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michalice's review against another edition
5.0
I have had my eye on this book for a while, the cover of the book is simple but very eye catching, and one that drew me in, once I had read the synopsis I knew I had to read it so I was excited to receive a copy for review.
I love this quote, to me it embodies the idea of the story and the character Imogen. Bruised is about Imogen and focuses on the aftermath of the hold up in the diner and how she is dealing with it, or not dealing in her case. It affects her friends, family, school and even herself. She is second guessing her actions and what she could have done, the guilt literally eats her alive and she can't seem to move past it and try to pick up the pieces and carry on with her life.
During the story we get to meet people that play important parts in Imogen's life. Her Brother Hunter, who once was her close friend, who now dates and sleeps his way through her friends, destroying the friendships she made with them and causing her to lose a close friend. ;Rick plays a very important role in Bruised also, he was in the diner with Imogen and was a witness to the traumatic event. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family, and get to see him bring out a different side to Imogen.
When I initially began reading Bruised I had firm feelings about what I felt about the characters, especially Hunter, but as I got further on I saw a different side to him, one that made me rethink my original judgement about him, and while I do not like how he acts towards Imogen's friends, he did manage to clear his name a bit for me. Ricky was a sweetheart, he supports Imogen when he can and to be honest takes a lot of crap off her that he didn't really deserve.
Bruised really makes you think, not only about what you would do in a similar situation but how a traumatic event can spiral out of control and effect everyone. No matter how many trophy's, awards or belts you have, do they actually mean anything when it comes down to actually implementing what you know or can do. Faced with danger like Imogen was, could you stand up and fight not knowing what might happen or would you keep yourself safe and 100% alive. I personally would like to think that if I was faced with something that I could get up and fight, but part of me doubts I could do this, and I guess we never know what we would do unless we were forced into action.
Bruised was a fantastic read, from the very first page, right up to the last word. I enjoyed every single page of it and finished it in a few hours, I could not put it down. Sarah Skilton has woven a story that draws you in and doesn't let go. When I reached the end of the book I did not want it to be over, I wanted more of Imogen, more Ricky and more Hunter. The ending of the book was perfect, even though it came far too soon, and it was good to see the characters come full circle.
"My black belt represents everything I could've done and everything I didn't do, the only time it really mattered."
Page 3 uncorrected proof
I love this quote, to me it embodies the idea of the story and the character Imogen. Bruised is about Imogen and focuses on the aftermath of the hold up in the diner and how she is dealing with it, or not dealing in her case. It affects her friends, family, school and even herself. She is second guessing her actions and what she could have done, the guilt literally eats her alive and she can't seem to move past it and try to pick up the pieces and carry on with her life.
During the story we get to meet people that play important parts in Imogen's life. Her Brother Hunter, who once was her close friend, who now dates and sleeps his way through her friends, destroying the friendships she made with them and causing her to lose a close friend. ;Rick plays a very important role in Bruised also, he was in the diner with Imogen and was a witness to the traumatic event. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family, and get to see him bring out a different side to Imogen.
When I initially began reading Bruised I had firm feelings about what I felt about the characters, especially Hunter, but as I got further on I saw a different side to him, one that made me rethink my original judgement about him, and while I do not like how he acts towards Imogen's friends, he did manage to clear his name a bit for me. Ricky was a sweetheart, he supports Imogen when he can and to be honest takes a lot of crap off her that he didn't really deserve.
Bruised really makes you think, not only about what you would do in a similar situation but how a traumatic event can spiral out of control and effect everyone. No matter how many trophy's, awards or belts you have, do they actually mean anything when it comes down to actually implementing what you know or can do. Faced with danger like Imogen was, could you stand up and fight not knowing what might happen or would you keep yourself safe and 100% alive. I personally would like to think that if I was faced with something that I could get up and fight, but part of me doubts I could do this, and I guess we never know what we would do unless we were forced into action.
Bruised was a fantastic read, from the very first page, right up to the last word. I enjoyed every single page of it and finished it in a few hours, I could not put it down. Sarah Skilton has woven a story that draws you in and doesn't let go. When I reached the end of the book I did not want it to be over, I wanted more of Imogen, more Ricky and more Hunter. The ending of the book was perfect, even though it came far too soon, and it was good to see the characters come full circle.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
3.0
*Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=3028
Imogen is broken and she must overcome this feeling of hopelessness that surrounds her constantly. What an intense way to introduce us to a character? We then go on a journey with Imogen as she tries to rebuild her life, her memories, her friendships, and her family.
At first I struggled with this book because the timeline was choppy, and Imogen was hard to pinpoint. But then, through the flashbacks, Imogen starts to become clearer to us, the reader, and Imogen’s memories start to become clearer to her. Then you are so sucked into wanting to know everything, and you can only know everything if you stick with the book and see Imogen’s memories as they are revealed. This is a pretty brilliant tactic in making the reader feel like they are in the protagonist’s brain.
Bruised actually reminds me a lot of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Both young ladies are thrown into a tragedy, let that tragedy eat away at their hearts and souls, and have to figure out how to find themselves again. Truly a remarkable journey to go on with a character. And, like Speak, there are some intense topics/themes dealt with in Bruised that will definitely grab a teen’s attention: sibling rivalry, a disabled parent, disconnected family, friendship, sex, love, survival, and martial arts. It is one of those books that teens need to read, so they can learn to become resilient and to overcome whatever is in their path.
Imogen is broken and she must overcome this feeling of hopelessness that surrounds her constantly. What an intense way to introduce us to a character? We then go on a journey with Imogen as she tries to rebuild her life, her memories, her friendships, and her family.
At first I struggled with this book because the timeline was choppy, and Imogen was hard to pinpoint. But then, through the flashbacks, Imogen starts to become clearer to us, the reader, and Imogen’s memories start to become clearer to her. Then you are so sucked into wanting to know everything, and you can only know everything if you stick with the book and see Imogen’s memories as they are revealed. This is a pretty brilliant tactic in making the reader feel like they are in the protagonist’s brain.
Bruised actually reminds me a lot of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Both young ladies are thrown into a tragedy, let that tragedy eat away at their hearts and souls, and have to figure out how to find themselves again. Truly a remarkable journey to go on with a character. And, like Speak, there are some intense topics/themes dealt with in Bruised that will definitely grab a teen’s attention: sibling rivalry, a disabled parent, disconnected family, friendship, sex, love, survival, and martial arts. It is one of those books that teens need to read, so they can learn to become resilient and to overcome whatever is in their path.
sofxaim's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I got this book in middle school (I think?) and I thought it was super good back then. It’s not bad and I still like it, but it’s also not great.
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
This book took a bit of time for me to grow into, but I liked it in the end. It's about 16-year-old Imogen, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, who is a witness to an armed robbery and shooting in a diner. She feels completely responsible when the gunman is shot and killed by the police.
It took awhile before Skilton revealed why Imogen blamed herself for this violent man's death...and until then I had a hard time understanding why she was reacting the way she was. Yes, she had a black belt...but that's no match for a gun.
She becomes self-destructive and nothing really moves her except for Ricky, the boy who was also there in the diner that night. She has an intact, loving family, but has some issues there as well. Imogen is just flat out angry at life, and after the diner incident occurs, this feeling intensifies.
When Imogen finds herself attracted to Ricky, she enters a huge internal battle about love and strength. Can someone love you and want to protect you? Can she allow herself to feel vulnerable? Can Ricky allow Imogen to be just as strong as he is?
This was the second young adult book I read during my surgery recovery, and it was worth the effort. Excellent first novel by Skilton, also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
It took awhile before Skilton revealed why Imogen blamed herself for this violent man's death...and until then I had a hard time understanding why she was reacting the way she was. Yes, she had a black belt...but that's no match for a gun.
She becomes self-destructive and nothing really moves her except for Ricky, the boy who was also there in the diner that night. She has an intact, loving family, but has some issues there as well. Imogen is just flat out angry at life, and after the diner incident occurs, this feeling intensifies.
When Imogen finds herself attracted to Ricky, she enters a huge internal battle about love and strength. Can someone love you and want to protect you? Can she allow herself to feel vulnerable? Can Ricky allow Imogen to be just as strong as he is?
This was the second young adult book I read during my surgery recovery, and it was worth the effort. Excellent first novel by Skilton, also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
scrollsofdragons's review
3.0
A quick good read that I immensely enjoyed.
I did have a few problems with it. I didn't get the ending.
On re-read, I get more now why she went back to the white belt, but I still think things were resolved too quickly practically with her relationships with her family.
There were other things were too but that one annoyed me the most. What was with this too- we don't all meet our future husbands the first time out-this is a young adult novel, why is 'husbands' being mentioned at all. Anyway, it was things like that, that stopped me from being able to rate this any higher.
I did have a few problems with it. I didn't get the ending.
Spoiler
Why did Hunter never really apologize? Why did she have to start all over again? I didn't get it and I didn't like it. I really wish that wasn't added. Why did Ricky go into the marines, following his father's footsteps, seriously? I wish it had ended with Imogen deciding to become a instructor and Ricky just decided to join up without telling of his career aspirations. He dosen't seem Marine material, and ahh I am just so mad at the ending.On re-read, I get more now why she went back to the white belt, but I still think things were resolved too quickly practically with her relationships with her family.
cliffesedge's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
sc104906's review
5.0
Imogen has been in Tae Kwon Do since she was little. She is currently a black belt and teaches others the craft. However, one night Imogen is at a diner when it gets held up by a gunman. She freezes and hides under a table curled up in a ball. While under the table she sees a guy doing the same thing under another table. This interaction causes Imagon to question who she is, as well as, start making new life decisions.
This book was super interesting and the characters were great. I really hoped that Imogen's Tae Kwon Do teacher would play a bigger role and offer more guidance, but other than that I have no real complaints.
This book was super interesting and the characters were great. I really hoped that Imogen's Tae Kwon Do teacher would play a bigger role and offer more guidance, but other than that I have no real complaints.
andimontgomery's review
2.0
2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this book more. It was well written, but I just didn't connect with Imogen, and I hated how she let the robbery at the diner take over her life. I know it was related to PTSD and everyone responds differently to trauma, but she was pretty unlikable before the incident, too (as told in flashbacks).
sarahebooks's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aeslis's review
3.0
Had a hard time connecting to the characters... They only really came to life in the last few chapters when the main character started to connect to them too. Makes sense, I guess.
The writing was generally descriptive and pretty, but sometimes seemed a little distant. Other times the similes or metaphors were distractingly disparate from what was happening.
The writing was generally descriptive and pretty, but sometimes seemed a little distant. Other times the similes or metaphors were distractingly disparate from what was happening.