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.
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.
ReplyDelete