I've been meaning to read this for a few years at least and it's been sitting here for about that long. I finally picked it up because a friend thought she may want to read it. I'm glad I read it so now it's off my shelf. But I'm not glad I read it because it's so great. It's not as great as people say.
I think what has people saying it's so great is how graphic it is.
**Hear me out.**
Most books aren't as graphic as this. In this way it's somewhat unique. So, it hits harder because of that alone. If you'll notice, many of the reviews state just how graphic it is. How they weren't expecting this, etc. I'm willing to bet anyone who doesn't read real life stories of abuse will be greatly bothered by it. Hell, I have read a lot of personal stories about brutality and it bothered me. But it didn't hit me as hard as I think it did some (most?) others.
My review is a lot like my friend Sabrina's. What I liked the most was the alternate story telling. I liked getting Hazen's side of the story. In fact, I found Hazen's side much more interesting.
The ending was anti-climatic.
The best part of the book is something else my Sabrina mentions - the fact that the author donated/donates a portion of the sales of the book to "organizations serving children who are victims of abuse". I'd have liked to have known which organizations but that's neither here nor there.
In the end I'd say beware, it's not all your friends made it out to be. And, it is graphic. I'm not sure I'd hand this to any teenager. He or she would have to be an older, mature teen for me to be okay with it.
I think what has people saying it's so great is how graphic it is.
**Hear me out.**
Most books aren't as graphic as this. In this way it's somewhat unique. So, it hits harder because of that alone. If you'll notice, many of the reviews state just how graphic it is. How they weren't expecting this, etc. I'm willing to bet anyone who doesn't read real life stories of abuse will be greatly bothered by it. Hell, I have read a lot of personal stories about brutality and it bothered me. But it didn't hit me as hard as I think it did some (most?) others.
My review is a lot like my friend Sabrina's. What I liked the most was the alternate story telling. I liked getting Hazen's side of the story. In fact, I found Hazen's side much more interesting.
The ending was anti-climatic.
The best part of the book is something else my Sabrina mentions - the fact that the author donated/donates a portion of the sales of the book to "organizations serving children who are victims of abuse". I'd have liked to have known which organizations but that's neither here nor there.
In the end I'd say beware, it's not all your friends made it out to be. And, it is graphic. I'm not sure I'd hand this to any teenager. He or she would have to be an older, mature teen for me to be okay with it.
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