. i‘m at a loss for everything. this is one of the books where u finish it and have to space out first for a few minutes to recollect urself. where u question everything and anything. this book made me cry so many times. i’ve never had a book where i marked so many things. so many words. i’ve marked whole pages. and it still didn’t seem enough. every page was worth marking it. every. single. page. the whole book is worth quoting it. leylah attar delivered a heartbreaking and complex story about violence, vengeance and wrath and so much love. her characters come and love with all their flaws and beauty. i’ve asked myself so many times how will this end? how can this have a happy ending? will it even get a happy one? while my sight was blurry of all the tears still running down. this was only my second book of leylah attar and she’s officially now one of my favorite authors. ever. “I want to remember this,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “If I die tonight, I want to die remembering what it was like to hold the whole world in my hands.”