What do you think?
Rate this book
I Am the Cage
Fish Creek, Wisconsin—Beautiful. Quiet. Isolated. Anonymous. It’s all that nineteen-year-old Elisabeth needs, and everything she wants. Cloistered in her tiny cabin, Elisabeth is determined to be alone, hiding from her memories and making sure that no one can ever hurt her again.
But when a massive snowstorm strikes, plunging the town into darkness, Elisabeth finally allows herself to accept help from her neighbor, Noah, the town’s young sheriff. Forced to show him more vulnerability than she ever intended, Elisabeth realizes she can no longer outrun the scars of her childhood, and facing the darkness might be exactly what she needs to let the light in.
In a searing own-voices story accented by poignant childhood flashbacks and stunning poetry, Allison Sweet Grant’s young adult debut is a quietly powerful portrait of a young woman’s journey to confront the medical trauma inflicted to “fix” her—and heal her heart in the process. An emotional coming-of-age story about a young woman running away from herself, yet grasping to find a way back. Deeply moving, authentically raw, and humming with the possibility of a new love.
“A brilliant book about what we survive—and how. Visceral, wrenching, and beautiful.” –John Green, #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars
“A tender, heartfelt story about the wounds childhood trauma can leave on its survivors. The sense of powerlessness—and redemption—will stay with you.” –Jojo Moyes, #1 bestselling author of Me Before You
“Heartfelt, human and true. I loved it.” –Markus Zusak, #1 bestselling author of The Book Thief
“Allison Sweet Grant is a natural storyteller with the keen eye and ear of a poet. Deftly toggling between past and present, childhood trauma and its painful aftershocks, I Am the Cage is a story of love, resilience, and healing. What a beautiful, moving, and insightful debut.” –Maggie Smith, bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful
“Artfully showcases the complicated back-and-forth between keeping oneself safe and staunching one’s own growth…. Crackles with tension and sincerity… cathartic.” -Publishers Weekly
But when a massive snowstorm strikes, plunging the town into darkness, Elisabeth finally allows herself to accept help from her neighbor, Noah, the town’s young sheriff. Forced to show him more vulnerability than she ever intended, Elisabeth realizes she can no longer outrun the scars of her childhood, and facing the darkness might be exactly what she needs to let the light in.
In a searing own-voices story accented by poignant childhood flashbacks and stunning poetry, Allison Sweet Grant’s young adult debut is a quietly powerful portrait of a young woman’s journey to confront the medical trauma inflicted to “fix” her—and heal her heart in the process. An emotional coming-of-age story about a young woman running away from herself, yet grasping to find a way back. Deeply moving, authentically raw, and humming with the possibility of a new love.
“A brilliant book about what we survive—and how. Visceral, wrenching, and beautiful.” –John Green, #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars
“A tender, heartfelt story about the wounds childhood trauma can leave on its survivors. The sense of powerlessness—and redemption—will stay with you.” –Jojo Moyes, #1 bestselling author of Me Before You
“Heartfelt, human and true. I loved it.” –Markus Zusak, #1 bestselling author of The Book Thief
“Allison Sweet Grant is a natural storyteller with the keen eye and ear of a poet. Deftly toggling between past and present, childhood trauma and its painful aftershocks, I Am the Cage is a story of love, resilience, and healing. What a beautiful, moving, and insightful debut.” –Maggie Smith, bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful
“Artfully showcases the complicated back-and-forth between keeping oneself safe and staunching one’s own growth…. Crackles with tension and sincerity… cathartic.” -Publishers Weekly
299 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2025
84 people are currently reading
8871 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
April 25, 2025
19 year old Elisabeth is living in a small, quiet, remote town in the Midwest. She was eager to escape her past and live a life of anonymity after everything she’s been through, physically and emotionally.
When a huge snowstorm hits the small town, Elisabeth reluctantly accepts assistance from her neighbor, Noah, the town’s sheriff. Noah is kind and patient and even though Elisabeth has her guard up, Noah might challenge her in the right ways.
Told in “Then” and “Now” parts, I Am the Cage is a heartfelt, coming of age story about overcoming trauma and living life for yourself. I wanted to give Elisabeth a hug and I was rooting for her.
When a huge snowstorm hits the small town, Elisabeth reluctantly accepts assistance from her neighbor, Noah, the town’s sheriff. Noah is kind and patient and even though Elisabeth has her guard up, Noah might challenge her in the right ways.
Told in “Then” and “Now” parts, I Am the Cage is a heartfelt, coming of age story about overcoming trauma and living life for yourself. I wanted to give Elisabeth a hug and I was rooting for her.
January 30, 2025
This book is chocked full of raw emotion, most of which is full of pain and hard for the reader to swallow. The book alternates between the present tense with Elizabeth living alone proving to herself she can do it and 11 year old Elizabeth who has medical issues that require a torturous amount of pain to correct. Elizabeth has not fully dealt with her path and she learns the hard way that telling yourself it’s fine does not mean it is fine. During a rather big snow storm she finds herself having to accept help from her neighbor Noah, the town sheriff and it forces her to start to examine herself and who she is going to be. This book was beautifully written and includes some amazing poetry. This is a powerful book and I greatly enjoyed reading it. This book is a very quick read, but one that wills it with you as you continue to digest it for a long time.
January 7, 2025
This book is raw and heartfelt. I couldn't put it down. I felt so bad for Elisabeth as she tried to deal with her pain, grief and insecurities. This book is about overcoming those hurts inflicted in the path to find a new direction and a new way of seeing yourself. I loved the people Elisabeth met and befriended in the smail town she fled to - Mr. Ito, Jonathan and of course, Noah. I also loved her one friend who stood by her through the most painful parts of her life. Her mother could certainly have been more supportive and definitely let Elisabeth down when she was most needed, although I'm not sure she meant to do that - she may have just not known how to handle the situation. This was a very emotional read for me and I think it would be for anyone. i highly recommend it.
Thanks to Penguin Group - Dutton through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Thanks to Penguin Group - Dutton through Netgalley for an advance copy.
February 20, 2025
I received an ARC of this book on exchange for my honest review.
I am the Cage is an excellent book by Allison Sweet Grant. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in but it was fabulous. It was emotional without being insanely sappy. It was clever and I really felt invested in the characters. There was a little bit of romance but it didn’t go over the top. Overall, a great book and a great way to show people healing from their wounds- physical and mental.
I am the Cage is an excellent book by Allison Sweet Grant. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in but it was fabulous. It was emotional without being insanely sappy. It was clever and I really felt invested in the characters. There was a little bit of romance but it didn’t go over the top. Overall, a great book and a great way to show people healing from their wounds- physical and mental.
February 5, 2025
This read has broken and healed my soul all at once. I navigated through such strong emotions resulting from a trauma I could not even begin imagining living through.
This story is about surviving something that breaks you. Not only physically but also mentally, in such a strong way that you don’t know how to trust anyone, let alone your own self.
I strongly believe this is one of those books everyone should read in their life. There are so many powerful lessons to learn and so much growth waiting for anyone that picks up this book and reads it.
This story is about surviving something that breaks you. Not only physically but also mentally, in such a strong way that you don’t know how to trust anyone, let alone your own self.
I strongly believe this is one of those books everyone should read in their life. There are so many powerful lessons to learn and so much growth waiting for anyone that picks up this book and reads it.
December 29, 2024
I am the Cage follows Elisabeth as she hides in a tiny cabin in a small, isolated town called Fish Creek. All she wanted to be is alone and hide from her memories that hurt too much. But a snowstorm sends her plans spinning. She accepts help from her neighbor Noah, the town’s young sheriff. Elisabeth is forced to show more vulnerability than she’d like and realizes that to escape the darkness of her childhood, she needs to let light in.
This is a beautiful book of trauma and healing and finding out its own-voices makes it even more heart-wrenching. The story in this book is so moving and gripping. I loved that it was told in two timelines of present day and Elisabeth’s childhood. The poetry as well was so stunning. I’ve never personally gone through any intensive surgery or medical processes so reading about Elisabeth’s medical trauma of a procedure inflicted to “fix” her was very visceral and haunting. It’s a lot for any child to go through and the author did an amazing job of conveying the emotion and pain she went through.
Elisabeth’s growth in the novel was so beautiful and realistically paced. She’s rightfully angry and traumatized but getting to read about her slowly coming out of hiding was so lovely. Noah is such a sweetheart and endearing, and their relationship was so sweet. Her mom was a lot and their conversation in the later half was infuriating. I wish we got more of her relationship with her sisters as she got older, but I do appreciate that Elisabeth had her friend as a support system. The ending was really lovely and so heartwarming.
Overall, if you like emotional coming-of-age, own-voices stories, I’d highly recommend trying this one!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
This is a beautiful book of trauma and healing and finding out its own-voices makes it even more heart-wrenching. The story in this book is so moving and gripping. I loved that it was told in two timelines of present day and Elisabeth’s childhood. The poetry as well was so stunning. I’ve never personally gone through any intensive surgery or medical processes so reading about Elisabeth’s medical trauma of a procedure inflicted to “fix” her was very visceral and haunting. It’s a lot for any child to go through and the author did an amazing job of conveying the emotion and pain she went through.
Elisabeth’s growth in the novel was so beautiful and realistically paced. She’s rightfully angry and traumatized but getting to read about her slowly coming out of hiding was so lovely. Noah is such a sweetheart and endearing, and their relationship was so sweet. Her mom was a lot and their conversation in the later half was infuriating. I wish we got more of her relationship with her sisters as she got older, but I do appreciate that Elisabeth had her friend as a support system. The ending was really lovely and so heartwarming.
Overall, if you like emotional coming-of-age, own-voices stories, I’d highly recommend trying this one!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
December 18, 2024
I really liked this book. The style of writing was easy to follow. I am not usually a fan of poetry but in this story I was. So many feelings came out for me during my reading of it.
I liked how the setting was in a real town. I felt bad for Elisabeth as she looked back on her life and what she had to endure as a child, unforgettable. I really didn’t like her mother. She should have been much more sympathetic.
The characters were interesting. I do wish there was more information given on Elisabeth’s sisters. I wanted to know how they felt about each other as they got older. What kind of relationship they had coming into adulthood. As well as Elisabeth’s father, he was more of a side note. I really liked Mr.Ito from the Treasure Box. Noah and Jonathan were a bright spot in Elisabeth’s life. Overall this was a great story and I look forward to more books by this author.
I liked how the setting was in a real town. I felt bad for Elisabeth as she looked back on her life and what she had to endure as a child, unforgettable. I really didn’t like her mother. She should have been much more sympathetic.
The characters were interesting. I do wish there was more information given on Elisabeth’s sisters. I wanted to know how they felt about each other as they got older. What kind of relationship they had coming into adulthood. As well as Elisabeth’s father, he was more of a side note. I really liked Mr.Ito from the Treasure Box. Noah and Jonathan were a bright spot in Elisabeth’s life. Overall this was a great story and I look forward to more books by this author.
February 23, 2025
Wow, just wow. 100 stars…. I haven’t read a book like I Am the Cage in a very, very long time. Allison Sweet Grant has written a beautiful, poetic, heart wrenching story that is so very raw and so real you can’t help but cry throughout the story, painful tears, gut wrenching tears and happy tears as well.
“You’re a not-good, not nice, not-lonely-but-all-alone coward.”
“Staying locked in was my way out.”
Elisabeth endured childhood, medical trauma. She was born with fibular hemimelia, which is a short femur. This story is about how she coped, or didn’t cope how she suffered, how she felt about her doctors and her mother and how she survived life her way and on her terms. My daughter was born with half a heart and has had many surgeries and hospitalizations since she was born. She will never be fixed. This book hit home for me. I highly recommend it for moms who have gone through hell and back with their medically sick children and for young adults who have gone through medical trauma as children and are still struggling emotionally.
There are no words for the poetic way this story was told. The actual poetry in the book tugged at my heart. I could feel all the feels like I was living Elisabeth’s pain.
Allison Sweet Grant please write a sequel so we can find out what happens to Elisabeth. She is now part of me. Noah was a beautiful human with a heart of gold and I want to read more about their relationship later in life. I am also curious if the author lived through childhood trauma. I can’t seem to find anything on the internet about her life.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“You’re a not-good, not nice, not-lonely-but-all-alone coward.”
“Staying locked in was my way out.”
Elisabeth endured childhood, medical trauma. She was born with fibular hemimelia, which is a short femur. This story is about how she coped, or didn’t cope how she suffered, how she felt about her doctors and her mother and how she survived life her way and on her terms. My daughter was born with half a heart and has had many surgeries and hospitalizations since she was born. She will never be fixed. This book hit home for me. I highly recommend it for moms who have gone through hell and back with their medically sick children and for young adults who have gone through medical trauma as children and are still struggling emotionally.
There are no words for the poetic way this story was told. The actual poetry in the book tugged at my heart. I could feel all the feels like I was living Elisabeth’s pain.
Allison Sweet Grant please write a sequel so we can find out what happens to Elisabeth. She is now part of me. Noah was a beautiful human with a heart of gold and I want to read more about their relationship later in life. I am also curious if the author lived through childhood trauma. I can’t seem to find anything on the internet about her life.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2024
This stunning book was so good, so captivating. A young woman, medically and emotionally traumatized in childhood, moves to a small town to live alone and be dependent on anyone but herself. The weather has other plans for her, and a massive snowstorm brings her closest neighbor into her life. Through the neighbor, and their budding friendship, she discovers that she doesn't always have to stay tucked away, alone and isolated.
March 27, 2025
Elisabeth finds herself living in a small town in Wisconsin far away from her family. She lives a quiet and isolated life. A snowstorm moves in and knocks out the power. Elisabeth needs help from her closet neighbor, the local sheriff, Noah.
What unfolds is a slow-moving conversation about why Elisabeth has chosen self-exile and doesn't want to speak to her family.
We get flashbacks of why Elisabeth has made the choices she has made and get to understand the dynamics of her relationship with her mother.
The premise of placing this in a snowstorm is a great choice as it mimics how Elisabeth feels trapped in her own body. The forced connection between her and Noah feels natural and realistic.
I am glad I came across this one.
What unfolds is a slow-moving conversation about why Elisabeth has chosen self-exile and doesn't want to speak to her family.
We get flashbacks of why Elisabeth has made the choices she has made and get to understand the dynamics of her relationship with her mother.
The premise of placing this in a snowstorm is a great choice as it mimics how Elisabeth feels trapped in her own body. The forced connection between her and Noah feels natural and realistic.
I am glad I came across this one.
October 24, 2024
I received the ARC from a giveaway and it was absolutely heart wrenching! I honestly don’t even cry during Grey’s Anatomy and if you’ve watched that show you’re all like “what, how”? It takes a lot to really get me and this book did it! Amazing build of realizations and growing into what and who she is meant to be! I absolutely recommend this book! Bring tissues and block out a 1/2 day for it, because you’ll hate putting it down!
February 18, 2025
I Am the Cage is a coming-of-age young adult novel about a nineteen-year-old woman living on her own. But when a blizzard hits, she is forced to reach out, accept help, and reflect on her years of medical trauma.
Elisabeth is living in a small cabin and working at a gift shop in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, when a storm leaves her with very little food and firewood. Her neighbor, who is also the local sheriff, Noah, helps her out, and over the coming days, he befriends the solitary teen who has made few connections since moving in. He doesn’t know that Elisabeth’s real first name is Justine and that she moved to Fish Creek as an escape after slowly losing faith in her family and medical professionals. Years of painful and traumatic procedures to treat her limb differences have left her wary of trust. But if Elisabeth is going to step out of her cage, she’ll need to face her past and find a way to move forward without fear.
This is a powerful novel about how even the most well-meaning professionals and family members can leave children feeling hurt, betrayed, and powerless over their own bodies. It’s hard not to sympathize with Elisabeth/Justine as she struggles to feel safe while still learning to accept help from new people in her life. The book is also beautifully written, incorporating the character’s poetry and appreciation for literature.
I highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy heavier young adult stories with themes of strained family relationships and overcoming trauma.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook Notes: The audiobook of I Am the Cage is read by the author, Allison Sweet Grant. Her narration brings a vulnerability and authenticity to the novel, and I enjoyed listening to her voice.
Disclosure: An ALC (advanced listening copy) was provided by PRH Audio for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Elisabeth is living in a small cabin and working at a gift shop in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, when a storm leaves her with very little food and firewood. Her neighbor, who is also the local sheriff, Noah, helps her out, and over the coming days, he befriends the solitary teen who has made few connections since moving in. He doesn’t know that Elisabeth’s real first name is Justine and that she moved to Fish Creek as an escape after slowly losing faith in her family and medical professionals. Years of painful and traumatic procedures to treat her limb differences have left her wary of trust. But if Elisabeth is going to step out of her cage, she’ll need to face her past and find a way to move forward without fear.
This is a powerful novel about how even the most well-meaning professionals and family members can leave children feeling hurt, betrayed, and powerless over their own bodies. It’s hard not to sympathize with Elisabeth/Justine as she struggles to feel safe while still learning to accept help from new people in her life. The book is also beautifully written, incorporating the character’s poetry and appreciation for literature.
I highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy heavier young adult stories with themes of strained family relationships and overcoming trauma.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook Notes: The audiobook of I Am the Cage is read by the author, Allison Sweet Grant. Her narration brings a vulnerability and authenticity to the novel, and I enjoyed listening to her voice.
Disclosure: An ALC (advanced listening copy) was provided by PRH Audio for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 15, 2025
This was an incredibly moving snowed in coming of age story about a young woman trying to heal from a childhood full of medical trauma, chronic pain and constant surgeries aimed at 'fixing' her body. She's purposely estranged herself from her family and is happily living a life alone in the midwest. When a snowstorm forces her to rely on the young Sheriff next door, she finds friendship and maybe more where she least expected. Told in a mix of prose and verse, this was beautifully written and highly recommended for fans of the memoir, It must be beautiful to be finished by Kate Gies. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
February 12, 2025
First five star of 2025. This book makes you feel so much and is so riveting.
A few favorite out of the many quotes I loved while reading this:
“How frightening it must be, to wake up to a world completely changed, and to no longer understand your place in it.”
“I tell him the story that’s written in my scars.”
“That’s what trauma does - it bookends the chapters of your life. It perforates your story with pauses. It demarcates the Before and the After. Part One and Part Two.”
So happy I won this in a Goodreads giveaway!
A few favorite out of the many quotes I loved while reading this:
“How frightening it must be, to wake up to a world completely changed, and to no longer understand your place in it.”
“I tell him the story that’s written in my scars.”
“That’s what trauma does - it bookends the chapters of your life. It perforates your story with pauses. It demarcates the Before and the After. Part One and Part Two.”
So happy I won this in a Goodreads giveaway!
January 20, 2025
I could not put this book down. I read it in a single sitting. I wish I could have read this when I was a teen and struggling with who I was as a person. While I don’t have any medical trauma, I do have childhood trauma and I’ve battled with internal demons for years. Reading this book felt extremely validating. It also opened my eyes to the medical field and how scary it can be. If you enjoy books to challenge your mindset and your emotions, read this one.
March 29, 2025
I saw so much of myself in this book, and I am grateful that it exists. Beautifully written. Loved it.
February 16, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books/Penguin Random House for ARC of "I Am the Cage" in exchange for an honest review.
Such an intimate powerful story of one terribly hurt young woman. I don't know how any readers could experience this book without becoming invested in and deeply moved by the gut wrenching isolation of 19 year old Elizabeth.
After finishing high school, she's dropped out of the world, living a solitary hermit's life in a remote Wisconsin cabin. Elizabeth survived a childhood of almost indescribable medical torture. She suffered for years with a metal leg brace pinned to her bones in order to adjust their growth.
Through all the years of torment, her sense of self worth has been chipped away by the excruciating agonies of the procedure along with the apparent lack of empathy from her mother. Healed only physically, she seeks total solitude as the only way to protect herself from a world of hurt.
But then a winter blizzard leaves her stranded and forced to rely on the help of her nearest neighbor Noah, the small town's young Sheriff. In gradual increments, Noah's concern and genuine friendship bring out glimmers of humanity and new perceptions in this bedeviled young soul. After years in the dark, sunlight's peeking through for her.
For a heart touching experience, I can't praise this book highly enough. There's a kind of ethereal, haunting poetry to it, as well as some actual, beautifully crafted poetry in Elizabeth's deepest thoughts.
For anyone who wants to experience the highs and lows of a character's life-affirming journey out of anguish, I'd say this book's as good as it gets.
(and please check out my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
Such an intimate powerful story of one terribly hurt young woman. I don't know how any readers could experience this book without becoming invested in and deeply moved by the gut wrenching isolation of 19 year old Elizabeth.
After finishing high school, she's dropped out of the world, living a solitary hermit's life in a remote Wisconsin cabin. Elizabeth survived a childhood of almost indescribable medical torture. She suffered for years with a metal leg brace pinned to her bones in order to adjust their growth.
Through all the years of torment, her sense of self worth has been chipped away by the excruciating agonies of the procedure along with the apparent lack of empathy from her mother. Healed only physically, she seeks total solitude as the only way to protect herself from a world of hurt.
But then a winter blizzard leaves her stranded and forced to rely on the help of her nearest neighbor Noah, the small town's young Sheriff. In gradual increments, Noah's concern and genuine friendship bring out glimmers of humanity and new perceptions in this bedeviled young soul. After years in the dark, sunlight's peeking through for her.
For a heart touching experience, I can't praise this book highly enough. There's a kind of ethereal, haunting poetry to it, as well as some actual, beautifully crafted poetry in Elizabeth's deepest thoughts.
For anyone who wants to experience the highs and lows of a character's life-affirming journey out of anguish, I'd say this book's as good as it gets.
(and please check out my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
November 3, 2024
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of I AM THE CAGE by Allison Sweet Grant in exchange for my honest review.***
I wish I AM THE CAGE was a five star review for me, as I understand the novel is very personal to its writer Allison Sweet Grant.
My inability to warm up to narrator Elisabeth/Justine is probably the biggest reason I didn’t enjoy I AM THE CAGE. In the chapters from her childhood, she constantly ascribed negative feelings and motives to her mother, the way a kid might (she doesn’t like *me*, she didn’t want to help me). By telling rather than showing, I didn’t feel as if the character was unbiased. Caretaking for a sick/recovering child is exhausting, especially when she child sees the parent as the cause of the hurt. Unlike other stories, Justine showed only resentment most of the time. Obviously surgical pain is horrible and being unable to take care of oneself adds to the stress of recovery for both parent and child.
The slow pace of I AM THE CAGE made reading more like a chore than a pleasure. For example, the excruciating minutiae of plays during the game of Uno felt like page filler.
Two stars is a stretch rating for me. Had I AM THE CAGE not been an ARC, I’d have DNF and one-starred it.
I wish I AM THE CAGE was a five star review for me, as I understand the novel is very personal to its writer Allison Sweet Grant.
My inability to warm up to narrator Elisabeth/Justine is probably the biggest reason I didn’t enjoy I AM THE CAGE. In the chapters from her childhood, she constantly ascribed negative feelings and motives to her mother, the way a kid might (she doesn’t like *me*, she didn’t want to help me). By telling rather than showing, I didn’t feel as if the character was unbiased. Caretaking for a sick/recovering child is exhausting, especially when she child sees the parent as the cause of the hurt. Unlike other stories, Justine showed only resentment most of the time. Obviously surgical pain is horrible and being unable to take care of oneself adds to the stress of recovery for both parent and child.
The slow pace of I AM THE CAGE made reading more like a chore than a pleasure. For example, the excruciating minutiae of plays during the game of Uno felt like page filler.
Two stars is a stretch rating for me. Had I AM THE CAGE not been an ARC, I’d have DNF and one-starred it.
January 14, 2025
Elisabeth is mostly content with her quiet life in Fish Creek Wisconsin. She enjoys her job working alongside her boss Mr. Ito at The Treasure Box selling scented soap and wind chimes. She likes coming home to the cabin she rents from Jonathan Harmon Sheriff Noah’s brother. Her routine keeps her safe from the memories of a terrible childhood operation that left her mentally and emotionally scarred. But when a blizzard hits knocking out the power she has to let down her defenses and let Noah help her through the storm. As they get to know each other she comes to realize that in order to have a future she must come to terms with her past. This is a very touching novel about healing especially old emotional wounds. It is also about letting go of the feeling you have to hide parts of yourself . Letting go of the idea of having to be fixed in order to love yourself. Because just because you had to repair a part of yourself that doesn’t mean you are broken . This YA novel can definitely be enjoyed by readers of all ages.I received this Advanced Readers Copy as a bookishfirst raffle win.
December 1, 2024
I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley. I liked the cover, but didn’t read the synopsis. I was surprised when the main character was fitted with an external fixator to fix the length of her bones. I too had an external fixator when I was 15 to keep my femur in place after a hip fusion. The pain and the doctor visits that she goes through brought back so many memories. I absolutely loved this book dealing with allowing the pain of your past to be a part of you, but ultimately not to hinder your growth in life.
January 31, 2025
Before I begin explaining how amazing this book is, I want to thank Penguin Random House, Bookishfirst, Dutton Books, and most importantly, Allison Sweet Grant for sending me this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
“I Am the Cage” by Allison Sweet Grant is an enthralling, heart-wrenching story about pain, betrayal, and fear. It is also about recovery, finding who you are now, and learning how to process those strong emotions. Elisabeth, our main character, has moved to a small, isolated town to hide from the scars of her past. Her goal is to be anonymous and unknown. However, a massive snow storm forces her to reach out to her only neighbor, the young Sheriff, due to no firewood. As he tries to pull her out of the quiet shell she has encapsulated herself with, she is forced to face the fact that maybe hiding from her pain is no longer the answer.
This book was breathtaking. Grant not only created a real story, but wrote in such a way that I felt like I was Elisabeth. I felt the pain and betrayal she experienced and cried alongside her. She wrote the story with present and then flashbacks to the trauma that had so scarred Elisabeth. This allowed just enough information throughout that the story slowly unfolded. We also walked with Elisabeth, both in past and present, as her story developed. This created a really unique dynamic as we were able to simultaneously watch the hurt and healing happen.
I also really appreciated the realness of all the characters. While not all were likable, we were still given some insight into who they might be. Also, Noah, the Sheriff mentioned above, did not immediately become the rescuing romantic interest. In fact, he simply became the friend Elisabeth needed to help her face herself and what she’d gone through. He helped her to see that we all have things that we want to run from, but that sometimes the best thing to do is face them.
The poetry in this book was beautiful as well. I’m not typically swayed by good poetry, however, the pieces Grant wrote in here really moved me in a deep way. I could feel the pain and anguish in the words and I wanted so badly to be able to reach through this book to be the comforting friend.
As far as genre, “I Am the Cage” by Allison Sweet Grant would definitely be contemporary. There is very minor cursing and only gentle kisses. This is an extremely emotional and raw book so I would recommend older teenagers and up for the age range. However, it may actually be very beneficial to anyone younger going through something difficult as it really shows the process of working through pain. I believe that everyone should read this book. While we may not all individually go through something so traumatic, we all know someone who probably has. This book gives really good insight as to the inner thoughts that many struggle with. Also, this book really shows what it means to go from being a victim to being a survivor.
“I Am the Cage” by Allison Sweet Grant is an enthralling, heart-wrenching story about pain, betrayal, and fear. It is also about recovery, finding who you are now, and learning how to process those strong emotions. Elisabeth, our main character, has moved to a small, isolated town to hide from the scars of her past. Her goal is to be anonymous and unknown. However, a massive snow storm forces her to reach out to her only neighbor, the young Sheriff, due to no firewood. As he tries to pull her out of the quiet shell she has encapsulated herself with, she is forced to face the fact that maybe hiding from her pain is no longer the answer.
This book was breathtaking. Grant not only created a real story, but wrote in such a way that I felt like I was Elisabeth. I felt the pain and betrayal she experienced and cried alongside her. She wrote the story with present and then flashbacks to the trauma that had so scarred Elisabeth. This allowed just enough information throughout that the story slowly unfolded. We also walked with Elisabeth, both in past and present, as her story developed. This created a really unique dynamic as we were able to simultaneously watch the hurt and healing happen.
I also really appreciated the realness of all the characters. While not all were likable, we were still given some insight into who they might be. Also, Noah, the Sheriff mentioned above, did not immediately become the rescuing romantic interest. In fact, he simply became the friend Elisabeth needed to help her face herself and what she’d gone through. He helped her to see that we all have things that we want to run from, but that sometimes the best thing to do is face them.
The poetry in this book was beautiful as well. I’m not typically swayed by good poetry, however, the pieces Grant wrote in here really moved me in a deep way. I could feel the pain and anguish in the words and I wanted so badly to be able to reach through this book to be the comforting friend.
As far as genre, “I Am the Cage” by Allison Sweet Grant would definitely be contemporary. There is very minor cursing and only gentle kisses. This is an extremely emotional and raw book so I would recommend older teenagers and up for the age range. However, it may actually be very beneficial to anyone younger going through something difficult as it really shows the process of working through pain. I believe that everyone should read this book. While we may not all individually go through something so traumatic, we all know someone who probably has. This book gives really good insight as to the inner thoughts that many struggle with. Also, this book really shows what it means to go from being a victim to being a survivor.
March 2, 2025
I Am the Cage is a raw and deeply moving novel that explores trauma, healing, and self-discovery with brutal honesty. Elisabeth’s story gripped me from the very first page as she wrestled with the pain of her past and the insecurity it left behind. Even when the reader doesn't know exactly *what* the trauma is, the lingering effect on Elisabeth is palpable.
Told through dual timelines, the novel masterfully unpacks the emotional weight of a medical trauma inflicted on her as a child. The visceral writing and descriptions of pain make her journey hauntingly real, and the inclusion of her poetry adds an extra layer of beauty, vulnerability, and realism.
Elisabeth’s character's growth is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. She has every reason to be angry and closed off - to hide in a cage - yet watching her slowly open up to the people around her was incredibly rewarding. Her mother’s actions (or lack thereof) are frustrating and heartbreaking, and the tension in their later conversations is especially well-written. This may be a bit crass, but I hated Elisabeth's mother and struggled to sympathize with her at all. Some of her dialogue when she visits Elisabeth made me so angry that understanding went out the window.
This novel is powerful in depicting how well-meaning people - both professionals and loved ones -can unintentionally cause harm, leaving children feeling powerless in their own bodies. Yet, at its core, it’s also a story of resilience and reclaiming one’s identity. Elisabeth’s journey isn’t easy, but it is deeply affecting, and the ending left me feeling both heartbroken and hopeful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves coming-of-age stories about overcoming the past and finding the strength to move forward.
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for providing me with an advanced copy of I Am the Cage by Allison Sweet Grant to review. All thoughts are my own and are not influenced by any third party.
Told through dual timelines, the novel masterfully unpacks the emotional weight of a medical trauma inflicted on her as a child. The visceral writing and descriptions of pain make her journey hauntingly real, and the inclusion of her poetry adds an extra layer of beauty, vulnerability, and realism.
Elisabeth’s character's growth is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. She has every reason to be angry and closed off - to hide in a cage - yet watching her slowly open up to the people around her was incredibly rewarding. Her mother’s actions (or lack thereof) are frustrating and heartbreaking, and the tension in their later conversations is especially well-written. This may be a bit crass, but I hated Elisabeth's mother and struggled to sympathize with her at all. Some of her dialogue when she visits Elisabeth made me so angry that understanding went out the window.
This novel is powerful in depicting how well-meaning people - both professionals and loved ones -can unintentionally cause harm, leaving children feeling powerless in their own bodies. Yet, at its core, it’s also a story of resilience and reclaiming one’s identity. Elisabeth’s journey isn’t easy, but it is deeply affecting, and the ending left me feeling both heartbroken and hopeful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves coming-of-age stories about overcoming the past and finding the strength to move forward.
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for providing me with an advanced copy of I Am the Cage by Allison Sweet Grant to review. All thoughts are my own and are not influenced by any third party.
February 17, 2025
'I Am The Cage' by Allison Sweet Grant was a five-star read for me. This is a YA read but definitely does not read on an immature level. This book handles sensitive themes and emotions brilliantly. The cast of characters were few and the chapters were short, both of which are assets in my opinion. As the plot progresses you begin to realize more and more that everything is not 'okay' for Elisabeth and hasn't been in a long time. The book did not have a happily ever after romantic ending but rather a couple of pieces of poetry tied up the story. I really loved both of the pieces as they were central to the theme of the book. I would definitely recommend this read for adults from the later years of secondary school and upward. I would like to thank (the now extinct) BookishFirst and also Penguin Random House for getting this ARC in my hands. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 29, 2025
Oh man. This book was so painful and raw, it’s one of those reads you can’t stop thinking about after. Would recommend, but def be ready for a pretty heavy read!
Want to read
September 11, 2024WHOOOOOO WISCONSIN MENTIONED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE FISH CREEK IT'S MY FAVORITE PLACE TO STAY IN DOOR COUNTY!!!!
I LOVE FISH CREEK IT'S MY FAVORITE PLACE TO STAY IN DOOR COUNTY!!!!
December 31, 2024
I Am the Cage was a stunning and absolutely beautiful work of literature. The writing and poetry was so good, so evocative that I felt like I was right there watching Elisabeth go through everything and I was so moved. The way her trauma, emotional abuse, and mental health were so sympathetically written, it seemed like the author was writing what she knows in a way we can all relate to. That she’s made this her YA debut and seeks to target a younger audience only makes me love it more.
As a mother, I couldn’t understand how Elisabeth’s mother, Iris, could act the way she did. Still, no one is ever really sure what’s in someone else’s head until they share it, and Iris did very little sharing and I loved that the author allowed her some grace in how Elisabeth considered her, acknowledging Iris’ unacceptable behavior while allowing for Iris’ own possible pain. Iris’ inaction and unwillingness to speak up for her daughter showed just how much authority we give to doctors without question as well as how much we cater to others’ perceptions of us.
I loved how friendship was portrayed in the book in both Kacey and Noah. They showed kindness, empathy, patience, and understanding, even when it was hard, even when they didn’t know if it was making any difference. They were a perfect example of unconditional love. Mr. Ito and Jonathan were wonderful examples of how family should be there for you, Mr. Ito as a sort of father figure and Jonathan as a sort of older brother.
Short chapters kept the story moving quickly, moving back and forth between timelines in an organic way. The amount of emotional punch those chapters packed into so few pages was really impressive. I found the entire thing to be so cathartic.
I would have loved to have seen what happened with Elisabeth’s relationship with her sisters after her time in Fish Creek. I’m left wondering if she found any kind of closure with them and how they moved forward. I could take or leave any kind of closure with her father, as he didn’t feature heavily in the story. But I can’t fault the book for this in the ratings because I just loved it so much.
With evocative writing and a powerful story that explores the space between who we are and who we let others define us to be, this is sure to be a story that will resonate with readers of all ages.
-------------
I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
As a mother, I couldn’t understand how Elisabeth’s mother, Iris, could act the way she did. Still, no one is ever really sure what’s in someone else’s head until they share it, and Iris did very little sharing and I loved that the author allowed her some grace in how Elisabeth considered her, acknowledging Iris’ unacceptable behavior while allowing for Iris’ own possible pain. Iris’ inaction and unwillingness to speak up for her daughter showed just how much authority we give to doctors without question as well as how much we cater to others’ perceptions of us.
I loved how friendship was portrayed in the book in both Kacey and Noah. They showed kindness, empathy, patience, and understanding, even when it was hard, even when they didn’t know if it was making any difference. They were a perfect example of unconditional love. Mr. Ito and Jonathan were wonderful examples of how family should be there for you, Mr. Ito as a sort of father figure and Jonathan as a sort of older brother.
Short chapters kept the story moving quickly, moving back and forth between timelines in an organic way. The amount of emotional punch those chapters packed into so few pages was really impressive. I found the entire thing to be so cathartic.
I would have loved to have seen what happened with Elisabeth’s relationship with her sisters after her time in Fish Creek. I’m left wondering if she found any kind of closure with them and how they moved forward. I could take or leave any kind of closure with her father, as he didn’t feature heavily in the story. But I can’t fault the book for this in the ratings because I just loved it so much.
With evocative writing and a powerful story that explores the space between who we are and who we let others define us to be, this is sure to be a story that will resonate with readers of all ages.
-------------
I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
January 20, 2025
OKAY, DO YOU TRUST ME?
have I ever stirred you wrong?!
please trust me. because oh my god, I loved this.
If you loved Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake or Beartown by Fredrik Backman, this is for you.
“My hope is that I Am the Cage will find a home in the hands of anyone who’s ever been asked, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Anyone who’s ever wondered, ‘What’s wrong with me?’” - says the author at the beginning of the book and it did. 🥲
The girl moves into the small town, tries to keep to herself, avoids any human interactions as much as possible due to trust issues and deep trauma until she’s forced to seek help from the neighbor during a snow storm, who also happens to be the young sheriff of the said town. They get closer and she opens up.
But it’s so much more than that. It’s not your typical love story.
It’s a dual timeline, which I don’t always enjoy, but in this case I loved every throwback chapter, I wanted to understand, I wanted to know. And every single one of them brought me pain.
We get to see what happened in her childhood, why she is the way she is, her complicated relationships, one of the most brutal medical trauma I’ve ever read about. My heart was breaking for her.
I don’t wanna say too much but just know that I sobbed through the last few chapters. And I sobbed reading the poems?? Like what? Me?! I’m not a poetry person at all but this was, ugh.
It has short chapters, which we love, and it makes it such a page turner, if I wasn’t taking breaks, I would easily finish it in one day. Such beautiful, poetic writing. Must read, in my opinion.
My sad girlies, I’ll be shoving this book down your throat, coming out February 18th 😙
Thank you to the author for sending me the ARC copy, I’m honored 🥹
have I ever stirred you wrong?!
please trust me. because oh my god, I loved this.
If you loved Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake or Beartown by Fredrik Backman, this is for you.
“My hope is that I Am the Cage will find a home in the hands of anyone who’s ever been asked, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Anyone who’s ever wondered, ‘What’s wrong with me?’” - says the author at the beginning of the book and it did. 🥲
The girl moves into the small town, tries to keep to herself, avoids any human interactions as much as possible due to trust issues and deep trauma until she’s forced to seek help from the neighbor during a snow storm, who also happens to be the young sheriff of the said town. They get closer and she opens up.
But it’s so much more than that. It’s not your typical love story.
It’s a dual timeline, which I don’t always enjoy, but in this case I loved every throwback chapter, I wanted to understand, I wanted to know. And every single one of them brought me pain.
We get to see what happened in her childhood, why she is the way she is, her complicated relationships, one of the most brutal medical trauma I’ve ever read about. My heart was breaking for her.
I don’t wanna say too much but just know that I sobbed through the last few chapters. And I sobbed reading the poems?? Like what? Me?! I’m not a poetry person at all but this was, ugh.
It has short chapters, which we love, and it makes it such a page turner, if I wasn’t taking breaks, I would easily finish it in one day. Such beautiful, poetic writing. Must read, in my opinion.
My sad girlies, I’ll be shoving this book down your throat, coming out February 18th 😙
Thank you to the author for sending me the ARC copy, I’m honored 🥹
March 4, 2025
Title: I Am the Cage
By: Allison Sweet Grant
Pub. Date: Feb. 18, 2025
Genre:
Fiction, Young Adult, Poetry, Disabilities, Mental Health
Red Flags: Situational Medical Abuse, Self-Harm, Bullying,
(*The content itself is gut wrenching, only recommended for older teens who are emotionally stable.*)
Favorite Quotes:
“How frightening it must be, to wake up to a world completely changed, and to no longer understand your place in it.”
“What’s worse?” He asks a question designed for the universe before us. “Being deceived by others or being deceived by ourselves?”
“Twinkle, twinkle, little stars, connect the dots between my scars. Sticks and stones and silver pins, map the heavens on my skin.”
“I turn my head up toward the sky. I see no stars, but I know they’re there. It makes me think about the things we can’t see, even when they’re right in front of us, and the things we can see, but choose not to. I think about the times I’ve prayed for the stars to stop moving, and how sometimes I wished they’d move just for me. I think about how sometimes the sky looks so close you could poke it with your fingertip, and sometimes it looks so impossibly far away it’s hard to imagine there’s a good behind it.”
Summary/Review:
Wow! It’s hard to put into words the emotional roller coaster that is “I am the Cage.” Best YA I’ve read in a long time!!! This is a gut-wrenchingly raw, coming of age story.
Elisabeth is a young adult, who moved to a cabin in the woods to escape her family. This childhood trauma filled narrative is created with poetic moments of pain, angering anguish, and bold pieces of courage. Through Grant’s talented writing, we learn about courage, the necessary process of healing.
As a professional educator of students with disabilities, so many of my students can relate to and benefit from this novel. A deeply unsettling narrative that will haunt the reader long after the last page. This is Highly Recommended!
For fans of Kathleen Glasgow, prepare to shed tears, read in one sitting!
Thank you to Allison Sweet Grant, Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, Dutton Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#AllisonSweetGrant
#IAmACage
#PenguinGroupPenguinYoungReadersGroup
#DuttonBooksforYoungReaders
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley
By: Allison Sweet Grant
Pub. Date: Feb. 18, 2025
Genre:
Fiction, Young Adult, Poetry, Disabilities, Mental Health
Red Flags: Situational Medical Abuse, Self-Harm, Bullying,
(*The content itself is gut wrenching, only recommended for older teens who are emotionally stable.*)
Favorite Quotes:
“How frightening it must be, to wake up to a world completely changed, and to no longer understand your place in it.”
“What’s worse?” He asks a question designed for the universe before us. “Being deceived by others or being deceived by ourselves?”
“Twinkle, twinkle, little stars, connect the dots between my scars. Sticks and stones and silver pins, map the heavens on my skin.”
“I turn my head up toward the sky. I see no stars, but I know they’re there. It makes me think about the things we can’t see, even when they’re right in front of us, and the things we can see, but choose not to. I think about the times I’ve prayed for the stars to stop moving, and how sometimes I wished they’d move just for me. I think about how sometimes the sky looks so close you could poke it with your fingertip, and sometimes it looks so impossibly far away it’s hard to imagine there’s a good behind it.”
Summary/Review:
Wow! It’s hard to put into words the emotional roller coaster that is “I am the Cage.” Best YA I’ve read in a long time!!! This is a gut-wrenchingly raw, coming of age story.
Elisabeth is a young adult, who moved to a cabin in the woods to escape her family. This childhood trauma filled narrative is created with poetic moments of pain, angering anguish, and bold pieces of courage. Through Grant’s talented writing, we learn about courage, the necessary process of healing.
As a professional educator of students with disabilities, so many of my students can relate to and benefit from this novel. A deeply unsettling narrative that will haunt the reader long after the last page. This is Highly Recommended!
For fans of Kathleen Glasgow, prepare to shed tears, read in one sitting!
Thank you to Allison Sweet Grant, Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, Dutton Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#AllisonSweetGrant
#IAmACage
#PenguinGroupPenguinYoungReadersGroup
#DuttonBooksforYoungReaders
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley
January 31, 2025
I Am The Cage
By: Allison Sweet Grant
4 Stars
This story is one about growth and pain. Change and life. It was real and gritty. A decent blend of past and present is shared through the eyes of a girl who is different. Having been born with a "birth defect," this can mean so many things, but to her, it was pain, trauma, and betrayal. In this book, you see the experience through vivid imagery. Through poetry and experiences.
This is a book that makes you feel. Feel for the character, feel for others that are born as "defective." You see the pain, the sadness, the real of it all. I would love to say that this book is completely relatable, but it can only be to an extent. It was a great book that kept me invested. I loved Justine with her quiet resolve and resilience.
This was not what I would call a pleasant book, but it was raw and real and worth the read. The end alone makes it worth it.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
By: Allison Sweet Grant
4 Stars
This story is one about growth and pain. Change and life. It was real and gritty. A decent blend of past and present is shared through the eyes of a girl who is different. Having been born with a "birth defect," this can mean so many things, but to her, it was pain, trauma, and betrayal. In this book, you see the experience through vivid imagery. Through poetry and experiences.
This is a book that makes you feel. Feel for the character, feel for others that are born as "defective." You see the pain, the sadness, the real of it all. I would love to say that this book is completely relatable, but it can only be to an extent. It was a great book that kept me invested. I loved Justine with her quiet resolve and resilience.
This was not what I would call a pleasant book, but it was raw and real and worth the read. The end alone makes it worth it.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
February 20, 2025
A very powerful character driven novel, I Am The Cage is a beautiful story of breaking free of pain and trauma. I thought the flashbacks of young Elisabeth were so heartbreaking, but oh my goodness, they really showed the need for bodily autonomy and having a voice in what happens to you. Elisabeth was such a well written character and I loved the journey she takes in learning to trust others. I liked the hint of romance, but I really liked that it didn’t overtake the story or Elisabeth’s growth. Like I said at the beginning, it’s a character driven novel so it’s much slower paced with not a lot of action, but the story itself was so well done that I didn’t mind. There is some descriptions of medical procedures and healing injuries and I didn’t think it was horribly graphic, but I do think it’s worth mentioning for anyone who is sensitive to that.
CW: medical trauma
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the advanced readers copy!
CW: medical trauma
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the advanced readers copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews