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Grief Angels
15-year-old Owen Marlow is experiencing a great, disorienting loss after his father suddenly passed away and his mother moved them to a new town. None of his old friends knew how to confront his grief, so he's given up on trying to make new ones. There is one guy at school who might prove to be different if he gives him a chance but lately, Owen has been overwhelmed by his sadness. He's started to have strange, powerful hallucinations of skeletal birds circling above him. Owen tells himself that these visions are just his brain's way of trying to cope - until one night, the birds descend and take him to an otherworldly forest. There, he is asked to go on a dangerous journey that promises to bring him the understanding he so desperately seeks - if he can survive it.
Grief Angels is an urgent and heartfelt look at the power of nostalgia and the many different forms of grief. It's about young men learning how to share their stories, and teens discovering who they are, and who they might one day become.
Grief Angels is an urgent and heartfelt look at the power of nostalgia and the many different forms of grief. It's about young men learning how to share their stories, and teens discovering who they are, and who they might one day become.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2020
292 people want to read
About the author
David Owen
9 books217 followersDavid resents the fact that he was not raised by wolves and was therefore robbed of a good story to tell at parties. He turned to fiction to compensate for his unremarkable existence.
He achieved 1st class honours in BA Creative Writing and MA Writing for Children at The University of Winchester, where he went on to teach on the BA Creative Writing course for three years. He hopes that one day all of his students will surpass his own achievements.
David’s debut YA novel, Panther, will be published by Constable & Robinson on their Corsair imprint in May 2015. Panther is a funny, touching, and occasionally unsettling coming-of-age story, which deals candidly with the stigmas and misunderstandings surrounding depression.
David has also worked as an award-shortlisted freelance games journalist and has been published as a poet.
He achieved 1st class honours in BA Creative Writing and MA Writing for Children at The University of Winchester, where he went on to teach on the BA Creative Writing course for three years. He hopes that one day all of his students will surpass his own achievements.
David’s debut YA novel, Panther, will be published by Constable & Robinson on their Corsair imprint in May 2015. Panther is a funny, touching, and occasionally unsettling coming-of-age story, which deals candidly with the stigmas and misunderstandings surrounding depression.
David has also worked as an award-shortlisted freelance games journalist and has been published as a poet.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 7, 2020
2.5-3 stars
Let me preface this review by saying that I really felt drawn to this book and its themes of grief. I have a professional and research interest in grief and for me this means that my mind is open, I respect utterly how people grieve according to their individualised needs and nature. I am sad this didn’t work for me in some aspects.
GRIEF ANGELS is an unusual read in many way, I truly appreciated this story that took young adult male friendships, didn’t sexualise them and realistically depicted a compelling story through them. The narrative was told through the two main characters of Duncan and Owen. Duncan was a young guy dealing with depression and toxicity in his long standing friendship group. Owen was a new guy in school, grieving the death of his father and finding himself along the way.
What was unique about this story was that Owen was whisked off in his grief by the ‘grief angels’ (read birds) to a fantastical land where he went on a quest with someone to do something. I remain unclear about some of this, so excuse the vagueness. I do not know if this part of the story was magical realism, analogy, hallucination or what. I feel that by the end I should have known this. I kept reading, kept pushing through with this element, wanting to find out the answer. I can make my best hypothesis about this but this element needed some world building and structure.
It is testement to the great YA story in the contemporary setting that I haven’t rated this book lower. I loved it when the story switched back to life at school and in the friendships. I wanted to stay there.
I’m sad this particular story didn’t work for me but I would definitely read David Owen again. I liked the characters he created and I enjoyed the larger parts of his writing.
Thank you to Atom books for the review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities.
Let me preface this review by saying that I really felt drawn to this book and its themes of grief. I have a professional and research interest in grief and for me this means that my mind is open, I respect utterly how people grieve according to their individualised needs and nature. I am sad this didn’t work for me in some aspects.
GRIEF ANGELS is an unusual read in many way, I truly appreciated this story that took young adult male friendships, didn’t sexualise them and realistically depicted a compelling story through them. The narrative was told through the two main characters of Duncan and Owen. Duncan was a young guy dealing with depression and toxicity in his long standing friendship group. Owen was a new guy in school, grieving the death of his father and finding himself along the way.
What was unique about this story was that Owen was whisked off in his grief by the ‘grief angels’ (read birds) to a fantastical land where he went on a quest with someone to do something. I remain unclear about some of this, so excuse the vagueness. I do not know if this part of the story was magical realism, analogy, hallucination or what. I feel that by the end I should have known this. I kept reading, kept pushing through with this element, wanting to find out the answer. I can make my best hypothesis about this but this element needed some world building and structure.
It is testement to the great YA story in the contemporary setting that I haven’t rated this book lower. I loved it when the story switched back to life at school and in the friendships. I wanted to stay there.
I’m sad this particular story didn’t work for me but I would definitely read David Owen again. I liked the characters he created and I enjoyed the larger parts of his writing.
Thank you to Atom books for the review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities.
March 23, 2020
I am really interested in reading books that feature the topic of mental health, especially in YA. So, when I heard about David Owen’s new release Grief Angels, I knew I had to read it. This sounded like a read that would take a different approach to the topic of mental health and I was intrigued.
The story focuses on two teenage boys Owen and Duncan. Owen is the new boy at school, after moving due to the death of his dad. Overwhelmed by his grief Owen starts t have hallucinations of strange birds circling above him, at first Owen thinks it’s his brains way of coping, until one night the birds take him away to a mysterious forest where he is asked to undertake a quest that will hopefully give him the understanding and closure he desperately needs. Duncan befriends Owen, but with his own problems can he really help Owen in a time of need?
First things first, this was a real unique way of tackling such sensitive topics such as depression and grief. As someone who loves when magic intertwines with realism it was a breath of fresh air to read something like this, and I did find myself engaged for the most part. Despite this, I did find the fantasy elements to be somewhat confusing? It was all a little bit unclear and I was desperate to know if it was real, a dream or a hallucination. I was hoping this would have been cleared up the the end of the book, but alas it wasn’t, which left me disappointed.
Mind you, what I did enjoy was the contemporary side of the story (and many of you know I love YA Contemporary). The way Owen and Duncan were written was highly believable and I commend the author. David Owen has such a great way to writing teenage boys, and this, in turn, made me believe these characters were authentic. Also, as the story was written from both POV’s we got to really see inside both characters, which I really did enjoy. Although, I must admit I found myself liking Duncan’s POV more if I’m being brutally honest. The isolation he felt within his group of friends, and the way he tried to hide his depression did relate to me as I’d been through that previously. The friendship that blossomed between the two boys was also remarkable. We got to see them support each other through talking about their feelings, hopes and also dreams.
One other topic within Grief Angels that really got me thinking was the topic of Toxic Masculinity. This is one topic that I really don’t see enough of in YA, and yet again I commend the author for focusing on it. We saw Duncan involved with a group of friends who were sexist and very focused on being what they thought was the norm of being a man. This included body image, getting with girls, getting drunk and not showing their feelings. Toxic masculinity is something that is engrained in many men today and Owen and Duncan were proof that men do have feelings and can show them.
Grief Angels was a beautifully written story that had a unique way of capturing your interest. I found myself emotionally invested in the stories of Owen and Duncan and I hope that if you pick this up, you will feel the same.
The story focuses on two teenage boys Owen and Duncan. Owen is the new boy at school, after moving due to the death of his dad. Overwhelmed by his grief Owen starts t have hallucinations of strange birds circling above him, at first Owen thinks it’s his brains way of coping, until one night the birds take him away to a mysterious forest where he is asked to undertake a quest that will hopefully give him the understanding and closure he desperately needs. Duncan befriends Owen, but with his own problems can he really help Owen in a time of need?
First things first, this was a real unique way of tackling such sensitive topics such as depression and grief. As someone who loves when magic intertwines with realism it was a breath of fresh air to read something like this, and I did find myself engaged for the most part. Despite this, I did find the fantasy elements to be somewhat confusing? It was all a little bit unclear and I was desperate to know if it was real, a dream or a hallucination. I was hoping this would have been cleared up the the end of the book, but alas it wasn’t, which left me disappointed.
Mind you, what I did enjoy was the contemporary side of the story (and many of you know I love YA Contemporary). The way Owen and Duncan were written was highly believable and I commend the author. David Owen has such a great way to writing teenage boys, and this, in turn, made me believe these characters were authentic. Also, as the story was written from both POV’s we got to really see inside both characters, which I really did enjoy. Although, I must admit I found myself liking Duncan’s POV more if I’m being brutally honest. The isolation he felt within his group of friends, and the way he tried to hide his depression did relate to me as I’d been through that previously. The friendship that blossomed between the two boys was also remarkable. We got to see them support each other through talking about their feelings, hopes and also dreams.
One other topic within Grief Angels that really got me thinking was the topic of Toxic Masculinity. This is one topic that I really don’t see enough of in YA, and yet again I commend the author for focusing on it. We saw Duncan involved with a group of friends who were sexist and very focused on being what they thought was the norm of being a man. This included body image, getting with girls, getting drunk and not showing their feelings. Toxic masculinity is something that is engrained in many men today and Owen and Duncan were proof that men do have feelings and can show them.
Grief Angels was a beautifully written story that had a unique way of capturing your interest. I found myself emotionally invested in the stories of Owen and Duncan and I hope that if you pick this up, you will feel the same.
February 29, 2020
I was sent the arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
3.5
This is different from the books I normally read since I don't read much contemporary but hearing about the short fantasy parts in Owen's POV made me more interested in reading it. However I ended up enjoying the contemporary parts more since they focused more on Duncan and I connected better with him than Owen. I could relate to his growing feeling of isolation from friends he's had since childhood. I felt those same feelings back when I was close to finishing secondary school and my friend group started growing apart from me and deciding on Colleges. I felt like I was being left behind as well.
This isn't one of those books with a lot of plot, it's more the characters just dealing with life and the troubles that comes with it.
The best thing about it is the friendship that grows between Duncan and Owen, they come together during a hard time in both their lives and they just accept each other for who they are. I also liked Duncan's relationship with his family, they were very supportive and his bond with his sister was spot on.
Unfortunately Owen's POV let it down for me, I think it's because I couldn't relate with his situation as much since thankfully I haven't experienced that kind of loss in my life but I can see how others could relate much more than I could.
3.5
This is different from the books I normally read since I don't read much contemporary but hearing about the short fantasy parts in Owen's POV made me more interested in reading it. However I ended up enjoying the contemporary parts more since they focused more on Duncan and I connected better with him than Owen. I could relate to his growing feeling of isolation from friends he's had since childhood. I felt those same feelings back when I was close to finishing secondary school and my friend group started growing apart from me and deciding on Colleges. I felt like I was being left behind as well.
This isn't one of those books with a lot of plot, it's more the characters just dealing with life and the troubles that comes with it.
The best thing about it is the friendship that grows between Duncan and Owen, they come together during a hard time in both their lives and they just accept each other for who they are. I also liked Duncan's relationship with his family, they were very supportive and his bond with his sister was spot on.
Unfortunately Owen's POV let it down for me, I think it's because I couldn't relate with his situation as much since thankfully I haven't experienced that kind of loss in my life but I can see how others could relate much more than I could.
March 13, 2020
Grief Angels is an unusual read that blends a contemporary story with what can best be described as magical elements. It doesn’t surprise me that Owen mentioned Skellig in his Afterword, as there were some definite similarities between the two stories.
The story focuses on a fairly small cast of teenage boys. Four have been friends forever, but we see the pressures that can be put on a friendship over time. The main character, Duncan, has been treated for depression for the last year but has told nobody. When new boy, Owen, arrives things start to shift.
Duncan and Owen are quite unlikely friends, but together they are stronger.
As the boys learn to navigate a world of loss, they also have to grow up and consider who they want to be and what they want to represent.
The contemporary element of the story really was engaging. Humorous moments could be found amidst the turmoil, and it was great to see a friendship between Owen and Duncan that was just that. They supported each other and talked about themselves, their feelings and their hopes and fears.
While I was drawn to the more abstract elements, these weren’t fully explored. I interpreted these strange occurrences as Owen’s way to manage the very complicated feelings he had about his father and the death. Maybe they actually happened, but we’re never sure.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.
The story focuses on a fairly small cast of teenage boys. Four have been friends forever, but we see the pressures that can be put on a friendship over time. The main character, Duncan, has been treated for depression for the last year but has told nobody. When new boy, Owen, arrives things start to shift.
Duncan and Owen are quite unlikely friends, but together they are stronger.
As the boys learn to navigate a world of loss, they also have to grow up and consider who they want to be and what they want to represent.
The contemporary element of the story really was engaging. Humorous moments could be found amidst the turmoil, and it was great to see a friendship between Owen and Duncan that was just that. They supported each other and talked about themselves, their feelings and their hopes and fears.
While I was drawn to the more abstract elements, these weren’t fully explored. I interpreted these strange occurrences as Owen’s way to manage the very complicated feelings he had about his father and the death. Maybe they actually happened, but we’re never sure.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.
March 11, 2020
Absolutely loved this book, it blew me away! Truly extraordinary and original and utterly gobsmackingly brilliant. I felt elated, heartbroken and uplifted by the beauty of it. Raw and written from the heart, it’s a phenomenal read but also deals elegantly and effortlessly with issues of grief, guilt, mental health and depression.
January 1, 2020
A different exploration of grief interspersed with an authentic depiction of teenage male friendships. Immersive
(Last book of 2019)
(Last book of 2019)
did-not-finish
March 30, 2020I was sent this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
15-year-old Owen is experiencing a great, disorienting loss after his father suddenly passed away and his mother moved them to a new town. None of his old friends knew how to confront his grief, so he's given up on trying to make new ones. There is one guy at school who might prove to be different if he gives him a chance but lately, Owen has been overwhelmed by his sadness. He's started to have strange, powerful hallucinations of skeletal birds circling above him. Owen tells himself that these visions are just his brain's way of trying to cope - until one night, the birds descend and take him to an otherworldly forest. There, he is asked to go on a dangerous journey that promises to bring him the understanding he so desperately seeks - if he can survive it.
Grief Angels is an urgent and heartfelt look at the power of nostalgia and the many different forms of grief. It's about young men learning how to share their stories, and teens discovering who they are, and who they might one day become.
I found this book very difficult to read. The descriptions of the birds was very etheral and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the prose.
Unfortunately I did not finish the book. I stopped at 25% because I found it confusing. The woodland scenes didn't really make sense, they would have fit if the book was a fantasy, but not in contemporary book. The characters could be good, there is a lot of description to start with so I guess that their development will be good. I'm not sure of the plot, I found that Owen didn't really make sense as a character, he wasn't very developed. I'm sure the book has promise, but it does not appeal to me at this time.
I'm giving it 3* as I'm sure it has potential, but it isn't for me.
15-year-old Owen is experiencing a great, disorienting loss after his father suddenly passed away and his mother moved them to a new town. None of his old friends knew how to confront his grief, so he's given up on trying to make new ones. There is one guy at school who might prove to be different if he gives him a chance but lately, Owen has been overwhelmed by his sadness. He's started to have strange, powerful hallucinations of skeletal birds circling above him. Owen tells himself that these visions are just his brain's way of trying to cope - until one night, the birds descend and take him to an otherworldly forest. There, he is asked to go on a dangerous journey that promises to bring him the understanding he so desperately seeks - if he can survive it.
Grief Angels is an urgent and heartfelt look at the power of nostalgia and the many different forms of grief. It's about young men learning how to share their stories, and teens discovering who they are, and who they might one day become.
I found this book very difficult to read. The descriptions of the birds was very etheral and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the prose.
Unfortunately I did not finish the book. I stopped at 25% because I found it confusing. The woodland scenes didn't really make sense, they would have fit if the book was a fantasy, but not in contemporary book. The characters could be good, there is a lot of description to start with so I guess that their development will be good. I'm not sure of the plot, I found that Owen didn't really make sense as a character, he wasn't very developed. I'm sure the book has promise, but it does not appeal to me at this time.
I'm giving it 3* as I'm sure it has potential, but it isn't for me.
September 20, 2020
Owen carefully crafts a narrative that balances grief and mourning with the aspect of self-discovery and becoming true to yourself.
Duncan and Owen are completely separate individuals, they share nothing in common at the beginning but as their stories intertwine and they become invested in one another as friends - their grief and sense of discovery bring them closer. Both are dealing with a sense of loss; Duncan establishing whether to cut ties with his friends and Owen grieving the death of his father. These events, although separate, make them intriguing protagonists for the story, propelling the narrative forward.
In some aspects, I want the fantasy elements to remain true. But in others, I like to believe it is a metaphor of Owen crystallising, similar to that of a caterpillar, becoming a future, more defined self. Discovering the 'Sunday Ocean' is something that still remains a mystery of real or fantasy to myself as a reader. In some ways, this delusion makes the book more alluring and in others it detracts; not knowing if its falsehood or alive.
However, the relationship and character progression throughout the narrative really make up for any loss on ambiguity. Both Owen and Duncan grow into more well-rounded and desirable characters, and progression is what we want to read about! For anyone struggling with grief or mourning a loved one, this book deals with a varying amount of emotions that everyone processes.
Duncan and Owen are completely separate individuals, they share nothing in common at the beginning but as their stories intertwine and they become invested in one another as friends - their grief and sense of discovery bring them closer. Both are dealing with a sense of loss; Duncan establishing whether to cut ties with his friends and Owen grieving the death of his father. These events, although separate, make them intriguing protagonists for the story, propelling the narrative forward.
In some aspects, I want the fantasy elements to remain true. But in others, I like to believe it is a metaphor of Owen crystallising, similar to that of a caterpillar, becoming a future, more defined self. Discovering the 'Sunday Ocean' is something that still remains a mystery of real or fantasy to myself as a reader. In some ways, this delusion makes the book more alluring and in others it detracts; not knowing if its falsehood or alive.
However, the relationship and character progression throughout the narrative really make up for any loss on ambiguity. Both Owen and Duncan grow into more well-rounded and desirable characters, and progression is what we want to read about! For anyone struggling with grief or mourning a loved one, this book deals with a varying amount of emotions that everyone processes.
March 4, 2020
An outstanding narrative on grief and friendship.
This book had me gripped from the very beginning. I absolutely loved the perspective of the teenage boys; David Owen really brought these characters to life and I was so engrossed in their stories that I struggled to put it down. Despite the very sensitive subject matter, this book had me laughing out loud at the sarcasm and wit of the young people within its pages. It was so refreshing to read something so un-romantic but truly lovely. I wonder if teenagers were this open and honest with each other, would the world be a better place? The conversation about mental health is growing and becoming more prominent, and this book will, I hope, help this process along even further.
The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five is that the voices of the two boys were a little similar and this sometimes made the transition between perspectives difficult to track. However, in no way did this take anything from the story or character development. The parts of the story set in the forest were a little hard to follow, but the poetry and prose contained within more than compensated.
The metaphorical transition from being ruled by one's grief, and ruling it, was poignant and beautiful. I will definitely be reading more of David Owen's work!
This book had me gripped from the very beginning. I absolutely loved the perspective of the teenage boys; David Owen really brought these characters to life and I was so engrossed in their stories that I struggled to put it down. Despite the very sensitive subject matter, this book had me laughing out loud at the sarcasm and wit of the young people within its pages. It was so refreshing to read something so un-romantic but truly lovely. I wonder if teenagers were this open and honest with each other, would the world be a better place? The conversation about mental health is growing and becoming more prominent, and this book will, I hope, help this process along even further.
The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five is that the voices of the two boys were a little similar and this sometimes made the transition between perspectives difficult to track. However, in no way did this take anything from the story or character development. The parts of the story set in the forest were a little hard to follow, but the poetry and prose contained within more than compensated.
The metaphorical transition from being ruled by one's grief, and ruling it, was poignant and beautiful. I will definitely be reading more of David Owen's work!
February 22, 2020
This is unsettling and uplifting in equal measures.
I started the book wanting to know more about what was happening to Owen and feeling that I was owed a clearer understanding of the multiple narratives. It’s a bit like high-fantasy in that you’re dumped straight into Owen’s realities without much pre-amble. So I spent a few chapters feeling lost and putting it down in favour of other current reads. That said, David Owen was right. By the end of the novel, I appreciated his structural and narrative choices. The reader had to feel lost to mirror Owen’s own journey of self awareness. In future, I’ll trust David Owen immediately - I’ll certainly be reading his other work.
David Owen has sensitively and beautifully explored death, grief, friendships, identity and family without cliché. “Grief Angels” feels classic - not old - and simultaneously original. It’s a remarkable book which would proudly hold its own on a shelf with Patrick Ness, Rick Riordan, Andrew Fukuda and Laini Taylor.
* First reviewed for #NetGalley
I started the book wanting to know more about what was happening to Owen and feeling that I was owed a clearer understanding of the multiple narratives. It’s a bit like high-fantasy in that you’re dumped straight into Owen’s realities without much pre-amble. So I spent a few chapters feeling lost and putting it down in favour of other current reads. That said, David Owen was right. By the end of the novel, I appreciated his structural and narrative choices. The reader had to feel lost to mirror Owen’s own journey of self awareness. In future, I’ll trust David Owen immediately - I’ll certainly be reading his other work.
David Owen has sensitively and beautifully explored death, grief, friendships, identity and family without cliché. “Grief Angels” feels classic - not old - and simultaneously original. It’s a remarkable book which would proudly hold its own on a shelf with Patrick Ness, Rick Riordan, Andrew Fukuda and Laini Taylor.
* First reviewed for #NetGalley
May 9, 2020
I received a copy via Net Galley.
This book follows Owen and Duncan. Two teenage boys who form a friendship in order to help them cope with their various struggles. Owen's father recently passed away and he is trying to deal with his grief whilst seeing strange birds. Duncan has been dealing with depression but hasn't felt able to tell his friends.
This book is told from their two POVs. There is also a magical realism/fantasy element where Own is seeing these birds that take him to a strange forest where he has to complete a quest. I didn't 't enjoy the fantasy element. I found it confusing and I did find myself skipping over these sections. I did, however, enjoy the contemporary portion of this book.
I did like the topics that were covered in this book. I also liked that this focused on a male friendship group which was something that I haven't really seen a lot in books.
Overall I did enjoy this one but it isn't a new favourite for me.
This book follows Owen and Duncan. Two teenage boys who form a friendship in order to help them cope with their various struggles. Owen's father recently passed away and he is trying to deal with his grief whilst seeing strange birds. Duncan has been dealing with depression but hasn't felt able to tell his friends.
This book is told from their two POVs. There is also a magical realism/fantasy element where Own is seeing these birds that take him to a strange forest where he has to complete a quest. I didn't 't enjoy the fantasy element. I found it confusing and I did find myself skipping over these sections. I did, however, enjoy the contemporary portion of this book.
I did like the topics that were covered in this book. I also liked that this focused on a male friendship group which was something that I haven't really seen a lot in books.
Overall I did enjoy this one but it isn't a new favourite for me.
June 22, 2025
Un buon coming of age, solido nella struttura e nello stile di narrazione, genuino nel modo di approcciare alle tematiche adolescenziali, vero e diretto nel rappresentare la realtà di chi soffre di depressione o di quanto ci si possa sentire "indietro" rispetto al prossimo, soprattutto in età da adolescenti.
La parte di maggiore impatto e mistero, inserita qui in chiave fantasy alternandosi tra vari eventi, è una grande allegoria che i lettori di realismo magico e di opere come “I Kill Giants” e “Sette Minuti dopo la Mezzanotte” non possono non apprezzare.
È un po' debole? Purtroppo sì, non brilla per chiarezza, ma è comunque solida e lineare nella sua composizione e risulta affascinante, stuzzicando la curiosità e lasciando delle domande che ci spingono ad andare avanti.
Qui troverete un found family leggero ma intenso, un senso di amicizia vero e puro, e una lettura che tutto sommato vola via facilmente e lascia il petto colmo.
La parte di maggiore impatto e mistero, inserita qui in chiave fantasy alternandosi tra vari eventi, è una grande allegoria che i lettori di realismo magico e di opere come “I Kill Giants” e “Sette Minuti dopo la Mezzanotte” non possono non apprezzare.
È un po' debole? Purtroppo sì, non brilla per chiarezza, ma è comunque solida e lineare nella sua composizione e risulta affascinante, stuzzicando la curiosità e lasciando delle domande che ci spingono ad andare avanti.
Qui troverete un found family leggero ma intenso, un senso di amicizia vero e puro, e una lettura che tutto sommato vola via facilmente e lascia il petto colmo.
March 5, 2020
A beautiful, unmissable book. The exploration of Owen’s grief foe his father through the fantasy sequences is compelling, but for me the joy of the novel is in the narrative around the friendship between Owen and Duncan, and Duncan’s established teenage friendship group. The dialogue between the friends is often extremely funny, but the dynamic between the teenage boys is deftly and sensitively explored. I have enjoyed David’s three previous novels, but this is the most perceptive, the deepest and easily the most moving. The climax of Owen’s journey through his grief brought me to tears just as some of the dialogue between Duncan and his old friends made me laugh out loud. Incidentally, the chapter illustrations are amazing!
April 22, 2020
Anything that has grief, feathers and birds always makes me think of Grief the Thing with Feathers and at the start this book had a similar feel. Birds showing up after the death of Owens dad raised many flags for me.
Aside from the links to GTTWF I really enjoyed the story. I did feel that the fantasy element distracted from the main story of how the group of teenage boys were dealing with everyday problems as well as big issues like depression and loss of a father. I preferred to stay in the real world than the forest which was never fully explained.
Aside from the links to GTTWF I really enjoyed the story. I did feel that the fantasy element distracted from the main story of how the group of teenage boys were dealing with everyday problems as well as big issues like depression and loss of a father. I preferred to stay in the real world than the forest which was never fully explained.
February 28, 2020
A wonderful read, so funny and emotional, a great insight into young men, communication, grief and depression. Such a wonderful story that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It’s so well written, I loved the writing style so beautiful and poetic, the characters are so well developed and relatable, this book is a pleasure to read. My first book by David Owen but definitely won’t be my last
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
March 10, 2020
This is a book of two parts, with the majority dealing with the social pressures for teenage boys to be a certain way and of growing out of friendships. This is excellently done and I don't think there are enough books like this. I didn't care at all for the supernatural part, much in the same way I felt about Patrick Ness's Release.
March 10, 2020
Owen creates an array of deeply complicated and very real characters, suffering often taboo issues in young males today. The story was interwoven with poignant fantastical elements, but it was the reality of broken friendships, being at peace with change and finding the courage to be honest that spoke to me. A brilliant slice of YA for any reader.
March 13, 2020
It's a brilliant story that I loved.
It's poignant, full of emotions and you cannot help loving the characters and feeling for them.
I was attracted by the fantasy aspects but I found myself involved in the "real" story and loved what I read.
An excellent and moving read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's poignant, full of emotions and you cannot help loving the characters and feeling for them.
I was attracted by the fantasy aspects but I found myself involved in the "real" story and loved what I read.
An excellent and moving read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
March 27, 2020
A raw, compelling and heartfelt read, that compels you to keep turning the page. The delicate subject matter is handled beautifully by the author who has crafted a novel which is something everyone should read no matter how recently or long ago you lost a loved one.
December 27, 2025
I enjoyed the creativity in this, but it does feel like two books squashed into one in places, with too many ideas churning for attention. It certainly wasn't what I expected, which is the reason for the four stars!
May 20, 2020
An important and compelling book about teen friendships and grief. Beautifully written, it pulls you in from the first page.
November 6, 2020
A beautiful and brilliant portrayal of grief. I have no words for how stunning this book is and how it made me feel. Get it for your shelves.
December 13, 2021
Un romanzo sull'amicizia! E funziona. Incredibile.
June 29, 2024
A good book on grief, with a paranormal twist.
4 stars
4 stars
March 2, 2020
This is a powerful, moving book about grief and finding yourself that I really enjoyed.
The writing in this book instantly captivated me, it was beautiful and lyrical with real heart. The imagery he uses is haunting and incredibly striking. The way Owen plays with language is delightful to watch and provides all sorts of interesting ideas on the page.
At the core of the book is the dual narrative of Duncan and Owen, two troubled teenage boys trying to navigate the world. Owen has a real talent for creating believable, authentic teenage characters that you can really relate to and empathise with. He also tears into the ideas of toxic masculinity, somewhat of a recurring theme in his novels and explores the teenage male psyche. The utter alienation and inability of the characters at times to express their feelings is heartbreakingly honest. I couldn't help but root for Duncan to break away from the sexist, toxic group of so-called 'friends' he was enmeshed in.
As the title suggests, this is a book about grief in all its complexities. I felt like the way grief is portrayed was so accurate and it's all intertwined with these imaginative fantasy elements that are utterly enchanting. For me, it really hit home with my own personal experiences of loss, creating a brilliant dynamic that hopefully will help many other people.
The writing in this book instantly captivated me, it was beautiful and lyrical with real heart. The imagery he uses is haunting and incredibly striking. The way Owen plays with language is delightful to watch and provides all sorts of interesting ideas on the page.
At the core of the book is the dual narrative of Duncan and Owen, two troubled teenage boys trying to navigate the world. Owen has a real talent for creating believable, authentic teenage characters that you can really relate to and empathise with. He also tears into the ideas of toxic masculinity, somewhat of a recurring theme in his novels and explores the teenage male psyche. The utter alienation and inability of the characters at times to express their feelings is heartbreakingly honest. I couldn't help but root for Duncan to break away from the sexist, toxic group of so-called 'friends' he was enmeshed in.
As the title suggests, this is a book about grief in all its complexities. I felt like the way grief is portrayed was so accurate and it's all intertwined with these imaginative fantasy elements that are utterly enchanting. For me, it really hit home with my own personal experiences of loss, creating a brilliant dynamic that hopefully will help many other people.
January 2, 2020
I'm a huge fan of David Owen and have read all three of his YA novels, he deserves to be much more widely read/known. This latest novel is both similar and different to what he has produced before, focusing on teen alienation and more specifically the inability of teenage boys to open up about their feelings. "Grief Angels" is told via a duel narrative - 15 year old Owen Marlow's father has recently passed away, looking for a fresh start his mother moves the family to a new town. In this new town he meets Duncan and they become friends, sort of. Duncan has own problems, including depression and a group of friends he feels he no longer connects with. Through watching the TV show Battlestar Galactica a friendship develops and they slowly open up. However, what this excellent book is really about is the failure of teenage boys to communicate their true feelings. Part of Owen's story is told via a fantasy sequence and in tandem with his failure to cope. A really excellent and moving novel which nailed the teenage male psyche.
September 25, 2020
Many thanks to Atom and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this novel by David Owen. I genuinely loved it - I would definitely recommend it and most especially, to young adults or the parents of children directly affected by grief. It is a moving portrayal of a young mans struggle to make sense of the world further to a great loss. All in a world where many young men and still all too often encouraged to bottle up their feelings, 'man up' and get on with it.
I thought it was a novel way of presenting a subject that is often very difficult for both adults and children alike to address. I will admit that I sometimes lost my way a little with the mystical/fantastical elements - though I do think that in itself somewhat chimes with how utterly unknown the feeling of a first loss of someone so close to you must be. It is a very clever, intriguing novel and one that has led me to think that I will certainly buy previous and future books published by this author.
Highly recommended for young adults, particularly young men and would be a great novel for class discussion.
I thought it was a novel way of presenting a subject that is often very difficult for both adults and children alike to address. I will admit that I sometimes lost my way a little with the mystical/fantastical elements - though I do think that in itself somewhat chimes with how utterly unknown the feeling of a first loss of someone so close to you must be. It is a very clever, intriguing novel and one that has led me to think that I will certainly buy previous and future books published by this author.
Highly recommended for young adults, particularly young men and would be a great novel for class discussion.
December 23, 2019
This book actually couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Having lost my father only a month ago, I was expecting some emotional connection to the situation and the characters. However, I wasn’t expecting to feel as if my own thoughts and feelings were being presented.
The themes that Grief Angels covers are all envelopes within a beautiful fantasy element that will enchant any reader and having a duel narrative will give those within experience of death a multi-layered approach to empathy.
David Owen is a master of taking a known topic and giving the reader a refreshing new look and Grief Angels is no exception. X
The themes that Grief Angels covers are all envelopes within a beautiful fantasy element that will enchant any reader and having a duel narrative will give those within experience of death a multi-layered approach to empathy.
David Owen is a master of taking a known topic and giving the reader a refreshing new look and Grief Angels is no exception. X
July 4, 2021
I was really looking forward to reading this book as I loved All the Lonely People so much. But it is quite a different style of book – more magical realism than I expected, and I personally don’t get on so well with that.
However, I really enjoyed the ‘realism’ parts of the book – I loved Duncan’s wheelchair-bound sister Emily, and the dynamics of his friendship group. But I struggled with the ‘magical’ sections of the book, and I found I lost focus during those bits. Like I say though – this is my issue, not the book’s!
As always though with David Owen’s writing, there are beautiful turns of phrase, and the characters were well drawn and interesting.
However, I really enjoyed the ‘realism’ parts of the book – I loved Duncan’s wheelchair-bound sister Emily, and the dynamics of his friendship group. But I struggled with the ‘magical’ sections of the book, and I found I lost focus during those bits. Like I say though – this is my issue, not the book’s!
As always though with David Owen’s writing, there are beautiful turns of phrase, and the characters were well drawn and interesting.
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