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The Ballad of Ronan McCoy
Brendan's best friend, his only friend, is Ronan McCoy. He knows things about Brendan that no one else does: about his job washing the cars at Feeney’s Funeral Home, about the loneliness he sometimes feels even when surrounded by hundreds of others at school. But Brendan never told Ronan about the dark feeling that sits at the bottom of his stomach, the feeling that tells him something bad is coming. It never comes when Ronan's around.
Ronan is smart and sporty and popular, totally comfortable in his own skin: all the things that Brendan himself isn't. But Ronan always makes him feel like a good friend, a good person, a better Brendan.
Standing at the school gates on the first day of term, the dark feeling begins to form in Brendan's stomach. And when Ronan doesn’t turn up, Brendan learns that something terrible happened to his best friend over the summer and he'll never be the same again. Over the course of the final year of school, Brendan will have to learn to navigate the new shape of their friendship and find a place for himself in the world without Ronan to protect him.
Ronan is smart and sporty and popular, totally comfortable in his own skin: all the things that Brendan himself isn't. But Ronan always makes him feel like a good friend, a good person, a better Brendan.
Standing at the school gates on the first day of term, the dark feeling begins to form in Brendan's stomach. And when Ronan doesn’t turn up, Brendan learns that something terrible happened to his best friend over the summer and he'll never be the same again. Over the course of the final year of school, Brendan will have to learn to navigate the new shape of their friendship and find a place for himself in the world without Ronan to protect him.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2026
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June 5, 2025merlin actor writing a gay coming of age novel I said oh im sure 🙂↕️🙂↕️
March 26, 2026
A tearjerker. But in the best possible way.
I lost count of how many times my eyes went blurry while reading this gorgeous book. It already started at the very beginning, when Brendan just knows that something has happened to his best friend Ronan after he doesn’t show up at school following summer break. And when I found out what was wrong with Ronan, tears immediately sprang to my eyes. And they kept coming and sometimes I had to put my ereader down because otherwise I would be a sobbing mess. But every now and then my lips would suddenly pull up, and the more I read, the more that smile grew, sometimes I even chuckled out loud.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a story about friendship, about grief, about love. It’s a book to keep loads of tissues at hand, a story that crawls into your heart and warms you from the inside. The writing itself is pretty simple, Brendan’s voice a little younger than sixteen. But oh boy, set somewhere in the early aughts in Northern Ireland, this is a stunner of a novel in all its simplicity. And it feels incredibly personal.
Brendan and the McCoys had such a beautiful relationship and as a parent, I was in awe of those two people who were so optimistic and had so much love for Brendan despite what had happened to their son.
That last part wrecked me. I read a bit, started sobbing, did some laundry, read a bit more until the dam broke again, did some more chores, tried to read again, but my eyes blurred the moment I started. I finally thought the water had settled in me, and then Brendan suggested something, and the flood came pouring back again.
Sometimes life is so unfair. And sometimes, even in the ugliest moments, it is so beautiful…
Thank you, HQ Stories and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC.
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I lost count of how many times my eyes went blurry while reading this gorgeous book. It already started at the very beginning, when Brendan just knows that something has happened to his best friend Ronan after he doesn’t show up at school following summer break. And when I found out what was wrong with Ronan, tears immediately sprang to my eyes. And they kept coming and sometimes I had to put my ereader down because otherwise I would be a sobbing mess. But every now and then my lips would suddenly pull up, and the more I read, the more that smile grew, sometimes I even chuckled out loud.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a story about friendship, about grief, about love. It’s a book to keep loads of tissues at hand, a story that crawls into your heart and warms you from the inside. The writing itself is pretty simple, Brendan’s voice a little younger than sixteen. But oh boy, set somewhere in the early aughts in Northern Ireland, this is a stunner of a novel in all its simplicity. And it feels incredibly personal.
Brendan and the McCoys had such a beautiful relationship and as a parent, I was in awe of those two people who were so optimistic and had so much love for Brendan despite what had happened to their son.
That last part wrecked me. I read a bit, started sobbing, did some laundry, read a bit more until the dam broke again, did some more chores, tried to read again, but my eyes blurred the moment I started. I finally thought the water had settled in me, and then Brendan suggested something, and the flood came pouring back again.
Sometimes life is so unfair. And sometimes, even in the ugliest moments, it is so beautiful…
Thank you, HQ Stories and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC.
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January 31, 2026
One of the best literary fiction novels I've read.
This book was heartfelt and hopeful with an underlying reminder of the solemnity of the human existence. Ronan and Brendan's relationship was complex and understandable in their new context of friendship with Morgan weaving threads together to pull us into their lives so deeply that they'll leave their marks on us. I was transfixed by this book and honestly just think it's a wonderful story that was told beautifully, it was subtle in its simplicity but was packed with powerful emotion. A five star debut from Colin Morgan.
31/01/2026 - re-read: still a five star read and even more impactful upon a second read, I noticed so many elements of the book that I didn't in the first instance and in fact, noticing them has made me already want to go back to the beginning and take in the story again.
This book was heartfelt and hopeful with an underlying reminder of the solemnity of the human existence. Ronan and Brendan's relationship was complex and understandable in their new context of friendship with Morgan weaving threads together to pull us into their lives so deeply that they'll leave their marks on us. I was transfixed by this book and honestly just think it's a wonderful story that was told beautifully, it was subtle in its simplicity but was packed with powerful emotion. A five star debut from Colin Morgan.
31/01/2026 - re-read: still a five star read and even more impactful upon a second read, I noticed so many elements of the book that I didn't in the first instance and in fact, noticing them has made me already want to go back to the beginning and take in the story again.
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July 4, 2026Knowing Colin, this is going to be depressing af. I’m ready 🙂↕️🥲
Edit: finished the book. I was right. But it was also really beautiful, and it's going to stick with me for a very long time. I think it is safe to say that this book has changed me.
Edit: finished the book. I was right. But it was also really beautiful, and it's going to stick with me for a very long time. I think it is safe to say that this book has changed me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The best compliment I can pay this book is that I can't currently write a proper review of this as I will just end up in tears. One of my favourite books of the year. Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I may come back and add to this or I may just leave this beautiful book in my now broken heart 💔
May 22, 2026
did i finish this book or did it finish me? 💔
April 6, 2026
I am very tight fisted with my 5 star ratings, but this book totally got me. What a devastatingly poignant book from beginning to end. It’s a gorgeously written story of unconditional teenage friendship, loss and grief. I lost count of the times I cried, and spent most of the book with a lump in my throat.
I wouldn’t recommend this to everybody at any time, because it is just so heart shattering and sometimes the sadness is overwhelming. However, if you’re in the mood for a book that is character driven and devastating, and need a really good cry, this is fantastic.
Two of my favourite quotes:
“Coffins are made from great tall oaks. I think I’d choose oak. Out there, somewhere in the world, there’s a tree and it’s growing. It’s growing for me.”
“Promise less, give more.”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this outstanding book. I’ll be thinking about it for a very long time.
I wouldn’t recommend this to everybody at any time, because it is just so heart shattering and sometimes the sadness is overwhelming. However, if you’re in the mood for a book that is character driven and devastating, and need a really good cry, this is fantastic.
Two of my favourite quotes:
“Coffins are made from great tall oaks. I think I’d choose oak. Out there, somewhere in the world, there’s a tree and it’s growing. It’s growing for me.”
“Promise less, give more.”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this outstanding book. I’ll be thinking about it for a very long time.
October 17, 2025
I couldn’t stop annotating this book! Every few pages there was a line so raw and beautiful that I had to pause and take it in. Colin Morgan writes about grief, love, and friendship with such honesty and tenderness that it lingers long after the last page. This is a story that feels deeply human, heartbreaking, and yet full of quiet hope.
Beautifully written, unforgettable, and profoundly moving.
Thank you so much to HQ Stories for the gifted copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy!
Beautifully written, unforgettable, and profoundly moving.
Thank you so much to HQ Stories for the gifted copy of The Ballad of Ronan McCoy!
audiobook-tbr
September 21, 2025Merlin actor writing a coming of age literary fiction?? I am SO reading to get my heart broken
June 29, 2026
Colin Morgan you are paying for my therapy 😭😭
September 24, 2025
This is heavy. Yet there are moments that were so light and lovely that it had me smiling. The Ballad of Ronan McCoy tells the story of friendship, family, love, and above all grief. Grief is explored in so many different variants but at the heart of this book is the tale of Brendan and his best friend Ronan.
Colin Morgan has made my heart ache in both a good and bad way. There are lots of moments I could talk about but specifically there is a scene that stood out to me, Brendan and his Mum are talking about a death in the family and the instant reaction to that was so bizarre and made no sense. Brendan was making a sandwich, he couldn’t stop making this sandwich and it made him and his dad late to the hospital. Something so small and simple, yet it resonated with me so much. The night my dad died, I had this box of chocolates, it was a big box that was gifted for Christmas. I sat after coming home from the hospital just chatting and eating these chocolates and it was so normal but also like what was I doing? Eating my favourite chocolates just after my dad had died. This book made me feel and remember things that I haven’t thought of in so many years. It really touched me and hit in a way very few books do.
I really believe everyone should read The Ballad of Ronan McCoy, it’s touching and painful but there is so much truth and power in the words. It’s truly heart wrenching and beautiful. The journey of grief in this book is a painful truth that is stunningly written. A tremendous debut novel from Morgan!
5/5 ⭐️
Release date: June 2026
Thankyou so much @whatcarolineread / @hqstories for gifting me such an early copy.
Colin Morgan has made my heart ache in both a good and bad way. There are lots of moments I could talk about but specifically there is a scene that stood out to me, Brendan and his Mum are talking about a death in the family and the instant reaction to that was so bizarre and made no sense. Brendan was making a sandwich, he couldn’t stop making this sandwich and it made him and his dad late to the hospital. Something so small and simple, yet it resonated with me so much. The night my dad died, I had this box of chocolates, it was a big box that was gifted for Christmas. I sat after coming home from the hospital just chatting and eating these chocolates and it was so normal but also like what was I doing? Eating my favourite chocolates just after my dad had died. This book made me feel and remember things that I haven’t thought of in so many years. It really touched me and hit in a way very few books do.
I really believe everyone should read The Ballad of Ronan McCoy, it’s touching and painful but there is so much truth and power in the words. It’s truly heart wrenching and beautiful. The journey of grief in this book is a painful truth that is stunningly written. A tremendous debut novel from Morgan!
5/5 ⭐️
Release date: June 2026
Thankyou so much @whatcarolineread / @hqstories for gifting me such an early copy.
October 1, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Firstly a huge thank you to HQ stories for the early proof copy! I’ve always been such a huge fan of Colin Morgan from watching him in Merlin when I was younger so when I found out he was releasing a novel I just knew I had to read it.
What an outstanding debut novel it is. The story felt so raw and real to me, I could picture everything in my head so perfectly and that is one of my favourite things as a reader. Having struggled in high school myself I could really relate to Brendan and wished I had someone like Ronan to lean on during those dark days. Their friendship was so special and it truly captured my heart.
The novel beautifully covers the theme of friendship and coming of age so effortlessly. I found myself tearing up during several moments, whilst also enjoying the heartfelt happy moments, I went through all the emotions while reading this. Another thing I loved was Brendan’s kindness and his connections with the McCoy’s. I just wanted to give him a big hug, he always tried his best to make sure everyone else was okay leaving little to no time for himself! Such a selfless individual, his friendship with Ronan is too pure for this earth and I’m grateful to have been apart of it in some way as a reader.
I will be recommending this to all my friends and family, this book must be on your radar for 2026!
Firstly a huge thank you to HQ stories for the early proof copy! I’ve always been such a huge fan of Colin Morgan from watching him in Merlin when I was younger so when I found out he was releasing a novel I just knew I had to read it.
What an outstanding debut novel it is. The story felt so raw and real to me, I could picture everything in my head so perfectly and that is one of my favourite things as a reader. Having struggled in high school myself I could really relate to Brendan and wished I had someone like Ronan to lean on during those dark days. Their friendship was so special and it truly captured my heart.
The novel beautifully covers the theme of friendship and coming of age so effortlessly. I found myself tearing up during several moments, whilst also enjoying the heartfelt happy moments, I went through all the emotions while reading this. Another thing I loved was Brendan’s kindness and his connections with the McCoy’s. I just wanted to give him a big hug, he always tried his best to make sure everyone else was okay leaving little to no time for himself! Such a selfless individual, his friendship with Ronan is too pure for this earth and I’m grateful to have been apart of it in some way as a reader.
I will be recommending this to all my friends and family, this book must be on your radar for 2026!
July 7, 2026
ci sono momenti nella nostra vita che dobbiamo accettare: dei veri e propri traumi che fanno parte della nostra vita, come la perdita di qualcuno o un'amicizia finita, per esempio. ecco, 'la ballata di ronan mccoy' secondo me parla di questo, anche se ha un punto di vista specifico, in questo caso quello di brendan e come è arrivato al punto di accettare una situazione che non si sarebbe mai potuto aspettare che sarebbe successo: la sua vita è cambiata, perché il suo migliore amico ronan ha subito un incidente quasi mortale che lo ha cambiato per sempre.
la ballata è quel tipo di storia di amicizia, sì confermo solo di amicizia, che porta a riflettere su quanto l'amore che proviamo nei confronti di chi vogliamo bene e che stanno al nostro fianco possa essere grande. brendan infatti per me è un personaggio meraviglioso: il punto di vista di chi subisce una situazione imprevista, anche se non è lui in prima persona a farlo, come capita nella vita quando qualcosa di colpisce in prima persona; ci sono delle conseguenze anche nei confronti di chi ci circonda.
è un romanzo che mi sento di consigliare a tutte quelle persone che non si sono mai sentite protagoniste della loro stessa vita: colin morgan è riuscito a cogliere nel segno, mostrando come non solo la vita possa essere imprevedibile, ma anche che non dobbiamo farci abbattere da questo e piuttosto accettare di andare avanti. una storia che commuove, racconta e definisce tutto ciò che siamo in quanto esseri umani. come primo romanzo dell'autore è validissimo.
ringrazio ancora @oscarvault per la copia in omaggio!
la ballata è quel tipo di storia di amicizia, sì confermo solo di amicizia, che porta a riflettere su quanto l'amore che proviamo nei confronti di chi vogliamo bene e che stanno al nostro fianco possa essere grande. brendan infatti per me è un personaggio meraviglioso: il punto di vista di chi subisce una situazione imprevista, anche se non è lui in prima persona a farlo, come capita nella vita quando qualcosa di colpisce in prima persona; ci sono delle conseguenze anche nei confronti di chi ci circonda.
è un romanzo che mi sento di consigliare a tutte quelle persone che non si sono mai sentite protagoniste della loro stessa vita: colin morgan è riuscito a cogliere nel segno, mostrando come non solo la vita possa essere imprevedibile, ma anche che non dobbiamo farci abbattere da questo e piuttosto accettare di andare avanti. una storia che commuove, racconta e definisce tutto ciò che siamo in quanto esseri umani. come primo romanzo dell'autore è validissimo.
ringrazio ancora @oscarvault per la copia in omaggio!
June 27, 2026
all during gcse season? i'd have imploded
July 1, 2026
utterly devastating — do not listen to this audiobook while driving
beautiful debut from Colin Morgan
beautiful debut from Colin Morgan
July 1, 2026
colin morgan when I catch you
July 2, 2026
Beautiful and absolutely heartbreaking. The audiobook was wonderful.
June 23, 2026
Well, that’s me ruined.
I was very kindly gifted an advanced copy and what I thought the book was going to be wasn’t at all what it was. This book is a coming-of-age story of sorts, but more than that it is a beautiful tribute to friendship, to finding new paths through difficult things, and to the light that can be found in the dark.
Narrator of the story is Brendan, best friend of the eponymous Ronan McCoy, both of whom are 16 when the book begins. I felt his voice in the story was younger than that, I’m not sure it totally rang true as the mind of a 16 year-old boy. But that didn’t detract from the story; perhaps it added to it, in a way. What a world it would be if more 16 year-olds (and indeed people of any age) thought more like him.
Brendan has a part time job cleaning cars at a funeral home and the book pays wonderful tribute to those who work in that industry - an industry that is often considered to be weird or creepy, but in fact is one of the most deeply profound and respectful roles in life that anyone can do.
I don't want to say too much about what happens in the actual book other than the few details above because I went in somewhat blind and it was even more impactful as a result. This was a lovely, heartbreaking and hopeful book. Beautiful and poignant in all its raw simplicity - it's one I won't be forgetting for a long while.
Thank you so much to HQ and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book, even though you ruined me and had me sobbing. All opinions are my own.
I was very kindly gifted an advanced copy and what I thought the book was going to be wasn’t at all what it was. This book is a coming-of-age story of sorts, but more than that it is a beautiful tribute to friendship, to finding new paths through difficult things, and to the light that can be found in the dark.
Narrator of the story is Brendan, best friend of the eponymous Ronan McCoy, both of whom are 16 when the book begins. I felt his voice in the story was younger than that, I’m not sure it totally rang true as the mind of a 16 year-old boy. But that didn’t detract from the story; perhaps it added to it, in a way. What a world it would be if more 16 year-olds (and indeed people of any age) thought more like him.
Brendan has a part time job cleaning cars at a funeral home and the book pays wonderful tribute to those who work in that industry - an industry that is often considered to be weird or creepy, but in fact is one of the most deeply profound and respectful roles in life that anyone can do.
I don't want to say too much about what happens in the actual book other than the few details above because I went in somewhat blind and it was even more impactful as a result. This was a lovely, heartbreaking and hopeful book. Beautiful and poignant in all its raw simplicity - it's one I won't be forgetting for a long while.
Thank you so much to HQ and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book, even though you ruined me and had me sobbing. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2026
Excellent. I feel as if I’ve been shot and I will never recover.
May 13, 2026
Update: I can’t stop thinking about this book. I urge anyone who reads this review to grab a copy when it’s out.
Oh my goodness, this was so beautiful and heart wrenching. I couldn’t get enough of this book and found myself looking forward to reading just one more page at any given opportunity.
This book depicts the purest, most beautiful friendship between two teenage boys about to end secondary school. I don’t want to divulge more than that because knowing too much would ruin the magic.
Be warned, there is a lot of heartbreak and grief involved. Your own heart will probably be broken several times too. But it will also be put back together and you’ll come out the other side with your heart full and all the better for having spent time with the boys, their families and their friends.
If you want a story of friendship, love, grief, family and community, this one is for you. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for this e-ARC.
Oh my goodness, this was so beautiful and heart wrenching. I couldn’t get enough of this book and found myself looking forward to reading just one more page at any given opportunity.
This book depicts the purest, most beautiful friendship between two teenage boys about to end secondary school. I don’t want to divulge more than that because knowing too much would ruin the magic.
Be warned, there is a lot of heartbreak and grief involved. Your own heart will probably be broken several times too. But it will also be put back together and you’ll come out the other side with your heart full and all the better for having spent time with the boys, their families and their friends.
If you want a story of friendship, love, grief, family and community, this one is for you. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for this e-ARC.
November 9, 2025
4,5? zaskakująco dobry debiut Colina Morgana (tak, tego od Merlina)
poruszająca, spokojna, nieefektowna historia o chłopięcej przyjaźni, o stracie, przedłużonej żałobie, samotności, napisana z wyczuciem, bez patosu, bez ckliwości. to nie jest historia o nadludzkiej sile czy o cudzie, tylko o tym, co się dzieje, gdy cud się nie wydarza. żałoba, wina, lojalność, pożegnania i trochę irlandzkiego błota
bardzo dobrze napisana, choć czasem zbyt powściągliwa, ale za to realistyczna — naprawdę udany debiut
poruszająca, spokojna, nieefektowna historia o chłopięcej przyjaźni, o stracie, przedłużonej żałobie, samotności, napisana z wyczuciem, bez patosu, bez ckliwości. to nie jest historia o nadludzkiej sile czy o cudzie, tylko o tym, co się dzieje, gdy cud się nie wydarza. żałoba, wina, lojalność, pożegnania i trochę irlandzkiego błota
bardzo dobrze napisana, choć czasem zbyt powściągliwa, ale za to realistyczna — naprawdę udany debiut
Want to Read
November 4, 2025MERLIN WROTE A BOOK!
July 9, 2026
"𝘞𝘦'𝘭𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘢𝘺."
Well, if I can see through my tears, I'll get this one written.
Brendan and Ronan are the best of friends. While Brendan is quiet and introverted, Ronan is athletic, popular, and outgoing. But the two share an unbreakable bond and friendship as they navigate their school days in Northern Ireland side by side. When Brendan shows up to school after summer to begin his final year, he waits for Ronan on the steps, as he always does. Only Ronan doesn't show...
I hemmed and hawed for several days after reading this on what to say in my review. I don't want to elaborate too extensively on the plot because trust me, you just 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 to read this one. My heart ached and soared and broke alongside Brendan and Ronan, and yours will, too.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗼𝘆 is a tenderhearted and moving story of friendship and one of the most beautifully written coming-of-age stories I've read. There's a simplicity and quiet beauty in the title that's deeply reflected in the writing and the story.
Perhaps best known for his acting in the series 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯, Colin Morgan can officially add author to his extensive resume (as well as narrator, but more on that below). I'll say it again: this was a phenomenal debut. Brendan and Ronan are unforgettable, and I'll be tucking them away inside my heart.
🎙 Colin Morgan didn't just write a remarkable debut; he gave it an incredible narration, too. He embodied the character of Brendan, so thoroughly conveying the emotions and nuances. You cannot go wrong in either format you choose to read this one. The only wrong decision is to not read it.
Well, if I can see through my tears, I'll get this one written.
Brendan and Ronan are the best of friends. While Brendan is quiet and introverted, Ronan is athletic, popular, and outgoing. But the two share an unbreakable bond and friendship as they navigate their school days in Northern Ireland side by side. When Brendan shows up to school after summer to begin his final year, he waits for Ronan on the steps, as he always does. Only Ronan doesn't show...
I hemmed and hawed for several days after reading this on what to say in my review. I don't want to elaborate too extensively on the plot because trust me, you just 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 to read this one. My heart ached and soared and broke alongside Brendan and Ronan, and yours will, too.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗼𝘆 is a tenderhearted and moving story of friendship and one of the most beautifully written coming-of-age stories I've read. There's a simplicity and quiet beauty in the title that's deeply reflected in the writing and the story.
Perhaps best known for his acting in the series 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯, Colin Morgan can officially add author to his extensive resume (as well as narrator, but more on that below). I'll say it again: this was a phenomenal debut. Brendan and Ronan are unforgettable, and I'll be tucking them away inside my heart.
🎙 Colin Morgan didn't just write a remarkable debut; he gave it an incredible narration, too. He embodied the character of Brendan, so thoroughly conveying the emotions and nuances. You cannot go wrong in either format you choose to read this one. The only wrong decision is to not read it.
July 7, 2026
“But I think there’s goodness in the grief too.”
A beautiful, devastating tale of the friendship between two teenage boys, Brendan and Ronan. The prose is simple and fitting for the teenage protagonist but this doesn’t stop the novel from packing a punch. Many a tear was shed.
A beautiful, devastating tale of the friendship between two teenage boys, Brendan and Ronan. The prose is simple and fitting for the teenage protagonist but this doesn’t stop the novel from packing a punch. Many a tear was shed.
July 10, 2026
Can’t stop crying
July 5, 2026
audiobook was exquisite smashing job colin x
June 23, 2026
My childhood hyperfixation wrote a book and I thought I’m about to have a nice time! Have I learned nothing from Merlin? Why do things I love bring me pain????
July 1, 2026
Leggere questo libro è stato come camminare sul filo spinato tutto il tempo e cercare di sorridere nell’impresa.
È un titolo che ti lascia addosso una tristezza indicibile, ecco perché ho cercato di leggerlo in due lunghe sessioni di lettura. 😅
Ognuno di noi ha un rapporto unico con le proprie emozioni e, per quanto mi riguarda, in questo frangente, questa tristezza è stata talmente sgradevole che mi ha preso completamente in contropiede.
Non posso dare più di due stelle proprio per questo motivo e anche per gli altri che seguiranno.
Perché? Perché dare una tale rappresentazione di una persona disabile?
Quale motivo spinge una persona a scrivere una storia simile?
Non fraintendetemi, il romanzo è scritto davvero molto bene e l’amicizia tra i due protagonisti è pura, tenera e luminosa come mille soli. Ci sono dei momenti davvero toccanti, Brendan è un ragazzo eccezionale, ma… alla fine di tutto: perché?
Avere vicino una persona con grave disabilità può essere difficilissimo, una cosa che non riesco nemmeno a immaginare; è una strada costellata di dolore e anche, a volte, di qualche gioia e proprio per questo mi chiedo ancora cosa questa storia voglia donarci.
Non so, ma ho provato una sensazione davvero negativa nel leggere la formazione del personaggio di Brendan attraverso la terribile vicenda di Ronan. Pensavo sarebbe stata una storia di amicizia passo passo verso la guarigione e la comprensione l’uno dell’altro; perché svilire la loro crescita e storia con una morte così insensata?
Perché il disabile deve morire e non può invece avere una vita tutto sommato dignitosa da vivere?
Tutto questo non riesco a digerirlo, anzi, mi sembra che la crescita e la maturazione di Brendan siano avvenute proprio con la morte di Ronan e non solo per la sua assistenza post-incidente.
Incidente di cui, tra l'altro, nessuno mai parla o desidera fare chiarezza.
È accaduta una tragedia. Fine. Preghiamo per Ronan. D’altronde non ci troveremmo nella cattolica e bigotta Irlanda del Nord.
Non so, ma tutta questa storia poteva essere resa molto, molto meglio.
Sento che in qualche modo non mi è arrivata; mi sento solo devastata. Punto.
Ho letto commenti in cui le persone si sono commosse, hanno pianto per la loro storia e ci sono dei punti che hanno commosso anche me, ma per il resto no. L’amicizia di Ronan e Brendan è meravigliosa, ma oscurata da un’ombra che non è la disabilità di Ronan, anzi, ma è una specie di fato, di necessità che grava su tutti loro (pensate alle premonizioni di Brendan) dal quale non si può sfuggire, che resta ineluttabile e inconoscibile agli umani.
Ho pensato: perché limitarsi ad accettare l’evidenza e assistere Ronan quando magari lo si sarebbe potuto portare in un centro specializzato fuori dall’Irlanda e farsi in quattro per cercare di riabilitarlo quanto più possibile?
Ah sì, per le solite ragioni di trama e di etica cattolica. Grazie. Crystal clear.👌🏻
Questa è la mia opinione. Sorry not sorry.
Ultimo, ma non meno importante: perché accidenti tutti sui social hanno insistito sul fattore queer della storia?!
Ammesso che ci sia (cosa che a me non è sembrata affatto, così come Jennifer non mi sembrava “solo” un’amica), come cavolo si può pensare di fare una politica di marketing per questo libro insistendo sulla “storia queer scritta da Merlin”!
È vergognoso e totalmente irrilevante ai fini delle tematiche principali (amicizia, lutto, amore, disabilità, ricerca dell’identità e del proprio posto nel mondo) e mentirei se prima di comprarlo non avessi pensato anche io a quanto era stato detto sui social, sbagliando completamente strada sul VERO contenuto della storia.
Oscar Vault si rivela essere nuovamente una enorme delusione dal punto di vista marketing e pubblicità.
Se avete voglia di soffrire come se foste sotto tortura e di piangere ogni lacrima, fatevi pure avanti; io non credo che leggerò mai più questo titolo per il resto dei miei giorni. ❤️🩹 Mi dispiace, librino. 🥺
È un titolo che ti lascia addosso una tristezza indicibile, ecco perché ho cercato di leggerlo in due lunghe sessioni di lettura. 😅
Ognuno di noi ha un rapporto unico con le proprie emozioni e, per quanto mi riguarda, in questo frangente, questa tristezza è stata talmente sgradevole che mi ha preso completamente in contropiede.
Non posso dare più di due stelle proprio per questo motivo e anche per gli altri che seguiranno.
Perché? Perché dare una tale rappresentazione di una persona disabile?
Quale motivo spinge una persona a scrivere una storia simile?
Non fraintendetemi, il romanzo è scritto davvero molto bene e l’amicizia tra i due protagonisti è pura, tenera e luminosa come mille soli. Ci sono dei momenti davvero toccanti, Brendan è un ragazzo eccezionale, ma… alla fine di tutto: perché?
Avere vicino una persona con grave disabilità può essere difficilissimo, una cosa che non riesco nemmeno a immaginare; è una strada costellata di dolore e anche, a volte, di qualche gioia e proprio per questo mi chiedo ancora cosa questa storia voglia donarci.
Non so, ma ho provato una sensazione davvero negativa nel leggere la formazione del personaggio di Brendan attraverso la terribile vicenda di Ronan. Pensavo sarebbe stata una storia di amicizia passo passo verso la guarigione e la comprensione l’uno dell’altro; perché svilire la loro crescita e storia con una morte così insensata?
Perché il disabile deve morire e non può invece avere una vita tutto sommato dignitosa da vivere?
Tutto questo non riesco a digerirlo, anzi, mi sembra che la crescita e la maturazione di Brendan siano avvenute proprio con la morte di Ronan e non solo per la sua assistenza post-incidente.
Incidente di cui, tra l'altro, nessuno mai parla o desidera fare chiarezza.
È accaduta una tragedia. Fine. Preghiamo per Ronan. D’altronde non ci troveremmo nella cattolica e bigotta Irlanda del Nord.
Non so, ma tutta questa storia poteva essere resa molto, molto meglio.
Sento che in qualche modo non mi è arrivata; mi sento solo devastata. Punto.
Ho letto commenti in cui le persone si sono commosse, hanno pianto per la loro storia e ci sono dei punti che hanno commosso anche me, ma per il resto no. L’amicizia di Ronan e Brendan è meravigliosa, ma oscurata da un’ombra che non è la disabilità di Ronan, anzi, ma è una specie di fato, di necessità che grava su tutti loro (pensate alle premonizioni di Brendan) dal quale non si può sfuggire, che resta ineluttabile e inconoscibile agli umani.
Ho pensato: perché limitarsi ad accettare l’evidenza e assistere Ronan quando magari lo si sarebbe potuto portare in un centro specializzato fuori dall’Irlanda e farsi in quattro per cercare di riabilitarlo quanto più possibile?
Ah sì, per le solite ragioni di trama e di etica cattolica. Grazie. Crystal clear.👌🏻
Questa è la mia opinione. Sorry not sorry.
Ultimo, ma non meno importante: perché accidenti tutti sui social hanno insistito sul fattore queer della storia?!
Ammesso che ci sia (cosa che a me non è sembrata affatto, così come Jennifer non mi sembrava “solo” un’amica), come cavolo si può pensare di fare una politica di marketing per questo libro insistendo sulla “storia queer scritta da Merlin”!
È vergognoso e totalmente irrilevante ai fini delle tematiche principali (amicizia, lutto, amore, disabilità, ricerca dell’identità e del proprio posto nel mondo) e mentirei se prima di comprarlo non avessi pensato anche io a quanto era stato detto sui social, sbagliando completamente strada sul VERO contenuto della storia.
Oscar Vault si rivela essere nuovamente una enorme delusione dal punto di vista marketing e pubblicità.
Se avete voglia di soffrire come se foste sotto tortura e di piangere ogni lacrima, fatevi pure avanti; io non credo che leggerò mai più questo titolo per il resto dei miei giorni. ❤️🩹 Mi dispiace, librino. 🥺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2026
this was such a beautiful depiction of friendship and teenage boyhood. the writing made me feel absolutely everything; the love, the fear, the desperation, the grief. there was this constant sense of dread while reading because you know something terrible is coming. i think what affected me the most was how deeply it understood the way teenage friendships can consume your whole world. the intensity of having one person who knows you completely, who you would do anything for, and how complicated and painful growing up and changing can be.
overall, this was such a beautiful teenage coming of age story and i’m excited to see what colin writes next!
overall, this was such a beautiful teenage coming of age story and i’m excited to see what colin writes next!
June 22, 2026
If I could give this book six stars, I would. I’m finding it difficult to gather my thoughts because I’m actually crying (ugly crying) as I type this. I think I’ve cried five times since picking up this book. I was gifted this book by Wordsworth Books as their book of the month. It is now, most likely, going to be my book of the year. I find it difficult to believe that this is a debut novel because it is so powerful in the use of language and setting in a way that felt far too real for fiction. I felt like every chapter was a diary entry of real events.
The characters felt like my friends and neighbours. Their joy felt like my joy. Their grief and sadness were visceral. Evidently, I’m still unraveling from it all. When people said this book is about friendship and connection, the words used to express that really feel so small in comparison to the emotional attachment I have to this story and my expectations of that friendship. I wasn’t ready, mentally and emotionally, for the gut wrenching moments in this coming of age novel.
In summary, the story follows Brendan, a shy and lonely teenager in a small town in Northern Ireland. His closest friend is Ronan McCoy, who seems to have everything Brendan lacks; confidence, popularity, athletic ability, and self assurance. Ronan is Brendan's anchor in a world where he often feels isolated and uncertain.
What follows is a story of turmoil and triumph in the most unexpected moments. The lessons and anecdotes are something I will think about for months to come. I don’t even want to share parts of the book. It’s so good I wouldn’t want to spoil any aspect of the story. Again, I would give this one extra star because it crushed me in the best possible way. I wish I would could undo this week and read it again for the first time.
The characters felt like my friends and neighbours. Their joy felt like my joy. Their grief and sadness were visceral. Evidently, I’m still unraveling from it all. When people said this book is about friendship and connection, the words used to express that really feel so small in comparison to the emotional attachment I have to this story and my expectations of that friendship. I wasn’t ready, mentally and emotionally, for the gut wrenching moments in this coming of age novel.
In summary, the story follows Brendan, a shy and lonely teenager in a small town in Northern Ireland. His closest friend is Ronan McCoy, who seems to have everything Brendan lacks; confidence, popularity, athletic ability, and self assurance. Ronan is Brendan's anchor in a world where he often feels isolated and uncertain.
What follows is a story of turmoil and triumph in the most unexpected moments. The lessons and anecdotes are something I will think about for months to come. I don’t even want to share parts of the book. It’s so good I wouldn’t want to spoil any aspect of the story. Again, I would give this one extra star because it crushed me in the best possible way. I wish I would could undo this week and read it again for the first time.
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