C.A. RainfieldRezensionen

I can't say enough good things about this book. Scars is an intense story about fifteen-year-old Kendra whose repressed memories of sexual abuse started resurfacing six months prior to the action in the novel. She cuts herself as a way to cope with the emotional pain. This is one of those books that I'll probably remember for the rest of my life. Its a powerful story gracefully written. I highly recommend it.

I can’t believe I even read this? All that and now men are monsters..? Never again

While I admire the author's courage for writing about such a difficult subject matter, I just could not like this book. The writing style was okay but I felt the dialogue was unrealistic in so many scenes that it kept jarring me out of the story. Also, the relationship between Kendra and Meghan was just completely unrealistic and I predicted the "plot twist" at the end after reading the first chapter.

Aside from Wintergirls, this has to be the best book I've read!

This book was powerful. It was descriptive and expressive. It dealt with mature subjects in a realistic light, not in a campy or overdone manner. This is probably not the right expression of what I mean, but I do have to say that it also had the element of a good mystery to it as well, because I didn't suspect the person who actually was committing these acts against Kendra until I read it.

I love Cheryl Rainfield. Scars is one of my favorite books. So when I got the chance to read Parallel Visions, I was beyond excited and started reading it right away.

This is another one of those books that I enjoyed so much that writing a review for it is difficult. I only had one problem with it, and that was the length. I wanted it to be longer. It worked well but I wanted more.

If you haven’t read anything by Cheryl Rainfield, you must. Right now.

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=lF5xEK...

I don't think I would put this in a school library. I am afraid it would give hurting girls ideas about cutting. Tha author even said she was taught to cut which this book might do.

Intense, very graphic at times.

I have always been drawn to heavy drama, what I often refer to as "trauma drama" and this book fits that category. It was recommended to me a duple of years ago and I bought a copy, stuck it on a shelf, and never read it, The story itself is well constructed, especially for such a short book, but I feel the ending was solid. Often, particularly in books written for children and/or young adults, stories with heavy subject matter are neatly tied up and given happy endings. This tends to ruin any realism the story had. However, Scars leaves us with the reality of the need to work through things over time. Sorry, no spoilers!

I might be inclined to use this as a lit circle choice, realizing that I may need a permission slip for older middle school age kids (and maybe even freshmen depending on the school). It could be used as a tool for lessons dealing with mental health and or abuse. In using this book, though, I think one would need to be on the watch for trigger issues.

No surprises, but still a fun read.

Having been born with a port wine stain, Sarah has suffered a lot of bullying from other kids (and sometimes adults). The day that she is finally going to start treatments to minimize the colouring of her birthmark, her father announces that his company's finances have been gutted by a yet-unknown person. They can't afford the treatments; they might even lose the house. Upset, Sarah goes to school like normal, only to be picked on by more people. And then she's abducted by someone she knows. Blindfolded, raped, starved, and locked up where no one can hear her, Sarah has to find a way out before her abductor ends her life.

Well, this is one of those books that I wanted to like a lot more than I did. It's partially based on some of the experiences that the author had when she was a child, and for that I am genuinely sorry that anyone would have to suffer anything akin to what Sarah did. But I'm only reviewing the book itself, not the author's life.

The book itself feels quite choppy to me. I never felt drawn into the story at all; I did finish the book, hoping that at some point it would grow on me, but it really didn't.

I also felt that the characters were quite two dimensional. Nick, for example, just existed to show what was happening with Sarah's parents and to repeatedly tell the readers that Sarah is incredibly strong and brave. He didn't feel like he had his own separate personality at all. And, to be honest, I found it rather disturbing that he kept thinking about kissing Sarah when he knew that she had been abducted. It just skeeved me. I guess this was to show the reader that, in spite of what had happened to Sarah, she was still lovable and nothing could make her not be. A great sentiment and a true one, too, but right after Sarah had escaped from her abductor, they're kissing in Sarah's bedroom and Nick is feeling her back. Okay, Sarah does freak out a little bit, but I can't imagine that less than twenty-four hours after escaping from this crazy guy who had abused and raped her repeatedly for four months, Sarah would feel like doing any of that. It just doesn't ring true to me.

And then there is Sarah. She thinks about Nick a lot while she is being held captive, which I found a little strange. Granted, they're friends, but Sarah doesn't seem all that into Nick until the reader discovers Nick's crush on her. Then it's on. As Brian, her captor, is raping her, Sarah is thinking about how she should have taken a chance with Nick. That just...seems so very wrong and off to me.

I had problems with the dialogue, especially when it concerned Sarah's parents. It never rang true to me. Towards the end, as they are driving back from the hospital after JUST getting their daughter back after FOUR MONTHS, they start talking about the embezzled money (which Brian, of course, is responsible for). It just felt so weird and fake. I would think that they'd want to talk to their daughter, hold her, cry with her, hug her...and honestly not give a crap about the money at this point.

Even worse? Sarah is understandably jumpy and paranoid after her ordeal, especially since Brian hasn't been arrested by the police yet. She thinks a car is tailing them on the interstate as they drive home from the hospital. And what does her father say? "You've got to let it rest." WHAT THE FLYING FUCK. She's been free for mere HOURS and her father is telling her to "let it rest?" I can't even. I. Can't. Even.

The ending was just over the top for me. Brian, Sarah's abductor, breaks into their house and plans to kill everyone - Sarah, Nick, and Sarah's parents. But he doesn't obviously. That just reeked of a bad after-school movie or something. And then things just...ended. I understand that not every book needs a definite stopping point with all loose ends tied up, but it rather felt like the author decided that she was tired of writing and just stopped. It felt like we were still in the middle of a lot of different things.

Altogether, I found this book disappointing at best. There's not a lot of "meat" here; it has a very bare bones feel. I wanted some introspection, but it's more of a blow-by-blow of what is happened. There is no closure, and I honestly would fear for Sarah's mental health if she was a real person, because I don't think she'd be getting the help she needs to healthily deal with what happened to her.

**ORIGINALLY POSTED ON www.WeAreWordNerds.com**

My Thoughts:
I’ve been putting this review off for a few days now, trying to digest my feelings about this book. I guess the best thing for me to do is just say it, so ….
I did like the book. But...
Always a "but", right? I felt the writing style was aimed at a younger YA crowd, however, the content is NOT. This book contains an abduction and multiple/repeated rape. Its not graphic or anything, but it is what it is. I am in no way trying to say such things should not be in books, I’m just saying I am uncomfortable reading it. (Probably due to family history) I really am uncomfortable with the thought of kids reading it. I mean, my own kids are 13 & 17. I would not recommend this book to them, even though it is clearly written to that age range “style” wise. Call me a fuddy duddy, or over protective, or whatever if you want. That is just the way it is.

Ive seen several interviews with this author where she states she wrote this book because she wished there’d been something like it available when she was a teen. I get that, I do, and I find it very admirable. Feelings for the author and the author’s cause should have no baring on my review of the book though. So, what did I think about the actual book?

Character wise: I never connected to the main character, Sarah. Even though there was plenty of back story about her and how she was constantly bullied over her “stain”, I just didn't care. I kept thinking about my own childhood and how mean the kids were to me about my name & my weight, and shrugging. Kids are bullied all the time. For being heavy, for being poor, for being smart. Truth is, kids are assholes. And I really just didn’t care about her. She felt flat to me.

The secondary characters, were just that. Secondary (in other words, ordinary). I repeatedly rolled my eyes at the parents, especially in the second half of the book. And Sarah’s friends, *sigh*.

Story wise: I thought the story was well thought out. I did like the idea of it. I enjoyed the whole “who is the bad guy” thing and waiting for everyone else to figure it out. I didn't care for how it was delivered. The tone or style of the book feels like its aimed at younger teens, and having repeated rape in a book for that age range…just makes me cringe.

And then there is the romance part. The romance aspect of the book, was meh. The “ugly” duckling finds true love in the end. Really? I probably would have enjoyed this book SO MUCH more had there not been a secondary ‘love story’ plot going on.

So, where does that leave me?

I read the book, I did not DNF it. I finished it because I wanted to see how it would end. So, something must have been drawing me into the story. Right?

I don’t know that I would recommend it to adults because the writing style, just felt “dumbed down” for me. If that makes sense at all. And I would never recommend it to kids because of the content matter. I just wouldn’t feel comfortable telling a kid to pick it up. Well, unless I thought they would benefit from it and their parents wouldn’t disapprove of the content.
Mom Notes:
This book contains: bullying, abduction, and rape.

For Students & Teachers:
* this book is NOT listed yet, but other books by this author, in similar genre rank:
ATOS Book Level: UG
Interest Level: 3.7
AR Points: 7

Fifteen-year-old Kendra’s memories and cutting episodes have been getting worse. Sexually abused from the age of 2 until she was 12 years old , and unable to cope with the trauma, she’s resorted to cutting herself. Read the rest on my blog (are you following me yet? If you were, you wouldn't have to read a few sentences, but would get the entire review in your mailbox. Just enter your email address on my blog.) Here's the link to the rest of the review: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/scars-cheryl-rainfield/

The story line itself was good. The only issue that I have is the same issue that I have with most YA and that is that everyone falls in love with each other in two minutes. The main character is on the run with her life in on the line, but she meets 2 people and bam she just blabs about her situation. That makes no sense but moving on. The details in the story were very well written and you could easily see that people very well might react to "Special" people in this fashion were it to happen in real life.

Fast read. Cheryl gives the reader an insight into the life of a survivor of abuse and cutting. The reader is given hope and ways to deal with the abuse and self-destructive behavior. I would suggest this book to anyone who cuts or know someone who cuts. You are not alone. There is help out here and people who care.

Sarah, ashamed of the port-wine stain on her face, spends her life wishing she were one of the "Beautiful People" or brave like the heroines of the comics she adores. When Sarah is kidnapped, imprisoned and raped by one of the so-called Beautiful People, she realizes that ugliness can run deep and that she must be her own heroine if she wants to survive. "Stained" is a book with a compelling and often disturbing premise, but the writing didn't quite live up to the concept--it was, overall, pretty dispassionate and repetitive. I felt like there needed to be *more* to the plot, as most of the book it flips between Sarah telling herself she needs to escape and Nick, the boy who secretly loves her, wishing he could find and rescue Sarah. Not much else goes on, so this novel may have been better suited as a short story. That being said, the book did deliver an important message to young women about being their own heroines.

What if you could hear the thoughts of people around you? What if you were always on the run, hunted like an animal? What if you had to hide your identity to keep from being captured or even worse?

This is Caitlyn’s life. In Author Cheryl Rainfield’s YA novel HUNTED, Caitlyn and her mom are Paras (Paranormals) running from Normals to the big city, where hopefully they can hide. To try to lead as normal a life as possible Caitlyn enrolls in school hoping to keep her identity a secret. She also wants to find her brother, Daniel, who vanished years ago at the same time her father was killed in a riot. At school she meets, Becca, the bully who for some reason does not like Caitlyn, and Alex, the gorgeous guy that falls in love with her, but she‘s not sure whether to trust him or not. Suspicious teachers and ParaTroopers searching for Paras, Caitlyn especially, add to the danger she faces each day. Then Caitlyn’s friend, John, another Para who she’s only known through telepathic messages, suddenly seems to be hiding things from her. As suspicions arise about Caitlyn she has no choice but to fight back in the only way she knows how. Are her powers strong enough to stop those intent on destroying her and her kind? Or will she find the strength, with the help of her friends, to show the Normals they can live together in peace.

HUNTED is a story about misunderstandings, fearing those that are different, family, and love. Cheryl Rainfield has developed each character with a distinct personality that makes them seem real and care about what happens to them. The author paints a vivid picture of how far some groups of people will go in their hatred and dislike of others, when they don’t even understand them or try to look at them as friends, rather than someone to extinguish. I kept saying I had to read just one more chapter, then one more, until I reached the end. I think you’ll find the book impossible to put down too. HUNTED would make a great addition to high school libraries, to open up a discussion on prejudices and their consequences. You’ll also want a copy for your own library.
###

It had a very powerful start, putting us in Sarah's shoes, showing how it feels to have such a prominent stain on her face. She is tormented and she feels like no one gives her the chance to see who she is besides someone that is not physically perfect.
I liked the dual perspective and getting to know Nick. He is nerdy and he is kind so I automatically was cheering for him even though he knew that she didn't see him like that. He saw past her face, and found her beautiful anyways. He thinks she is strong and they have a connection through comic books, he draws and she writes them.
There is a lot going on with Sarah, her dad has trouble at work and while she was going to get treatments for her face, that had to be put off because of the finances. I did like her mom, and I know as a teen that had to be annoying to be constantly told your parents think you are beautiful and that it is more than physical beauty to the world. But I am glad that she is present and saying these things.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the formatting. I am not sure, it is probably a product of being an ARC (advanced reader copy) but there were "l"s missing, and some of the lines were cut off.
But anyways, Cheryl Rainfield the author writes with such passion and so beautifully dark and gritty. The details of what Sarah went through weren't skimmed over, they were examined and it focused on her feelings too. I was amazed at how strong she was, how courageous and the will to survive. I also thought this story was all the more powerful because Cheryl writes from personal experience in abuse. That really touched me that she can relate with her main characters that way, that the feelings and emotions come from a very real place. And that she is able to share the stories, no matter what details are fiction and what comes from what she has experienced is a real gift. Not only to survivors of abuse or captivity that there is hope and that outlets exist for pain, but to those who haven't been through something like this to get a harrowing and realistic look at the mindset and experience of someone kidnapped, raped, and manipulated.
I also rooted for Sarah so much because she was smart. Even though desperate, she used her brain and did what she needed to in order to survive for the most part. She learned from her mistakes and her pride, and she was a mental fighter.
I love how she became her own hero and learned to see the beauty inside and out.

Bottom Line: Powerful look of a courageous main character with a will to live.

Book Info: Genre:
Reading Level: Young Adult
Recommended for: Those who need to learn to be their own hero
Book Available: October 1, 2013 in Hardcover, Kindle, and Audiobook formats
Trigger Warnings: bullying, kidnapping, sexual assault, rape, attempted murder, reported murder

My Thoughts: “Sometimes you have to be your own hero.” That is the lesson Cheryl Rainfield has said she tries to show in all her books. I'll admit to being a Cheryl Rainfield fan—I have liked all of her books I've read to date, and was very excited to find this one among my Vine offerings this month. I was also incredibly happy to note that my ARC has the original cover, the one deemed “too harsh” by some retailers, leading to a new cover being designed. That's fine, but I liked this original one, which really brings home the situation in which Sarah finds herself.

This is an incredibly difficult book to read, on multiple levels. First of all, the content is difficult, especially for anyone who has experienced any of the traumatic events reported in the book. Also, most of this book is thinking about things, talking about things, discussing things, and the internal dialogues of Sarah and Nick. There is not a lot of action, because the book is about the drastic changes that Sarah goes through as a result of her experiences. So people who prefer a more plot-driven book may have difficulties going through this. There also tends to be some repetition, but that's to be expected in this sort of book.

Most of Cheryl Rainfield's books have at least one or two characters who are part of the QUILTBAG, which is also true in this book. None of them are main characters, but they are there, living their lives, and loving whom they please. I love this about her books. This one is also about learning to live for yourself, accept yourself for who you are, and not to spend so much time worrying about the opinions of people that have no control over your life, and I think that is a lesson well learned by younger readers.

Sensitive readers should take note of my trigger warnings, and be braced. While not necessarily explicit as other books I've read, the events are nonetheless raw and difficult to read. However, it's a very moving book, and one I think a lot of people should take the time to read and think about. And definitely check out Cheryl Rainfield's other books as well, as she has some really great stories to tell. Recommended.

Disclosure: I received a paperback ARC from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: In this heart-wrenching and suspenseful teen thriller, sixteen-year-old Sarah Meadows longs for "normal." Born with a port-wine stain covering half her face, all her life she’s been plagued by stares, giggles, bullying, and disgust. But when she’s abducted on the way home from school, Sarah is forced to uncover the courage she never knew she had, become a hero rather than a victim, and learn to look beyond her face to find the beauty and strength she has inside. It’s that—or succumb to a killer.

This book is t for the weak. But it should be read by people who may be in or may know of some one in a bad place or being abused.

Book Info: Genre: Young Adult literature
Reading Level: Young Adult with the caveat that this addresses serious issues; readers should have someone to whom they can turn for assistance with any issues that it brings up. Some of the abuse scenes are very graphic and very disturbing.
Recommended for: Anyone who can read it
Trigger Warnings: Child molestation/incest (very graphic scenes), cutting (graphic), homophobia, suicidal ideation, child abuse and neglect, assault with a deadly weapon, ritual abuse

My Thoughts: Wow, this book is brutal: absolutely brutal. Not only is Kendra trying to survive the memories of her abuse as a child, but she's also coming to grips with being a lesbian and dealing with the ignorance of her family. They try to be accepting, but keep saying things like, “If you choose to be a lesbian, you're choosing a hard road.” People just can't seem to understand it is not a choice! I mean, who in their right mind would choose to live with the sort of hatred and discrimination that people in the QUILTBAG have to deal with? No, it's the way a person is born, nothing to do with any choice. The only correct thing about that statement is the “hard road” bit. I was very happy that a) Kendra figured it out so young and b) she had a friend of the family who was gay that would support and encourage her.

Cheryl Rainfield has said, “I write the books that I needed as a teen.” She also writes the extremely hard and brutal truth. She digs so deeply into the head of the abused Kendra that I felt like I needed a shower after reading some of the things that poor child went through.

While the book is brutal and disturbing, it's also very well-written. I just realized, after finishing it, that I didn't notice a single editing error. I couldn't tell you if that was because they weren't there or I just didn't notice them; I was absolutely enthralled by this story. It was hard to read, but … I really can't recommend it enough. If you can stand to read it, you really should.

Disclosure: I picked up this book from Amazon during a free promotion. All opinions are my own.

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.

Book Info: Genre: YA Fantasy
Reading Level: YA
Recommended for: fans of Hunted
Trigger Warnings: homophobia, discrimination

My Thoughts: This is a short story in the same world as Hunted (review linked here where formatting allowed).

This story won't make a lot of sense on its own. It's designed to give us a quick look back into Caitlyn's world from the main novel. But if you read and enjoyed the novel, you won't want to miss this short that gives another quick dip into that world.

Disclosure: I picked up this book on free promotion from Amazon. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Teen telepath Caitlyn "overhears" someone planning to set another student up as a Para—something that could cost that student their home, their family, and even their life. Caitlyn is in a race against time to help protect another student, who might, after all, be a Para.

Please note: This book will be available free for your Kindle on Amazon on June 18, 2013. If you've been wanting to read it, it would be a great chance to snag a copy free!

Book Info: Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult (older Young Adult, at least 16, with parental guidance)
Recommended for: I think most people should read this, if you can work with the triggers
Trigger Warnings: attempted murder, rape, domestic violence, homophobia, suicidal ideation

My Thoughts: This is the first book in a new series called Teen Psychic. It was a very difficult book to read. I spent a lot of it absolutely furious. But I really loved it and think everyone should read it if the triggers don't set you off. Younger readers should have guidance available to deal with issues if necessary.

Let me try to explain without too many triggers. One of the characters is a high-school age lesbian, who is gang-raped and left suicidal. Another is a teen that left school and married her boyfriend, who is now beating her (or is he?). The main character has severe asthma, and when she has an attack, she has visions: visions of the past, visions of the future. But she sees things. Her asthma is so severe she has almost died many times. I know this level of asthma, as a neighbor of ours had the same thing. She died when she was 16 from it. So I know how very dangerous asthma can be. I was absolutely flabbergasted to learn that some kids tease other kids for having asthma! That sort of thing did not happen in my hometown, not after Connie (I was in fifth grade at the time).

At any rate, I'm sort of rambling. This book did a number on my head, it really did. Cheryl Rainfield says, “I write the books I needed when I was a teen.” She doesn't pull punches. She tells it like it is, in all its ugly glory. And I think you should read this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Visions can kill you. Would you risk your life to save someone else’s?

Kate sees psychic visions of the future and the past—but only when she's having an asthma attack. When she "sees" her sister being beaten, she needs more visions to try to save her, along with a suicidal classmate—but triggering her asthma could kill her. Parallel Visions is the story of one brave, caring girl whose unusual gifts put her own life in danger.

I originally reviewed this book on my blog - The Cosy Dragon. For more recent reviews by me, please hop over there.

Heart-rending. Kendra is in therapy, trying to come to terms with abuse that she suffered as a young child. At the tender age of 15, those painful memories are surfacing. Just as she seems to be getting closer to the roots of her problems, her life is being ripped apart again by parents who don't seem to understand her.

This book is compelling. In 42 short chapters it ripped Kendra apart, and slowly put her back together again. For that matter, it ripped me apart as well. I identified with so many things in this book, and it was painful to read. Kendra is a believable, well-realised character that is so much more than the events that have shaped her. She has her art (and cutting) as an outlet, and I only wish I could create things like she does.

I hesitate to file this under angst, because really, it's so much more than that. Sexual abuse and physical abuse are nothing to be laughed at, particularly as they have such long lasting effects on their victims. People like Kendra don't want to be victims, they want to stand up for themselves, but it is so hard facing what has been done to them.

Just to top off an already awesome, amazing book, this has queer elements in it. Lesbians, gays - and the accompanying homophobia that sadly does still accompany it. Also the assumption that being gay is a choice. Although the ending is satifying, I kind of long for a sequel, to know how things turn out for them both.

This is a book that you will find yourself thinking about long after you have finished reading it. The real issues it raises, the multitude of questions it tries to answer, everything. It was everything I hoped for in reading it.

This book is perhaps not one you'd be comfortable reading in public. The cover art is very provocative. It's also relatively triggering for those who have survived abuse or have self-harmed at some point (recovering or current).

I'd recommend this book for older teens, and adults. Yes, it's a YA fiction, but it's a great insight into how a teen's mind can work under stress. Please, put this on your to-read immediatly shelf. It is worth reading. This is my 60th review reward book, and I'm so glad I chose this book. It's a well-spent $8, even if it's reading time for me was just under 2 hours. Yes, it's not going to be to everyone's taste, but please, make an effort. It could just open your own eyes so that you can save others, or perhaps realise that you aren't alone. My recent rediscovery of Goodreads helped me find this book. I'm glad I did.