The Sidekicks - Will Kostakis

Ryan, Harley and Miles are very different people--the swimmer, the rebel and the nerd. All they've ever had in common is Isaac, their shared best friend.

When Isaac dies unexpectedly, the three boys must come to terms with their grief and the impact Isaac had on each of their lives. In his absence, Ryan, Harley and Miles discover things about one another they never saw before, and realize there may be more tying them together than just Isaac.

This is a novel about loss and about finding human connection in the wake of tragedy. The Sidekicks is a novel told through three points of view: Ryan, Harley, and Miles. All three boys had Isaac in common, but as they move through the loss of their friend, they realize they might actually have more in common than they previously thought.

Ryan's narrative was probably my favourite of the three, mostly because I could relate to him the most, particularly in the sexuality department. I liked that Ryan wasn't entirely a fan of Isaac, but also tried to see the goodness in him despite everything. Harley is a trouble-maker. While the writing was still strong in this narrative, I wasn't as able to connect with his personality or his decision-making. Miles was a particularly intriguing perspective considering his nerdiness and his difficulties with social interactions.

This is the first thing I've read from Kostakis, and I will very likely pick up more from him soon! I found his style to be accessible and emotionally poignant and I think that while the novel as a whole will benefit readers who can connect with all three protagonists, I think even if one only connects with one or two, the book works very well in any case.

Recommended

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