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dbartz654's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short, easy read. The beginning was a little slow but it picked up about halfway through and got pretty intense. All in all, good read.
thisismenow's review against another edition
5.0
The first time I heard about this book was when it was mentioned in a Wall Street Journal article about the dark themes in young adult novels. I was naturally curious about this book because any time someone complains about something it just makes me want to check it out for myself.
While this is a book about some very horrible things, I found it to be an incredible read. Kendra's pain is palpable, as well as her frustrations. Typically, I'm very squeamish about anything to do with blood, especially cutting, but I didn't have a problem reading it in this book.
Even though the cutting was a huge part of the book and Kendra's primary way of coping when she couldn't speak to her therapist, Carolyn, it was the sexual abuse that she endured that made my heart ache.
There was an interesting twist in this book, though, in that Kendra has suppressed the identity of her abuser. I guessed pretty early on who it likely was, but I think this is the first book that I've read dealing with this type of subject matter where the victim has suppressed things so deeply. As the book went on, the reasons for her loss of memory became more apparent, but I think in many ways her lack of memory made the whole situation all the more horrific.
I recently read Such A Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess, which also dealt with sexual abuse, but as horrible as it was, there was at least a name and face to put with the abuser. The protagonist in that book knew who had hurt her. In Scars, Kendra knew deep down who had abused her, but it was very terrifying for me, on her behalf, to be so uncertain of who to trust. Plus, there was an extra added element of fear, in that her abuser had not simply faded away but was actively trying to keep Kendra silent.
Even though this was a very dark book, there was a host of really wonderful characters that helped to serve as a sort of light at the end of the tunnel. Whether they knew the specifics of the situation or not, they were people who weren't content with just sitting idly by. They could see something was wrong and didn't back away from voicing their worries. Even though Kendra often wanted to left alone, as a reader, it was a relief to see that these people cared and were willing to take action.
Even though the subject of the novel is sad and sickening, I still found it to powerful read. And I suppose I should also thank the WSJ article for making me aware of the novel. Even though they tried to shade in a bad light and even referred to it as "dreadfully clunky," I really can't agree with that assessment. There is so much more to take away from this book - strength, courage, support and healing are just a few.
While this is a book about some very horrible things, I found it to be an incredible read. Kendra's pain is palpable, as well as her frustrations. Typically, I'm very squeamish about anything to do with blood, especially cutting, but I didn't have a problem reading it in this book.
Even though the cutting was a huge part of the book and Kendra's primary way of coping when she couldn't speak to her therapist, Carolyn, it was the sexual abuse that she endured that made my heart ache.
There was an interesting twist in this book, though, in that Kendra has suppressed the identity of her abuser. I guessed pretty early on who it likely was, but I think this is the first book that I've read dealing with this type of subject matter where the victim has suppressed things so deeply. As the book went on, the reasons for her loss of memory became more apparent, but I think in many ways her lack of memory made the whole situation all the more horrific.
I recently read Such A Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess, which also dealt with sexual abuse, but as horrible as it was, there was at least a name and face to put with the abuser. The protagonist in that book knew who had hurt her. In Scars, Kendra knew deep down who had abused her, but it was very terrifying for me, on her behalf, to be so uncertain of who to trust. Plus, there was an extra added element of fear, in that her abuser had not simply faded away but was actively trying to keep Kendra silent.
Even though this was a very dark book, there was a host of really wonderful characters that helped to serve as a sort of light at the end of the tunnel. Whether they knew the specifics of the situation or not, they were people who weren't content with just sitting idly by. They could see something was wrong and didn't back away from voicing their worries. Even though Kendra often wanted to left alone, as a reader, it was a relief to see that these people cared and were willing to take action.
Even though the subject of the novel is sad and sickening, I still found it to powerful read. And I suppose I should also thank the WSJ article for making me aware of the novel. Even though they tried to shade in a bad light and even referred to it as "dreadfully clunky," I really can't agree with that assessment. There is so much more to take away from this book - strength, courage, support and healing are just a few.
mugsandpugs's review against another edition
4.0
An intense YA story of sexual abuse recovery, self harm, and surviving homophobia.
Some readers found the instalove unreaslistic, but it didn't bother me -- two traumatized teens falling in love super fast seems realistic to me.
Less realistic was some of the adult behavior -- a therapist should immediately contact authorities when knowing their client is being stalked, and
But overall this was a powerful story recommended for teens.
Some readers found the instalove unreaslistic, but it didn't bother me -- two traumatized teens falling in love super fast seems realistic to me.
Less realistic was some of the adult behavior -- a therapist should immediately contact authorities when knowing their client is being stalked, and
Spoiler
I question why her father would let her see a therapist while fearing her outing him as an abuser.But overall this was a powerful story recommended for teens.
rennegade's review against another edition
2.0
I finished this book a few days ago and struggled with how to rate it. I feel badly about rating it so low (especially after reading the author note and seeing how many of the events were autobiographical), but this book just did not work for me.
There was a whole lot going on in this novel (). None of these elements specifically made the novel un-enjoyable for me, but as a whole I just felt like the elements were thrown a little haphazardly into the story. I also felt like the two main teenage characters (Kendra and Meghan) were almost caricatures of teens with problems. So many of the things they said seemed to me as though they were sentiments that people think people with these issues say but aren't entirely true to life.
I dunno. The book has excellent reviews, so I could be missing something. This book was recommended to me because of other books in a similar vein that I have read (By the Time You Read This I'll Be Dead, Hate List, Thirteen Reasons Why, etc.), but this book was not a good read for me.
There was a whole lot going on in this novel (
Spoiler
pretty severe self-harm, repressed sexual abuse memories coming back, stalking, a romance with a fellow female high school student, finally remembering that her father was the one who abused her, being held at gunpoint by her father, etc.I dunno. The book has excellent reviews, so I could be missing something. This book was recommended to me because of other books in a similar vein that I have read (By the Time You Read This I'll Be Dead, Hate List, Thirteen Reasons Why, etc.), but this book was not a good read for me.
lostingothicmusic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookiepanda's review
5.0
COVER: I love it. It doesn't look very good or professional but that's exactly why It got my attention and after reading it, I get the meaning behind it.
REVIEW: It's the second sh book that I read in a week but this one is so different from "Cut" by Patricia McCormic. And I love it. Truly uncomfortable, full of tension and emotion. I love the plot. How we start nd discover more and more about Kendra, all the details of her life. I also appreciate the different sexuality of the characters and the way it's presented and accepted in the book. I'm not even mad there was a love story. And the end? I suspected it may be her father but I didn't really believe it. Her false feeling of security with him. He's also the one who taught her to cut? Incredibly thoughtful. I really love this book for everything it is. Child abuse, dealing with sexuality, homophobic parents and mental health. There was everything.
OVERALL: I didn't expect to love it that much but I truly do.
REVIEW: It's the second sh book that I read in a week but this one is so different from "Cut" by Patricia McCormic. And I love it. Truly uncomfortable, full of tension and emotion. I love the plot. How we start nd discover more and more about Kendra, all the details of her life. I also appreciate the different sexuality of the characters and the way it's presented and accepted in the book. I'm not even mad there was a love story. And the end? I suspected it may be her father but I didn't really believe it. Her false feeling of security with him. He's also the one who taught her to cut? Incredibly thoughtful. I really love this book for everything it is. Child abuse, dealing with sexuality, homophobic parents and mental health. There was everything.
OVERALL: I didn't expect to love it that much but I truly do.
autumnk3lly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Rape
caffeinatedmix's review against another edition
2.0
Underwhelming. Way too fast-paced. Tackles issues that the author should have spent more time developing. A fair bit unrealistic.
sandyfrancesca's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very delicate story, told in the POV of a 15year old, a very mature 15year old. Let me start by saying I LOVED IT. In my opinion abuse stories tend to be dark and dramatic and overly complicated, everything this was not. It was deep. It made you think. It left you in awe of a teenager. And quite frankly at least for a while leaves you inspired to be a stronger. The way it written, i found myself turning the pages so enthralled and hypnotised by the story. I loved it.
khaleesi987's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m so sad I’m done reading this book! It’s so well written and the character’s voice is so passionate. A great book for anyone who has or is in pain.