Book Review / "Cicatrice: New Eyes and Brave" by Jo Boyle

Cicatrice: New Eyes and Brave by Jo Boyle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is not for the faint-hearted. But it is harrowing and uplifting in equal measure. “Cicatrice: New Eyes and Brave” by Jo Boyle is the kind of book that won’t leave any reader indifferent. And is there a better prerequisite for a great story?

This book is about love and hatred, two opposite orbs of human essence. What love makes strong, hate tries to destroy. Sometimes it works. What outcome does destiny have in store for Mel who’s gotten tangled in the net of family, religious, and criminal intrigues?

We meet Mel when she is on the run. She is a hunter and prey. She is resilient and weak. It seems there is armour around both her body and her heart. Still, that armour has soft spots Mel is trying hard to seal.

Jamie is Mel’s weakness. But she is also the source of her strength. Mel’s love for Jamie has helped her to endure unimaginable hardships. And that’s the part of the book I found challenging to read. Mel gets caught in the middle of an ugly revenge mission. Her physical and emotional reserves get tested to the limits far beyond even the toughest men’s endurance. There are scenes of shocking violence and abuse that are integral to the plot, but it doesn’t make it easier to read them.

I found fascinating the way the author leads the reader through Mel’s journey, masterfully steering us into understanding how what is supposed to be a weakness turned out to be Mel’s greatest strength.

“Cicatrice” is also a beautiful love story. Two best friends, both strong but vulnerable, have to overcome too many obstacles to be together. And the biggest obstacle is Mel’s belief that her love is a curse for Jamie rather than a blessing.

The author portrays two young women with poignant detail and depth. Mel and Jamie are so different, but at the same time, the connection between them is incredibly strong. And still, the reader inevitably stumbles upon a question: “How far can you go to be with a person you love?” And most importantly, how many sacrifices you can make for love before it becomes too much, so even the most profound feelings can’t outweigh the pain.

The story will take you on a gut-wrenching journey across the dusty roads of India and Pakistan, all the way to the bright and cheerful streets of Melbourne in Australia. Will Mel, sitting in a cosy café, drinking a latte, surrounded by smiling carefree people be able to shake off the dark memories of Alsunduq prison? The place that haunts Mel in her dreams and doesn’t ease its grip even when she is awake.

“Cicatrice: New Eyes and Brave” by Jo Boyle is a read like no other you can find on the endless bookshelves, both digital and physical. Prepare for a wild emotional ride you will not regret!






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Cicatrice: New Eyes and Brave