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46th out of 583 books
—
1,183 voters
Kamikaze Boys
by
Jay Bell (Goodreads Author)
If the world is against you, don’t give up. Find yourself a kindred spirit. Then you can start fighting back.
They say Connor, the one with the crazy eyes and creepy scar, tried to kill his old man. Lately he’s been seen hanging out with David, the gay guy who always eats lunch alone. They make an odd pair, the loser and the psychopath, and bad things happen to people who m...more
They say Connor, the one with the crazy eyes and creepy scar, tried to kill his old man. Lately he’s been seen hanging out with David, the gay guy who always eats lunch alone. They make an odd pair, the loser and the psychopath, and bad things happen to people who m...more
Paperback, 278 pages
Published
March 9th 2012
by Createspace
(first published March 7th 2012)
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19th out of 313 books
—
503 voters
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Summary:
Two boys meet and fall in love because of their sexual orientation. One boy is being bullied, the other boy protects him. Because of the response of the protective boy to an act of bullying on the other boy, both boys end up in separate correctional facilities. After they get out they continue their relationship and have a happy ending.
Thoughts:
1.The relationship between the boys and how they felt about each other, and loved each other, and were sexually intimate with each other was very...more
Two boys meet and fall in love because of their sexual orientation. One boy is being bullied, the other boy protects him. Because of the response of the protective boy to an act of bullying on the other boy, both boys end up in separate correctional facilities. After they get out they continue their relationship and have a happy ending.
Thoughts:
1.The relationship between the boys and how they felt about each other, and loved each other, and were sexually intimate with each other was very...more
It’s been interesting watching Jay Bell’s writing career take off. I was first introduced to his work when Brent Hartinger reviewed his very first book "The Cat in the Cradle," and I’ve kept an eye on what he’s been doing ever since. Bell has been most prolific, and I’ve enjoyed everything that he’s written so far (whether it be fantasy or more realistic YA lit), to one degree or another.
"Something Like Summer" has been Jay’s most popular book up to this point, but I think I actually prefer "Kam...more
"Something Like Summer" has been Jay’s most popular book up to this point, but I think I actually prefer "Kam...more
I am simply overwhelmed. This book, Kamikaze Boys, is perhaps one of the finest Young Adult novels ever written. Author Jay Bell, wows us once again with his consummate storytelling, his impeccable characterization and his superior ability to weave a remarkably sweet and lyrical love story. Honestly, there are simply not enough superlatives to give this story its due. But, dear reader, I shall endeavor to give this novel its well-earned accolades.
“Being brave is just doing whatever the hell you...more
“Being brave is just doing whatever the hell you...more
Sep 10, 2012
Elisa Ramblings
added it
For most part of the novel I was almost believing this was a sweet romance; not since the main character didn’t make love, they do, even if there are not graphic details, but since it seemed like a fairy tale story, everything and everyone was positive and supporting to the newborn teenager couple, David and Connor.
Sure, Connor comes from the wrong side of the city, but he is basically a good guy, his mother is doing the best to raise his brother and him, and Connor is helping her; Connor’s fath...more
Sure, Connor comes from the wrong side of the city, but he is basically a good guy, his mother is doing the best to raise his brother and him, and Connor is helping her; Connor’s fath...more
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.ca/20...
Reviewed by Stacey Jo: Jay Bell is one fantastic story teller! This was such a great story. I had a really hard time putting this one down. I could only hope that this one gets made into a movie like his last book. It would make the perfect movie. David is the geeky kid who gets picked on and Connor is that scary looking guy that everyone avoids because they are afraid he’s crazy. Connor rescues David one day in the school parking lot from the school bully...more
Reviewed by Stacey Jo: Jay Bell is one fantastic story teller! This was such a great story. I had a really hard time putting this one down. I could only hope that this one gets made into a movie like his last book. It would make the perfect movie. David is the geeky kid who gets picked on and Connor is that scary looking guy that everyone avoids because they are afraid he’s crazy. Connor rescues David one day in the school parking lot from the school bully...more
“You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” is a quote by author Sam Keen. This could easily be applied to David and Conner in 'Kamikaze Boys' by Jay Bell. To the rest of the world, David and Conner are misfits, worthy only of scorn, but to each other, they couldn't be more beautiful. They are soul mates; their love is invincible. Even when things get rough in the outside world, David and Conner's love remains steadfast, neither doubting wha...more
Wake up, assholes, it's lady boner time!
You know how when you're watching a show that's shitty, so you start looking for something else to watch and you realize that The Big Bang Theory's on one channel and Archer's on another? So you kind of flip back and forth, and it's perfect because when the commercials start on one channel you watch one show, and vice versa, so you never miss a scene, and it's like too much awesome - like if Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt came to your house and they were like...more
You know how when you're watching a show that's shitty, so you start looking for something else to watch and you realize that The Big Bang Theory's on one channel and Archer's on another? So you kind of flip back and forth, and it's perfect because when the commercials start on one channel you watch one show, and vice versa, so you never miss a scene, and it's like too much awesome - like if Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt came to your house and they were like...more
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Kamikaze Boys tells the story about bad boy Connor and poor bullied David. Connor sticks up for David and together they form an unlikely friendship and relationship.
A lot of authors shy away from writing teenagers in M/M romance. I suppose they feel like there is too much immaturity at that age. However, Jay Bell shows exactly what one can weave with teenagers as the focus of a romance. His stories remind of the films "Never Been Kissed" and "She's All That" great classic teenage films. They ar...more
A lot of authors shy away from writing teenagers in M/M romance. I suppose they feel like there is too much immaturity at that age. However, Jay Bell shows exactly what one can weave with teenagers as the focus of a romance. His stories remind of the films "Never Been Kissed" and "She's All That" great classic teenage films. They ar...more
I was reading The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice, but I had to set that aside to read Jay Bell’s latest. I’ve been waiting for this for ages! I love Something Like Summer. And I read Kamikaze Boys in record time, like in 8 hours! And non-stop, simply could not put it down. With that said, I must admit I am a bit disappointed. To be fair, Kamikaze Boys was great! Really well-written, and some parts are just down right amazing. But I don’t know…maybe I was expecting something more grown-up? I don’t know h...more
It's hard to review this. I enjoyed it. I wished it was longer. I LOVED Conner! I didn't find this book to be overwhelmingly amazing,. I wasn't totally moved or captivated by this but I enjoyed the story and the characters and I guess that's all I can really ask for.
Reread 8/12
This was a really satisfying read. I felt like i got more out of it the second time around. Oh my gosh Gordon was hilarious. I'd Still give this 4 stars. I need to read more by Jay Bell
Reread 8/12
This was a really satisfying read. I felt like i got more out of it the second time around. Oh my gosh Gordon was hilarious. I'd Still give this 4 stars. I need to read more by Jay Bell
2 likes · like · see review
There seems to be a philosophy in writing that the more purple your prose, the better your book is. Nothing could be more false.
Heart is what makes a novel work. Heart is what connects you to the reader. Your prose can be sparse, lacking in detail, but if it lives, if it breathes and makes you laugh and cry with the characters, then you have something that will truly break ground.
This book has a tremendous amount of heart.
Jay, you've done it again.
Heart is what makes a novel work. Heart is what connects you to the reader. Your prose can be sparse, lacking in detail, but if it lives, if it breathes and makes you laugh and cry with the characters, then you have something that will truly break ground.
This book has a tremendous amount of heart.
Jay, you've done it again.
Mar 04, 2013
AnnaLund
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
M/M romance buffs, Geek lovers, teenage lovers
What a ride!
This was an absolutely fantastic exposé on bullies and the ugly company they keep. This is a book that needs to be read by a lot of people. Bullying is one of the plagues of youth, and unfortunately it makes the transition even into adulthood in some people.
This book is about standing up for your friends. Protecting what is right. Cheering for the underdog. (Yeah, that rang ALL my bells!)
As usual, Mr Bell writes some compelling protags, and I was sucked into the storytelling at once...more
This was an absolutely fantastic exposé on bullies and the ugly company they keep. This is a book that needs to be read by a lot of people. Bullying is one of the plagues of youth, and unfortunately it makes the transition even into adulthood in some people.
This book is about standing up for your friends. Protecting what is right. Cheering for the underdog. (Yeah, that rang ALL my bells!)
As usual, Mr Bell writes some compelling protags, and I was sucked into the storytelling at once...more
Damn, I love you Jay Bell. I really, really do.
Kamikaze Boys is the story of two very different boys (that just happen to be perfect for each other) who take on the world hand in hand. David is the high school nobody who gets picked on and called a faggot daily by the typical bully. The fact that David actually is gay and is not afraid to hide it adds layers to the depth of character that he is, but does nothing to improve his standing in the drama filled world that is public school. One day Con...more
10 likes · like · see review
Jan 12, 2013
Runell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
glitebooks
This is the second book that I've read by Jay Bell, the first being Something Like Summer. I loved this book. It was really perfect. I couldn't hardly put it down, and due to that I finished it in a day.
David and Connor were wonderful. I loved them both so much, and I rooted for them the whole way. When they're separated and David keeps being told that perhaps Connor isn't good for him by a stupid quack doctor, it made me so PISSED. I could just feel the anger boiling inside of me, and if it wer...more
David and Connor were wonderful. I loved them both so much, and I rooted for them the whole way. When they're separated and David keeps being told that perhaps Connor isn't good for him by a stupid quack doctor, it made me so PISSED. I could just feel the anger boiling inside of me, and if it wer...more
The thing is....I really like this author's work. I've realised Mr Bell writes initially with this smooth, almost domestic, comforting sort of style and then, probably 50% through the novel every thing changes, the story takes on a darkness and we are thrust into a story of despair. This is the second novel I've read and enjoyed by this author. I would suggest they are written for a young adult reader, characters are around the early 20's age group, but they are appealing to all ages.
The protago...more
The protago...more
This was such a hard book to rate, I went back and forth from 2 stars to 3.5 stars.
I'll start by saying I love Connor and David together, they make me happy, bring a true smile to my face and I just want nothing but sunshine and rainbows for them since they first appear on page. They are great characters! The storyline moves along and keeps me interested even though some of the actions taken leave me going "huh" throughout the book. What kept me from enjoying this book more was the sudden chang...more
I'll start by saying I love Connor and David together, they make me happy, bring a true smile to my face and I just want nothing but sunshine and rainbows for them since they first appear on page. They are great characters! The storyline moves along and keeps me interested even though some of the actions taken leave me going "huh" throughout the book. What kept me from enjoying this book more was the sudden chang...more
There's really two parts to the story... one is how Connor and David meet and fall in love. I liked how this comes about: Connor defending David against a bully. Then for a lot of chapters nothing really happens and if I hadn't bought this I might have finished right there, I was a little bored and even though I can understand it was developing the relationship... it just felt like there wasn't any action and they were pretty much living a very normal life while having a relationship. The second...more
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first half of this book, with the two boys getting together and forming a relationship. I enjoy high school m/m romances, and the characters in this one were interesting and likable. I particularly liked Connor's 'misunderstood pscyho' reputation and Connor's family issues.
The second part of the book, with the prison and mental ward were a bit too much for me. I'm fine with a little angst in my romance, but I get frustrated when it feels like an author is continua...more
The second part of the book, with the prison and mental ward were a bit too much for me. I'm fine with a little angst in my romance, but I get frustrated when it feels like an author is continua...more
Wonderful story, sad, funny, interesting. Although I agree with some readers that it was slow pace in some parts.
David and Connor were wonderful characters, the reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is that I don't think this story needs to be this long. It would had been perfect if it were a little bit shorter.
David and Connor were wonderful characters, the reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is that I don't think this story needs to be this long. It would had been perfect if it were a little bit shorter.
3.5 stars
Ahhhh...back to the "safety zone" of YA. :)
...where we rarely argue suspension of belief or hotness of sex scenes.
...where we usually get a nice dose of naivety and sometimes a good opposites-attract storyline.
...where kids are misunderstood but find acceptance with each other.
...where first times and explorations and first loves are the norm.
I enjoyed Kamizake Boys.
It is a "safe" YA book: 2 misunderstood, lonely kids finding solace and love with each other. Connor, the mystery kid w/...more
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Once again Jay Bell has created a cast of characters that I absolutely adore. I love the way David has such a sense of pride, not only about who he is, but also about who his friends are. His best friend, Gordon, is perched pretty high up on the ladder of geekdom, but David never tries to hide their friendship. He could easily have ditched Gordon once he became involved with Conner, but David remains loyal to his friend. Connor is a stand-up guy as well. His affection for David, and his desire t...more
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This book was very well written. The structure and wording was smooth and I didn't get confused a single time, which is a great score in my book. In fact, I loved everything about the book.
I'll be reading more by Jay Bell, as I was very impressed with the story.
My obligatory criticism for Kamikaze Boys (why it didn't get five stars) Is that it failed to incite a "wow" reaction from me at the end. Something that spoke to me on a level that it will stay in my mind for a long time.
This book will b...more
I'll be reading more by Jay Bell, as I was very impressed with the story.
My obligatory criticism for Kamikaze Boys (why it didn't get five stars) Is that it failed to incite a "wow" reaction from me at the end. Something that spoke to me on a level that it will stay in my mind for a long time.
This book will b...more
Ok i went nuts trying to get this book for my iphone because when i first tried smashwords it wouldnt let me read it. well i have to say it was worth the wait and i couldnt put it down (even during work).
At first i wasnt to sure how the book would play out and especially didnt expect what David dad did at towards the end. but i really loved it and wished there was more to it because from what i can see Connor and David adventure was just starting at the end of the book. Oh yea this book was goo...more
At first i wasnt to sure how the book would play out and especially didnt expect what David dad did at towards the end. but i really loved it and wished there was more to it because from what i can see Connor and David adventure was just starting at the end of the book. Oh yea this book was goo...more
Maybe I'm different but I picked up this book because I liked The Cat in the Cradle. This is very good too. I've been a little put off by the reviews about the other book everyone here keeps talking about, Something Like Summer. I bought it last April for my trip to Asia and never got around to reading that one. So this book purchase was a step because I was in a changing mood and had a lot of time to read and try out new things. I'm glad I did this is great. I'm gonna go read Something Like Sum...more
I'm actually quite surprised how good the reviews of this book were. After finding out about this book, I was ecstatic and jumped right in. I was immediately disappointed with the lackluster characters and the cliche story line. It was difficult for me to keep reading and I was just waiting... and waiting.. and waiting.. well you get the point.. for something interesting and original to happen but it never delivered and failed on too many levels.
I can't help but compare this book to Something L...more
I can't help but compare this book to Something L...more
David, is a shy bookish high school junior with no friends in school and a college professor father that is still riding him about grades even after his last straight A report card.
Connor is a senior with a crazy look about him and a scar that he's rumored to have gotten while trying to kill his father.
When Connor intercedes on David's behalf when David is being taunted and called a "faggot" by Chuck, a heavyset junior with a chip on his shoulder, David's not sure if he's escaped a tormentor or...more
Connor is a senior with a crazy look about him and a scar that he's rumored to have gotten while trying to kill his father.
When Connor intercedes on David's behalf when David is being taunted and called a "faggot" by Chuck, a heavyset junior with a chip on his shoulder, David's not sure if he's escaped a tormentor or...more
I enjoyed this book a lot, and had a hard time putting it aside to sleep, since I'd reached a point where the MCs are separated. I liked and believed in both David and Connor, and the best friend and little brother were fun. This book has some nice secondary characters. Both of the boys who are main characters make some mistakes, both have issues to deal with, but in this book the warm emotions are more salient that the dark ones. I appreciated that the parents here were for the most part real p...more
This was a great YA mm romance novel. This was a personal favourite of mine and I just have to say I would love to see a sequel to it one day......
David and Connor were a very sweet couple and I was so happy they stayed together. Both boys were outcasts and they fit together very well. I was hoping they would get together from the beginning. Some of the time I wished they had more scenes together especially when they were apart for a few chapters.
I have read this book a few times and I fall in l...more
David and Connor were a very sweet couple and I was so happy they stayed together. Both boys were outcasts and they fit together very well. I was hoping they would get together from the beginning. Some of the time I wished they had more scenes together especially when they were apart for a few chapters.
I have read this book a few times and I fall in l...more
I can't stop smiling!
This has to be the sweeteststory I've read in a while. Not sappy sweet, but adorable-first-loves-make-me-smile sweet.It was the ultimate escape for me, even though it wasn't crazy exciting; I was too wrapped up in David and Connor to care or notice. I was hooked from chapter one and couldn't put it down. I was absolutely useless until I read the final page. I loved all the other characters (especially Gordon and Tommy), the humor, the sweetness, and even the angst. This wasn...more
This has to be the sweeteststory I've read in a while. Not sappy sweet, but adorable-first-loves-make-me-smile sweet.It was the ultimate escape for me, even though it wasn't crazy exciting; I was too wrapped up in David and Connor to care or notice. I was hooked from chapter one and couldn't put it down. I was absolutely useless until I read the final page. I loved all the other characters (especially Gordon and Tommy), the humor, the sweetness, and even the angst. This wasn...more
6 likes · like · see review
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| YA LGBT Books: * January BotM - Kamikaze Boys *Spoilers* | 20 | 82 | 13. April, 16:54 Uhr |
Jay Bell never gave much thought to Germany until he met a handsome foreign exchange student. At that moment, beer and pretzels became the most important thing in the world. After moving to Germany and getting married, Jay found himself desperate to communicate the feelings of alienation, adventure, and love that surrounded this decision, and has been putting pen to paper ever since.
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“Just be careful. Passion is a bridge that connects love and hate. When you're standing in the middle of that bridge, don't let yourself get turned around. You've got to make sure you know which direction you're heading. Watch yourself.”
—
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