I need to just go off and I hope everyone who sees this in the fandom doesn’t mind. Aristotle Mendoza is the single most relatable character that I connect with because I’m pretty much him and how much I relate myself to him. Like I said before and I’m sorry to rant but, I was in a miserable pit of despair 3 years ago and I didn’t think life was going to give me any breaks. Or happiness ever again, like when I was much younger and was full of joy. But my older sister showed me this book and during my read of it, I actually found my “Dante” out in the world.(Specifically we met by a lake) I was hesitant and even pushed him a little bit away because I just wanted to sulk in my own pity. However he didn’t back down and wanted to get to know me, for me. He even read the book himself and loved it with him also saying how much he related to Dante. I don’t know if it was the universe that brought us together, but he, along with the book, saved my life for the better. Although unlike the book, fortunately no one got hurt by a car or bullies(lmao, thank the universe right?) It was thankfully less drama than in the book(although of course the book needed the advanced hardships) However I still struggled with accepting myself tbh, I didn’t know what it meant to be with a boy. Or what it meant to love him or myself in the first place. I was scared, but he made it much better because of him just being the person who he was. But to finish off, this book saved my life, and showed me that there was more to life than sadness, even if it is present in the world. Happiness is also existing, even for those lost souls like I was. I am of course, still with my boyfriend who is MY literal soulmate and love him to death. If needed I would jump in front of a car for him and break his bully’s nose if I had to! Just like Ari did for Dante. Real quick too, we both have loving and supportive parents, we all love each other and they love seeing my boyfriend and I happy. Just like Lilliana, Jamie, Soledad, Sam. So I’m thankful for that as well.
No matter what happens in the sequel, I know Ben won’t let us down. I thank him for writing the masterpiece that saved mine and MANY others’ lives. 9 years ago, and I’m ready for the second one to be released so we can all laugh, cry, smile about together.
Sorry if this was me ranting or seemed dramatic, I just needed to pour out how much this book saved my life and how amazingly magically it is. I hope it impacted everyone else’s lives for the better, because its truly amazing and I love the community for being so involved in it!
Perhaps another rant will come after I finish “Dive Into The Waters Of The World” lmao, we’ll see though. Love you all though!
