Today is my tour stop for Stim by Kevin Berry. My post will include a review of the book and tour-wide giveaway. To follow the rest of the tour, click the banner above to take you to the schedule.
Title: Stim.
Author: Kevin Berry.
Genre: Contemporary New Adult.
Release Date: October 16, 2013.
Purchase: Amazon ; B&N ; Smashwords
Robert is different. He has Asperger’s Syndrome. He experiences the world differently to 99% of the population. Follow his entertaining and highly empathetic story as he struggles to realise and accept who he really is, try to understand other people—which he cannot—and find a girlfriend. Especially find a girlfriend—he’s decided it’s his special project for the year. Accompanied on this transformative journey by his quirky flatmates, Chloe (who also has Asperger’s, amongst other things), Stef (who hasn’t, but doesn’t mind) and their oddly-named kitten, Robert endures a myriad of awkward moments in his quest to meet a nice, normal girl…and not even a major earthquake will stop him.
This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert’s point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience.
Review:
Stim combined awkward humour with an interesting plot, making a really heartwarming story about a young adult who has Asperger’s Syndrome.
The book was written in diary form from the perspective of Robert, an ‘Aspie’ telling the story of him and his flatmate and friend Chloe. I loved the diary format because it really helped me get into Robert’s head and understand how someone with Asperger’s Syndrome experiences life.
Having not read a book about anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome before, it took me a little while to get used to the language and at times, long-winded way of wording things. Although this did impact on the pacing of the book for me at the beginning, once I became drawn into the story, this way of writing felt refreshingly real and it was endearing to read.
I loved Robert and Chloe’s friendship and the way they treat each other. Seeing them grow as they experienced more of life was really interesting to read and some of the situations they faced were very entertaining. The author handled this story in a witty manner which really made it an easy read.
Stim was an extremely well written and engaging book. The story was beautiful and inspiring in itself, with a lot of humour and also left me feeling like I’d learnt so much more about the syndrome and the lifestyle ‘Aspies’ lead. I really enjoyed this book.
Rating:
About the Author:
Kevin Berry is an indie author. His particular niche is writing Aspie New Adult contemporary novels set in an earthquake zone. The first of these is STIM, published in October 2013.
His first novels, co-written with Diane Berry, are Dragons Away!, Growing Disenchantments and Fountain of Forever (humorous fantasy). These are available as paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon and elsewhere.
Connect with Kevin: Website ; Twitter ; Goodreads
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I haven't read a book with Asperger’s Syndrome before either but I do love that it seems to really bring the narrator to life with the language used. I do think I would like this one, too! Great review, Sophie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Giselle!
DeleteThanks for the review, Sophie, I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Kevin. :)
Delete