Tuesday, July 23, 2013

#Review: THE UNIVERSE VERSUS ALEX WOODS by Gavin Extence



5 of 5 stars

Alex Woods is an unusual young man. When he was twelve years old, he was hit by a rare meteorite that left him in a coma for two weeks. When he finally wakes, he was not the same boy. This is his story for the next five years as he learns to cope with his resulting "fits" and develops an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly American war vet, Mr. Peterson.

The storyline is told in Alex's unique voice. I was immediately drawn into the story when it opens with Alex being arrested as he tries to cross the border back into England. From there, as only Alex could tell it, we are taken back to the beginning to learn about his life from the moment he wakes up from his coma five years earlier. He is forever changed by that event and must now navigate through life with a fortitude that few individuals could match.

The dynamics between Alex and Mr. Peterson are difficult, frustrating, but ultimately uplifting as these two people share an unique friendship. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Mr. Extence has a gift for storytelling and this is one of the best books I've read this year. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a wonderful underdog story. Not that Alex is an underdog because as he would say, he was only doing what was right and there was no other choice left to him.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
 

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