Amina 's Reviews > Jupiter Rising

✰ 3.75 stars ✰

“I promised Joseph that I would always know where she was.

And because you can’t keep losing what you love most in all the world.

You just can’t.
You just freaking can’t.”

This book should have never been written. 🙅🏻‍♀️

There was no need for a follow-up, there was no need to tug at my heartstrings and have my heart ache. 🥺 It was not necessary to play with my emotions with every deliberate choice of plot that was as inconsiderate and unfairly unjust and painful - emotionally manipulative - damning and frustrating at how a short and fast-paced novel can have me tearing up at the consequences of the cards that were not in Jack's hands. 😢

“Jackie crying?” said Jupiter.

“Just because of the cold,” I said.

“Jackie, don’t cry,” she said.”



I guess it was too much to hope that there would be no consequences to Jack's family fostering Jupiter when her own grandparents chose to ignore her upon her first existence. Having lost their daughter, I understand why they needed time to heal. But, what pained me was to see Mr. Joyce's opinion on Joseph never changed or got closure; Mrs.Joyce had her moment, but that remained untouched, due to the inclusion of a plot twist that was both alarming and shocking. No apology addressed, hey, I don't care if it's a short book - make it happen!!! 😠 ’So if you can’t get this part, there’s nothing I can do about it.’ Fair enough, but that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna express myself. Whatever resolution happened to pass between them was not as rewarding as I would have expected, due to the circumstances. It leaves the hint of doubt, despite how things ended in any one's favor.

It's what I call circumstantial writing to sway the narrative in a direction that makes you wonder if such an occurrence had not taken place - what then? 😟 Who then would have been on Jack's side? Who was really seeing it from his eyes and what he had to lose for taking away someone so precious - a remnant of a memory that meant so much to him. Of a brother that changed his life and brought something even more precious into his. 😔

And yet, I can't bring myself to rate it any lower, despite how the writing was odd in the sense that everything was being relayed in long-winded sentences, because of the emotional turmoil my heart was in throughout. 🥺 It was powerful - and it hit - uff, it hit hard. 45 minutes of pure torture and agony - tears of rage and sadness, wanting to reach in hug Jack - can't blame Jupiter for being so adorable and precious - she's only 3! 😭😭

“Joseph is my brother, and that makes Jupiter my niece, and she’s going to grow up here, where she belongs, like Joseph should have.”

The writing is simple, but evocative in capturing Jack's complicated situation. The author portrayed each conversation with an intended purpose, that as much as you hated it - you know, there really was nothing wrong with it. To weigh in fairly and judge honestly - it's a decision that weighs heavily on Jack, because he is a foster child. 😥 And he has both perspectives; he has the memory of Joseph. ’My daughter,” he said again. His whole body trembled in the warmth of the miracle.’ It is that devotion to his brother, Jupiter's father that guides him so intensely. He made him a promise that he would always have Jupiter in his orbit - always know where she was; and he's not about to break that promise now... 💔💔

But, it's not about my fury - it's about the complexity of human relationships and how Jack slowly but surely takes the next steps towards a brighter future. Where all the adults seem to know better than him - know his potential and what he's capable of, how they recognize how much Joseph's bond meant to him - how special he was. It really grated on my nerves this time – no matter how their kindness was with good intent, I just wanted happiness for Jack. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 Was that too much to hope for? ’Because sometimes things work out like they’re supposed to.’ When he wants to do is take care of his three-year-old-sister, because that's what his brother, Joseph would have wanted. When the whole world had turned their back on him and his daughter, Jack had been there for him - ’he had my back.’ 🤧

“Jupiter, Jupiter,” I said, “I’m right here. I’m right here. Look at me, okay? Just look at me. Keep looking right at my eyes. I’m right here. I’m always right here.”

Jupiter and Jack and Jay - their bond was so beautiful and adorable and sweet - I could cry. He was so patient and gentle with her - the soft kisses and how he held her - who would even think of keeping them apart, who would want to separate them? 🥹🥹 'And he’d always have her. Even if I wouldn’t.' I couldn't believe their stance... And yes, I know it's about showing how the human heart is capable of change; how when challenges arise, we allow our hearts to see it from a different perspective, in order to feel things differently. But, I did not approve of the way it was approached - I just couldn't. Why does one other have to hurt, to realize what could lose more? Why does a new grief have to replace an old one? 😣

Jay Perkins was a surprise, because fortunately I had forgotten entirely what was in the blurb, simply that I had to read this sequel. And the cross-country running was a nice touch to show how resilient Jack's determination was; that he did not know how to back down or slow down. He would find a way to beat the odds, even if it cost him everything. It was heartbreaking to learn about Jay's past - he had a good heart, and he was torn between two choices. Jack’s desperate pleas to him, knowing that it was futile - yeah, the waterworks were in full swing. 🫂 ’Perkins,” I said quietly. “Perkins, I need you to be on my side now.’ But again, my mind can’t ignore how the plot device forced the situation into these dilemmas – too contrived to be more compelling, regardless of how much of a predicament it was. Doesn't hurt that the sudden twist was just as startling, but .... It was a weak writing choice, I'm still standing by it, but .... yeah, I was not happy with that. 😮‍💨

Definitely went through the wringer with this one, not gonna lie. And, oh look. Turns out there's a potential for a sequel. I look forward to my heart breaking once again. 🫡