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A List of Cages Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Robin Roe (Author), Graham Halstead (Narrator), Christopher Gebauer (Narrator),
4.5 out of 5 stars 948 ratings
Teachers' pick

When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian - the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years.

Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.

First-time novelist Robin Roe relied on life experience when writing this exquisite, gripping story featuring two lionhearted characters.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 17 minutes
  2. Author
    Robin Roe
  3. Narrator
    Graham Halstead, see all
  4. Audible release date
    January 10, 2017
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Recorded Books
  7. ASIN
    B01N9IF8AO
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 17 minutes
Author Robin Roe
Narrator Graham Halstead, Christopher Gebauer
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 10, 2017
Publisher Recorded Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01N9IF8AO
Best Sellers Rank #85,497 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#16 in Teen Fiction on Physical & Emotional Abuse
#57 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Orphans & Foster Homes (Books)
#74 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Physical & Emotional Abuse (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
948 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's beautifully written story, with one noting its dual narrative structure, and appreciate its depth of emotional and gut-wrenching situations, particularly in its portrayal of abuse and friendship. The characters are compelling, and customers find the book deeply impactful, opening their eyes to new perspectives. They describe it as captivating and breathtaking, with one review highlighting its effective use of imagery to set scenes.

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40 customers mention "Story quality"36 positive4 negative

Customers praise the beautiful writing and realistic fiction style of the book, with one customer noting its dual narrative structure.

"...seemed very realistic, which is how I ended up crying because it felt so real and very accurate and I just wanted to murder Russell for pretty much..." Read more

"...Some parts were a bit over the top, but it's written for high school kids, so I can't fault it too much for that...." Read more

"...Her writing is so beautiful and real. She writes the story from a duel narrative, which I have to say I don't usually like...." Read more

"...Everything that happens in this book is so real and heartbreaking...." Read more

35 customers mention "Heartfelt story"30 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as a powerful story of friendship that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times.

"...The trauma seemed very realistic, which is how I ended up crying because it felt so real and very accurate and I just wanted to murder Russell for..." Read more

"...Everything about this was amazing and it shows us that everyone deserves compassion and for their story to be heard...." Read more

"...That all of the characters in here are so deeply compassionate and care for one another (with a few notable exceptions)...." Read more

"...Roe has a talent for writing emotionally-charged novels with characters the reader cares about. That, and the plot, kept me turning the pages...." Read more

19 customers mention "Character development"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them compelling, with one customer noting the authentic portrayal of teens and another highlighting the beautiful heart of the characters.

"...I loved the characters, the really heartbreaking story line, and the beautiful writing...." Read more

"...The characters are well-fleshed out, with Adam the ADD kid trying to figure out how to help a kid his mom used to foster, and Julian the quiet,..." Read more

"...Robin does an amazing job of building characters and not giving you everything at once...." Read more

"...I loved Julian. He was such a wonderful character and I hated reading about what happened to him...." Read more

17 customers mention "Impact"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book impactful, with several noting how it opens their eyes to new perspectives, and one customer describing it as awe-inspiring and a wonderful reminder of life's power.

"...He was actually super nice to every single person, and his energy just lifts people up...." Read more

"...There are so many very important topics that are discussed in this book, ranging from child abuse and trauma, friendship and growth, even to ADHD..." Read more

"...I highly highly recommend this book, it's a fast and eye opening read💕..." Read more

"...The thing is, with this book, the words are so poetic and meaningful to both the characters and the readers, and it is honestly just heartbreaking...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book captivating and moving, with one customer noting it kept them turning the pages.

"...several times while reading it, and I think this is one of the most moving books I have read in quite a while...." Read more

"...The storyline itself was heartbreaking, but also very moving. It is one that I know I will never forget...." Read more

"...That, and the plot, kept me turning the pages. Cages is less of a thriller than Dark Room, but it's just as captivating. 5 stars !!!" Read more

"What a moving, breathtaking, well-written story...." Read more

4 customers mention "Imagery"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the imagery in the book, describing it as breathtaking, with one customer noting how effectively it sets up scenes.

"...They were all so well developed and seemed so realistic! The majority of them were absolutely lovely, though one was downright wicked...." Read more

"What a moving, breathtaking, well-written story...." Read more

"...A poet... a storyteller... weaver of words and painter of pictures. I can't wait for the rest of the world to read it and fall in love too!..." Read more

"...I loved the use of imagery to set up the scene! I loved the humor and all the characters!..." Read more

Added to the List of Favorites!
5 out of 5 stars
Added to the List of Favorites!
A List of Cages is one of my favorite reads so far this year. As someone who has worked with children in foster care, I instantly made a connection with Julian. Though some moments in the book were truly heartbreaking, I appreciated the light that was shed on the circumstances other children like Julian are facing today. Adam is also an extremely likable character. I enjoyed reading from both perspectives. Although this novel was a quick read for me, it has definitely left a lasting impression.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Dorian Mayenschein
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Heartbreaking and Beautiful Story About Friendship and Abuse
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book was absolutely fanfreakingtastic.

    I am feeling kind of speechless as to how this book made me feel. I cried several times while reading it, and I think this is one of the most moving books I have read in quite a while. The trauma that Julian had to deal with just made me sad and mad because nothing was being done about it. Which I completely understand. In the mindset of someone experiencing trauma, they never want to tell anyone, especially the police, because it will get back to the person who is causing the trauma, they will be ticked, and then they will cause even more trauma on this person. But it was so hard to read.

    Julian was somebody that I just wanted to protect and let him know that there are people that actually care very deeply about him and that what Russell was doing to him was not love. Adam truly cares about him, and Russell tries to put it in his mind that Julian did not care about him in the slightest, and that really ticked me off. Julian is just this little special snowflake that you want to protect from harm for forever, and I just wanted to freaking kill Russell for trying to snuff out that light that was in Julian.

    I freaking loved Adam, first of all. I loved how much he cared about everyone around him. He was popular, but he wasn’t like a jerk. He was actually super nice to every single person, and his energy just lifts people up. And he really, really cared about Julian, even before he knew what was going on. And all he wanted to do was help Julian, and that is exactly what he did. He helped him. Seeing Julian in pain really just put him in pain because he did care about Julian so much. He was like a little brother to Adam, and he wanted to kill Russell, and I was right on board with that.

    Russell was a character that obviously I despised with every fiber of my being, and I personally wanted to see him die in a pretty painful way. I hated what he was doing to Julian, I hated why he was doing it, and I freaking hated him because he’s an abusive jerkface. He would try to put these ideas in his head that all of his friends weren’t really his friends; they just wanted something from him. He tried to get Julian to believe that Adam and his mom really booted Julian out when it was all Russell’s fault that Julian had to leave. I just freaking hated this man.

    The trauma described in this novel just brought tears to my eyes. I just was crying every time something happened to Julian. Like I am seriously about to cry just thinking about what that despicable man did to Julian. The trauma seemed very realistic, which is how I ended up crying because it felt so real and very accurate and I just wanted to murder Russell for pretty much the entirety of the book, and then I wanted to keep young Julian safe and away from harm. This book just made me feel a lot of things.

    Overall, this was an absolutely fanfreakingtastic debut book and a fantastic book in general. I loved the characters, the really heartbreaking story line, and the beautiful writing. This book was just fantastic, and I know it will stay with me for a long while. Highly, highly recommend you check this one out!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Ashley Waldron
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, solid book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As a general whole? This book was pretty good. Some parts were a bit over the top, but it's written for high school kids, so I can't fault it too much for that. The characters are well-fleshed out, with Adam the ADD kid trying to figure out how to help a kid his mom used to foster, and Julian the quiet, artistic kid. The premise is set pretty early on, so it's more about the build up than the plot itself.

    Like I said, the only thing stopping me from giving this a 5 star was the over the top nature of Julian's uncle. Not the actions, so much as the reasoning and behaviors. I can't really say too much about it without giving away the entire last third of the book, but he was more 'Ed Gein' vibes than 'abusive uncle'. But again: book meant for high school kids, so I won't complain too much.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Erica Robyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for everyone!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Ten Millions Stars!

    This book was absolutely incredible. When I started reading, I could not put it down. Once I had finished the story, I sat here in front of my computer desperately trying to find the right words to write my review... It's not that I'm speechless, exactly. It's just that there is so much I adored about this book, and so much that I had a hard time reading, but I don't want to give anything away.

    If you are reading this, please go pick up this book. It's such a emotional rollercoaster, but I could not recommend it any higher.

    First of all, I need to say that I think this author is absolutely incredible. Her writing is so beautiful and real. She writes the story from a duel narrative, which I have to say I don't usually like. But in this case, I thought it was beyond perfect. Everything just flowed so well. And I loved that I kept pausing to write down quotes I enjoyed. I will definitely be on the lookout for any book that Robin Roe publishes in the future.

    The storyline itself was heartbreaking, but also very moving. It is one that I know I will never forget. There were scenes that made me feel so warm and so happy, but others were horrifying and made me sick, while others still made me feel truly afraid. There are so many very important topics that are discussed in this book, ranging from child abuse and trauma, friendship and growth, even to ADHD and the use of homeopathic remedies.

    And the kindest.... The kindness in this book was incredibly awe-inspiring. I seriously want this book to reach the hands of every single person out there.

    I have never loved characters in a book so quickly or so wholeheartedly. They were all so well developed and seemed so realistic! The majority of them were absolutely lovely, though one was downright wicked. I was immediately drawn to the two main characters, Adam and Julian. Very early on, I realized that I felt really protective of them, like they were my own little brothers. Adam was so thoughtful and clumsy, while Julian was shy and had a true heart of gold. I thought that all of Adams friends were incredible as well. I loved how kind and supportive they all were.

    There was a very slight romance, but I thought it was lovely. I really enjoyed that these two characters seemed to have a real bond, not just your typical insta-love we seem to get in most YA books.

    I would highly recommend this book. It is a must read for everyone.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Booklove
    5.0 out of 5 stars A tough subject but handled beautifully
    Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Beautifully written, carefully crafted, raw and honest and thoughtful. The characters will stay in your heart long after you read the final page. I wanted to hold Julian and never let him go! This book is a triumph. A must-read.
    Report
  • Tilly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book! Must read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have nothing but praise for this book! Firstly the cover it absolutely beautiful, we all know the old saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' but the cover alone wad enough to make me want to buy this book.

    Moving on to the actual content of the book. This story showcases the life of a young boy, more specifically when he reacquainted with an old friend. This friendship between the two main characters had me hooked from the start, I have not read many books where it was more focused on friendship then actually falling in love.

    This book deals with the mature themes that should be talked about more widely in literature as it sheds light on issues that happen within our society. Although this book had an emotive impact on the read the author had also managed to include some funny parts too. It is for these reasons that I really loved this book, as it shows that even in the worse times you can still find some happiness.
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  • NightSpire
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in India on July 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A list of cages is about two boys who find a loving family with each other. Adam has ADHD but is loved by his friends and mom. Julian is a foster kids who lived with Adam when he was younger, but now lives with one of his extended family relative. They both cross paths again at school and orbit each other till one helps the other out and shows him that he deserves happiness.

    Adam's friends were all supportive and super nice. Charlie was such a good character too. This book showed three different types of boys, all complete and whole unto themselves.

    This book was amazing in a cathartic sense. It showed how people can be guilt tripped into thinking that abuse is part of family and it is what you deserve for being you.

    Beware: It has a lot of triggering stuff. Bullying, abuse, emotional trauma and claustrophobia. The abuse part hits you like a freight train and then you can't stop reading till you know how it ends, and whether it'll end well.

    P.S. The starry cover is super pretty.
    Customer image
    NightSpire
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Loved it

    Reviewed in India on July 27, 2019
    A list of cages is about two boys who find a loving family with each other. Adam has ADHD but is loved by his friends and mom. Julian is a foster kids who lived with Adam when he was younger, but now lives with one of his extended family relative. They both cross paths again at school and orbit each other till one helps the other out and shows him that he deserves happiness.

    Adam's friends were all supportive and super nice. Charlie was such a good character too. This book showed three different types of boys, all complete and whole unto themselves.

    This book was amazing in a cathartic sense. It showed how people can be guilt tripped into thinking that abuse is part of family and it is what you deserve for being you.

    Beware: It has a lot of triggering stuff. Bullying, abuse, emotional trauma and claustrophobia. The abuse part hits you like a freight train and then you can't stop reading till you know how it ends, and whether it'll end well.

    P.S. The starry cover is super pretty.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    2 people found this helpful
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  • HECQ Michel
    5.0 out of 5 stars correspond à mes attentes
    Reviewed in France on March 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    études de langues
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  • books.my.shelf.and.i
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story that leaves a mark
    Reviewed in Germany on May 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    》Some people have souls so big that they spread out touching everyone they pass《

    A List of Cages makes you feel both extremes of the impact human behaviour can have: "Hate ricochets, but kindness does too". It ripples your soul like a stone ripples the surface of a lake. I wanted Adam to be part of my life, be my best friend. I wanted to cradle Julian, protecting him from harm's way. This book reminded me that in the darkest hour an act of kindness can be the glow-in-the-dark star that keeps one going.
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