| Title | : | Ultimatum |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1492635073 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781492635079 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 |
| Publication | : | First published March 7, 2017 |
It’s not Oscar’s fault that he’s misunderstood. Ever since his mother died, he’s been disrespected by his father and bullied by his self-absorbed older brother, so he withdraws from his fractured family, seeking refuge in his art.
Vance wishes his younger brother would just loosen up and be cool. It was hard enough to deal with their mother’s death without Oscar getting all emotional. At least when Vance pushes himself in lacrosse and parties he feels alive.
But when their father’s alcoholism sends him into liver failure, the two boys must come face-to-face with their demons—and each other—if they are going to survive a very uncertain future.
Ultimatum Reviews
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“We had an ultimatum, didn’t we? Go our separate ways, do our own thing…”
4 to 4,5 « complicated » stars
An ARC has been kindly provided by SOURCEBOOKS Fire, via NetGalley.com, in exchange for an honest review.
First of all this story is not “all one thing”. It’s complicated and brutal in its honesty.
The author broaches many difficult topics (alcoholism, death, family ties…) and she does not sugarcoat it. Neither does she trade in pathos. She just writes it like it is with fairness and finesse. I dare you to remain unaffected.
I couldn’t.
I bet everyone will find something he/she has intimately experienced before. It will trigger memories and raw emotions.
It was hard to read sometimes. Not because it’s boring or the writing is bad. But because I could walk in these boys shoes. I experienced these feelings myself. I lived them as a teenager. All that anger, frustration, disbelief and sadness you can feel for a loved one hell bent on the path of self- destructing I know them. Intimately.
That’s why I can say with absolute certainty that K.M. Walton did a brilliant job writing this novel.
Some readers experiencing death of family members and friends will also remember painful moments. Did you get closure? Did you part ways on angry words? Did you tell them that you loved them? Did you do everything you could to help them in life?
Saying goodbye is never easy, be it expected or sudden.
Vance and Oscar are waiting for their father to die. He drank himself to death and nothing can be done anymore except ease his suffering at the hospice.
They will soon be orphans as their mother was killed in a car accident years before.
They should help each other only…this is not so easy. They’re about “as messed up as family can be”.
They are so different and haven’t shared anything brotherly for years and years. They don’t understand each other. Resentment is festering between them.
Vance is living. He is action. He is recklessness. The life of the party he is an athlete always ready to have fun with their father, dance on some reggae song or drink to have more than a buzz.
“Playing lacrosse was the best thing on earth. Who wouldn’t like challenging themselves and being awesome at something? Every time I geared up and stepped onto the field, it motivated me to do better, play harder. Nothing beat the smile on Dad’s face when I scored or took a guy out. Lacrosse made me friggin’ happy. Nothing made Oscar happy. All he did was mope around and make everyone around him miserable. With his grouchy attitude, he wouldn’t survive eighth grade”
“Dad and I spoke the same language. Oscar was like an alien.”
Oscar is feelings. He is always listening and thinking. A loner he loves listening to classical music and drawing in his sketchbook. He is socially awkward. He’s never been a party animal but since his mother’s death he’s become a real recluse. He can’t connect with his dad or with his brother.
“Vance has never understood me—and he never will. Even down to the music I listen to. When we were in middle school, he’d make fun of me because of it. I can still see him playing an imaginary violin with wild, insulting movements, doing everything in his power to look weird. Were Vance and I ever close? I blink and realize the answer. No, we’ve never been close—despite only being ten months apart.”
And he is angry with his father.
Why did he have to drink so much? Why did he have to be so careless with his life? Why did he have to hurt their mother time and again? Why did he never go to one of his exhibition but nearly never missed one of Vance’s matches?
“Seeing. Hearing. Loving like I mean it. That’s the man I want to be.”
It was so full of emotions, inner thoughts, regret, hopes and I was surprised when I realized the major part of the story happens within 24 hours.
Around this deathbed, they’ll experience guilt for willing their dad to “just die already”, fear for being orphans and never having anyone else to speak about family memories. They’ll wish for a magic wand, just to do everything over again “Then perhaps we could all start over. My father could be a sober businessman instead of a raging, alcoholic bar owner. My mother could be his wife instead of his doormat. And she’d be alive. My brother could be my brother instead of an inordinate blob of human skin that simply chooses not to understand me. I could be happy.”
Back and forth we go between past and present. The past showing how their family fell apart with their mother’s loss. The present forcing these brothers to make a choice: go their separate ways forever or rekindle their brotherhood. Be a family.
Who would I recommend this book to? To readers wanting something real, something confrontational about family ties, uneasy love and regrets eating people alive slowly. To readers unafraid of shedding tears because you’ll cry I can promise you.
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This book was EVERYTHING! <3 If you read Walton's CRACKED then you know she can write teen boys like few others can. This story of two very different brothers was emotional and gut-wrenching--yet also hopeful, sweet, funny, and plain beautiful.
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![amber [ cozynaturereads] ☁️🌞💗](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1672594934i/27634338._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
This book was really heartbreaking. You have two brothers who are basically on the different side of the spectrum. Vance, popular lacrosse player and sort of selfish and then introverted Oscar. He loves drawing and classical music. Both boys have lost their mother and now they are both about to lose their father. This story focuses a lot on grief, alcoholism, regret and closure.
This book was really good. It was so emotional and deep. It was told in the perspective of the brothers. Oscar in the present day and Vance in the past leading up to the present day. I enjoyed that format. You see how Vance sort of grows up from before his father landed in the hospital to present day and Oscar becomes more sure of who he really is. The family of the two boys was very dysfunctional. Dad was always drinking, Vance always into sports and Oscar is a recluse majority of the time.
The brothers show growth and even though they dealt with death and grief and wasn't really sure where the future held for them at the end they was able to set aside their differences and be brothers once and for all.
*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM NETGALLEY FOR A HONEST REVIEW* -
Wow. When I purchased ULTIMATUM on a Kindle Daily Deal, didn't expect it to grab my heart and squeeze.
Oscar, artistic and introverted and Vance, popular star lacrosse players couldn't be more different. Since their mother's death three years ago, they barely speak. Now their father lays unconscious in hospice, hours from death and the brothers must come to term with their father's alcoholism and each other.
Oscar tells ULTIMATUM's story from the present, Vance from the years between their mother's accident and their father's downward spiral toward death. On the surface, Oscar seems like the "good" son, but Vance has more nuances to his character and experiences the most growth. Even when he acted like a jerk, I still empathized with him.
KM Walton kept me engrossed in the story of the Irving brothers, their pain and sorrow. I couldn't help to root for something good to happen for them. Unlike some stories with dual points of view, I always knew which brother was narrating a chapter.
ULTIMATUM has we wanting to read everything Walton has written. -
This book was okay.... I wish book descriptions would be better on these sorts of things, but anyways. This book wasn't really heartfelt, it was more deep connections that had been buried, and you lost the map to them. I would've liked to see Oscars art, because if Vance thought it was "fantastic" that is saying a lot for their connection but since Vance probably doesn't like or do art, then his standards are lower than average, so I would love to see the art.
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3.5 stars
*I was provided with a copy of this novel by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
A raw, honest tale of two very different brothers dealing with the death of their father.
"Ultimatum" by K.M. Walton is a novel about two brothers named Vance and Oscar. Vance and Oscar are very different, and, as a result, they aren't close. They have to face this divide, though, after they discover that their father has only a few days left to live. It switches between the past in Vance's perspective and the present in Oscar's perspective.
CHARACTERS:
- I really really really liked Oscar. I really respected him for staying true to himself, even when his family didn't support him—especially after what happened to his mom. I was constantly rooting for him and I liked how realistic his feelings toward his father were, specifically while his dad was dying.
- I really really really hated Vance during the larger portion of the book. He was selfish, full of himself, and mean. Even though I began to like him later in the book, his actions during the beginning were awful and I wanted to punch him in the face. In the end, though, it was all good.
- Who else did I hate? Um, the dad, maybe? GOSH, I hated the way the family was because of him. It was so awful. Though, like Vance, he is kind of "redeemed" later in the book, I couldn't help but hate him for a very very very long time.
PLOT:
The plot seemed like it was more meant for a short story. I liked the story of their family, whether it was the loss they experienced, or the dysfunction of their family. I also liked the development of Vance and Oscar's relationship, as well as Jacque and Oscar's relationship. It was interesting and well-done.
ENDING:
I really liked the ending, and I may have teared up a little...
This book is somehow both heartwarming and heartbreaking, but it does it really well.
In conclusion, this was a pretty good book! I enjoyed it and read it super fast, so I would recommend!
-Hajy -
Read full review + quotes on
https://poshtofu.wordpress.com/2017/0...
If there’s one book that you both should and shouldn’t read at night, this would be it. I started reading this at such an unholy hour and I was reminded of so many things that are going on in my life that I have overlooked and taken for granted. A certain kind of pain I am not comfortable talking about and try so hard to conceal every single day keeps on resurfacing every time I return to read this book. It’s paralyzing. I guess I was just not prepared for the blow and it hit me so good. Ultimatum by K.M Walton is a powerful story about family, love, loss, and acceptance. This book is actually so hard to review because I do not know how I will convey the intensity of the emotions I felt while reading this. The story is so relatable, so real, and so penetrating that I had to forcefully make myself stop in-between paragraphs just to breathe and to put myself together.
The story revolves around the two brothers, Vance and Oscar and their dying father. Vance is so different from Oscar and they both knew it. Everybody does. (In the book, at least). Vance, who, in my judgment, is an extrovert. He is a party-animal who smokes weed, is into sports particularly lacrosse and is a teenager who is so, so frustrated at his overly emotional brother named Oscar. He also loves pissing his brother off by blasting reggae. Vance, as described in the book, looks exactly like their mother, Peggy. He has green eyes, straight, light brown hair, and an oval face and according to Oscar, Vance is better looking than almost every guy in their school.
On the other hand, Oscar looks so much like the person he’s so mad at: his father. Just like his father, he too has full lips, big brown eyes, and wavy hair. He is also into classical music. He loves the sound of violin and he can play the piano. Unlike Vance, Oscar is obsessed with drawing people often… secretly, but his deceased mother saw and adored his talent.
I sketched her the day before the accident. She was on the phone complaining about my dad to my aunt Renee. She had no idea I was drawing her. She cried when I showed it to her and hugged me for the longest time. She said I’d somehow managed to show her broken heart through her eyes.
He loves to be alone and is sad/depressed most of the time and this is because he misses his mother, the only person who had a connection with him and who saw the real him and loved him very dearly. In contrast, he often feels like Vance and their father didn’t understand him or even tried to.
My Little League career ended that season. So did me ever having a chance of receiving respect from my father and brother.
I also personally think that Oscar is an INFP like me. The way he describes himself in this book, how he feels in some situations and just how he reacts to socially “not-awkward awkward” situations really convinced me that he is. Just like the majority of the INFPs, Oscar is also into art and music and feels a very deep connection with himself and feels just everything all at once. (If someone out there has read this book and is an expert in Psychology, please correct me if I’m wrong. Immediately! Haha.)
Vance and Oscar are both dynamic characters and the story is told in their alternating point of views. I love reading their dialogues, monologues, especially their thoughts. Their actions and feelings toward each other were presented very clearly and carefully and it will make any reader understand the many reasons why they became who they are at present. Their anger towards each other separated them and made them miss out on a lot of things and this aspect is too real for me because it does happen in real life. And some parts of this story happened to me, to my family. And it kind of sucks. Anyway, the development of these characters is so profound and I really felt the warmth all over my body when I’m towards the nearing end of the story.
The story is fast-paced. I could’ve finished this in one sitting if I hadn’t been busy this week. It is just so hard to put down. I always cared and am curious about what will happen next although the plot is not that big and is only centered on their family life and the impending death of their remaining parent who is their father.
One more thing I like about this book is how honest and raw but at the same time ugly relationship their parents have had. Their dad became extremely alcoholic after his wife died in a car accident.
Dad treated her like shi*. She wasn’t happy I saw it in her eyes in your drawing. I saw it in her eyes in real life. And Dad definitely wasn’t happy. I think all the drinking he did after she died was his guilt. Deep down, I think he knew he fuc**d up.
The two brothers felt the guilt their father must’ve felt because of what happened and they think their mother had committed suicide and did not really accidentally die.
I mean, her car crash was ruled as an accident but I knew better. The last thing I’d heard her scream at my dad was, “I can’t take this anymore, Steve. I want out!” Then our back door slammed and the tires of her car squealed down the street. I think she turned that steering wheel on purpose. She knew her car would crash into that tree.
What if he pushed her to the edge?
I wonder what Dad must think of us, standing […] discussing the possibility of Mom committing suicide because of him.
I’ve been wrestling with that question since her burial. Probably thought about it a thousand times–I don’t know, maybe more.
After reading this book, I just couldn’t move. I cried while reading this and I think the beauty of Ultimatum is best seen in its powerful ability to connect to the readers. The author has crafted a painfully honest tale of love and loss and Walton is one of the few experts in telling a beautiful tale like this. I am speechless and I want to say a lot about this book at the same time but I couldn’t bring my fingers to type everything I needed to but one thing is sure: this book does not disappoint.
Please do yourself a huge favor; just go ahead and read this. I highly recommend this to everyone even to those who do not fancy reading contemporary books that much. I think this could change your perspective of those books. I really think it would.
Again, this is the first book written by K.M Walton and I would LOVE to read her other books as this has touched me so hard. I want more! -
Woah! This book is just so emotional! It portrays a broken family and the characters are so well described. We have Oscar that's really sweet and passionate and reclusive, but we also have Vance – the older brother – who's at every moment trying to prove his manhood and block away his feelings and by doing so he ends up having a more visible connection with their father. The thing is, throughout the story I always thought that the "villain" was Vance, and I'm not saying he's not rude because he was so harsh on others. However, after their mothers death, the family began falling apart and the more Vance joined his father by following the predetermined ideal of what it was to really be a man, Oscar was being left out and having to deal with all of his emotions on his own – mind you he didn't have any friends. In the end what came to me was that it wasn't just Vance's fault, but a mixture of aggressiveness and passiveness from both ends.
I believe it to be a must read for everybody, especially those with brothers and/or sisters. It doesn't, in my opinion, portray the reality of every single family, but it certainly shows how death can bring people together or tear them apart altogether... -
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Holy emotional rollercoaster, friends. I really wasn't sure what to expect going in- just that it was about brothers, and was probably going to mess with my feels. And it was, and it did, but it was also so much more. The story alternates not only between the brothers' POVs, but between past and present. Oscar narrates what is currently happening in the hospice with their dad, while Vance tells us about the events from three years ago until recent times.
So at first, I wanted to throw Vance in front of a moving train. Or something equally horrific, feel free to use your imagination. He was awful, and if he was awful, he father was infinitely worse. After the death of their mother, Vance and his dad basically did nothing to make Oscar feel human, let alone welcome in the family. And let's just get this out of the way: Their dad is a real piece of crap through most of the book. He has alcohol problems, but that doesn't excuse his behavior or excuse how clearly he failed his sons. It was, frankly, hard to read, because you just wanted to swoop in and rescue them both.
But as the book unfolds, there are just so, so many layers to both boys' stories. I don't want to say too much, but the level of character development and growth that happens in just the span of this novel is incredible. And yes, it is heartbreaking, watching these two young men become orphans, as we, the reader, are as helpless as they are to stop it.
I think one of the best parts of the book is how the author breaks up those gut-wrenching hospice scenes with the flashback chapters. Had she not done that, I think the emotional toll would have been overwhelming, and honestly taken away from the characters' story. But the way it was done was so perfect, it allowed the reader to cope with the depressing present while really getting the full story behind the boys' relationships and personalities.
Bottom Line: Ultimatum was thought provoking, emotional, and both heart breaking and uplifting at once. It showed the fragility of life, the importance of family, and the presence of hope all around us. -
I won this book as a part of a giveaway, and judging from the cover I wasn't sure if it'd be my type of book. However, when I read it, it grabbed my heart and squeezed. I even cried a couple of times. It is heartbreaking, raw, and wonderful! K.M. Walton definitely understands the dynamics of complicated family connections, and did a good job in fleshing out these characters. I really identified with Oscar who is the artistic "weirdo" of the family as I am the same way. It was well written and a powerful story about two brothers coming together to learn what family truly is.
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I'm crying so much! This was beautiful. It took a while but I started seeing Vance change and Oscar change. Vance and Oscar both realized how wrong they were about their parents and about each other. Such a beautifully written story. And how it all came together... K.M. Walton can write.
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4.5 stars.
Ultimatum by K.M. Walton is a poignant young adult novel about two very different brothers who are undergoing a life-altering event. Will this tragedy help them bridge the gap between them? Or will it pull them even farther apart?
Ten months apart in age, Vance and Oscar Irving are not at all close and in fact, they are complete opposites. Older brother Vance may look like the boys' now deceased mom, but he has much more in common with his hard partying, boisterous father. Vance is the gregarious, life of the party and he is a hotshot lacrosse who is quite popular. Oscar, on the hand, is the spitting image of his dad but he is much more introverted and retreats both psychically and emotionally when things turn adversarial. Now facing the death of their father who is in the final stages of liver failure, Vance and Oscar are independently realizing they will only have one another to rely on after he passes away. Will his death be the end of the brothers' strained relationship? Or can they find a way to overcome their differences and strengthen their fragile bond?
Ultimatum alternates back and forth between the brothers' perspectives and weaves back and forth in time. The present is written from Oscar's point of view and through his eyes, readers witness his uncertainty about his relationship with Vance. As he reflects on certain events from the past, it is very easy to feel the pain he has experienced at his brother's and father's indifference and their lack of understanding for the things that are important to him. He is much more introspective than Vance and Oscar is quite reflective as he faces his father's impending death.
Vance's chapters go back in time and focus on the events that have gone wrong in both his and his family's life. He is quite dismissive of Vance and his interests and he makes absolutely no effort to include his brother in his life. Instead, he numbs his emotions with drugs and alcohol and concentrates on making his dad proud of him. Vance is devoted to playing lacrosse and in fact, he is relying on the sport to pave his way to a college scholarship. He is well on his way to success when he makes a decision that has a detrimental impact on his future and in the aftermath, his relationship with his father is extremely tense. And just like Oscar, Vance is filled with regrets as he watches over his father's final days.
Ultimatum by K.M. Walton is a deeply affecting and emotional young adult novel that is ultimately uplifting as Vance and Oscar come to terms with the past and make plans for the future. The characters are richly drawn and imbued with strengths and weaknesses that are easy to relate to. Oscar is the more sympathetic of the brothers, but Vance undergoes the most growth by novel's end. A bittersweet yet hopeful young adult novel that I absolutely loved and highly recommend to readers of all ages. -
See more like this review at
The Regal Critiques
"It's what we're programmed to do. We don't know how to find common ground, Vance."
He rests his forehead on the glass. "Maybe we should start trying sometime soon."
Ultimatum was both a lovely surprise and a terrible disappointment - one of those books that I can't exactly find a fault in, but it failed to resonate with me on a serious level even though I was super-duper excited for this grand, heartbreaking journey.
My most important - and maybe only big - problem was how awful the family dynamics were. Obviously, families like this exist - heck, this is nowhere near the worst of how some kids have to grow up - and I knew what I was getting myself into, yet I never expected the complicated love/hate feelings the boys were feeling towards their father. But maybe that's just me being a stone cold, emotionless person?
Anyhow, I got used to their complex feelings, but more than that, I accepted their feelings and decisions, despite not completely understanding them. As an outsider, that's the most I could do.
At this point, you might think what I called my biggest problem just a few sentences earlier became invalid. Unfortunately, no. On the contrary, I was highly bothered by a couple of scenes/parts that concentrated on the family's relationships.
Just to mention a quick example that's not a spoiler: I felt like any kind of forgiveness* given to the father was pointless and, quite frankly, unrealistic. I'm sure this will appeal to many people, because it's not as if it was terribly done - the author really knows what she's doing - but not to me. I just... I found myself unable to connect to this narrative, because I do not agree with the notion that you can treat your kid(s) in a shitty as fuck way and yet still have a get out of jail free card, because you ultimately cared about them. Not that you apologized OR showed that EVER. Nuh-huh. Not cool.
Another thing I didn't agree with was bringing up incredibly serious issues - physical abuse, for one - and then never acknowledging them. Domestic abuse - be that physical or mental - is NOT something one can bring up for the shock value and then leave behind without properly addressing it when it's not necessary anymore.
As a romance lover, I'm usually fine with a romantic subplot being craned into most stories, not this time, though. I didn't see any point in adding a love interest for Oscar, who, to be honest, was close to breaking down, especially when the girl wasn't even well-crafted either. Yikes, not every YA needs romance.
There's, however, a lot to applaud K. M. Walton for. The writing was good, the characters complex and the story well-thought out. Furthermore, the alternating point of views were exceptionally done, to say the least. Jumping from present to past can be freakishly tiring for the readers, especially with such an emotional novel, but in Ultimatum the time jumps were perfect. Oscar, the more emotional of the two brothers, got the present, while Vance, the one who changed and evolved more than his little brother, led us through the more important happenings of the past two years.
Overall, Ultimatum, while not exactly reaching my expectations, was still not a bad book by any means, so don't let me make you turn away from reading it. This was a well-done story about two brothers who are forced to finally address their differences. Albeit me feeling like the wrap up was a bit fairytale-esque and unrealistic, it's surely one emotional roller coaster of a novel.
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 3/5
The characters: 4/5
The cover: 2/5
Enjoy factor: 3/5
Final rating: 3/5
See more like this review at
The Regal Critiques -
In just 320 pages, 'Ultimatum' is packed with emotions. The story is about two brothers struggling to mend their broken relationship. While the older brother Vance is about tough love and expressing oneself, Oscar is soft-spoken and sensitive. Somewhere along their life, they stopped communicating their feelings. When difficult things begin to happen, they are forced to find a common ground.
Both the brothers had a lot going on in their lives and my heart was breaking for them. With more hardships, Oscar was building up a shell, while Vance had to be tough and clean up after everything. Through their struggles, they realised that their parents were people, with flaws. Despite what life put them through, the brothers were trying their best.
I was very invested in the story and could not stop reading. The alternative narration between Vance and Oscar was smart and both their voices were distinct. In brief, the story of these two brothers is worth reading.
Content warning : -
This book tore me up all into all kinds of sharp jagged pieces. By the end I think I lost track of how much I cried and my boyfriend was contemplating my mental health. Ultimatum is a dual POV but done incredibly well. Oscar's POV is set in the present. Vance's takes place from the earliest memory leading all the way up to the present. The mix of timelines really draws the differences in these brothers and how their minds work. Vance is so brash and angry while Oscar is a introvert and quiet soul.
I'm not going to give anything away but by the end of this book I can guarantee you'll be misty eyed. I love their newfound relationship with one another and this book was the perfect mix of soul wrench sadness and coming of age moments. -
Oscar has his fathers looks but that's about all they have in common. He is artistic, loves classical music and plays the violin. He takes after his mother in personality. He has nothing in common with his brother, who torments him, and feels that both his father and brother don't know or like him.
Vance has his mothers looks and is jealous of his brother for looking like his father, who he idolises. Both he and his father love Reggae music, parties and having a good time. Both are selfish when it comes to thinking of others and Vance things his brother Oscar doesn't like him much. He is always putting Oscar down for being a "sissy' and acting like a girl. Vance is always angry but that anger hides something deeper.
As they both stand vigil at their father's deathbed they both think about how the other brother has treated them wrong and how they are misunderstood. Both are scared and both are hurting. But when they are pushed into a future they never contemplated can they stand together or will it tear them apart.
The story goes back and forth between events from three years ago and the present. Each brother tells a bit of their own views on what was going on after the death of their mother and how they feel standing at their fathers deathbed. It's a tale of two brothers who misunderstand each other and it seems impossible for them to find their way back to being what they were when they were younger. Both have issues, Vance hides his fear with anger, Oscar hides away and draws or listens to music. It's a tough book in the way that it forces Vance and Oscar to not only look at themselves but also at the demons that drove their father to where he is now, to face the things that they fear the most.
Holding a vigil at a deathbed is incredibly hard and watching your loved one take their last breath is heartbreaking, but more so for two teenagers who have already lost their mother now wait to loose their father. It was an incredible book, well written in dealing with the emotions that are more heightened and the anger and fear of being completely helpless in this situation. It wasn't a sappy book but one that dealt with the harshness of a family that wasn't that strong after the death of their mother, a family that was struggling by for years with no emotional connection between the three remaining members. It was heartbreaking as it should be, a hard emotional read that brought me back to when I was with my family as a grandmother was in her final days. Some anger, some stories were told, memories relived and pain and sorrow as she took her final breath. This story deals with that reality. -
For starters, Walton does a fabulous job of describing emotion in raw, fresh language. When Oscar’s brother yells at him for sketching their dying father, Oscar thinks “If I respond, I may crack and leak and puddle. If I don’t respond, he may lose his mind. My hands sweat. The walls suddenly crowd me. I want to run away.”
Walton uses wonderful metaphors to convey feeling. For example, as Oscar realizes he may never get to talk with his dad again, he thinks “I’ll never be able to ask him these questions. That reality is incredibly jagged. The cut will never be clean; it will never heal properly.
There will always be a scar.”
Walton alternates first person POV between Vance and Oscar, giving readers insight into each boy’s personality and the complicated family history they share. This close perspective into the mind of each brother makes each one easier to sympathize with and adds intensity to the conflict.
The story switches between present time in a hospice room and flashbacks to important events in the lives of the boys. Overall, the tone is sad, but the novel ends hopefully. Most importantly, the emotions felt real and relatable. I watched my mother die when I was 25, and Walton does a great job of depicting the fear, grief, and anxiety felt by a young adult when a parent dies.
Ultimatum was a satisfying read, even though it was a little sad. If you like YA novels with family drama, such as Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever or See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles, you’ll probably like Ultimatum.
Notes on content: The boys’ father is an alcoholic, so there are several references to drinking and smoking pot. However, the consequences of substance abuse are also clearly described. There is a bit of bad language.
Full review at my blog,
Diary of a Word Nerd -
"Ultimatum" is a heart-wrenching story of two brothers who have always seen themselves as opposites and impossible, learning that they are all they have left. Oscar and Vance are about a year apart and while Oscar likes art, classical music and privacy/quiet, Vance likes sports (lacrosse), reggae, and partying. Their mother died three years ago and their dad is currently in hospice, but he's been less than ideal for a long time, as a severe alcoholic. Oscar took after their mother and Vance took after their father- including with drugs and alcohol.
The book is told in alternating perspectives between Oscar's in the present and Vance's throughout time (since their mother's death through to the near future). It's essentially a breakdown of all the places their relationship tore apart and Vance's life fell apart. All framed by the two brothers watching their father die in hospice. It is certainly an emotional ride.
The book is incredibly well composed and difficult to put down, as it spirals through critical life events and the inevitability of death as they count their father's breaths. This is written at a level that is more mature than most YA books and should be considered for older teens and adults- there is a lot of drug use, alcoholism, mentions of infidelity/sex, and other adult themes. That being said, it is certainly a book that will leave you with a lot to consider/think about. It's a heavy read but does end with a note of hope. There are many poignant themes that can be gleaned from this book- it's a powerful read.
Overall, I would recommend this book to older/mature YA readers as it really is beautifully composed. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own. -
Ultimatum - In the end
This book had been an incredible journey. During this journey, I witnessed Vance's anger, felt Oscar's loneliness, and wept with joy when these complications were resolved by two brothers instead of two enemies.
I understand that this book may not be as interesting for everyone as it had been for me. To finish it, I had collected pieces of my time and finally placed the entire story together. Using short times such as when I was waiting in line, or a 15 minute break between events, I was able to find joy I these little places of reading.
I suppose the fact that some found it boring probably don't relate the slightest bit with these complications in relationships. The writing itself may have made some parts less enjoyable than others, though as a whole, the characters reflected many things that I can see in the people around me and myself. I know frustration, the kind that turns the entire world upside down; I know loneliness, the kind that makes one's heart feel empty; and I know hope, the kind that comes after a storm and brings calm. It is perhaps because of these emotions that I sensed, that the story became more than a fiction.
I didn't find it as depressing and heavy as some had described it. I found hope in between the lines, then as the story progressed, these hopes increased.
The buildup of tension and the resolution, though very well-crafted with the two colliding universes of the two brothers, still lacks development. There are certain parts of the story that seemed to be happening without much background to them.
In the end, know that things will be okay.
Because death grows a new beginning.
11.12. 2017 -
I think my problem is that I came into this book expecting too much. Overall it was not a bad read. However there were certain moments woven throughout the book that just, I’m sorry, had me rolling my eyes. It might have been because I think the author continuously kept repeating things about the characters over and over and over again that we already knew. I don’t have enough fingers on my hands to count how many times Oscar needed to remind us that “he’s not like other boys. he’s in touch with his emotions.” And a lot of Vance’s dialogue felt forced and unnatural to the point where it took me a while until I could actually take him serious as a character. It was like the characters were directly telling me about themselves instead of just showing me.
Additionally, what did the romance story line between Oscar and his crush do for the story? Was it to try and contrast the way both brothers treat women? Because other then that, I’m not sure why else it needed to be there.
Again, not a bad read! I just feel like more could have been done with this book. Then again, I’m probably feeding into unfair expectations. So take that with a grain of salt and try reading it for yourself! I’ve always loved books that explore other relationships besides romantic ones, so I’m still happy that I read this one. -
I really had no clue what I was getting myself into when I began to read this book. I was so surprised by how gripping this book was.
This book is basically about two brothers who don't get along, polar opposites, who are facing their fathers death together. It's no spoiler to say that he's in a hospice when the book opens and, according to the staff at the hospice, there isn't a whole lot of time left. It's cleverly written in that it's told in the past and the present. One brother tells the past from his perspective and the other tells the present from his. The way it goes back and forth is perfect. It is the perfect way for the full story to develop because you see these brothers who dislike each other so much, but get the chance to see inside both of them when it's their turn and you learn all about their real thoughts. Just so well done. I won't say more about the story though. I hope I've not said to much already. I don't want to ruin the story for any future readers. This book is absolutely terrific. Once you start reading it, it's terribly hard to put down! Even though I think I cried more than the average person does in an entire year while reading this (I'm a crier what can I say!) I would recommend this to anyone who likes this sort of story. It packs a punch! -
Two brothers with nothing in common except for their mutual disdain for one another keep vigil at their dying dad's bedside. Told from both of their POVs, readers see how both of them struggle with their grief over their mother's death 3 years earlier, their dysfunctional relationships with their dickish dad and their dislike for each other. Their shared experience of watching their dad's last days will either drive them farther apart or heal their relationship. This was both heartbreaking and hopeful. This quick read was unputdownable and would be a good one to recommend to reluctant readers. One thing that I really liked was how the adults in the boys' orbit - except for their dad - were so caring and concerned for their welfare. I'm so tired of teen books portraying adults as feckless boobs or overbearing jerks who don't respect teens and vice versa. My only quibble with this book was the budding romance during such a tragic situation. It felt forced and random. It added nothing to the story. Overall, though, this is a standout among teen books.
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Questo libro mi ha emozionato. I punti di vista dei fratelli, che cambiano continuamente, ti aiutano a comprenderli sempre più. Li vedi cambiare nel corso dei flashback e anche nel presente. La consapevolezza prende forma in vari modi.
Peccato che i capitoli siano molto corti e neanche il tempo di entrare in una scena che l’autore te ne porta in un’altra.
I sentimenti però si sentono leggendo questo libro: il loro dolore, i loro pensieri, le loro personalità. Anche se le scene cambiano veloci, il tempo è stabile, lento e sofferente. Avrei voluto che si sviluppasse di più la trama, ma questo squarcio di vita e cambiamento di questa famiglia è più che abbastanza per questo genere di libro. Se l’autore vuole incentrarsi sulla relazione e il rapporto dei fratelli, con questo libro lo sentiamo e capiamo alla perfezione.
In conclusione, sono felice di averlo letto, sono rimasta piacevolmente colpita. -
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!
This book was just okay for me. I liked the story, and how it was formatted with flashbacks. It's not uncommon for siblings to be total opposites, so it was very believable that way. The tragedies that the boys endured were heartbreaking, and the portrayal of the alcoholic father was authentic. My concern is that a lot of the teen readers at my library are probably not going to stick with this book until the end of the story. It feels slow for a young adult book, and my teens give up when that happens. That's not the story's fault, it's just how teens are wired. However, I think this would be a good story for teens that are dealing with loss, sickness requiring Hospice, and/or an alcoholic parent. It is always good for kids to know that they are not alone. -
hm 3.5 stars. this book was pretty good; i loved, LOVED the format of this book. i usually dislike changing POV’s but the point of views combined with the time changes was very interesting i liked it. i think this book wasn’t really about the story but more of the message which is why some things were off to me. for example i hated the sudden attraction jacque had to oscar; idk it just seemed very unnecessary except for the purpose to create some sort of happy ending ?? another thing was the family didn’t press charges at all for those guys who messed up vance’s knee ? seemed quite unrealistic. but like i said this book is definitely about the message. the message was beautiful btw and definitely affected my view on family relationships. everyone shows love in different ways and we never know which moments will be our last with loved ones. lots to think about.
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After their father goes into hospice for liver failure, two brothers must face their tumultuous relationship with their father and each other.
This was such a compelling, but hard-to-read story. All of the relationships in the story between the brothers and their father felt very realistic and would make it a relatable read for teen readers. The relationship between Oscar and Vance, and each boy's inner demons had me completely engrossed throughout the entire book. With some language and dark themes (alcoholic father, destructive older brother, drug-use, death) I'd definitely recommend this for 8th grade and up. -
Got my copy via Netgalley for an exchange of honest review! Thank you Sourcebooks FIRE!
Oscar and Vance have been a different world even though they’re brothers. Once their father got in a coma, the struggles for Oscar and Vance is really hard when it comes to communicating and understanding each other. They are strangers but they’re father who lives for only in hours. Will they can overcome the guilt in their hearts?
Oscar’s story make me feel bad for him, since he’s thinking that he’s alone in this world and so depressed also that he thinks no one understands him. He likes to be alone. On the other hand, Vance’s story is pure of parties and joking around his father, which is my favorite part of the story. I have soft heart when it comes to fathers away that’s why I’ve been emotional and even tear up.
The book is total heart breaking. Deep down in my heart while reading this is emotional thru the end. I love the exchanging stories goes thru present and then past because I would know the two sides of the story, which is understanding them both what really happens why they have different world even though they’re brothers. The blending of Oscar and Vance is incredibly good, every chapter they have story to tell and grabs the hell out of me.
This book is beautifully written. I can’t say anything bad for this book, because this is a book where you will learn a lot when it comes to family, especially to brothers that are not so close and you have to keep understanding even though their being assholes and jerks around. I totally can’t escape the reading this book up until the end. I just can’t put the book down easily. I totally love it. Totally inspires me.
