Damian Myron’s I’m Not My Father
Description
Cal’s life goal is to not end up like his father, a determination that remains even after his reality is upended.
Late in his Junior year of high school, Cal Fischer is focused on getting into a good college and escaping his hometown, a sure step to avoid a future like his complacent, predictable, overworked father. When new information surfaces regarding a local murder, gone unsolved for 25 years, the whole town is shocked and Cal’s home life shifts unexpectedly. As his world tilts, and his once sure footing becomes unstable, he grasps at the one truth he can be sure of – that his life will be what he makes of it, and through that resolve, he will NOT become his father.
He is only beginning to learn how important that resolution it.
Disclosure
I personally bought this book. There was no agreement with the author, publisher, or any third party that I would publish a review. The following review is unsolicited, unbiased, and all opinions are my own.
Note: I personally know the author of this book, this does not affect my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
Review – Spoiler Free
It’s fun to come across books so far from my roundhouse that I thoroughly enjoy. On first glance, this is not the type of book I would usually read. There is teen angst and drama, which I usually avoid because I have no patience for it, but it was realistic to the characters and the setting, and honestly hardly pulled me away from the story.
This was a fun story to unpack, Myron slowly opens up new angles and gives different revelations that build until the very end. There were turns and connections I hadn’t even been looking for, and all the threads came together into an interesting end.
Myron uses lots of specific details that build into the story, enabling those surprising connections. He also casually leaves out other specifics that don’t affect the story and wouldn’t build it at all. I didn’t even notice that they ‘weren’t there’ until the end, and appreciated their absence, as it helped the story clip along.
There were a few spots where I mixed up who was talking, or that a character was telling about a past event rather than living it out, but it was quick to realize and easy to sort out.
Overall, this is a good, quick read. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it despite its genre, and would definitely recommend it.
Quote
“That’s when it hit me. No one’s got it easy. We’re all thrown curveballs. So, I asked myself: Do I want to brave the trials life throws at me trying to be everyone else, or pursuing my dreams? It’s been easier ever since I discovered my motivation. So, let my naivety be a lesson for you. It’s going to be a hard path, whatever you decide to make of life. At least take the path that brings you where you want to go.”
June (I’m Not My Father, Damian Myron)
Ratings
- Plot – 4
- World Building – 4
- Characters – 4
- Quality of Writing – 5
- Ease of Reading – 5
- Overall Enjoyment – 4
- Final Rating – 4.5 (Actual: 4.3) – Really Liked It/It Was Amazing
Want to learn more about the numbers I use for rating, and the qualities I’m thinking about when writing a book review? Check out my post How I Rate and Review.