Monday, May 21, 2012

REVIEW: Scars by Cheryl Rainfield





Title: Scars
Author: Cheryl Rainfield
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Format: Paperback, 248 pages
Published: Published March 24th 2010 by Westside Books
ISBN: 193481332X (ISBN13: 9781934813324)

About the Author:

"I love to read. Books nurture me, helped me survive the abuse I endured as a child and teen. I also love to write. I write fantasy books and edgy, realistic fiction for teens.

My fantasy books often hold hope that I need, and feel others might need, too, while my realistic fiction is gritty, intense, and emotional. All of my books have fragments of the abuse I experienced. I write about some of the harsh things teens go through...things that I think shouldn't be hidden. But I also write about healing, hope, and love, and finding courage and strength."

Official Website ~ http://www.cherylrainfield.com/

Synopsis:

Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Watch the book trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF5xEKY0LAU

My Thoughts:

The concept is highly interesting. It talks about the story of fifteen-year-old Kendra, a former sexual-abuse victim who cannot even name the person who molested her. For Kendra, cutting is a way to forget her painful past. I have never found any other sexual-abuse books that were so interesting to read. Miss Rainfield’s writing style is fascinating. I loved how she describes how the main character is feeling. I didn't enjoy every aspect of the book though. The main-idea was highly disturbing, not to mention the sub-topics like cutting, lesbo love, homosexuality, and homophobia.  I think the ending is a little bit frustrating, after all the drama and emotion, it ended … erm … unsatisfying for me. I didn't like the story, nor dislike it. Maybe somewhere in the middle. I was worried that once I finished this book I would be filled with sadness over leaving these characters, and yeah, I was sad to put it down, but the overall experience was pleasing. I'm torn about whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I'll give it 3 for now. The book is short and can be read in one sitting. Overall, a satisfying book.

My Rating:

 3 out of 5 stars
Satisfying!
Overall a good read.

1 comment:

  1. I read this book a while back and I really found it a good read. The subject matter was hard and the cutting aspect was really well researched as to the emotional aspect to that. I agree the end was a little anticlimactic after everything that went on but I felt like we were given a window in a life and then at a quiet point the window was closed.

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