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steph01924's review against another edition
4.0
A book about finding yourself after a traumatic experience. It was quiet but thoughtful, and I enjoyed the author's use of nature as part of the healing process. Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
madkc4ever's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
You can definitely tell this book was written with such care towards victims of SA. The author really took her time in exploring what happens even after someone works up the courage to press charges including the huge problem that is victim-blaming. I was so absorbed in this story! I didn’t want it to end. I also absolutely loved how there was no romance or love-interest in this novel. Maggie wasn’t saved by a guy who came to “rescue” her - it was all about how she worked to heal from her own trauma.
clairejanine's review against another edition
5.0
deftly navigates trauma without being overly indulgent and does a good job of showcasing PTSD in survivors accurately!! you could tell there was a lot of care in developing the main character. appreciated how many plot lines/characters there were that were richly developed and didn’t just feel like backdrops in the main character’s life.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
A dark, heavy story handled well. I was engrossed by the various story lines - I had to know how all the pieces came together. I didn't click with any of the characters. Many of the central ones were recovering from some manner of trauma as well as they could, with different levels of success. It made some of them hard to "like." Overall, I think the story was too dark for me to "enjoy" it, but it's well written and engaging. (Language, TW: Sexual assault/abuse)
A dark, heavy story handled well. I was engrossed by the various story lines - I had to know how all the pieces came together. I didn't click with any of the characters. Many of the central ones were recovering from some manner of trauma as well as they could, with different levels of success. It made some of them hard to "like." Overall, I think the story was too dark for me to "enjoy" it, but it's well written and engaging. (Language, TW: Sexual assault/abuse)
squeegybeckinheim's review against another edition
3.0
Unleaving is a very timely book-it tells the story of assault(s), namely rape, and the aftermath and healing for the victim(s). I found Maggie's emotional journey fairly realistic, though of course every victim heals in different ways and in their own time. The are good days and soul-sucking bad ones. It also explores the very real problem of victim-shaming. Maggie has the courage to speak up and try to press charges against her accusers, and all she gets for it is shame, cruelty, humiliation, and alienation. Maggie's experience is frighteningly common and happens to victims the world over every day. I feel this book did a good job of exploring the aftermath and what came next for one victim. I appreciate the illustration of healing through friendship, but also realizing that at the end of the day, you have to get there in your own time as well. Considering the subject matter of this novel, it's not nearly as depressing as one might think. It has an overall theme of hope, and of course, healing. It was a beautiful story. Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the opportunity to read and review Unleaving by Melissa Ostrom.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Stephanie
Cover Story: Big Backpack
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Self-Help
Bonus Factors: Book Club, Family Secrets, Awesome Grownups
Relationship Status: Support Group Buddies
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Big Backpack
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Self-Help
Bonus Factors: Book Club, Family Secrets, Awesome Grownups
Relationship Status: Support Group Buddies
Read the full book report here.
deniseco07's review against another edition
5.0
This was a 5 star read for me. Rape is a difficult subject, but this book is honest and beautifully written. Melissa Ostrom does an amazing job addressing the social issues of sexual assault, victim shaming, and blaming. While certainly a possible trigger for survivors of assault, the writing was not graphic. I enjoyed the characters and their road to recovery. I absolutely adored Aunt Wren and Linnie. Both beautiful souls.
librarykate's review against another edition
5.0
Maggie is escaping a maelstrom of victim blaming when she reported a sexual assault that led to the expulsion of several popular athletes. She takes a break from college to live with her Aunt Wren. Maggie soon has to face what happened especially as she starts receiving emails from a girl who needs help dealing with her own sexual assault.
This story delves deeply into the lives of sexual assault victims. It tells their story in such an intriguing way that I was hooked. I wanted to root for the characters in their struggles and cheer in their successes. The story was a quick read and an excellent example of realistic fiction. If you want to put yourself temporarily in someone else's shoes, this is a great way to do that.
This story delves deeply into the lives of sexual assault victims. It tells their story in such an intriguing way that I was hooked. I wanted to root for the characters in their struggles and cheer in their successes. The story was a quick read and an excellent example of realistic fiction. If you want to put yourself temporarily in someone else's shoes, this is a great way to do that.
shayemiller's review
5.0
19-year-old Maggie Arioli is the victim of a gang rape that took place in her small college town, just last year. After her assault, she sought help at the police station and with her college administration. But as the perpetrators were athletic heroes of Carleton College, Maggie was immediately considered an outcast, demonized for tainting the names of the young men in question. In an effort to heal from the trauma and move forward, Maggie is taking a year off from school. With her parents’ blessing, she heads out of town to stay with her Aunt Wren in a small cabin just off Lake Ontario in New York. Over time, Maggie carefully branches out, joining a book group in a nearby town and meeting some of the other local townspeople. As friendships develop, we learn that she is certainly not the only seemingly broken person in Aunt Wren’s town. And it turns out that even hurting victims can be a strong support system for others in need.
I loved this book! I didn’t want to put it down, but I also didn’t want it to end. Unlike stories that keep the reader engaged with cliffhangers and constant action, Unleaving carefully reveals the private lives of several characters in the story, inviting the reader to contemplate their status, their childhoods, and the pain they each carry. I was in awe of the layers woven into each character as we are urged to consider how every variable impacts the decisions we make, making us all so very different from each other. Most importantly, this book is a call to stand by one another — to openly show support and elevate victims we encounter, even when everyone else is questioning and assuming and judging with useless stereotypes. More than once this book turned the world on its side, forcing me to consider something new. I really thought I knew what to expect with Unleaving, but I was so very moved by this book. Tears and chills. Five stars — HIGHLY recommend! My thanks to Melissa Ostrom and to Feiwel and Friends for providing me an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book. I read it by choice and am happy to provide my honest review.
Trigger warning for mentions of rape. While the scene of Maggie’s assault is not described in vivid detail, short flashbacks pop up occasionally, providing brief clips to let the reader know of Maggie’s experience.
For more book reviews, especially focused on kidlit, MGlit, and YAlit, please visit The Miller Memo.
3-24-19 first response:
Wow. Wow. WOW! Powerful. Need some time to process before I finish my review.
Will be back in a day or two...
(UNLEAVING is publishing this Tuesday)
I loved this book! I didn’t want to put it down, but I also didn’t want it to end. Unlike stories that keep the reader engaged with cliffhangers and constant action, Unleaving carefully reveals the private lives of several characters in the story, inviting the reader to contemplate their status, their childhoods, and the pain they each carry. I was in awe of the layers woven into each character as we are urged to consider how every variable impacts the decisions we make, making us all so very different from each other. Most importantly, this book is a call to stand by one another — to openly show support and elevate victims we encounter, even when everyone else is questioning and assuming and judging with useless stereotypes. More than once this book turned the world on its side, forcing me to consider something new. I really thought I knew what to expect with Unleaving, but I was so very moved by this book. Tears and chills. Five stars — HIGHLY recommend! My thanks to Melissa Ostrom and to Feiwel and Friends for providing me an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book. I read it by choice and am happy to provide my honest review.
Trigger warning for mentions of rape. While the scene of Maggie’s assault is not described in vivid detail, short flashbacks pop up occasionally, providing brief clips to let the reader know of Maggie’s experience.
For more book reviews, especially focused on kidlit, MGlit, and YAlit, please visit The Miller Memo.
3-24-19 first response:
Wow. Wow. WOW! Powerful. Need some time to process before I finish my review.
Will be back in a day or two...
(UNLEAVING is publishing this Tuesday)