Review: Scars

Scars
By: Cheryl Rainfield
Release Date: March 24, 2010

Description:
Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Review:
This was a very raw story about a girl who was abused as a child who chooses to cut to deal with the horrible memories that begin to flood through her mind.  The story was very raw and eye opening about the different ways some people deal with the after affects of abuse.

Paranoia has overtaken Kendra as every day she remembers a little more about him.  The man who abused her when she was a child.  Every time she feels it's getting out of control she begins to cut herself to deal with the pain, to gain control of the situation.  Currently she's in therapy trying to help her with everything that has gone on.  She can't remember who raped her but knows it was someone close to her family.  Every man she sees she wonders if it's him, the only thing she remembers is his hands.  With that in mind she's sure that her abuser is stalking her because she keeps getting left threatening messages about what will happen to her if she tells.  She is terrified and continues to cut more.

At school she meets Meghan a girl who is being abused by her mother constantly.  They both find that they are kindred spirits and begin to spend more time together.  Kendra begins to fall for her and they turn into an item.  Together they help each other out with both their situations, they have completely bonded.  Kendra's mother of course is in denial, she just criticizes and turns a blind eye to the situation not really wanting to deal with it face on. 

By the end of the book we find out who her abuser is and it's just beyond wrong.  I personally don't comprehend pedophiles at all but it's a sickness that much I know.  Their victims are so innocent and it changes their lives completely, there's fear and children that will never get to be children again.  It's heart breaking reading stories like this, but sometimes you have to so you can see the signs and recognize and react the correct way.

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If you know a child that is being abused, please check out this website for help.
http://www.childhelp.org/pages/hotline-home
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Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and WestSide Books, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!