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The Fragments that Remain
First-year college student Andy can’t afford to slow down. Study, volunteer, work, make new friends, fall in love ― whatever it takes to keep her from obsessing over her brother Ally’s death, which was ruled suicide by overdose. Navigating a new life chapter without her “honorary twin,” Andy writes letters to him as she strives to embrace her bisexuality and her Indigenous identity. Once she discovers Ally’s hidden poems, Andy pours over them to make sense of her brother’s life ― and his death.
Back in senior year, Ally dreamed of being a poet. His parents encouraged him to write as a hobby, but they always expected him to inherit the family-owned bookshop with his sister. Ally wrote to cope with his emptiness, until he turned to drugs to fill the void.
Reaching for her brother through unanswered words, Andy must reckon with living a once-shared life alone.
Back in senior year, Ally dreamed of being a poet. His parents encouraged him to write as a hobby, but they always expected him to inherit the family-owned bookshop with his sister. Ally wrote to cope with his emptiness, until he turned to drugs to fill the void.
Reaching for her brother through unanswered words, Andy must reckon with living a once-shared life alone.
270 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2025
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113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 25, 2025
This book was an unexpected gem that came across my path.
I try to read more novels in verse lately and when this book came past as an open to claim review copy I wanted to give this a try. But wow did it blow me away.
The book starts off a bit chaotic in the form of letters from the main character to her dead brother. Because we can only see the letters and not the full scenes the picture of what is up in the main characters life slowly comes to the surface. Letter by letter more becomes clear and her pain and struggles become apparent. I felt deeply emotionally connected to the main character by the way this was done and made me want to continue reading and never stop.
When things in the main characters life crumbles down even more and the book switches POV to the dead brothers poetry I was floored. His poetry hit me so so deep. As someone currently struggling with suicidal thoughts a lot what he wrote was deeply familiar and very raw. It made me feel seen in a way books don't often do. These poems however lead to his death which we know to the start and the way things developed towards that known point was intense and beautifully done.
Then going back to the girl we see character growth and healing and it made me feel so warm. Seeing someone get past such grief and being open and humble was beautiful to be a part of.
Concluding this was a story with deep poems and character growth with plenty of tears to shed for.
Rating: 4.75
I received this eARC and this was my honest review
I try to read more novels in verse lately and when this book came past as an open to claim review copy I wanted to give this a try. But wow did it blow me away.
The book starts off a bit chaotic in the form of letters from the main character to her dead brother. Because we can only see the letters and not the full scenes the picture of what is up in the main characters life slowly comes to the surface. Letter by letter more becomes clear and her pain and struggles become apparent. I felt deeply emotionally connected to the main character by the way this was done and made me want to continue reading and never stop.
When things in the main characters life crumbles down even more and the book switches POV to the dead brothers poetry I was floored. His poetry hit me so so deep. As someone currently struggling with suicidal thoughts a lot what he wrote was deeply familiar and very raw. It made me feel seen in a way books don't often do. These poems however lead to his death which we know to the start and the way things developed towards that known point was intense and beautifully done.
Then going back to the girl we see character growth and healing and it made me feel so warm. Seeing someone get past such grief and being open and humble was beautiful to be a part of.
Concluding this was a story with deep poems and character growth with plenty of tears to shed for.
Rating: 4.75
I received this eARC and this was my honest review
September 20, 2025
3/5
This book will captivate you if you are looking for the raw emotional story of an Indigenous teen who is reeling after the overdose death of her honorary twin. She struggles to find herself and move through her grief in her first year alone.
TLDR;
Characters: ★★★★☆
Andy and Ally are two teens struggling to find their identity and get through school. Real and raw characters and emotions shine in this. There is bisexual and aromantic rep.
Atmosphere: ★★★☆☆
Contemporary setting, it could be anywhere and I guess that's the point. Dark and heavy, but there's a little hope.
Plot, Pacing, Premise: ★★★★★
Linear plot, but would benefit from timestamps. Pacing is solid and the book lives up to its premise.
Tone: ★★★★★
Dark, heavy, laden with grief. There are pockets of hope, but the majority of the book is heavy.
Intrigue: ★★★★★
Death of a sibling/twin, substance abuse, and finding yourself in all of the chaos. It's intriguing.
Versus (Strengths/Weaknesses): ★★★★☆
Real characters with unfiltered, raw emotions, but sometimes the telling gets in the way.
Audience:
Any teen or adult who has lost someone to substance abuse or lost a family member suddenly. Be careful with your mental health while you read this, it's heavy.
Themes: ★★★★★
Strong, in your face, and real. Trauma, grief, hope, and coming-of-age.
Ending: ★★★★☆
Twins are the same, but they strive to be different. The ending is okay, it is satisfying enough.
Character
Ally (Alexander) and Andy (Andria) are very similar. One spirals and falls, the other spirals and tries to make sense of the world.
Both are your typical 17-year-olds, exploring life and love, trying to find their place. They are relatable to anyone who has struggled or who has lost someone suddenly. It was easy to be in their shoes.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in this book is dark but also hopeful. The way it's told gives you snapshots but it's up to you to hold the world in your mind.
Plot, Pacing, and Premise
The plot was sometimes hard to follow. There is little to go on to ground you in time other than if Andy mentions starting something new. It takes place over a year but I would have liked to see dates on the entries.
Pacing is good. It's steady and has ups and downs. I didn't feel bogged down in gloom and I was swept along with Andy.
Premise was accurate to the book. Andy loses Ally to a drug overdose and she is stuck putting the pieces back together but so many don't fit.
Tone
The tone is quite sad. Andy goes through the stages of grief, but loss, guilt, and depression are the biggest ones.
Thankfully this book is a quick read, the overwhelming sadness Andy feels and writes about is a lot but it's broken up into journal-like entries. This gives you some breathing room but it's still a heavy book.
Intrigue
I love reading about twins. Their bond wasn't as weird as Nell and Lark in The Lost Tarot, but it was similar in the hole that is left behind.
How do you continue when someone who has lived your entire life beside you leaves suddenly? Losing family is hard, but this book weaves together addiction, loss of culture, and identity.
This was a lot darker than I expected but it also ended up being a much faster read too.
Versus (Strengths & Weaknesses)
Angeconeb writes brutal and honest emotions. They are able to weave together a year of ups and downs but still give you enough hope to keep turning the page.
I liked that she included Ally's poetry. They explored Ally's inner struggles with short verses that gave light to the pain he was silently experiencing. Trauma and lack of identity compound into a deep struggle that people will relate to. This book is heavy and you should mind your mental health while reading it, especially Andy's part.
The only weakness I found was in the formatting. It's all telling, so you lose the ability to ponder as time moves on and you're just left getting hit with every good and bad thing that happens. You don't really get to see Andy change as you are told how she believes she is changing, it makes it somewhat flat.
This is also a strength as you are at the mercy of the raw emotions of a girl trying to find her place in the world and within herself. This book hits hard and doesn't stop.
Audience
Teens and adults will find meaning in this. Anyone who has questioned their identity, lost a loved one suddenly, or known someone with addiction will find bits of themselves in these pages.
This isn't for someone struggling mentally or someone who has recently lost someone. Take care of yourself and break it into smaller chunks if you do decide to read this.
Theme
Identity, both culturally and as a twin without their sibling. Trauma and grief, both for losing a sibling and for being disconnected to their culture. Love and healing as Andy goes to college and continues to process. Family is explored and shown throughout as not only Andy is in pain or in need of healing.
The themes are dark and heavy, but it leads to an authentic portrait of a teen's grief and how moving on isn't always linear.
Ending
Satisfying. There is change and acceptance, and I believe the acceptance is the most important part. I felt like things weren't wrapped up as nicely as I wanted them to be, but that would take away from the realism of this story. You don't always get all the answers you want, sometimes you have to accept that.
This book will captivate you if you are looking for the raw emotional story of an Indigenous teen who is reeling after the overdose death of her honorary twin. She struggles to find herself and move through her grief in her first year alone.
TLDR;
Characters: ★★★★☆
Andy and Ally are two teens struggling to find their identity and get through school. Real and raw characters and emotions shine in this. There is bisexual and aromantic rep.
Atmosphere: ★★★☆☆
Contemporary setting, it could be anywhere and I guess that's the point. Dark and heavy, but there's a little hope.
Plot, Pacing, Premise: ★★★★★
Linear plot, but would benefit from timestamps. Pacing is solid and the book lives up to its premise.
Tone: ★★★★★
Dark, heavy, laden with grief. There are pockets of hope, but the majority of the book is heavy.
Intrigue: ★★★★★
Death of a sibling/twin, substance abuse, and finding yourself in all of the chaos. It's intriguing.
Versus (Strengths/Weaknesses): ★★★★☆
Real characters with unfiltered, raw emotions, but sometimes the telling gets in the way.
Audience:
Any teen or adult who has lost someone to substance abuse or lost a family member suddenly. Be careful with your mental health while you read this, it's heavy.
Themes: ★★★★★
Strong, in your face, and real. Trauma, grief, hope, and coming-of-age.
Ending: ★★★★☆
Twins are the same, but they strive to be different. The ending is okay, it is satisfying enough.
Character
Ally (Alexander) and Andy (Andria) are very similar. One spirals and falls, the other spirals and tries to make sense of the world.
Both are your typical 17-year-olds, exploring life and love, trying to find their place. They are relatable to anyone who has struggled or who has lost someone suddenly. It was easy to be in their shoes.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in this book is dark but also hopeful. The way it's told gives you snapshots but it's up to you to hold the world in your mind.
Plot, Pacing, and Premise
The plot was sometimes hard to follow. There is little to go on to ground you in time other than if Andy mentions starting something new. It takes place over a year but I would have liked to see dates on the entries.
Pacing is good. It's steady and has ups and downs. I didn't feel bogged down in gloom and I was swept along with Andy.
Premise was accurate to the book. Andy loses Ally to a drug overdose and she is stuck putting the pieces back together but so many don't fit.
Tone
The tone is quite sad. Andy goes through the stages of grief, but loss, guilt, and depression are the biggest ones.
Thankfully this book is a quick read, the overwhelming sadness Andy feels and writes about is a lot but it's broken up into journal-like entries. This gives you some breathing room but it's still a heavy book.
Intrigue
I love reading about twins. Their bond wasn't as weird as Nell and Lark in The Lost Tarot, but it was similar in the hole that is left behind.
How do you continue when someone who has lived your entire life beside you leaves suddenly? Losing family is hard, but this book weaves together addiction, loss of culture, and identity.
This was a lot darker than I expected but it also ended up being a much faster read too.
Versus (Strengths & Weaknesses)
Angeconeb writes brutal and honest emotions. They are able to weave together a year of ups and downs but still give you enough hope to keep turning the page.
I liked that she included Ally's poetry. They explored Ally's inner struggles with short verses that gave light to the pain he was silently experiencing. Trauma and lack of identity compound into a deep struggle that people will relate to. This book is heavy and you should mind your mental health while reading it, especially Andy's part.
The only weakness I found was in the formatting. It's all telling, so you lose the ability to ponder as time moves on and you're just left getting hit with every good and bad thing that happens. You don't really get to see Andy change as you are told how she believes she is changing, it makes it somewhat flat.
This is also a strength as you are at the mercy of the raw emotions of a girl trying to find her place in the world and within herself. This book hits hard and doesn't stop.
Audience
Teens and adults will find meaning in this. Anyone who has questioned their identity, lost a loved one suddenly, or known someone with addiction will find bits of themselves in these pages.
This isn't for someone struggling mentally or someone who has recently lost someone. Take care of yourself and break it into smaller chunks if you do decide to read this.
Theme
Identity, both culturally and as a twin without their sibling. Trauma and grief, both for losing a sibling and for being disconnected to their culture. Love and healing as Andy goes to college and continues to process. Family is explored and shown throughout as not only Andy is in pain or in need of healing.
The themes are dark and heavy, but it leads to an authentic portrait of a teen's grief and how moving on isn't always linear.
Ending
Satisfying. There is change and acceptance, and I believe the acceptance is the most important part. I felt like things weren't wrapped up as nicely as I wanted them to be, but that would take away from the realism of this story. You don't always get all the answers you want, sometimes you have to accept that.
July 30, 2025
Writing a review for this book feels like touching a wound and making it bleed. That sounds so dramatic, but this book had such a deep and profound impact on me. I cried numerous times and was left staring at my ceiling in the early hours of the morning. That's all to say, if you have the chance to read this debut, I would highly recommend it. GO READ THIS! This book is full of sorrow and heartbreak, but there is hope in it too. Hope for the future and what can be found in its possibilities. I feel like I'll forever be thinking about this book. Even though I have to give this back to the library, I could see myself returning back to it one day. 4.5/5
March 28, 2025
The Fragments that Remain powerfully encapsulates the shattered pieces of identity and love that linger after the grip of addiction. In this compelling debut by Mackenize Angeconeb, readers are invited to journey through a poignant exploration of these themes, masterfully woven together with poetry and prose.
At the heart of the story is Andy, born less than a year apart from her brother, Ally, to a young urban Indigenous couple full of dreams. As she navigates her tumultuous path of self-worth and identity, the emotional stakes grow ever higher. Andy and Ally are not merely siblings; they are reflections of one another, each grappling with hidden struggles that profoundly affect their relationship. When Ally’s tragic death is ruled a suicide by overdose a year later, Andy faces a new reality as she begins university—this time without her honorary twin.
In her search for understanding, Andy writes heartfelt letters to Ally, confronting her bisexuality and her Indigenous identity while sorting through her grief. The discovery of a shoebox filled with her brother's secret poems compels her to delve deeper into his tumultuous world and the pain that lay beneath the surface.
The narrative unfolds in a way that draws readers in, shifting between different sections. The initial focus is on Andy’s emotional journey, presented through vignettes and letters that begin with Dear Brother. In these intimate reflections, she recounts the heartache of watching Ally fall prey to addiction and the isolating despair she feels after his death. Confronted with Ally’s hidden poetry, Andy begins to grasp the profound depth of his struggles.
The story then pivots to Ally’s perspective, where his poetry reveals his inner turmoil: I have no identity, / no sense of self. In the final section, Andy starts to confront the immense weight of her grief and feelings of powerlessness, recognizing how both she and Ally lived through the experiences of the other. Her journey toward healing becomes a testament to resilience as she draws strength from her friends and reconnects with her rich cultural heritage, shaped by generations of colonial dislocation.
This introspective and character-driven novel unfolds with patient grace, offering a transformative exploration of identity and trauma. It is a narrative that resonates deeply, drawing readers into a heart-wrenching yet hopeful story of loss and the enduring power of healing. Experience the emotional depth and powerful themes that make The Fragments that Remain is for anyone seeking a profound connection through literature.
At the heart of the story is Andy, born less than a year apart from her brother, Ally, to a young urban Indigenous couple full of dreams. As she navigates her tumultuous path of self-worth and identity, the emotional stakes grow ever higher. Andy and Ally are not merely siblings; they are reflections of one another, each grappling with hidden struggles that profoundly affect their relationship. When Ally’s tragic death is ruled a suicide by overdose a year later, Andy faces a new reality as she begins university—this time without her honorary twin.
In her search for understanding, Andy writes heartfelt letters to Ally, confronting her bisexuality and her Indigenous identity while sorting through her grief. The discovery of a shoebox filled with her brother's secret poems compels her to delve deeper into his tumultuous world and the pain that lay beneath the surface.
The narrative unfolds in a way that draws readers in, shifting between different sections. The initial focus is on Andy’s emotional journey, presented through vignettes and letters that begin with Dear Brother. In these intimate reflections, she recounts the heartache of watching Ally fall prey to addiction and the isolating despair she feels after his death. Confronted with Ally’s hidden poetry, Andy begins to grasp the profound depth of his struggles.
The story then pivots to Ally’s perspective, where his poetry reveals his inner turmoil: I have no identity, / no sense of self. In the final section, Andy starts to confront the immense weight of her grief and feelings of powerlessness, recognizing how both she and Ally lived through the experiences of the other. Her journey toward healing becomes a testament to resilience as she draws strength from her friends and reconnects with her rich cultural heritage, shaped by generations of colonial dislocation.
This introspective and character-driven novel unfolds with patient grace, offering a transformative exploration of identity and trauma. It is a narrative that resonates deeply, drawing readers into a heart-wrenching yet hopeful story of loss and the enduring power of healing. Experience the emotional depth and powerful themes that make The Fragments that Remain is for anyone seeking a profound connection through literature.
August 2, 2025
Wow wow wow yes yes yes this was so good and so beautiful and I loved it. Absolutely beautifully written, so captivating and touching. Such a heartbreaking story that was told so well.
February 17, 2025
Andy was born less than a year after her older brother Ally and they were so close they called themselves twins. Ally’s death from his involvement with drugs devastates Andy, and her grief is increased by generational trauma that has separated her indigenous family from any strong tribal connections as well as her struggle with identifying her own sexual preferences. Figuring out how to have and be a friend consumes her, but she manages to keep going to school and being a daughter throughout her struggles. EARC from Edelweiss.
April 30, 2025
'The Fragments that Remain' by Mackenzie Angeconeb is told through a blend of heartfelt letters Andy writes to Ally and the powerful poems Ally left behind, the narrative unfolds in layers of grief and discovery. Andy grapples with her brother's absence while simultaneously exploring her own burgeoning bisexuality and her connection to her Indigenous heritage, aspects of herself she is beginning to understand more deeply away from the shadow of her shared life with Ally. The discovery of Ally's hidden poems becomes a crucial turning point, offering Andy fragmented glimpses into his inner turmoil and the pain he concealed. Through these fragments, Andy attempts to piece together a clearer understanding of her brother's life and the reasons behind his death.
Angeconeb's writing is tender and introspective, capturing the raw emotions of grief and the tentative steps toward self-discovery. The use of both prose and poetry effectively conveys the different perspectives and emotional landscapes of the siblings. Ally's poems provide a visceral look into his struggles, while Andy's letters reveal her own journey of navigating a new reality without her closest confidant.
As an Anishinaabekwe author from Lac Seul First Nation, Angeconeb weaves in themes relevant to Indigenous youth and families, including the exploration of cultural identity and the impact of loss. While the specific setting isn't heavily detailed, the protagonist's journey to embrace her Indigenous identity feels authentic and resonates with the author's background. Angeconeb, who now lives in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, brings a personal understanding to the challenges of identity and the importance of cultural connection in the face of trauma.
Overall, "The Fragments that Remain" is a powerful exploration of grief, identity, and the difficult path toward healing. Angeconeb's sensitive writing and the unique structure of the novel create a deeply moving reading experience, particularly for those who appreciate stories that thoughtfully examine the complexities of young adulthood and the search for belonging. 4.5 stars
Angeconeb's writing is tender and introspective, capturing the raw emotions of grief and the tentative steps toward self-discovery. The use of both prose and poetry effectively conveys the different perspectives and emotional landscapes of the siblings. Ally's poems provide a visceral look into his struggles, while Andy's letters reveal her own journey of navigating a new reality without her closest confidant.
As an Anishinaabekwe author from Lac Seul First Nation, Angeconeb weaves in themes relevant to Indigenous youth and families, including the exploration of cultural identity and the impact of loss. While the specific setting isn't heavily detailed, the protagonist's journey to embrace her Indigenous identity feels authentic and resonates with the author's background. Angeconeb, who now lives in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, brings a personal understanding to the challenges of identity and the importance of cultural connection in the face of trauma.
Overall, "The Fragments that Remain" is a powerful exploration of grief, identity, and the difficult path toward healing. Angeconeb's sensitive writing and the unique structure of the novel create a deeply moving reading experience, particularly for those who appreciate stories that thoughtfully examine the complexities of young adulthood and the search for belonging. 4.5 stars
July 28, 2025
Devoured in a good day of reading, The Fragments that Remain is a powerful YA book in verse. Parts are letters Andy writes to her brother who has passed away and parts are his poems, found by Andy after his death. Together these beautiful words tell the story of lives twisted by drug use, missing identity, and coming of age.
3.5-4 stars
Recommend for readers 14-18
3.5-4 stars
Recommend for readers 14-18
August 15, 2025
I flew through this even though there were several times I needed to put it down and recompse myself.
Beautiful, heartfelt, relatable writing. I literally cannot say enough good things about this book. Can't wait for her next one.
Beautiful, heartfelt, relatable writing. I literally cannot say enough good things about this book. Can't wait for her next one.
October 1, 2025
convoluted and beautiful. doesn't advertise itself as a means of poetic communication so there's no warning that the author communicates through memories and small trains of thought. slow to start, sad the whole time.
February 10, 2026
This book is so gorgeously written. It’s full of raw anguish and grief and Andy’s journey to process the loss of her brother. The poem chapters were also heartbreaking as Ally fell deeper into addiction.
I’m just not a big poem person. So sorry
I’m just not a big poem person. So sorry
April 9, 2025
A beautifully poignant debut novel from Mackenzie Angeconeb that is filled with love and grief and becoming oneself.
January 15, 2026
this was so beautiful yet heartbreaking.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews