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Willow

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 14,108 ratings · 1,325 reviews

Los padres de Willow murieron en un trágico accidente de coche, dejándola no solo con el dolor que supone enfrentarse a una pérdida sino también con el peso de la culpabilidad, ya que era ella quien conducía.
Ocho meses después, su hermano mayor casi no le habla, cree que sus compañeros de clase le culpan por lo ocurrido y Willow se evade del sufrimiento con el que carga ma...more

Paperback, 335 pages

Published September 2009 by Ambar (first published April 2nd 2009)

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Mar 15, 2009 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-arc, books-i-own, signed-arcs

I’m not even sure where to start this review. I’ve honestly written this review almost five times and haven’t been happy with what I’ve spit out. I’m not sure I can do this book justice. To say that it was spectacular would be an understatement. To say that I had a hard time putting it down, widely understated! Yet, why? Because in all seriousness, reading a story about a ‘cutter’ didn’t really appeal to me. I mean sure it sounded interesting, and I’ve read books about eating disorders, drugs, s...more

42 likes · like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Heather rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, ya

I took my time in reviewing Willow. I wanted to be certain of my thoughts on it’s content and the rating I gave to said content. Though the ending was satisfying, I can’t deny that for the majority of the book, I was angered, not at Willow, but at the author. Nonetheless, I talked myself out of giving Willow the three stars I felt the author deserved because it felt wrong to punish great characters. But after much thought, I have decided that Willow does indeed deserve a three star rating.

Willow...more I took my time in reviewing Willow. I wanted to be certain of my thoughts on it’s content and the rating I gave to said content. Though the ending was satisfying, I can’t deny that for the majority of the book, I was angered, not at Willow, but at the author. Nonetheless, I talked myself out of giving Willow the three stars I felt the author deserved because it felt wrong to punish great characters. But after much thought, I have decided that Willow does indeed deserve a three star rating.

Willow is a senior in a brand new high school. She keeps to herself, avoiding any and all contact with her former friends. The one person she wishes to remain close to is her brother, but after rendering them both parentless in a fateful car accident, Willow can’t bring herself to bridge the communication gap that seems to have befallen them. Willow is convinced that her brother blames her for their parent’s death and that his superficial treatment of her is due to that contemptuous blame. Willow doesn’t blame her brother for hating her. She hates herself. Worse, she envies her brother. Unlike her, he can unleash his grief, sobbing loudly to himself each night while he sits in their kitchen. Willow can’t bring herself to cry. Its as though she has forgotten how. Willow finds her release in the form of a razor. When the sharp steel meets her flesh, Willow can find strength to continue on in her pointless existence, that is until Guy, an intelligent, sensitive fellow senior grants her a potential lease on life.

There was some truly remarkable writing at work in Willow. Such vivid, honest description that I felt wretched for even considering giving it three stars. It somehow seems criminal to do so but…The author of this book is doing a terrible disservice to anyone who truly suffers from this illness or one similar.

***spoiler alert***

While it is wonderful that Willow finally seemingly gives up her cutting, I can’t help but think she never would have done so if it weren’t for Guy. That’s not how it should be. In fact, anyone struggling with an addiction or disease similar to the one that Willow faces within this book are advised by professionals not engage in romantic relationships until they have become self reliant in battling their disease. What would have happened to Willow had she not have had Guy? What will happen to Willow if their relationship were to fall apart? And how unfair is it to Guy to have the responsibility of Willow’s mental health fall on his shoulders? Contrary to popular opinion, I did not find their romance appealing, or even healthy for either party. And I’m sorry, it wasn’t at all realistic. No teenage guy would form a romantic attachment to anyone with Willow’s illness knowingly. The fact that she cuts is the first real thing Guy learns about Willow and yet he pursues her when, let’s face it, most would flee, as they should to be frank. All in all, I can’t help but feel that this author has done an extreme disservice to the issue of cutting as she did not address the healing aspect in a responsible light. Nor was the central relationship remotely realistic.
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Jul 01, 2011 1luvbooks rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 25, 2010 Morgan F rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, 2000s, young-adult, ive-got-issues, read-2010, its-a-girl, characters-i-wanna-shoot, medium-sized, realistic

Everything changed on that rainy March night seven months ago. Willow's parents were tipsy and asked her to drive home, a decision that would cost them their lives. Ever since then, Willow has felt disconnected from the world. Her only reprieve is in mutilating her own body, one cut at a time. But everything changes when she meets Guy, the only one with whom she can possibly share her secret.

I did not like Willow. Not the book, the character. She was a whiny little biotch. I understand that I p...more Everything changed on that rainy March night seven months ago. Willow's parents were tipsy and asked her to drive home, a decision that would cost them their lives. Ever since then, Willow has felt disconnected from the world. Her only reprieve is in mutilating her own body, one cut at a time. But everything changes when she meets Guy, the only one with whom she can possibly share her secret.

I did not like Willow. Not the book, the character. She was a whiny little biotch. I understand that I probably should pity her, her being responsible for her parents deaths and all, but she makes it so damn hard. It's not the cutting that makes her so unlikable. Even though I am not a cutter myself, I understand the concept and have friends who indulge in it. It's just her view of the world. She expected the whole damn universe to revolve around her. She whined about people being inconsiderate around her and about how no one "got her". But Willow was always wrong about others. She judged them before they could judge her. I didn't understand her logic most of the time. And I hate how she would always go "well, I killed my parents." You're not the only who has ever lost anyone, Willow. You are not the only person in the world who is grieving. I just wanted her to get over herself. Though admittedly, I did like her considerably more by the novel's end.

Based on the character of Willow alone, this book would have gotten two stars. Thankfully, the intense writing and topic made me really like it. The writing flowed really well, and its interesting how this book was in third person instead of the expected first person. Of course, cutting is an always disturbing, intriguing topic, as much as you wish that it wasn't.

And Guy might have been too perfect, but he was sweet and sensitive without being gay (glances at her copy of Shiver). But I felt sorry for the poor guy (hehe, pun). He was stuck with Willow. And I also liked David and all the literary references.

One more thing that didn't quite fly with me was the end. A spoiler is coming up, so AVERT YOUR EYES. Okay, so teenage sex. It happens a lot. A lot a lot. So why encourage it? "Guy, we need to sleep together because I'm sad." "Okay then." *they do it* "Okay, I'm all better." "Okay, then." Just a little bit of WTF.

Overall, parts of this book and others parts I didn't like at all (aka Willow). But it is a good book, no doubt about that. It has a powerful, intense theme that I'm sure teenagers (especially cutters looking to relate) will eat up.
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Jan 09, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, skimmed-or-unfinished, read-2011

This one just didn't grab me. Ended up skimming most of it.

6 likes · like · see review

May 31, 2012 jo mo rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, reviews, 2-stars, stories-or-books-in-books, young-adult

[...] she's breathing shallowly. she watches as the blood springs from the cut she's making, but it doesn't change anything. not this time. she swipes again, deeper. now she feels pain, but will it be enough?

a few months ago, willow lost her parents in a terrible car accident. knowing that she was the one who drove the car makes it so much worse, because she has no one but herself to blame for the death of her father and mother. now, she has to live with her older brother david and his family...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Emma rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I try not to be a poisonous witch about my reviews, but my GOD the writing was CRAP. I'm so sorry. I just hate it when books about really serious issues, like self-injury and death, are written in the exact same way as stupid brain-killing teen chick flick fluff. I should stop right n-

YOU CAN'T JUST QUIT CUTTING YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU FALL IN LOVE. That's not how it works. Willow's psychological profile is all over the map. Serious addict to cutting who meets some cute boy, hands him her heart and...more

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Jul 03, 2010 Natalie (Mindful Musings) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Which is worse? Drowning in your own misery or allowing yourself to be swallowed by numbness?

If you read nothing else in this review, read this line: Willow is one of the best books I've read. EVER. In the span of a few hundred pages, Julia Hoban manages to address and explain one of the most pressing issues that plagues teenagers today: self-injury. She does so not by approaching the subject in an aloof, clinical manner, but by making it personal.

If you've ever wondered what could possibly driv...more Which is worse? Drowning in your own misery or allowing yourself to be swallowed by numbness?

If you read nothing else in this review, read this line: Willow is one of the best books I've read. EVER. In the span of a few hundred pages, Julia Hoban manages to address and explain one of the most pressing issues that plagues teenagers today: self-injury. She does so not by approaching the subject in an aloof, clinical manner, but by making it personal.

If you've ever wondered what could possibly drive a person to self-mutilation, Willow does a wonderful job of showing the reasons behind the problem. You will never look at the phrase "cutting" in the same way again. I'm not going to lie: this book was difficult to read at times...not because it was poorly written or boring...but because it broke my heart. The issues that the main character, Willow, deals with are not simple ones. They're deep, complex, and don't have an easy, clear-cut solution.

Willow was one of the most vivid, realistic characters to ever grace the pages of a young adult book. I felt her pain, her rare moments of happiness, and her despair at feeling the grief caused by her parents' deaths. If anything could ever show just how damaged some of these girls are, this book is it.

Apart from being a wonderful book, I really think that Willow has the potential to help girls who suffered from problems similar to the ones addressed in this novel. Very few teenage girls with these kind of issues want to read a self-help book, go to a counselor, or talk to their parents. From the point of view of someone who's dealt with close friends and family members who've had similar problems, what they want most is for someone to truly understand them; and that is something that is extremely difficult for people who haven't gone through the experience themselves. The best part about Willow is that it has a redemptive quality about it: no matter how long the problem has gone on; no matter how you think it's never going to stop; there IS a way to control it, and to end the suffering that comes along with it.

Read this book. That's all I can really say.

In a Sentence

Willow is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that will leave you thinking about it long after you've turned the last page.

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Apr 23, 2009 The Dreamer Reader rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: already-reviewed

Holy freaking (insert swear word here)!!

The Good: Be prepared for some serious fan-girl gushing! Also, this review in no way justifies how much I loved this book.

For a debut author, Julia has blown all the other authors, regardless if it's their first or not, WAY out of the water! Once I started Willow, I could not put it down. It's like Green Eggs and Ham. I read Willow when I sat on a stool, I read Willow lounging by the pool, I read Willow here and there, I read Willow FREAKING EVERYWHERE.

Sec...more Holy freaking (insert swear word here)!!

The Good: Be prepared for some serious fan-girl gushing! Also, this review in no way justifies how much I loved this book.

For a debut author, Julia has blown all the other authors, regardless if it's their first or not, WAY out of the water! Once I started Willow, I could not put it down. It's like Green Eggs and Ham. I read Willow when I sat on a stool, I read Willow lounging by the pool, I read Willow here and there, I read Willow FREAKING EVERYWHERE.

Secondly, the cutting. Holy crap, I never expected it to be so haunting! As much as I am against cutting, I could see where Willow was coming from. It was a hard subject to write about, but Julia Hoban does it with such grace and elegance. She doesn't sugar-coat the issue, I think that was one of the reasons why Willow is so fresh in my mind. She gave us the truth and the way that she portrayed Willow's cutting, made me absolutely entranced in the story. Near the end, she tells about the first time she cut. And I swear, I gasped and got goosebumps.

The way Willow grieved was real. Fortunately for me, I have never lost a parent but, Willow had such a sense of reality about her. Sometimes, you want to smack her in the head and shout, "Why do you do this to yourself?!" but that urge is quickly smothered because Willow is just so darn likable!

The last sentence... wow. Yay for possibilities!

The Bad: I really cannot think of anything wrong with this book!

However, I do have a little complaint. I did not like Guy that much. I know I'll probably get shot for that, but he was just too perfect! It seemed that he no faults, whatsoever! Don't get me wrong, I ABSOLUTELY ADORE him! I just wished he had some faults like... he wore socks with his sandals or something. I think that would've made him more appealing and so much more human. Not to mention, Willow and him would be a slight more equal. I still love him, I just wish he wasn't so damn perfect!

Another complaint of mine is the ending. It was a good one... after I read a couple times. It sort of made me go, "Was that really it?" the first time.

Overall: Willow is a remarkable book that is moving and will leave an imprint on you for a long time. Honestly, Willow is one of the best books I've read all year. If you have not bought Willow, may the Gods of Literature guilt you into buying it!

Grade: A(less)

35 likes · like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Mesa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’m going to say this outright: I loved this book! It was kind of slow in the beginning, but it picked up fast. This book was fascinating, so intense and sad. It is a great eye opener!

Willow blamed herself for her parents’ death because she was the one who was driving the car that got her parents killed. I felt bad for Willow because she started to cut herself to make her feel better, whenever she’s sad, instead of talking to her brother or anyone, she cut herself. When Guy found out she was a c...more

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Apr 15, 2010 Jillian -always aspiring- rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: stories-with-a-message, 2010-reads, reviewed

When I initially started Willow, I was reminded of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson -- but this story seemed much more "real" to me than the faux-fantasy feel which was sprinkled throughout the prose of Wintergirls. Julia Hoban is not a "fanciful" writer -- at least not with Willow -- but she knows how to use her words to cut past initial judgments and predispositions to attack at the heart of the reader. The cutting analogy is very apt, of course, because that is precisely what Hoban's hero...more When I initially started Willow, I was reminded of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson -- but this story seemed much more "real" to me than the faux-fantasy feel which was sprinkled throughout the prose of Wintergirls. Julia Hoban is not a "fanciful" writer -- at least not with Willow -- but she knows how to use her words to cut past initial judgments and predispositions to attack at the heart of the reader. The cutting analogy is very apt, of course, because that is precisely what Hoban's heroine Willow does: she cuts. She is a cutter, marring her own flesh to numb the painful emotions she will not allow herself to feel.

While you may think, "Okay, I'm not going to read this because I don't agree with that" -- let me tell you right now that that reasoning is just the kind of closed-off communication that jumpstarted this heroine to cutting herself in the first place. Her parents both died in a car crash -- and Willow was the one driving. She is then left in the guardianship of an older brother who cannot bring himself to speak to her about what has transpired in her life to change it so drastically -- and, thus, feeling that she had no other outlet to turn towards, Willow begins her "unholy union" with the razor. This is a girl who is not meant to be judged but rather should be given a chance to be understood because there are so many girls (and, lest we forget, boys) who bear the weight of self-harm in today's society because -- for various reasons -- they feel that they have no other way of expressing their pain except on their own bodies. Lack of communication is the quickest way to send anyone down this path -- just as much as lack of empathy will make those who do harm themselves feel more alienated and obscured. (Ahem. Sorry, I like to rant.)

Willow, however, is lucky because she is not left alienated; rather, she is slowly enlightened throughout the course of this story because of one empathetic soul she happens to meet by chance: a boy named Guy (unfortunate name, in my opinion) who eventually finds out Willow's secret . . . and -- surprise, surprise -- decides to do anything he can to help her through her turmoil.

The "journey" itself is a bit rocky, of course. Yes, I was frustrated with Willow at multiple points in the story. (And, yes, I was doubty frustrated with her brother David.) Yes, there were times I thought, "Why don't you just give up on her already, Guy?" (Some may argue that Guy is "too perfect" -- but I would say, "What other type of person could/would have tried to help Willow?") Yes, there were times I had to put the book down and walk away (thus that is why it took me over a week to finish it since I kept leaving it and then coming back to it). But was it worth reading and following the journey? Oh, yes, it was.

Here's the nice thing about this book: Willow is a bit of an empty shell when we first meet her. Then, through her interactions with Guy, she becomes much more "human" in her words and feelings (or so I thought, anyway). I would never say that a female can only reach self-actualization through a male -- but, indeed, that was partly the case here. Willow had "lost" herself, but -- somehow, some way -- Guy began to help her "find" herself again. Hope somehow slowly begins to dawn again in Willow's life, and we're left to wonder, "Will it last?" (You'll need to read the book yourself to find out.)

(As far as writing goes -- I'm still iffy about the third-person present tense style. I think the book MIGHT have been better off as first-person past tense -- but that's just my opinion.)

Anyway -- this book gets four stars from me because it's just one of those books where the message and theme transcend the flaws. Definitely worth picking up.(less)

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Mar 23, 2010 Sammee (I Want to Read That) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Scarred was one of those books I had such high expectations for and it still managed to exceed them all. From the first page I found myself completely immersed in the story and didn’t want to stop reading until the end. Even 320 pages later I found myself disappointed that it had finished. I just loved everything about it and know it will be one of those books I read again and again.

Usually I prefer first person narrative so I was surprised when I got half way through this novel and only just no...more Scarred was one of those books I had such high expectations for and it still managed to exceed them all. From the first page I found myself completely immersed in the story and didn’t want to stop reading until the end. Even 320 pages later I found myself disappointed that it had finished. I just loved everything about it and know it will be one of those books I read again and again.

Usually I prefer first person narrative so I was surprised when I got half way through this novel and only just noticed it was written in third person. I think this is because will still get the whole story from Willow’s point of view and are privy to everything she is feeling. I loved how Julia Hoban created this character. Since the story is such a character driven piece it was essential that Willow felt real and this is where the book excels. I don’t think I have a read a book with character that felt more real. She came across with all her complexities and flaws - it was just amazing. The other characters were equally brilliant. Her brother’s grief was almost palpable and Guy was just such a lovable character who was so good and nice you could understand completely how he could be such a positive influence to Willow

The story is essentially about Willow's grief over the death of her parents and the fact that she was driving the car that killed them. Blaming herself and believing no one should forgive her, including her brother, she finds an outlet for her emotions. Self harm. Reading those scenes was just brutal. I think that is the best word to describe how I felt. I applaud Hoban for dealing with a subject that is still such a taboo and hopefully managing to throw light on it. It definitely opened my eyes.

There are some scenes that really stand out for me. A confrontation between Willow and her brother had me so overwhelmed I had to put the book down for a few minutes before I could read on - I was just so invested in the story and Willow’s journey it felt as if her pain was mine. There were also some incredibly sweet moments between Willow and Guy and I just loved their relationship.

Reading over what I have written it still feels as if I haven’t done the book the justice it deserves. It made me smile, cry, wish will all my heart that things could be different for Willow, just so many different emotions. It’s not just one of the best books I have read this year but one of the best I've ever read. Truly brilliant.
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Jan 15, 2013 Trisha rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: a-z-challenge, ya-book-club-a-z-challenge

This is a tough book to read. And my rating, although low, DOES NOT reflect the quality of this book! Please, don't let it stop you from reading it.

My rating is only how this book was to me. And I just had too many concerns about some things...and this topic is a very tough one and will effect each person differently.

I hate when the main character is so troubled i want to simultaneously shake her and hug her.

But more than that, I think - I'm on page 112 - I want to shake Guy. When? when will som...more

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May 31, 2011 Tracy rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrow, ebooks, young-adult

I think I have officially found the worst book I have ever read. This book was even worse than the dreadful Prescription for Romance. TARDIS should be grateful that I love her dearly and would never harm an expensive possession of mine, because if this had been a physical book, I would've been hurling it at the wall.

Now that I've officially raised (lowered?) expectations, let's get on to the actual review, shall we?

Willow is struggling to cope after the death of her parents in a horrible car acc...more

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Jan 15, 2011 Riley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, young-adult

3.5 stars, really. Okay, the first 1/3 is way too slow -- bogged down by Willow's internal thoughts, and made distant by the third person, present tense narrative voice -- but the last 2/3 is great. Once Willow and Guy really start to interact, we're pulled more into the STORY, and out of Willow's self-disparaging, paranoid head. The first 100 pages took me like a month to drag myself through, but then I finished the last 200 pages last night and this morning, and I quite enjoyed them.

I think Ho...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Maitha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

Willow is a book my words fail to describe .In other words , no words can describe this book . Willow is more than a beautiful story with amazing characters and heart breaking and uplifting moments . it's more . i never thought that i would love this book so much . i never thought that i would be so effected .i never thought that it would go through and through me . i never thought that i would feel pain it self when pain cuts through the characters i love .i never thought i'd feel such joy when...more

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Dec 03, 2012 andii* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Este es un libro que te deja con cara de “What?!”, y que aun así es increíble…
Willow es una chica norma de 16 años… un día sus padres tomaron de más y le pidieron a ella que manejara… era la peor tormenta del año y sucedió lo inevitable: chocó.
Los padres de Willow están muertos ahora y ella vive con su hermano, la esposa de este y su sobrina.
Willow, para desahogarse se hace cutting…
Y entonces conoce a Guy. Un chico único, sensible, amable, guapo… perfecto.
Ya no les diré más :P. Si quieren saber...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Nicola rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mental-health, library-books, young-adult, romance

You know it's bad when you can't work up much sympathy for a character who's just lost her parents.

I just couldn't bring myself to like Willow, no matter how hard I tried. I totally understand that she was going through a lot and struggling but I still don't think it's an excuse to act like nobody else's problems are real. Willow seemed to think that just because she'd gone through something awful, NOBODY else's feelings were valid. No problem other than Willow's was worth crying about. That ju...more

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Jun 11, 2010 Adi (Reading in the Windowseat) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-read-list, class-young-adult, genre-romance

I'm not a person who goes for modern or problematic novels, but when I read a preview of this book about half a year ago, I decided I'd really like to make an exception and take it up.

Willow proved one of the deepest, most realistic books I've ever read. The heroine goes through so much undeserved anguish over her past that the reader's heart cannot help but go to her, and then there are the problems of her present - ever opressing, ever difficult to resolve. She finds herself isolated and shutt...more

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Nov 03, 2010 ♫ נєηη - ѕσυℓ σƒ ѕσυη∂ ♫ rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel, books-that-i-gave-up-on-reading, covers-i-♥, horrible-books, stupid

This storyline sounds familiar...

Oh, I know what it is. It's the over-used, cliche story of "I accidentally killed my family when we were driving, and now no one understands me but this one unnaturally hot guy that I've fallen for."

Where have I not heard that?

{After reading review}

First off, just to keep a light mood: I was talking to my friend and she saw the book cover. She said, "Ooh, emo looking."

Laugh, folks. It's a joke.

Reading this book was a waste of my life. And I only got through 1/3 o...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com

Willow had a learner's permit. Her parents drank too much wine. The storm was bad. After the accident, Willow is left an orphan, living with her brother, David, his wife, Cathy, and their daughter, Isabelle.

Unable to deal with the intense grief, Willow finds her outlet in a razor. This secret tool helps her handle the pain and keep from being overwhelmed by the fact that she believes her brother no longer loves her and her parents will always be gone...more

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May 17, 2009 Angela rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, pub-penguin, issues

Hmmm ... I don't know how to rate this book.

It about 17-year-old Willow who has turned to cutting herself to deal with the pain of her parents death -- in a car accident where she was the driver. So this isn't a light or entertaining book. It's hard to read in the same way that WINTERGIRLS (Laurie Halse Anderson) was, but I wasn't as compelled by it.

That's not to say that it wasn't well-written, because it was, and I would be curious to check out other books by this author in the future. I jus...more

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Oct 29, 2009 Nely rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

On a stormy night, Willow takes the wheel and her whole life is forever changed. Both her parents are killed in the accident and Willow has to move in with her older brother, his wife and their young daughter. She feels the weight of the world is on her shoulders - she's emotionally overwrought, heavily grieving and feels guilt towards her part in the accident. To top it off, she also feels that her brother secretly blames her for their parents’ death and no longer loves her.

She finds that the o...more On a stormy night, Willow takes the wheel and her whole life is forever changed. Both her parents are killed in the accident and Willow has to move in with her older brother, his wife and their young daughter. She feels the weight of the world is on her shoulders - she's emotionally overwrought, heavily grieving and feels guilt towards her part in the accident. To top it off, she also feels that her brother secretly blames her for their parents’ death and no longer loves her.

She finds that the only way to relieve herself when her emotions just become too much is to "cut" herself with a razor. But she is eventually found out by a classmate named Guy. Although Guy promises not to tell on her - he also can't just walk away from her. Instead he tries to get closer to her to find out what leads a person to hurt themself in such a way and to try to help her out of the dark place she's in.

This is the first time that I read about "cutting" in such detail and although a bit on the descriptive side, it was not overdone or gory. On the other hand, Willow's pain is so real that you can actually understand why she would feel the urge to cut herself... even if you don't actually agree with it, you almost feel as if it is acceptable. It's as if her pain will consume her if she does not find an outlet to let it out. From the moment you start reading this book you become so emotionally attached to these characters (i.e. Willow; her brother, David; Guy) that you fly through the pages just to see what happens. If they can forgive each other? If they can forgive themselves?

The book is written in the third person, and I really commend Ms. Hoban for having written it this way. It somewhat gives you a detached feeling but at the same time you feel as if you are looking at Willow and Guy from above. Catching a glimpse into a painful part of a young woman's life.

This novel is not just about cutting - it is about love, hope and forgiveness. Although it touches on such a heavy subject, it is not overwhelming, instead it is told in a very unique and graceful voice.

Willow is a beautiful story, compellingly told and is by far one of the best YA novels I've read in quite some time. It is a very powerful piece that I highly recommend to older teens as well as adults. (less)

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Mar 17, 2009 Alea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-for-review

Willow is a real, honest, and emotional book. From the moment you pick the book up, you are invested in Willow and her well-being. Not only is this story about grief and guilt, it is about love and never giving up. It's beautiful.

The characters in Willow are real people with complex emotions and personalities. So many books are just full of stereotypes but Willow is full of character's so lifelike it's hard to believe they aren't actual people. I also really love the world that the author has cr...more

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May 01, 2012 Esther rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I gave this book two stars because of the descriptiveness. Julia Hagon made me shudder when she described Willow searing razors through her arms. Besides that, I think the book was not so good, to say the least. The message as I see it seems to be: HEY LITTLE GIRL! IF YOU'RE SAD ABOUT MAKING A GIANT MISTAKE AND USING SELF MUTILATION TO HIDE YOUR PAIN, YOU NEED YOUR OWN PRINCE CHARMING TO COME RESCUE YOU FROM THE RAZOR BLADE! You can't save yourself, remember that. Don't forget you also have to b...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Janina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sad-tear-jerkers

This book was about a girl name Willow who is dealing with the death of her parents and is living with her brother and his wife. Willow becomes a cutter. Not being able to deal with the emotions of her parents death.

I liked this book. I loved the way it was written. So much emotions from a young girl who has to deal with the death of her parents and on top of that dealing with issue of her staying in a new environment with her older brother, who barely speaks to her anymore. With all the bad in...more

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Feb 27, 2010 Tori rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, favorites, realistic-fiction, own

This book made me cry more than I would have liked. But in a good way. It was a new subject for me, I've read about suicide and eating disorders butting never cutting. I guess that pain is better than just thinking about your parents' death. I got a bit annoyed with the way it was written a few times, I don't know, it was weird. How at first they were happy then really mad, then all happy again. Maybe it was weird because the real problem wasn't between Willow and Guy, but Willows way of control...more

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Sep 28, 2011 melissa1lbr rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

I really struggled with this book. And it wasn't because of the subject matter - cutting. Honestly, the writing was not engaging in any way. I found the way the teens talked was really stilted - and dated even. Willow in particular would jump from subject to subject in the oddest fashion. They would use words, like "genuflect" that I have never heard a teen use in everyday life. I didn't feel connected with any of the characters. The book is written in a very detached third person narrative, whi...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Rramir08 added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Willow a book about a girl who cut herself to mend the pain from her memories that contains her parents in which she thinks she killed in a car crash. She is met with a difficulty when she meets Guy the person in which her secrete was exposed to because of an accident where he saw her arm her scar filled arm that was dripping with blood from him squeezing her arm to get her to calm down. Guy ran to the classroom where willows brother teaches and try to tell him of the cuts in her arms she is abl...more Willow a book about a girl who cut herself to mend the pain from her memories that contains her parents in which she thinks she killed in a car crash. She is met with a difficulty when she meets Guy the person in which her secrete was exposed to because of an accident where he saw her arm her scar filled arm that was dripping with blood from him squeezing her arm to get her to calm down. Guy ran to the classroom where willows brother teaches and try to tell him of the cuts in her arms she is able to stop him from telling her brother but because of that they are now bound together by a secrete that cant be ignored or at least guy feels that way they talk about this Guy asks her to promise him that the next time she cuts she will call him. When willow confronts her brother about him blaming her for their parents death and he keeps on denying the questions she locks herself up in her classroom calls guy and cuts herself letting guy just wait there. The next morning Willow discovers Guy waiting at a nearby park waiting for her to see him she tells him of the previous night he tells her she needs to calm down but she was hungry so they went to go get something to eat at the park after they finish eating it begins to rain so they take shelter in a nearby museum where willows parents had lectured on anthropology. They go visit the dinosaur exhibits and then to the gems where Willow and Guy attempt to kiss but a guard interrupts them and they go to where willow works the collage library They go to the stacks of books on higher floors on accessible with a library card. As they talk in the elevator to go up they mention of the kiss comes up they go to the spot where they usually talk they begin to move closer to kiss again but as their lips meet memory's of willows past life before the accident flow through her mind causing her to push guy away she feels the strongest urge to cut she finds her blade and cuts herself right in front of guy who slaps the blade out of her hand. He hugs willow and her desire to cut fades away and a new desire occurs a desire in which staying in guys arms is wanted. The life that she was trying to make in which no emotions belonged was crumbling in the eyes of normal people this was good but in willows this was bad she didnt want her emotions anymore for she no longer desired them.(less)

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Mar 31, 2013 Alexandra Bello rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Es un libro increíble.

¿Por dónde comenzar?

Willow estaba en mi lista de libros por leer desde hace un mes, quería leerlo pero no tanto, hasta que al fin lo empece a leer.

Willow es como muchas chicas de la actualidad es buscar malas salidas, para mi, el cortarse es la peor salida así como el suicidio pero no he pasado por eso así que no estoy segura de como se siente o algo así. Sólo que no es la mejor salido, puede haber otras, donde no se maltraten asimismas.

Este libro me llegó porque ella se...more

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Willow Cast	7	45	May 19, 2013 03:32pm
Any other books like this one?	19	167	Apr 07, 2013 01:52pm
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