TORN by Amber Lehman
YA Fiction
A group of Southern Californian teens learn pivotal lessons about sexuality, friendship, love and life.
It was different this time; we weren't acting on a dare. I knew our motive; we were practicing the act, hoping to impress the right boy when it came time. But then something happened in the mix of the moment, in the mix of the alcohol. It wasn't planned, but somehow our kissing experiment turned into something else. Things went further . . . and once they had, once I returned to earth from the euphoria . . . I wrestled with my feelings at that frank realization, questioning whether our said objective was entirely true.
When fourteen-year old Krista McKinley transfers from Catholic school in Ohio to California's public Crestmount High, she discovers she has a lot to learn. Luckily, she is befriended by Carrie and Brandon and things start to look up. But when a simple dare tests Krista's values, it sends her entire world spiraling into a confusing series of events that leaves her questioning her identity as well as the people around her.
I didn't think I would like TORN at first. Now as I write this review, I realize I was dead wrong. Instead of my usual rambling, I decided to compile a list of the top reasons I give TORN an 8.5 out of ten.
1. The characters were freaking amazing. It was obvious that the author didn't base them off of her cats or first cousins. They were obviously carefully constructed to follow the story. We were lucky enough to get the best of the batch as our main character. Krista. She was a riot, so say the least. It seemed like everything I have ever thought of doing, she did, despite being such a timid girl.
2. Whew, did I mention the storyline? I was shocked! There were many things happening that almost swept me off my feet! Keep in mind that I have once been on a year long Nancy Drew kick. If I didn't see this comin, neither will you.
3. The writing style reminded me of Judy Bloom or the woman who wrote the Alice McKinely series. I don't know exactly why it's giving me that vibe, but its awesome.
4. I liked how the author based the story on actual experience, so not only are we reading a story, we're learning a lesson.
5. The un-censored high school setting took off the sugar coating and let readers who haven't been exposed to this genre see realistic dialogue and setting. I'm always looking for something fresh and pure like that, and I have only found that in TORN.
The verdict? Well do I really have to say it? I'm keeping TORN on my shelves. I would be a fool not to.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Links:
Website: www.ClosetCasePress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amberlehman73
Buy Links
Torn on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Torn-ebook/dp/B007G0IO00/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1361295637&sr=8-5&keywords=Torn+Kindle
What a WONDERFUL review! Thank you so much for hosting today!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such an AMAZING review! And thank you also for hosting TORN and me today! :)
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