Customer Reviews

Bait

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is incredible. Alex Sanchez is one of my favorite authors and has been since I discovered Rainbow Boys. His characters are so completely human and relateable. Diego's character is powerful not at all "fictionalized". Diego could be a real life walking person for as well as his character is written. He was instantly someone you cared about and rooted for.

This book had me crying like a faucet, at some points I didn't even know why I was crying except for just being so moved by the story. I would reccommend it to anyone who enjoys Alex Sanchez's work, as this might just be his best so far, or to anyone just looking for a good book.

Alex Sanchez has long been one of my favorite writers.

One of the most appealing things about Alex is his deep compassion for diverse characters.

Of course, his greatest success has been in portraying the lives of gay teenage boys.

But throughout his work one will find sympathetic insights into a wide range of persons - some of whom do not behave in admirable or loving ways.

Without doubt, Alex has a very big heart.

What really impresses me about this book is that Alex's compassion goes even a step further,

He shows us the heart and soul of a teenage male who is not gay but who is in fact both homophobic and violent. One can readily see a potential basher.

But Alex helps us to unpack what factors may combine to help create a violent hurtful man. He shows us the inner pain that often lies at the heart of outer violence . More importantly Alex shows us the profound difference a brave caring adult can make in the life and direction of a deeply troubled youth.

I would be afraid of kids like Diego if I met them on the street but I was repeatedly in tears of sincere compassion for Diego throughout the book.

Once again Alex has encouraged us to open our minds and our hearts and seek understanding rather than condemnation and judgment.

I thank Alex for that gift and for the countless other reminders of the better side in ourselves in others throughout his work.

He is truly a writer for whom compassion is a core value.

This book is amazing! The plot, character development, language, diction, everything! So real and the perfect novel for anyone who can't grasp the roots of homophobia for some people and/or people who have been molested as children.

I wish this book when I was younger.

Alex Sanchez is my literary hero after this.

Bait was one of the easiest, quickest reads I have had in awhile. I sat down for a moment, and before I knew it, it was over. For a story revolving around sexual abuse, it went down rather smoothly. And while I wasn't in tears or emotional distress, the story was believable, the characters endearing and real. In some ways, it felt strange to take such a tale so lightly, but it is the most appropriate way to address such issues with kids. As a teacher who works with severally abused and neglected children, I was thrilled to have found a novel that I could use at times for students dealing with similar issues.

As always, Alex Sanchez's writing is always a joy to read.

This book was absolutely amazing. The story of Diego and all that he had to overcome was so powerful, and it even helped me through a few of my own problems.

It starts out with Diego punching a gay guy for looking at him funny... but don't get turned off by this! It plays a very important part in the plot. Why exactly is Diego so afraid of homosexuality? Well it had to do with his stepdad, Mac, who molested him.

This has become my favorite book, and I would highly recommend it to anybody, but especially to those who have suffered through sexual abuse.

Though Diego is plagued by his demons, he desperately wants to find relief from it all so he can move on with his life.

It's a dream that you root for him to achieve and he's honestly a likeable character. He says and does the wrong things sometimes (though we all do) and that leads him into trouble, but he wants to be a better guy. He really is a good person. His anger just gets the best of him and he can't properly control it. Through all of that, though, you want him to be the man you know that he is and to get past the life he's been dealt.

The summary of BAIT doesn't give things away, so I don't want to, either, but this is an intense book that deals with big issues. It was definitely interesting and I'm very glad I was given the chance to read it.

Diego hates the idea of being called gay, but why? Is it a mere prejudice or something more? The story delves into the "something more" side that leaves you horrified. It's a realistic novel that will hopefully help some and inform others.

More than anything, I think this book brings up the topic of being honest with those you love. You have to trust them and hope they will be there for you when you need them to be. If they aren't, that's not your problem. It's just good to know you tried and that you can find help if you need it. It might be from unsuspecting people, but it might be from someone in your own house. You just don't know.

BAIT is the fourth novel I've read by Alex Sanchez, and it was very different from the others - but not in a bad way. It digs deeper into the psyche of human emotion and experiences, and I found that highly interesting, if not always enjoyable, to read.

Reviewed by: Lauren Ashley

Once again, Alex Sanchez delivers an excellent read. I hope he writes and publishes many, many more! I work with teens every day and his works are very relevant to this age group in particular.

I really enjoyed this book and gave it to my roommate to read because he reminds so much of the main character.

Alez Sanchez is a truly wonderful writer - the characters he creates, the images he describes and the situations developed are so masterfully drawn that you actually feel part, yourself, of the story and its ultimate outcome. I'm not ashamed at all to say that I shed a tear when I finished this novel, about a young man's struggle to accept and overcome the abuse he suffered as a child. I think I, in a way, held my breath as I lived through the novel and then, at the end, felt a similar release to the characters.

Sanchez novels, although teen-orientated, are so amazingly told I would recommend anyone picking up one of his books because I guarantee that there will be no disappointment.

'Bait' deals with the effects of childhood abuse on a teenager named Diego and how, through different channels and people, he is finally able to overcome his past and move forward with a future. The character of Vidas, who I assume is loosely based somewhat on the author himself, is perhaps the best drawn even though he is the least described. However, both the central characters come alive and there thoughts and conversions, although focused on a specific topic, do give food for thought about how many of us should and could deal with difficulties, challenges and hurt in our own lives. Although I'm not suggesting this is in anyway a 'self help' book, but simply one that tells a story alongside providing an understanding of how pain and hurt could be dealt with.

This book follows Sanchez' equally thought provoking 'The God Box' (highly recommend) and the supurb 'Rainbow Boys' trilogy, which - in my humble opinion - is his outstanding work.

'Bait' shines as an honest and open story of recovery and I cannot rate this author and his stories enough - 10/10!

Wow! Wow! Wow! I was literally at a loss for words when I finished this book. I have been impressed with all of Alex Sanchez's books, especially the "Rainbow" series, but this one outshines them all.

He appeals to a someone different audience here but his core fans should still enjoy it.

Diego's story should touch everyone. With Vidas' help, Diego's able to face his demons and come out far better for it.

If this book teaches no other lessons, it is these. If you are battling demons, talk to someone. You are not alone; people do care and will help. If someone needs your help, give it to them- no questions asked, no judgments passed. Parents- talk WITH your children not TO or AT them. Teachers- the same goes for you with your students.