The Year of Ice, by Brian Malloy, was a good book, but it could have been a great one. Like so many books I've read, it was the ending that fell a little flat. In this book, Malloy takes us on a journey through the life of a teen boy as he deals with his mother's death, his father's betrayal and his struggle with his own sexuality. I thought this book was wonderfully and uniquely written. I liked the main character, liked how Malloy really pulled us into this life and made us feel for him. However, I think that when you put a reader on an emotional roller coaster, the ending should place us firmly back on the ground feeling relieved and satisfied. At the end of this book I just wished...well, that it hadn't ended yet, in such a subtle, obscure way. I mean, perhaps I'm too much of a romantic, but I wanted a HEA for this kid, after seeing him go through so much. The good news is that, for the most part, loose strings are tied up (with a few exceptions) and we get a realistic view of life, even if it isn't the prettiest or the happiest. I just wanted the main character to find happiness (in the arms of a cute and understanding guy) and instead I felt things were left open. Sure, that's probably truer to life, but really, I just wanted to end the book with a smile and a sigh, and I didn't quite get that. Still, I give the book 4 out of 5 stars.

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