Once Upon a Twilight!: Book Review: Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing by Steven Luna

Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing
Author: Steven Luna
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Released: August 31st 2013
Review Source: BookTrope Publishing

It’s just me and him. Him and me. A man I can’t comprehend, designated by the universe as my father but someone I prefer to call Tom, and a kid he can’t relate to but calls son anyway because he’s determined to try. I really wish he’d just call me Tyler.

He probably wishes I’d call him Dad.

But I’m not comfortable with that at this point.

Our differences and our lack of mutual understanding are the only things we seem to agree on. And even those get heated sometimes.

Seriously, it’s a miracle that we haven’t hurt each other yet.

I’m not sure how much longer we can hold out.

***

Seventeen year-old guitar prodigy Tyler Mills has become lost in the aftermath of his mother’s death. Disconnected more and more from his father, he takes refuge from it all in two things: his music and his girlfriend. But everything changes with the chance discovery of his mother’s journal—and the long-held family secret within that could alter his life forever.

WOW. This book had me on tears from the very beginning. The author does an amazing job of making this believable. Honestly, this happens in real life, but the way he describes the story in such detail, it’s like you become part of the book.

Tyler’s world shatters the moment his mother dies of pancreatic cancer. She was his world. The love he had for his mother was very admirable. His relationship with his father is complicated. As in all the love he had for his mother left no room for his father. Now heartbroken, he becomes a different person. His anger blinds him. He starts to doubt and starts making irrational decisions. First he starts calling his father by name, which in my opinion this is very disrespectful. Then, he breaks his father heart by judging him and distrusting him and leaving him.

The one thing his mother asked of him before dying, he breaks.

Running away from his roots, Tyler begins a journey of self-fulfillment. As I’d mentioned before, you become part of this book. Tyler’s journey becomes yours. In search of made up story of his imagination, his world is turned upside down. Truth to be told, he finds what he is looking for – not really. The truth makes him realize his mistake. He now understands how his actions affected those around him, especially his father. In the end, Tyler learns to embrace what he have and learns to appreciate his father.

This story is powerful with all of its truth hidden within its pages. Such a roller coaster ride! I cried, I was angry but most importantly I became aware of how decisions and actions can hurt those around us. Parents are not perfect but that doesn’t mean children have the rights to judge. We should all learn to appreciate what we have and value those around us.