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A review by kerrythefire
Scarred by Emily McIntire
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Scar was one of my favorite villains when I was a kid, so I was biased going in. But glad the book didn't disappoint with it's reimagining! Honestly, the background plot was just as interesting as the love story and I sometimes forgot I wasn't just reading some adventure book.
Tristan was such a a compelling anti-hero because of all the social context surrounding his story and the greater plot, and his character development was believable. It didn't feel like anything ever just flipped on a dime... We got glimpses of his "goodness" with Simon early on so it wasn't like we hated him half the book and all of a sudden he changed so we'd like him the second half. I mean, he was brutal af throughout too.
But that scene with Tristan and Simon under the willow where Tristan is drawing the picture of Sara... 🥲 I did not expect to get choked up! My heart was not prepared for little Simon.
Sara was fierce in her own right. I really liked having two strong-willed MCs and that she pushed back on Tristan so hard and didn't just fall in instalove with him. Her character development was also super believable in the story which felt satisfying.
TW: there is a bit of explicit gory torture, described in detail (one scene in particular), in this book which... is just not my thing. (Although listening to it in audio format may have made it worse 😳) Honestly it's what made me mark the book down a little bit. Without it, it prob would have been 4⭐ for me.
Tristan was such a a compelling anti-hero because of all the social context surrounding his story and the greater plot, and his character development was believable. It didn't feel like anything ever just flipped on a dime... We got glimpses of his "goodness" with Simon early on so it wasn't like we hated him half the book and all of a sudden he changed so we'd like him the second half. I mean, he was brutal af throughout too.
But that scene with Tristan and Simon under the willow where Tristan is drawing the picture of Sara... 🥲 I did not expect to get choked up! My heart was not prepared for little Simon.
Sara was fierce in her own right. I really liked having two strong-willed MCs and that she pushed back on Tristan so hard and didn't just fall in instalove with him. Her character development was also super believable in the story which felt satisfying.
TW: there is a bit of explicit gory torture, described in detail (one scene in particular), in this book which... is just not my thing. (Although listening to it in audio format may have made it worse 😳) Honestly it's what made me mark the book down a little bit. Without it, it prob would have been 4⭐ for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying