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A review by jessicaludden
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“My wounds are invisible, weeping invisible blood. Can anyone see the black-and-blue marks painted on my heart?”
I really enjoyed this. It was really hard to read at times, but I also couldn’t stop reading it. It’s such an important book and it was really interesting to read from the perspective of a character who has been a victim of abuse and other trauma. I loved the commentary on believing survivors. I loved the inclusion of mental health and how that plays a role in believing survivors. This book made me sad and angry and that’s what it was supposed to do. The part where her dad was cutting her hair and she broke down crying thinking everything was her fault really got me. It was one of those moments where you just want everything to be okay for a character. At the end of the book Enchanted saved herself and too many times in our society survivors are forced to save themselves too. I loved the side comments from outside characters. I feel like it really accurately portrayed the discourse that occurs around situations like this. Overall, this story broke my heart, but I’m glad I read it.
I really enjoyed this. It was really hard to read at times, but I also couldn’t stop reading it. It’s such an important book and it was really interesting to read from the perspective of a character who has been a victim of abuse and other trauma. I loved the commentary on believing survivors. I loved the inclusion of mental health and how that plays a role in believing survivors. This book made me sad and angry and that’s what it was supposed to do. The part where her dad was cutting her hair and she broke down crying thinking everything was her fault really got me. It was one of those moments where you just want everything to be okay for a character. At the end of the book Enchanted saved herself and too many times in our society survivors are forced to save themselves too. I loved the side comments from outside characters. I feel like it really accurately portrayed the discourse that occurs around situations like this. Overall, this story broke my heart, but I’m glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault