Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Review: Broken by C.J. Lyons


Broken by C.J. Lyons

WOULD YOU PUT YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE TO BE NORMAL?
Diagnosed with a rare and untreatable heart condition, Scarlet has come to terms with the fact that she’s going to die. Literally of a broken heart. It could be tomorrow, or it could be next year. But the clock is ticking…
All Scarlet asks is for a chance to attend high school—even if just for a week-a chance to be just like everyone else. But Scarlet can feel her heart beating out of control with each slammed locker and vicious taunt. Is this normal? Really? Yet there’s more going on than she knows. And finding out the truth might just kill Scarlet before her heart does…

”add

Publishes in US:  November 5th 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: library
Series? No

Buy it: amazonbuybnbuymglogoicon-indiebound

Author stalk away: ~site 


    I wanted to read Broken because anything with illness usually catches my eye. The heart disease aspect is something that I have enjoyed previously in other books, and I know a bit about the long QT which is what is wrong with her. I was also curious where the book would be going with the truth about the school? If its a contemporary I really didn't understand what sort of twist it would be, but wanted to find out. 

    I liked Scarlet and I felt for her. She wanted so badly to go to school and have a shot at normal. We get her background, that homeschooling was boring and that her memories are mostly just of doctor's visits and surgeries and pills. In fact we get that a few more times than I really thought necessary but still. We have the "Set Backs" which I know are when she has been sicker and almost died, but I would have liked a bit more detail early on instead of referencing over and over. 

    Scarlet's mom is very overbearing, and I can understand her point of view as a mother, and can't even imagine if I had a daughter that sick. But they have some sweet moments, talking about her day. It is good to see a mom who is present and trying to be involved in her life, and fighting for her life and health, even though I can also see Scarlet's point of view that she could feel smothered. 

   I enjoyed Scarlet's friendships as well. I do think that there was a bit much going on in their stories, and I think that it should have been pared down a bit or explored more. But still, they were all thrown together in a mentoring group. Jordan is the peer mentor and he's fighting his own sorrow over a suicide completed the year before, and now he has her younger sister in his group. There is also Celina who Scarlet gets pretty close with even though she is quiet and reserved at times, and completely absent others. 

   The romance took the back seat, but it was good and sweet. Scarlet thought some about how kisses and such worked and it was a refreshing inner dialogue. Tony saw Scarlet past the portable AED (a machine that can shock heart back into regular rhythm.) He talked to her like she was completely normal but also accepted her limitations. 

    The ending kind of surprised me, but was the source of the suspense and mystery that the synopsis talked about. I think that it was foreshadowed some, but still I had a little bit of a hard time seeing how it played out that way. But I guess that people in that position have to have some serious sneak skills. 


Bottom Line: Good story about Scarlet, who's plagued with a bad heart trying to be normal by going back to school.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you put your life on the line to be normal?

21 comments:

  1. Sometimes it's really good to have the story concentrate on other relationships and topics than the romance. Like Jessi Kirby's In Honor? Loved that one! I'm glad you enjoyed this and I can totally see why it appealed to you :)

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  2. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)July 29, 2014 at 6:15 AM

    This is not something I'd normally pick up, but I could certainly relate to the mother. I can't even imagine going through something like that.
    GReat review!
    Oh, and I love the new look!

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  3. Sounds like a good one overall! And I don't think I'd put my health on the line to be "normal" because hey, what does that mean anyway, right? ;)

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

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  4. I really can't get over how similar that cover is to A Map of the Known World. It's crazy!!

    Anyway, I actually really like the sound of it! Overbearing parents though, hmm . . . that's so overdone in YA and I don't get why we can't have more empathetic parents. Do all YA parents have to be either arseholes or too smothering with love? Is there no middle-ground?!

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  5. This one sounds interesting. The blurb is really intriguing and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  6. I don't really enjoy books with illnesses as much as you, but this looks like a good story. Glad you enjoyed!

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  7. I was a little curious about this one, it sounds like something I would enjoy. Great review.

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  8. I haven't heard of this one but it sounds like a really interesting read. I usually enjoy books with illness. Great review, Brandi :)

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  9. I haven't read many books with heart disease so that is something new. No I wouldn't put my life on the line to be normal.

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  10. I had never heard of this one before

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  11. I've never heard of this one but it does seems like it would be a good emotional read. I usually stray away from illness books, but this one seems like it would be a good read!


    Great review!

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  12. This is new to me, I had a friend in school who had a hear issue and I remember how he struggled.

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  13. I've been really curious about this book since I first found out about. I still want to give it a try because I really want to see how things go for Scarlet. Great review!

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  14. normal can be boring but in this case I would.

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  15. Aw man. I bought this book awhile back, and nowadays, 3 star ratings aren't good enough reads for me. Maybe I'll read this one someday.

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  16. Broken sounds both sad and sweet, Brandi, but I'm not so sure it is for me. I don't like overbearing parents all that much... I don't know why, because I'm sure my kids find me a bit overbearing at times *grin*
    I don't think 'normal' is everything Scarlet thinks it would be, though, but of course, going to school, meeting people and finding friends is an important part of life, so I can get where she comes from. Everybody should have a shot at that, especially if they know they won't live to go to college, get a job etc. so yes, I would definitely put my life on the line for that.
    Great review :) I hope you're having a good week.


    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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  17. I'm not sure if I would like this one or not but I'm glad you enjoyed it for the most part!

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  18. Amazing review sweetie. <3 I'm glad you liked this book :D It sounds interesting. And I like that cover a lot :) Yay for good romance. <3

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  19. Nice review! Not sure if it would be my kind of story, but it sounds like it has some good moments.

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  20. Sounds okay but that cover is amazing!

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  21. This sounds interesting and after reading your review I'm super curious over how the ending plays out!

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