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Scars

by Cheryl Rainfield (Goodreads Author)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 3,434 ratings · 567 reviews

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 c...more

Paperback, 233 pages

Published May 25th 2011 by WestSide Books (first published March 24th 2010)

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Jun 06, 2012 babyhippoface rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

I don't usually read this type of book but it was Amazon's free download of the day, so I gave it a shot. It was...okay.

Summary: Kendra cuts herself to ease the terrifying fear that overwhelms her as she tries to cope with memories of the sexual abuse she endured for years. Flashes of a man's hairy hands clutching her, his voice telling her he will kill her if she tells haunt her, and she is sure she could remember the identity of her abuser if she tried, but she is too afraid to allow herself t...more I don't usually read this type of book but it was Amazon's free download of the day, so I gave it a shot. It was...okay.

Summary: Kendra cuts herself to ease the terrifying fear that overwhelms her as she tries to cope with memories of the sexual abuse she endured for years. Flashes of a man's hairy hands clutching her, his voice telling her he will kill her if she tells haunt her, and she is sure she could remember the identity of her abuser if she tried, but she is too afraid to allow herself that knowledge. Lately, she has felt someone following her, and now threatening notes and "gifts" are appearing in her locker and bookbag. She fears she'll be killed if she remembers her abuser's identity, and especially if she reveals that identity to someone else.

Kendra attempts to cope with this personal horror through two things: therapy, and her artwork. Her therapist, Carolyn, is exceedingly kind, patient, and understanding. Their sessions provide a safe place for memories and emotions. Kendra is artistically gifted, and when she allows the art to flow the images are harsh and striking representations of her abuse. Her artist mother is critical, though. She tells Kendra no one will buy that kind of artwork; she wants her to paint "happy" images people will enjoy. Kendra never shows her mother her paintings anymore.

Kendra's father is loving and kind but is going through financial difficulties due to cutbacks at work. He may be forced to move his family to the suburbs, where the cost of living is lower. Kendra can't let that happen. If they move, she won't be able to have sessions with Carolyn anymore.

And then there's Meghan. Kendra doesn't feel so alone anymore now that she's met Meghan. In fact, she may even be in love with Meghan. (There's another reason for Mom to be critical of Kendra; she's opposed to Kendra's homosexual life choice.) She just can't move away and leave Meghan.

Kendra is tortured by constant memories of her abuse. When the pain is too intense, when she can't reach Carolyn by phone, when "his" threats are too real, she turns--no, she runs to cutting. Cutting allows the fear to bleed out. She believes she needs to cut in order to survive.

My Thoughts: Not exceptionally well-written. I predicted the identity of the abuser (but certainly not the way it played out) pretty early on. I totally buy that the author was writing from personal experience, because this felt like someone trying to tell her own story. But it seemed choppy and the ending was far too rushed and far too "happily ever after". It seemed unrealistic--Kendra's abuser is identified (quite dramatically, I will say) and taken away and suddenly she's pretty much fine with her life?

After what this family experienced, things were sorted out too quickly. A mother who failed to see on her own any hint of what was happening, who chose to ignore her child's pleas for help, who has been in denial for 13 years, suddenly accepts everything because of one horrific night? This woman should have been in shock over the events she witnessed. I expected her to remain in denial even after what she saw, but she seemed to handle everything just fine, and even embraced her daughter's lesbian girlfriend as one of the family just a few short weeks later. Not realistic. At least not to me. I honestly expected a terrible, dramatic betrayal or twist at the very end. It didn't come, and I suppose that was good, but the ending still felt too "all wrapped up" for me.

Now, I have no idea what it feels like to deal with these issues. None. So it may be fair to say I'm not qualified to make this kind of judgment. It may be fair to say that the only people who can truly appreciate a book like this are those who have lived through something similar. I couldn't say. This book was dramatic, intense at times, and occasionally compelling, but for me, not enough to elevate it above mediocrity. I have no doubt it will be therapeutic for some readers, intensely touching to others. It's just not for me.(less)

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Aug 07, 2012 Nadège Richards rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I haven't read too many abuse/self-harm-related books, but out of the very few I know this is by far the best. It started off perfectly and really dropped you in the midst of all the drama and heartache. Even though I may not be able to understand fully, Rainfield does an excellent job at painting characters with powerful words. You can tell, even from the first paragraph, that the author knows by experience what she is writing about. I think that feat makes this read all the more meaningful. Th...more

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May 16, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can think of several students to whom I would give this novel.

I would have preferred if there had been a little more in terms of character development. The relationship between Meghan and Kendra happened very quickly - a little too quickly to be entirely believable. Kendra's mother seemed one-dimensional, but whether that was a deliberate choice due to the first-person narration or due to an oversight is unclear.

All of those little problems aside, the book IS gripping. It is also very tellin...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Emilie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 10, fiction, queen-of-bedlam, ya

i don’t like the framing of an abuse survivor story as a suspense/thriller story. I don’t have a problem with the subject matter, it’s the way it’s done.

i feel ~~sort of~~ very guilty for not liking this book. Though it’s a work of fiction, the author has a note at the end letting us know that it’s ~~semi-autobiographical~~ pretty autobiographical. This annoyed me, though to be fair, I believe she is doing it because she believes this will offer young readers hope in their recovery.

The author frames...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Christina Rogne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This has got to be the GREATEST book I've ever read! This book is one I could never put down. There are twists you wouldn't expect, the discripitons pull you in to the pain and emotion, the author wrote it perfectly for my tastes in books. I can't stress enough how good this book is. I've recommended it to a few hundred, how are very interseted, and can't wait to read it. Look out DeBarger, here they come!

This book caused me to be forced into her feelings and surroundings. I felt her pain and mi...more

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Nov 08, 2010 Liza Wiemer added it · review of another edition

Shelves: post-about-the-book-on-my-blog

I recently heard the following statistics: 1 out of 4 girls are sexually abused and 1 out of 6 boys are sexually abused. Scary numbers indeed! Scars is an important, emotional story about sexual abuse and cutting. It is hard to read, but even harder to put down. Whether you or someone you know has been abused or whether you want to understand the physical/spiritual/sexual/emotional impact, this novel is IT! There is a lot of intrigue and questions as the reader is led on a journey with the MC to...more

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May 21, 2012 Renae M. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, contemporary-or-realistic-fiction, lgbt

What I Liked: This is one of those super emotional books that has you jumping up and pacing because you’re too mad/anxious to continue. For the first half of the novel, I was pretty much gnawing my fingers, hoping things would go the way I wanted them to.

In the beginning, the mixture of thriller/mystery and recovering teen seemed to work well. You got the emotional connection with Kendra and the suspense all rolled into one neat package. It might have been a risky decision on the author’s part,...more What I Liked: This is one of those super emotional books that has you jumping up and pacing because you’re too mad/anxious to continue. For the first half of the novel, I was pretty much gnawing my fingers, hoping things would go the way I wanted them to.

In the beginning, the mixture of thriller/mystery and recovering teen seemed to work well. You got the emotional connection with Kendra and the suspense all rolled into one neat package. It might have been a risky decision on the author’s part, but it seemed to work.

I also really liked the way Kendra was portrayed for the first half of the novel. Her need to cut seemed to be legitimate in its depiction, and it was defiitely very poignant and uncomfortable for me, the reader. She was a strong character and I did admire her.

What I Didn’t Like: First let me say that I have no experience with self-harm, and I cannot even begin to imagine how awful it must be to get to that point. However, from my limited experience, I do not think cutting is a good practice to engage in, for obvious reasons.

So that was why, when Kendra finally opened up to her therapist and shared that she had been cutting, I was so shocked by the therapist’s response. According to the therapist, cutting was a legitimate coping technique, and she merely cautioned Kendra to be sure to santize her blade and arm before doing it again.

Uh. Sorry, but if my daughter was engaging in self-harm, I would want her therapist to help her find alternative (and less dangerous) coping strategies, not agree that maybe cutting was her best option at this point in time.

And after that rather disturbing scene, the book really went downhill. The big reveal of Kendra’s rapist was overly-showy and dramatic (and not at all surprising), and then the glimpse of the aftermath, with Kendra now moved on with her life (but still cutting and without another coping technique to use) was very mellow and emotionless.

Verdict: I really did like Scars, and I did like Kendra and her story. The author mentions that this is autobiographical, so it could explain her defensive handling of cutting and self-harm. In any case, I do recommend this book, and I do think it was worth my time.

Read more reviews at Respiring Thoughts.(less)

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Jun 23, 2012 Maggie Desmond-O'Brien rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-with-mental-illness

As I read this book over Christmas Eve surrounded by my family that I adore, it was easy for my initial impression to be hokeyness. From Kendra's initial visit to the therapist, Scars feels too harrowing to be true. And then you read author Cheryl Rainfield's About Me page, and realize that she wrote this book from firsthand experience. Suddenly, I was riveted.

While it's not written in verse form, this book has the gritty feeling of an Ellen Hopkins novel, of a dark world seething just below the...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Wanda (Good Choice Reading) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-arc, reviewed

Scars is definitely a book that was mind boggling. While reading the first few chapters, I thought I might DNF it. And my reason for that was because I thought the author was trying to fool the readers in making us believe Kendra was being followed when in reality she was just plain paranoid. But I decided to give it a shot and keep reading. And I'm glad I did.

Scars was a raw and emotional read. It takes you inside the mind of a person who was abused. You clearly see the results of abuse with...more

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Mar 09, 2012 Angie Lisle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't hide the fact that I'm a rape victim - or that I used to be a self-mutilator (still am, depending on who you are and how you define SM - I cope now with tattoos and body piercing because it's safer than slashing up my arms or legs. It allows me to take something that makes me feel awful and turn it into art, but that doesn't always sit well with everyone else. Truth be told, I stopped cutting because I found out that one of my friends cut as well - and he scared me into turning the situa...more

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Jun 21, 2010 Nita rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I was browsing the YA section when I saw a book where the cover just grabbed me. I read the synopsis and thought that this book sounded right up my alley.
From Scars:

Kendra hasn’t felt safe since devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse began surfacing, especially because she still can’t remember the most important detail–her abuser’s identity. Kendra knows someone is always watching, following her and leaving menacing messages, and making her fear for her life. Kendra cuts to relieve the p...more I was browsing the YA section when I saw a book where the cover just grabbed me. I read the synopsis and thought that this book sounded right up my alley.
From Scars:

Kendra hasn’t felt safe since devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse began surfacing, especially because she still can’t remember the most important detail–her abuser’s identity. Kendra knows someone is always watching, following her and leaving menacing messages, and making her fear for her life. Kendra cuts to relieve the pressure; it’s how she copes, along with her brilliant, expressive artwork. Her mother is too self-absorbed to listen, so Kendra finds support elsewhere: from her therapist and her art teacher; from Sandy, a family friend who encourages her painting; and from Meghan, a friend and maybe more. Will they ever learn the truth about Kendra’s terrible secret?

Scars had me intrigued from page one. Cheryl Rainfield does an excellent capturing Kendra’s emotions, and the book is a complete page-turner. I got it yesterday and finished it around twelve in the morning–I could NOT put it down. Rainfield makes the reader care about Kendra and her situation, and adds enough suspense to keep the pages turning. There were several moments where I was gasping out loud, or felt sick to my stomach. I almost cried during several parts as well. This book is so, so powerful and affecting, and Rainfield does a good job tackling tough issues, from sexual abuse to cutting to homosexuality. The relationships between the characters are painted clearly, especially between Kendra and her mother.

Perhaps what added such a level of realism to this story is the fact that the author experienced all of this herself–in the Author’s Note in the back, she explains, “I used to cut for many of the same reasons that Kendra did: to relieve unbearable emotional pain; to escape or suppress abuse memories and their related overwhelming emotions; to keep from killing myself; and to try to feel better. I also cut to silently cry out for help and sometimes to shut myself up or to punish myself.” (In fact, if my sources are correct, I believe that that is Rainfield’s arm on the cover.)

In short: this book is beautiful and powerful, so please, please, please pick it up. And if you need more incentive, a portion of the proceeds from the book’s sales go to the Toronto Rape Crisis Center/Multicultural Women Against Rape and Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN).
(less)

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Apr 17, 2010 Kari rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a powerful, potent book that will leave you feeling twisted and flayed because this book not only dives into the horrific world of child sexual abuse, it throws in cutting. Each facet stands out, shining as brightly as its counterpart without either overtaking the other. There are books I could compare this to because they have similar subject matter- books that deal with sexual abuse and ones for cutting but rarely any that combine the two. That, alone, makes this book thrust itself for...more
This is a powerful, potent book that will leave you feeling twisted and flayed because this book not only dives into the horrific world of child sexual abuse, it throws in cutting. Each facet stands out, shining as brightly as its counterpart without either overtaking the other. There are books I could compare this to because they have similar subject matter- books that deal with sexual abuse and ones for cutting but rarely any that combine the two. That, alone, makes this book thrust itself forward. Even more notably is the somewhat autobiographical nature of it and knowing that, this book surged into me even more deeply because although it is fiction, there is obvious proof at least parts of this are based on a dark reality. Books like this can often blur the fiction/nonfiction line and this one toes it expertly, pulling the reader in and making them feel every bit of pain Kendra did- pain the author felt at one point.

For Kendra, cutting is her way of forgetting and dealing with the memories of being sexually abused as a child- her way of not remembering the face of the person who did it because that could be worse than remembering in the first place. Kendra can't say when the abuse started or when it stopped, she can't say what person did it to her- someone her family had to know given she was a young child, but she can say that it happened, she remembers parts, and it was horrific. She isn't cutting to kill herself- she's cutting because she has no other way of letting out the intense pain she feels. Rainfield does an exceptional job making this distinction and luring the reader into an understanding that while cutting is a tabooed outlet, it's an outlet for a reason. While it isn't necessarily okay, it's needed- and this book stresses that.

Also making this book stand out is how much it touches on homophobia. With not only a main character that seems to be drawn more to girls than boys- one girl in particular named Meghan- but also a strong adult male character who's gay and has a partner, this book pushes the boundaries and stresses acceptance. Acceptance of those lesbians and gays, acceptance of cutters, and acceptance of those who have suffered something so traumatic they don't know how to deal and need things to happen their way for awhile. Explanation and justification without promotion.

The plot, while initially simplistic based on the summary, is filled with twists, turns and shocking moments. Yes, the person who abused Kendra is identified and there's a point where it becomes obvious who it is- but that is about the same time Kendra starts to remember. Before that, she naturally questions any man who's been in her life long enough, taking the reader right along for the ride. While Kendra is cutting and trying to hide it, and fighting to remember, she has to deal with her parents who are as stunned as she is about the abuse. Typical teenage battles become wars almost because of the dark cloud hanging over this family, all at the hands of an unknown assailant that tormented their little girl.

Rainfield does a magnificent job building all her characters, from Kendra to her parents to Meghan and Kendra's much needed and very trusted therapist Carolyn. Each of these characters becomes a full person, realistic in the mind of the reader and made stronger by the very raw way in which Rainfield pitches Kendra, her thoughts, and her story.

I read this one straight through in one evening, gripped and pulled in from the very first page. Rainfield has done something wonderful with this novel despite the very dark, harsh topic. I highly, highly recommend it even if parts are rough to read. It will stick with you, it will make you rethink some things, and it will keep the notion that sexual abuse can happen to anyone, at any time in your mind.(less)

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Mar 28, 2010 Terry added it · review of another edition

Shelves: need-teen-reviewer, ya-12-and-up, z-2010-books

From my review on Scrub-a-Dub-Tub From the covers, you would never guess that there are any connections between Dancing in the Snow and Scars. Let me just say there is darkness in each one and bright, colorful moments, too. Each of the stories features a middle school girl who is struggling to understand and get past abuse.

Like Min (Dancing Through the Snow), Kendra is also searching for “normal.” She was molested as a child, but cannot remember her attacker. Through counseling and her art, she...more From my review on Scrub-a-Dub-Tub From the covers, you would never guess that there are any connections between Dancing in the Snow and Scars. Let me just say there is darkness in each one and bright, colorful moments, too. Each of the stories features a middle school girl who is struggling to understand and get past abuse.

Like Min (Dancing Through the Snow), Kendra is also searching for “normal.” She was molested as a child, but cannot remember her attacker. Through counseling and her art, she is getting closer to identifying her assailant … and he knows it because he is stalking her and sending her reminders – “never tell, or I’ll kill you.” As her anxiety soars, so does her need to cut herself to stop the pain. Kendra’s relationship with her mother was never close, and her doubts about the abuse have not helped Kendra. Now, with her father losing his job, they want to cut back on expenses by ending Kendra’s counseling – the thing helping her the most. Kendra is also hiding her relationship with Meghan because her parents won’t accept that she is gay. They blame the abuse for “causing” it.

Unlike Min, Kendra’s journey to overcoming sexual abuse is central to the plot. Kendra is more “defined” by it, as it is all consuming in her life. That said, Cheryl Rainfield’s emphasis is not on the acts themselves; Kendra’s flashbacks are “snapshot” memories: an arm, a whisper. The story is built on the aftermath: her own frustrations and fears about identifying her attacker and getting past the abuse; the environment at home, her relationship with her counselor, relationships at school, and her friends – both adult and peer.

Rainfield does an exceptional job helping the reader understand Kendra, both as a typical teen struggling with growing up, and also as a young girl who is harming herself to deal with being a victim of sexual abuse. She makes it clear that these kinds of pains are too big to handle “alone.” Kendra tells the story in first person, so there is a lot of dialogue … just the kind of conversation you need to hear. There are multiple examples of counseling sessions. She finds quiet, non-judgemental support in Mrs. Archer, her art teacher, and Sandy, a long-time artist friend of her mother’s. Sandy, who is gay, is Kendra’s refuge. She knows she always has a safe place to go. Sandy also helps her sell her art so she can continue to pay for counseling on her own.

Both girls are very “real,” and I finished the books happy and hopeful for each of them. Min’s story is a little more predictable, as you’re fairly certain that she will become Jessica’s daughter. Kendra’s journey is different, but equally hopeful. At the end of Scars, Cheryl Rainfield offers an author’s note about her own “unbearable emotional pain,” and that she cut herself, too. She also includes an outstanding list of resources for parents, counselors, and teens.

Both Dancing Through the Snow and Scars are exceptional stories for middle grade and young adult, respectively. [The graphic descriptions of cutting require a more mature audience.:] Min is a character who will appeal to girls; Kendra’s persona, to my mind, is more universal. They are great read-to-yourself books, but they also lend themselves to small group and book-club-like discussions. They are also ideal candidates for a parent-teen book club and dormant readers. I couldn’t put either book down!(less)

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Mar 24, 2013 Setrilin Alvarado rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I couldn't stop reading this book. I think I read it in about 2 days.
I thought the story was pretty realistic. The romance was a good addition, I feel, because it doesn't revolve around problems and it gives a sense of hope to the protagonist. This book is a mix of mystery, romance, and drama which is why I absolutely love the book. The ending, however, is almost surreal. It's something you would usually only ever see in movies and the problem with it is that it almost drifts away from the entir...more I couldn't stop reading this book. I think I read it in about 2 days.
I thought the story was pretty realistic. The romance was a good addition, I feel, because it doesn't revolve around problems and it gives a sense of hope to the protagonist. This book is a mix of mystery, romance, and drama which is why I absolutely love the book. The ending, however, is almost surreal. It's something you would usually only ever see in movies and the problem with it is that it almost drifts away from the entire book. It's kind of like it wasn't meant to be there and it was actually changed so that it was a much happier ending.

SPOILERS.
The entire book is basically about a teenage girl coping with molestation and rape. She feels someone is following her which proves to be true when she finds a note in her bag. Whenever she begins to remember the horrific memories of when she was a child she resorts to cutting herself. You later find out that she cuts herself because her abuser taught her to. Early in the books she becomes friends with a girl named Meghan and this friendship then turns into a relationship. The romance appears rather quickly but it's not uncommon for teenagers to fall in love very fast. Kendra (the protagonist) has to deal with figuring out who her abuser is throughout the book accusing several male figures in her life. Her mother is almost distant and very insensitive towards Kendra's artwork she is also sort of a homophobe. Her father is much more caring and listens to Kendra and Kendra can trust in him more than she can her own mother. Kendra is also seeing a psychiatrist, Caroline. Caroline is understanding, patient, and caring. Kendra wishes Caroline was her mother but she also says the same about her art teacher. Kendra doesn't only confide in Caroline but she also confides in Meghan. Meghan helps Kendra but Caroline is almost a mother figure to Kendra sharing a bit more with her than with Meghan. At one point Kendra remembers that the man who abused her had black curly hair on his leg and at another she can almost see his face but she stops. This shows that her flashbacks get more horrific and meaning more now than ever needs the help of Caroline. Around the same time her father is left without a job and the family needs to cut back on expenses also cutting her sessions with Caroline completely. Towards the end Caroline needs to talk with Kendra's parents. As Kendra listens she looks down and looks beside her and there is a leg with black curly hair. She finally figures out her abuser is her own father. Basically from here it begins to go downhill I feel for me. Everything is fast paced like it should be but the father makes it very obvious that he knows but Caroline is oblivious until Kendra mouths to her that she's in danger. In the home Kendra's mother blames Kendra for him not loving her anymore. It's kind of hints to the fact that she knew already but didn't want to do anything about it. Well a gun and police are involved etc.. The ending is basically that Meghan ends up living with Kendra and her mother. Kendra and her mother now have a decent relationship yada yada yada. I didn't really like the ending because it was ridiculous and unreal. I know for a fact if I was in Kendra's position I would never want to speak to my mom again. The ending is the reason I have this 4 stars and not 5. All in all it's a great read and it's worth it.(less)

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Mar 13, 2013 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Imagine never ring able to feel safe not anywhere, not even in your own home. Your mother being to caught up in her own life to even acknowledge your existence let alone the discomfort you are feeling. Imagine being sexually abused your entire childhood, but never being able to identify your abuser, what's if your adviser was stalking you and knew every detail of your life? What if you lived Kendra's life?

Kendra, 15, struggles on a day to day basis just to get by. She goes through everyday in f...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Sheli Ellsworth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-reviews

Cheryl Rainfield’s account of a teenage cutter is a poignant, fictionalized story based the author’s own self-harming episodes. Fifteen-year-old Kendra is struggling to recall the identity of her sexual abuser. She has suppressed the memory of the abuse to a point where the only relief she has is self-mutilation. Kendra, who is also struggling with relationship and sexual issues, is fortunate to find support from her therapist and her art teacher. Her parents seem willing to support the therapy...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Carmen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Scars by Cherryl Rainfield
Pages: 275.
Gener: depression
Exposion: Its about this girl who when she was little got raped. She has a therapist to talk about her problmes. She cuts her self for fell somthing to relase all of her pain. She feels so alone. She tells her therapist that she doesnt know who raped her but deap down she knows just cant say. Another way she releases her pain if by art she paints her dreams but she doesnt know. She sells them to this dinner for money.
conflics: She is at her t...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Justina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book I read for project read was very intriguing. It was scary and beautiful at the same time. This book is about a 15 year old girl named Kendra, who was sexually abused but doesn’t recall her abuser. Her abuser starts to send her things like messages, iPods with threatening voice messages, and a handkerchief that brings back memories from her rape. Kendra uses art, therapy and self-harm to cope with this struggle. Kendra loves to see her therapist because she wants to get help with her pro...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Crystal Strode rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Any teen and perhaps young adult

Recommended to Crystal by: Library

Shelves: favorites

This book, oh man, I love these kind of books, the books I can relate to with so much ease. Scars was a book I got from my School Library during my Freshmen year,thinking it was another book to have with Cutting. I was absolutely wrong. But I read the entire books anyways, because I have relation to sexual abuse, though it shocked me in the end when I found out who the offender was, but in the back of my mind I think I KNEW it would be HIM, if you couldn't tell, I'm not going to spoil this book...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Eraser rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this book up in a hurry, and because it was the first thing I had in my hand. Typically, I'm not into these types of books.

The cutting part was...eh. The idea of using it to keep someone quiet was pretty...wow. I read the author's note at the end, and I'm sorry she had to experience that.

I floated through the book. (view spoiler)...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Lindsay Kendal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I downloaded this book free from Amazon. This is kind of book I normally read, but something about it drew me in.
I found this to be a very interesting read. The story is centred around Kendra. A young girl of 15 who is currently receiving therapy after being abused as a child. Kendra and her therapist are trying to find out who her abuser was, by rebuilding gaps in her memory and trying to get Kendra over her fear of this person, thus allowing her to open up more and learn his identity. There i...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Stephanie Ward rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, owned, ebook

I honestly don't know where to start with this review. This book is one of the best I've read so far this year - maybe one of the best I've ever read. It completely and absolutely blew me away. I applaud Cheryl Rainfield for her remarkable writing and the compassion with which she wrote the story.

'Scars' is a deeply moving story about Kendra, a fifteen year old girl who has suffered at the hands of a sexual abuser since she was a very little girl. To deal with the pain and the flashes of memorie...more I honestly don't know where to start with this review. This book is one of the best I've read so far this year - maybe one of the best I've ever read. It completely and absolutely blew me away. I applaud Cheryl Rainfield for her remarkable writing and the compassion with which she wrote the story.

'Scars' is a deeply moving story about Kendra, a fifteen year old girl who has suffered at the hands of a sexual abuser since she was a very little girl. To deal with the pain and the flashes of memories that flood her, she cuts herself. She does this to cope - not to try to commit suicide. Along with not fitting in at school and not being able to connect with her parents, Kendra also must deal with the fact that she is a lesbian. Her parents believe it might be a phase or a product of her sexual abuse. Then Kendra meets Meghan, who teaches her to believe in herself and makes her finally feel happy again.

This story deals with really heavy and serious subjects such as sexual abuse and self-harming in the form of cutting. Self-harm is a very stigmatized subject in our society and the fact that Rainfield talks about it in such a compassionate way really moved me. In her author's note, Rainfield discloses to the reader that she used to be a cutter herself. I believe that it is due to this fact that she was able to write about cutting with such poignancy and tact. People shy away from the subject, but Rainfield introduces the reader to the real reasons people cut and what makes them do so. Readers will get an insider look at the thoughts and emotions that people who cut deal with. It is such a compassionate look at this problem and I cannot praise Rainfield enough for writing about it in such an amazing way.

On top of the subject of self-harm is the very difficult subject of sexual abuse, and in this case, of a child. The reader is immediately empathetic to Kendra and her difficult life. We cheer her on to stay strong and to remember who abused her so she will find justice. In the end, Kendra and the reader discover who the abuser was, and it is terrifying and liberating at the same time. My heart literally ached for Kendra and her pain in this novel. It is written with such heartfelt insight and from such a deeply personal level that it was hard not to completely lose myself in the story - which I did. The storyline was fresh and dealt with very difficult topics, but it was amazingly well written and the storyline was filled with tension, which keeps the reader eagerly turning pages until the very end. Truthfully, I couldn't stop thinking about this book long after I read it. It had a very personal and powerful effect on me and it will be a book I re-read many times throughout my life. I highly highly recommend this book to anyone who knows someone that has dealt with abuse and/or self-harm, as well as to anyone who personally deals with those same issues. It will open your heart and your eyes to some very real problems going on in our world today and you will come away with a new understanding and compassion for those who suffer from them.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Jun 25, 2012 Allie Batts rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My review, posted on Bookshelf Bombshells:
http://bookshelfbombshells.com/quicki...

"I almost envy you your scars,” Meghan says. “They’re something visible, something you can point to, to show how much you hurt. Something that lasts longer than a bruise. I don’t have that.”

Scars is a well-written YA novel whose main flaw is that it bites off more than it has time to chew on, muddling the message it is trying to send. As the name implies, the major theme in the novel is self-harm. Kendra Marshall i...more My review, posted on Bookshelf Bombshells:
http://bookshelfbombshells.com/quicki...

"I almost envy you your scars,” Meghan says. “They’re something visible, something you can point to, to show how much you hurt. Something that lasts longer than a bruise. I don’t have that.”

Scars is a well-written YA novel whose main flaw is that it bites off more than it has time to chew on, muddling the message it is trying to send. As the name implies, the major theme in the novel is self-harm. Kendra Marshall is a teenager who has recently disclosed to her parents that she was repeatedly molested by a close family friend. The problem is, she can’t remember who he is and thinks that he may be stalking her to ensure her silence. To cope with the stress of the abuse, Kendra cuts to soothe her inner chaos.

With the dicey subject matter of Scars, a simplification of the story and a focus on its two main themes would have benefited the story’s overall impact greatly. There are secondary themes of strained parental relationships, art as therapy, alcoholism, physical abuse, and homosexuality. In fact, the subplot is a wonderfully tender love story, as Kendra realizes she is a lesbian and grows stronger through her love for Meghan — so strong that I wish the author had saved it for another novel, because its inclusion makes it too easy to “blame” Kendra’s rape for her homosexuality.

The climax is way, way over the top, almost condescending in what it asks the reader to believe. Once the abuser is revealed, the action of the story’s climax builds in a way that’s both unbelievable and outright silly, which detracts from all the good things about the story that the author has worked so hard to achieve up to this point. It’s almost as though she doesn’t trust the reader to be able to take away something meaningful from a climax and resolution that aren’t fraught with hyperbole and YA cliches.

Scars starts off with the potential to be a well-written, emotionally complex novel, and it’s a shame that it couldn’t deliver on its promise, because there are so many points in the storyline where the author could have deviated from the formulaic contrivances of YA fiction and created something more memorable than what the reader is left with on the last page.

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Jun 15, 2012 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is deep, dark and terrifying. I was left feeling emotionally exhausted after I’d finished it. It covers the topics of sexual abuse, self-injury and homosexuality.

Kendra has started remembering her abuse, she’s trying to remember who abused her while at the same time retreating from the memories. When she starts to remember she cuts herself to stop the memories. She’s also being stalked by her abuser, who’s trying to scare her into not remembering. At the same time as all this, she’s f...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Roxanne Galpin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: abuse, art, contemporary, love, gblt, netgalley, relationships

I read this book on my eReader while sitting in Starbucks. It riveted me to my seat. And released me only when I'd finished. I felt as though I was holding my breath as I flew through this book. It's a powerful story, written in an evocative style of language. Scars tells the story of pain, of pain so horrific that no language exists to describe it. I loved the author's use of art as a language, a medium for Kendra to purge her soul and reach for the truth of her past. I love also the mystery s...more

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May 22, 2012 Ginny rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, dealing-with-abuse, difficult-subject-rape, e-book, parents-to-not-like, nook, lgbt

One word to describe this book? RAW

Kendra has been raped and sexually abused for ten years. But she does not remember who did it to her. Therapy sessions are helping her to uncover who did it, but it doesn't help that she is being stalked by her attacker.

Kendra has two outlets for her pain: art and cutting. Her parents, while they know what happened to her are absolutely clueless as to what she is going through. Her mom is detached and wants everything to be fixed NOW and doesn't understand why...more

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May 21, 2012 Marius Viktor Aragon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rating: 3/5 stars

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 hig...more

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May 16, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Mallory Anne-Marie by: Great Minds Think Aloud

Shelves: may-2012-reads

"Scars" is a glorious recounting of an adolescent girl’s travails with awakening, and awakened, memory. I call it glorious because it so precisely delineates the events, emotions, thoughts, paranoia, justifiable fears, anger, resentment, that Kendra undergoes. Her classmates, mother, therapist, and much older gay friend Sandy are so true-to-life. Her budding friendship with classmate Meghan, also a survivor (and current victim) is precious and hope-inspiring. Kendra’s slowly awakening-yet haltin...more

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May 14, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Scars isn’t your typical flossy fun, YA read but a powerful, potent book with an important message for young teens who go to cutting for relief from the emotional pain inside.Cheryl Rainfield makes the plot initially simplistic based on the summary but is filled with twists, turns and shocking moments.

My thoughts

This novel deals with many issues such as cutting, rape, abuse, and homosexuality. Reainfield's book doesn’t overburden itself to become a multi-issue agenda piece disguised as a novel,...more

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May 06, 2012 Monica! rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reasonably-realistic, read-in-2012, you-go-girl, whodunit, your-reality-alarms-me, this-must-be-what-pain-feels-like, paul-is-definitely-gay, brothers-make-the-best-lovers

Dang it.

I had a whole review planned out as I was reading Scars, friends, and it went sort of along these lines:

“Good lord, author, way to be a drama queen. What, it wasn’t enough to just write about a teen having self-harm problems? You had to add in (view spoiler) and (view spoiler) and (view spoiler) and (view spoiler) and (view spoiler)...more

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YA LGBT Books: * April BotM - Scars Spoilers Mature Content - SELF-HARM / ABUSE	4	47	Apr 07, 2013 08:07am
Tough topic	8	68	Nov 10, 2012 11:54pm

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“Other times, I look at my scars and see something else: a girl who was trying to cope with something horrible that she should never have had to live through at all. My scars show pain and suffering, but they also show my will to survive. They're part of my history that'll always be there.” — 89 people liked it

“You can see when someone's been hurt the way I was. It's obvious. Something changes in their eyes; pain becomes their center, even when they try to hide it.” — 29 people liked it

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