I hate the ending of When We Ride by Rex Ogle. I cannot believe that Rex Ogle is the same Rex Ogle that wrote the graphic novels Four Eyes and Pizza Face. Or Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms or the Doña Quixote series (as Rey Tercoero).
Have I mentioned I hated the ending of Ogle’s book? I understand why it had to be this way, but still, I hated the ending.
Anyway, up to that point (so guess a decent track record, at the ending I mean) it is a well written and engaging story. The style of prose verse is strong and reads quickly, but gives the emotional punch that a more detailed novel would have given, we just did not have to wait for that slow burn. I do wish a couple parts of the story did not happen, but that is a personal dislike about drugs, alcohol and girls/women trying to “change/love” the “bad boy.” But overall, while I can’t say it’s an enjoyable read, it is a read that works, and there is a satisfaction in that.
We follow Diego (Benny to his ride or die best friend/brother from another mother, Lawson) as he navigates the world he lives in: A mother doing her best despite, or because of her demons. School where he learns he has potential if it wasn’t for Lawson holding him back. Work that pays nothing and is busing tables and smelling of old food and industrial cleaner. A world that if he’s lucky he could leave and go to college. But then there is his loyalty to Lawson, his best friend who could take the same path, but chooses to go the way of drugs, alcohol and violence. When these worlds collide, it is earth shattering.
Are these characters likeable? Not exactly. I mean they are human, mostly realistic, probably even based in people Ogle knew and knows. But I never really wanted any of them as friends. People I know, maybe, but we’re not doing movie marathons and Christmas dinner. Even Diego is not completely likeable. But that is the point I think. They are people that could easily be us, kids who are just doing what they think is right, and they are not there to like or not, just to experience.
TRIGGERS not limited to: drugs, alcohol, death, language. And did I mention I hated the ending? Ages 14 and up.
And did I mention, I really hated the ending?
