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felinity's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying
bxermom's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler
I enjoyed this book but there is just something that doesn't sit right with me. I didn't like the fact that this young girl who was (spoiler alert) raped by this psycho on numerous occasions would be so quick to jump into the arms of another boy the same night she escapes and comes home. But other than that it was a decent story.the_lady_reads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I have only read one other Cheryl Rainfield novel, but I very much enjoyed it. So when I found out that she was releasing Stained this fall and it was going to be a "tough subject" novel, I was all in. More often than not, books with controversial, graphic subjects are able to hook me in and really make me look at the world differently--not always in a bad way, even when the books are gritty, and make me cry like a baby. That's why I was so looking forward to Stained, it's really just my kind of book. I'm glad to say that now that I've finished the book, I still believe this to be true.
Sarah was born with a port wine that covered most of her face. Her entire life has been filled with bullying, ignorance and pain due to her appearance. Just when she thinks her life could turn around, Sarah is kidnapped on her way home from school and forced into isolation, where she is raped, starved and mentally tortured. Stained follows a young girl's suffering in captivity and also gives us a glimpse into the life of the boy back home who loves her just the way she is.
Reading through the horrors that Sarah goes through during the course of this novel is harrowing. It's difficult not to feel something for Sarah has she suffers repeatedly at the hands of her abuser. She endures much in a mere three-hundred pages, and it will leave a lasting mark on anyone who follows her journey. This is a tough-subject, and though I don't think the author always hit the nail on the head, Rainfield did a good job at making Stained more than just a story.
I'm lucky when I say that I have never been abused, in any manner, therefore I found some things difficult to reconcile with. From knowing myself and thinking about how I would've handled Sarah's situation, it was difficult for me to understand the motive behind some of her thoughts and actions. There were scenes that didn't make sense to me especially some of Sarah's behavior towards the end of the novel, and the way her parents treated her. I didn't think that they were completely realistic, so that took a bit away from the experience.
I liked Sarah, but I didn't love her. Her voice was pretty immature, and I didn't like her focus on romance when she was in captivity. I felt disconnected from her for most of the novel, because I couldn't get into the same mindset. Sarah's growth through the novel is pretty well done. It doesn't seem like she changes very much through the story, but things that bothered me about her in the beginning all but disappeared by the end of the novel. I liked the more minor of characters as well--Nick especially. I love that Sarah's loved ones never gave up on finding her. They had some really great qualities, albeit there were definitely some times where it didn't feel completely realistic. There was just something about Sarah's time locked up didn't quite feel as dangerous as it should've. I couldn't take it as seriously because of some of Sarah's repetitive, childish monologue.
Through all of the negatives, I really loved this story. It was an interesting take on a dark theme, with a twist that I hadn't read before (the port wine birth mark, I mean). I finished it in one sitting. The plot moved steadily, though at times there was some repetition. I think Rainfield has a lot of talent. She wrote a story that even with some flaws, I couldn't help but enjoy. The author did an excellent job of grabbing the reader's attention right from the very beginning and not releasing them until the last sentence on the last page. Reading Stained in a mere two hours was not what I had planned for the night, but once I started, I couldn't find it in me to put the book down. It was almost like an addiction. Cheryl Rainfield is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her work!
I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.
This review can also be seen here on my blog.
I have only read one other Cheryl Rainfield novel, but I very much enjoyed it. So when I found out that she was releasing Stained this fall and it was going to be a "tough subject" novel, I was all in. More often than not, books with controversial, graphic subjects are able to hook me in and really make me look at the world differently--not always in a bad way, even when the books are gritty, and make me cry like a baby. That's why I was so looking forward to Stained, it's really just my kind of book. I'm glad to say that now that I've finished the book, I still believe this to be true.
Sarah was born with a port wine that covered most of her face. Her entire life has been filled with bullying, ignorance and pain due to her appearance. Just when she thinks her life could turn around, Sarah is kidnapped on her way home from school and forced into isolation, where she is raped, starved and mentally tortured. Stained follows a young girl's suffering in captivity and also gives us a glimpse into the life of the boy back home who loves her just the way she is.
Reading through the horrors that Sarah goes through during the course of this novel is harrowing. It's difficult not to feel something for Sarah has she suffers repeatedly at the hands of her abuser. She endures much in a mere three-hundred pages, and it will leave a lasting mark on anyone who follows her journey. This is a tough-subject, and though I don't think the author always hit the nail on the head, Rainfield did a good job at making Stained more than just a story.
I'm lucky when I say that I have never been abused, in any manner, therefore I found some things difficult to reconcile with. From knowing myself and thinking about how I would've handled Sarah's situation, it was difficult for me to understand the motive behind some of her thoughts and actions. There were scenes that didn't make sense to me especially some of Sarah's behavior towards the end of the novel, and the way her parents treated her. I didn't think that they were completely realistic, so that took a bit away from the experience.
I liked Sarah, but I didn't love her. Her voice was pretty immature, and I didn't like her focus on romance when she was in captivity. I felt disconnected from her for most of the novel, because I couldn't get into the same mindset. Sarah's growth through the novel is pretty well done. It doesn't seem like she changes very much through the story, but things that bothered me about her in the beginning all but disappeared by the end of the novel. I liked the more minor of characters as well--Nick especially. I love that Sarah's loved ones never gave up on finding her. They had some really great qualities, albeit there were definitely some times where it didn't feel completely realistic. There was just something about Sarah's time locked up didn't quite feel as dangerous as it should've. I couldn't take it as seriously because of some of Sarah's repetitive, childish monologue.
Through all of the negatives, I really loved this story. It was an interesting take on a dark theme, with a twist that I hadn't read before (the port wine birth mark, I mean). I finished it in one sitting. The plot moved steadily, though at times there was some repetition. I think Rainfield has a lot of talent. She wrote a story that even with some flaws, I couldn't help but enjoy. The author did an excellent job of grabbing the reader's attention right from the very beginning and not releasing them until the last sentence on the last page. Reading Stained in a mere two hours was not what I had planned for the night, but once I started, I couldn't find it in me to put the book down. It was almost like an addiction. Cheryl Rainfield is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her work!
I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.
This review can also be seen here on my blog.
shxlby98's review against another edition
3.0
Very emotional and I felt like I was reading a memoir about kidnapping. Again the rating goes down for me because of the YA genre
froydis's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and HMH Books for Young Readers for early access to this title.
2 1/2 stars - Not the greatest book I've ever read.
2 1/2 stars - Not the greatest book I've ever read.
laurbroph's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
constant_reader's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't like any of the main characters. The story, though horrific, was repetitive and bland. The ending was very unrealistic.
herlifewithbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Well. If you like crime stories, kidnapping stories, abuse stories, you may like this one. I used to like stories like this when I was a teen. Now that I am an adult, though, I prefer a little substance behind the salacious. I didn't find it here.
I also find the idea that birth defects build character... or that torture and abuse builds character to be problematic. Inspirational, perhaps, but... problematic.
I also find the idea that birth defects build character... or that torture and abuse builds character to be problematic. Inspirational, perhaps, but... problematic.
katlikespie's review against another edition
3.0
Sarah has always been bullied for the large port wine stain birthmark on her face, and can't wait until she can start laser treatments to fade the colors. But on the very day she is supposed to start treatments, her father finds out that someone has embezzled $100,000 from his small business and they can't afford them. Could this day get any worse?! It could, actually. She gets harassed by kids at school - including her best friend, who is trying to catch the eye of the school's new bad boy. It's when she's in her way home that she gets offered a ride from a man she knows - who then blindfolds her, duct tapes her legs, kidnaps her, and keeps her hostage in a one-room shack for months - blindfolded the whole time! - with nothing but the clothes she was wearing, a small amount of food, and a bucket for a toilet.
Honestly, I'm surprised I made it past "bullied" to "kidnapped" in the description, and if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook, I might not have made it that far in the book, either. Sarah is the most obnoxious, spoiled little brat! She finds out her dad has been stolen from and all she thinks about is, "but I want to be PRETTY!" Her friend Nick tries to talk her her at school and she's upset because he's not cool, and people will see them talking. (And yet he ❤️loves❤️ her!)
Luckily, it got better. We follow Sarah's story, as well as Nick's struggle to help find her, and deal with his own guilt at not stopping her abduction. Still not my favorite book ever, but a solid read if you like crime stories.
Honestly, I'm surprised I made it past "bullied" to "kidnapped" in the description, and if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook, I might not have made it that far in the book, either. Sarah is the most obnoxious, spoiled little brat! She finds out her dad has been stolen from and all she thinks about is, "but I want to be PRETTY!" Her friend Nick tries to talk her her at school and she's upset because he's not cool, and people will see them talking. (And yet he ❤️loves❤️ her!)
Luckily, it got better. We follow Sarah's story, as well as Nick's struggle to help find her, and deal with his own guilt at not stopping her abduction. Still not my favorite book ever, but a solid read if you like crime stories.
lizlogan's review against another edition
5.0
Cheryl Rainfield's books just keep getting better. I really loved the pacing in this book. Despite the fact that much of this book was Sarah being trapped, you never felt like you were crawling along in the book. It was wonderfully paced, action-packed and well-written. I loved all the characters and the message of everybody's intrinsic value despite their appearance, sexuality, age or anything else about them. The characters were people that everyday teens can identify with (or, as is my case, everyday adults who still love teen fiction) and these stories can easily be theirs. I hope that Cheryl continues to write for years to come so that I can continue to recommend her to every curious teen and adult I can.