Gah. I wanted to love this. I feel like I still sort of do, except I have major elements that bothered me, so maybe I don’t love it. But I… I kind of still do. Ugh, I’m making no sense.
Okay so let’s just lay it out there. I loved the idea of Scarred. The bullied girl who does right. The struggles of one high school girl that doesn’t end in a horrific, tragic way, but instead will leave you feeling hopeful, compassionate, and kind toward others. It’s a quick read, and while it is very short (19k words, if I’m remembering correctly), you still get a powerful punch within those pages. I really enjoyed the characters, the roles they each play in one another’s lives, and seeing the bonds form.
Okay so let’s just lay it out there. I loved the idea of Scarred. The bullied girl who does right. The struggles of one high school girl that doesn’t end in a horrific, tragic way, but instead will leave you feeling hopeful, compassionate, and kind toward others. It’s a quick read, and while it is very short (19k words, if I’m remembering correctly), you still get a powerful punch within those pages. I really enjoyed the characters, the roles they each play in one another’s lives, and seeing the bonds form.
The not great news? Because it is so short, it felt very rushed. I knew going in that it might be tricky to connect with characters in such a short amount of time/words. I went for it anyway, because I loved the synopsis and idea. I’m not sure what the author’s reasons were for not writing a full-length novel. That’s none of my business, and I know as a blogger, it’s my job to review what was given. I just can’t help but wish that she had expanded this story into a full novel, or even a longer novella. There were many times that a setting or situation was mentioned very briefly, but I found myself wanting to know more. Let me in to their world. Let me feel what they’re feeling. Instead, it felt like so much was left out. As I mentioned, I don’t know why it isn’t a full length, but if it had been given more detail, information about this character, and more insight into her world she lives in daily, it could have been a homerun. I truly feel like this would have been a 4 or 5 star read if given the extra time and attention Avery’s story deserves.
Overall, I think for what was given, it’s an easy 3 ½ stars. If it had more oomph to it, rather than rushing from one fixed goal to the next in each chapter, it would have been a new favorite. The groundwork of this story is wonderful. I just can’t help but ask for more.
<3 Erin
Overall, I think for what was given, it’s an easy 3 ½ stars. If it had more oomph to it, rather than rushing from one fixed goal to the next in each chapter, it would have been a new favorite. The groundwork of this story is wonderful. I just can’t help but ask for more.
<3 Erin