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bettelort's review against another edition
4.0
*Thanks you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This story was enchanting and drew me in. It gave me somehow the Fault in Our Stars, just with more layers to it. I loved the characters. Cason blew me away, and I loved Davis. I also don’t normally read contemporary books, but this one made me want to read it all the time!
I loved seeing Cason and Davis’ inner turmoil, and that addicted voice in the back of Davis’ mind quickly became my worst enemy.
Some of the plot made me want to cry my heart out and in the middle of the book, I just took a break. I couldn’t take it, I just had to stop crying. Why do I cry so much? I can’t explain that.
Also a plus is that this cover is gorgeous. Just look at it!
I also loved how Gardner took something from her own life, that probably isn't good memories, and turned it into something beautiful.
This story was enchanting and drew me in. It gave me somehow the Fault in Our Stars, just with more layers to it. I loved the characters. Cason blew me away, and I loved Davis. I also don’t normally read contemporary books, but this one made me want to read it all the time!
I loved seeing Cason and Davis’ inner turmoil, and that addicted voice in the back of Davis’ mind quickly became my worst enemy.
Some of the plot made me want to cry my heart out and in the middle of the book, I just took a break. I couldn’t take it, I just had to stop crying. Why do I cry so much? I can’t explain that.
Also a plus is that this cover is gorgeous. Just look at it!
I also loved how Gardner took something from her own life, that probably isn't good memories, and turned it into something beautiful.
klsteel's review against another edition
4.0
A solid four stars. I was so wary going into another teenage book about cancer. But this one was refreshingly different. There were no pretentious manic pixie girls or brooding guys. No one was romanticizing death and dying. And, thank god, no one was named after some 80 year old man and spouting Nietzsche.
The only thing that I could have gone for was more meat. This story was a little bare bones for me and could easily have been a longer book.
The only thing that I could have gone for was more meat. This story was a little bare bones for me and could easily have been a longer book.
teresa_lynn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
ingridsbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
Cover:
Can I just say that this cover is BEAU-TI-FUL ;-; <3
Synopsis
Teenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory's artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason's life. But that's about to change. Cason has been hiding an injury, and it's much worse than anyone imagines.
Davis Channing understands all too well what it's like to give up control of your life. He's survived cancer, but his drug addiction nearly killed him. Now he's been sober for seven months and enjoying his community service at the hospital. But just when he thinks he's got it together, Davis's ex-girlfriend, who is still battling her addiction, barrels back into his life.
Cason and Davis are not friends. But, as their worlds collide, they will start to depend on one another. Can they both be brave enough to beat the odds?"
Writing style/plot
The writing style in this book is on point. It is written so beautifully that whilst reading the book you think you are in it yourself.
The story it tells has a realistic feeling, which makes it so much more powerful.
Characters:
I really liked the characters. They've been through so much shit and they are so strong.
We follow Carson, a ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. Her life has turned upside down when she gets diagnosed with bone cancer.
We also get to know a lot about Davis. Davis has survived cancer, but he almost died because of his drug addiction. We follow Davis when he's sentenced to do community service on the cancer ward where he was treated and where Carson is also being treated. Their lives collide.
Overall:
This was such a deep and beautiful story about cancer, drug addiction and love.
Can I just say that this cover is BEAU-TI-FUL ;-; <3
Synopsis
Teenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory's artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason's life. But that's about to change. Cason has been hiding an injury, and it's much worse than anyone imagines.
Davis Channing understands all too well what it's like to give up control of your life. He's survived cancer, but his drug addiction nearly killed him. Now he's been sober for seven months and enjoying his community service at the hospital. But just when he thinks he's got it together, Davis's ex-girlfriend, who is still battling her addiction, barrels back into his life.
Cason and Davis are not friends. But, as their worlds collide, they will start to depend on one another. Can they both be brave enough to beat the odds?"
Writing style/plot
The writing style in this book is on point. It is written so beautifully that whilst reading the book you think you are in it yourself.
The story it tells has a realistic feeling, which makes it so much more powerful.
Characters:
I really liked the characters. They've been through so much shit and they are so strong.
We follow Carson, a ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. Her life has turned upside down when she gets diagnosed with bone cancer.
We also get to know a lot about Davis. Davis has survived cancer, but he almost died because of his drug addiction. We follow Davis when he's sentenced to do community service on the cancer ward where he was treated and where Carson is also being treated. Their lives collide.
Overall:
This was such a deep and beautiful story about cancer, drug addiction and love.
marziesreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Brave Enough gives us the story of Cason and Davis, two teenage cancer survivors who help each other survive and thrive. Cason, a talented ballet dancer, dances through pain to complete weeks of training and an audition for the American Ballet Theatre. After many days of telling herself the terrible pain in her leg is just a strain, she collapses during the audition, her femur crumbling, and finds out that she has Ewing's sarcoma. Cason had thought kids with cancer was merely a trite plot device. She finds the reality shatters her world, not just her femur. Davis is in recovery and not just from cancer. He's been released from rehab and is attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings because he's become addicted to pain meds, an ugly reality that we seldom hear about with respect to cancer survivors of any age. Davis struggles in recovery, lurching from wanting "just one hit" to striving to make his family, friends and doctors proud of his commitment to sobriety. He is plagued by an ex-girlfriend. Alexis, who is still and addict, and their dealer, Ethan, who menaces Davis in multiple ways. As part of Davis's recovery and juvenile sentencing, he is ordered to do community service at the same cancer hospital he worked out. The lure of stealing some of those pain meds is balanced with the personal knowledge of just how much the children in the cancer ward need their pain medication. Davis keeps pushing Ethan and his demands away. It's here that he meets Cason, in treatment for her cancer, who attended his same high school. They had always been in different circles (Cason was in barely any circle since her entire life was about ballet) but now their lives overlap because of their cancer experience. They provide support for one another and hope for their futures.
Gardner is herself a Ewing's Sarcoma survivor, though she was younger than her protagonist Cason when she was diagnosed. She brings authenticity to the patient experience but where I struggled in this book was the lack of depth and insight into the abusive relationship between Cason and her mother, Natalie. Although we see Cason snarking about her mother being more artistic director than mother, and there are passages where Natalie finally seems to come to terms with the fact that Cason has cancer and will never dance as she did before, the unhealthy dynamic felt glossed over. It is hard to believe that years of such a controlling relationship could be resolved in the months that this book covers in Cason's life. This is a parent who had her daughter dancing through indescribable pain, as her femur turned to mush. Who controlled every corner of her daughter's life.
The value of this YA book lies in promoting empathy in young people. Cason, Davis and all the other kids' lives have been upended by cancer. You can substitute any other potentially fatal acute or chronic health condition that roars into a young person's life and leaves them forever changed.
I received an ARC of this book from Flux Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Brave Enough gives us the story of Cason and Davis, two teenage cancer survivors who help each other survive and thrive. Cason, a talented ballet dancer, dances through pain to complete weeks of training and an audition for the American Ballet Theatre. After many days of telling herself the terrible pain in her leg is just a strain, she collapses during the audition, her femur crumbling, and finds out that she has Ewing's sarcoma. Cason had thought kids with cancer was merely a trite plot device. She finds the reality shatters her world, not just her femur. Davis is in recovery and not just from cancer. He's been released from rehab and is attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings because he's become addicted to pain meds, an ugly reality that we seldom hear about with respect to cancer survivors of any age. Davis struggles in recovery, lurching from wanting "just one hit" to striving to make his family, friends and doctors proud of his commitment to sobriety. He is plagued by an ex-girlfriend. Alexis, who is still and addict, and their dealer, Ethan, who menaces Davis in multiple ways. As part of Davis's recovery and juvenile sentencing, he is ordered to do community service at the same cancer hospital he worked out. The lure of stealing some of those pain meds is balanced with the personal knowledge of just how much the children in the cancer ward need their pain medication. Davis keeps pushing Ethan and his demands away. It's here that he meets Cason, in treatment for her cancer, who attended his same high school. They had always been in different circles (Cason was in barely any circle since her entire life was about ballet) but now their lives overlap because of their cancer experience. They provide support for one another and hope for their futures.
Gardner is herself a Ewing's Sarcoma survivor, though she was younger than her protagonist Cason when she was diagnosed. She brings authenticity to the patient experience but where I struggled in this book was the lack of depth and insight into the abusive relationship between Cason and her mother, Natalie. Although we see Cason snarking about her mother being more artistic director than mother, and there are passages where Natalie finally seems to come to terms with the fact that Cason has cancer and will never dance as she did before, the unhealthy dynamic felt glossed over. It is hard to believe that years of such a controlling relationship could be resolved in the months that this book covers in Cason's life. This is a parent who had her daughter dancing through indescribable pain, as her femur turned to mush. Who controlled every corner of her daughter's life.
The value of this YA book lies in promoting empathy in young people. Cason, Davis and all the other kids' lives have been upended by cancer. You can substitute any other potentially fatal acute or chronic health condition that roars into a young person's life and leaves them forever changed.
I received an ARC of this book from Flux Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
melannrosenthal's review against another edition
4.0
The intensity & grit of Ellen Hopkins meets Fault in Our Stars to create an unlikely captivating teenage romance. I’m... floored. I read more than half in one sitting because I couldn’t believe the events that were occurring. Trying to decide if I’d have liked it more if there was more beautiful prose to surround the raw story, but I’m leaning towards no. Everything happens fast and it’s easy to inhale, a perfect YA. Wow. Will have to look out for more from Gardner, who also experienced & survived childhood cancer, in the future.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Flux for the review copy.*
*Thanks to NetGalley and Flux for the review copy.*
ofbooksandbone's review against another edition
4.0
Lenamaybooks.wordpress.com
Dance is Cason's life; she eats, sleeps and breathes it. So naturally she ignores pain and pushes past it. It's part of what makes her great. Until it's what changes her life. Davis can relate to life altering circumstances. He beat cancer but his drug addiction almost beat him. Cason doesn't just walk into Davis' life, she barrels head first and at a time when they both need a friend the most. Can these two beat the odds and be just brave enough to overcome their personal and collective battles?
I generally, as a rule of thumb, steer away from anything where the "c word" is involved. Cancer is a pure evil that took my dad from me just after his 50th birthday. The wounds are still fresh, tearing away at me at unexpected moments. However, I felt ready to tackle Brave Enough. I mean, just take a look at that cover!
I took today to sit with my pain, unsure of the effect this book may have on me. Kati Gardner created a beautiful story of pain, unknowing and fear coupled with love, longing and bravery. While I didn't quite "connect" with the characters - the note the author left at the end of the book should be taken into account. "When I was a teenager and reading every book I could get my hands on, I was desperate for a girl that looked like me. For a girl who had cancer and lived. And it was really hard to come by. So, I wrote one." After reading that, I believe this book could indeed help the person who needs it most.
If you're looking for a book with inspiration to change your circumstance or in need of a bit of hope, pick up Brave Enough. It may be just the book to uplift you.
I received a copy of Brave Enough from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Tags: books, fiction, book blog, book reveiw, book blogger, authors, book addict, bibliophile, book lover, romance, brave enough, Kati Gardner
Categories: Book Review
Dance is Cason's life; she eats, sleeps and breathes it. So naturally she ignores pain and pushes past it. It's part of what makes her great. Until it's what changes her life. Davis can relate to life altering circumstances. He beat cancer but his drug addiction almost beat him. Cason doesn't just walk into Davis' life, she barrels head first and at a time when they both need a friend the most. Can these two beat the odds and be just brave enough to overcome their personal and collective battles?
I generally, as a rule of thumb, steer away from anything where the "c word" is involved. Cancer is a pure evil that took my dad from me just after his 50th birthday. The wounds are still fresh, tearing away at me at unexpected moments. However, I felt ready to tackle Brave Enough. I mean, just take a look at that cover!
I took today to sit with my pain, unsure of the effect this book may have on me. Kati Gardner created a beautiful story of pain, unknowing and fear coupled with love, longing and bravery. While I didn't quite "connect" with the characters - the note the author left at the end of the book should be taken into account. "When I was a teenager and reading every book I could get my hands on, I was desperate for a girl that looked like me. For a girl who had cancer and lived. And it was really hard to come by. So, I wrote one." After reading that, I believe this book could indeed help the person who needs it most.
If you're looking for a book with inspiration to change your circumstance or in need of a bit of hope, pick up Brave Enough. It may be just the book to uplift you.
I received a copy of Brave Enough from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Tags: books, fiction, book blog, book reveiw, book blogger, authors, book addict, bibliophile, book lover, romance, brave enough, Kati Gardner
Categories: Book Review
meganlouise815's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty good - I thought Cason and Davis' relationship was pretty cute but there was nothing special about the book in my opinion. It wasn't anything original I don't think,
themaliciousreader's review against another edition
4.0
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Brave Enough tells the story of Cason Martin, a ballerina/high school student and Davis Channing a cancer survivor/drug addict/high school student.
The story starts as Cason takes the audition of her life that will make her part of a huge dance company… But as she finishes it, she can feel something break in her knee and latter learns that she has bone cancer.
Meanwhile, Chase is coming out of rehab and is sentenced to community service at the cancer clinic where he was a patient.
This is how they meet, well, meet again, because they go to the same school though they were never really in each other orbits.
We then follow their story, through their two points of view.
I enjoyed this book. It was touching.
The characters were endearing, I liked getting to know them.
The plot was well laid and interesting.
It made me feel a lot, I got teary several times.
The romance was okay, it made sense but it wasn’t the most compelling part of the book, in my opinion.
The relationship between Cason and her mother was really layered and gripping.
All in all, this book was a short, agreeable read that I would recommend.
Brave Enough tells the story of Cason Martin, a ballerina/high school student and Davis Channing a cancer survivor/drug addict/high school student.
The story starts as Cason takes the audition of her life that will make her part of a huge dance company… But as she finishes it, she can feel something break in her knee and latter learns that she has bone cancer.
Meanwhile, Chase is coming out of rehab and is sentenced to community service at the cancer clinic where he was a patient.
This is how they meet, well, meet again, because they go to the same school though they were never really in each other orbits.
We then follow their story, through their two points of view.
I enjoyed this book. It was touching.
The characters were endearing, I liked getting to know them.
The plot was well laid and interesting.
It made me feel a lot, I got teary several times.
The romance was okay, it made sense but it wasn’t the most compelling part of the book, in my opinion.
The relationship between Cason and her mother was really layered and gripping.
All in all, this book was a short, agreeable read that I would recommend.