Bo lives most of his week at Berkshire Academy, a school for youth who are troubled in some way. Bo, however, believes the school is for people like him who have superpowers. For Bo, this means his power to travel through time, and he fears it is his power that caused him to lose the girl he loved, Sofia. Sofia committed suicide, but Bo believes he left her stuck in the past during a time travel trip. Full of grief, Bo goes deeper into his delusions and believes he can save her. But attempting to do so may destroy him.

A WORLD WITHOUT YOU is a moving and emotional story of a grieving young man with a mental illness and his sister, who feels both resentment and love for the brother she barely knows anymore. What I love most about Beth Revis's latest work is that Phoebe, the sister, narrates part of the book, but she isn't used to tell Bo's story. Bo has a strong voice, and he is in charge of his own narrative, though his delusions don't match the reality in front of him. Readers unfamiliar with mental illnesses that involve dissociation and delusions should listen to Bo's side closely. Bo has a mental illness, but unlike stereotypes or stigmas that may suggest otherwise, he is a multi-faceted human being who is capable of every emotion and has the ability to live a full life. Even if it may look different than a neurotypical one. His grief over Sofia is heartbreaking, and his journey to heal and to find sustainable hope again, to break from a toxic friend, and to let his voice be heard is absolutely unforgettable.

Likewise, Phoebe is a well-rounded character in her own right. Her relationship with her brother influences her significantly, and she battles with herself over feelings of jealousy, resentment, and affection towards her brother. She feels more pressure to be the perfect child when all she wants is freedom and room for imperfections. The conclusion to her and Bo's story is beautiful and heartrending.

Beth Revis's A WORLD WITHOUT YOU is an important take on mental illness, sibling relationships, and learning how to fight your problems in a healthy way.