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nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I don't know how this book didn't get more buzz when it came out. (Maybe I missed it? Did I miss it? Because it totally deserves buzz!) But I am incredibly glad that I found it!
The synopsis describes the book well, but it makes the book sound much lighter than it really is. This is not an easy read. At all. But I loved it! The book follows Imogen, who has suffered from depression since her mother died when she was a child. She finds some solace in being a techie for her school's theatre productions and in her best friend (and crush), Grant, who has stood beside her through all of her darkest moments.
What I loved:
A realistic depiction of depression.
Even after reading Mishma's review, I still for some reason thought that this would be a lighter read. Maybe just the whole fairy tale reference thing made it seem like the book wasn't going to take itself too seriously. Well, that was completely untrue. This book was a completely realistic and sometimes dark look at depression. Imogen has some serious mental health issues because of her mother's death and her own insecurities. She often spirals into utter depression and can't pull herself out, no matter how much she wants to. She also struggles with cutting. Reading from her perspective was sometimes hard because Imogen is definitely a flawed main character. Not only is she incredibly hard on herself, she's bitter about the people around her because she has been bullied and because she sometimes just takes her own insecurities out on other people (at least in her own mind and in her journal - she isn't outright mean to people). Imogen feels broken and she doesn't know that she can be fixed. She knows that her feelings are wrong and sometimes irrational, but she can't change them. I found this to be incredibly realistic. The fact is that depression is an illness, and you can't simply tell yourself to cheer up and snap out of it. It doesn't work that way. And, while Imogen's friends help her through her pain, the mere presence of people who love her doesn't cure her depression. The book is hopeful, but realistic in leaving the reader with the knowledge that Imogen most likely will still fall victim to depression again, but that she has a support system and will be able to get through it!
Emotions.
I had no idea I would cry so much when I read this book. I cried. A lot.
Grant.
Grant is pretty much the perfect best friend for Imogen, and you can completely see why she's in love with him. Not only has he supported her through thick and thin, he is sweet and funny, and Imogen is lighter and funnier when she's with him because she feels like she can be herself when he's around. When Grant is in the story with Imogen, the book lives up to that cute, sweet feeling that you get in the blurb, and it's a great balance to the darker parts of the book. Grant is also nerdy, but in a totally adorable way (LOVE his sciency shirts!). And Imogen's other friends are awesome too!
Body image.
One of Imogen's main areas of insecurity is her body image. She weighs 200 pounds at five feet tall and she thinks about her size A LOT. I loved that Imogen did realize by the end of the book that she could look pretty and that size isn't the only factor in beauty!
Neutral:
Imogen.
Some people might have a hard time reading Imogen's perspective because it is really sad and dark sometimes. She gets down on herself constantly and she has some really negative thoughts about other people sometimes too. By the time we see her in a depressed episode, we kind of want to shake her and tell her to see the people who care about her around her. But that's kind of the point. The fact is that these people who love her can't fix her, she has to find ways to come to terms with life and help herself. So, it's hard, but realistic.
I honestly don't know why this book hasn't gotten more attention with the current trend of YA books that address mental health issues, but I highly recommend it. If you're ready for an honest and sometimes heartbreaking look at adolescence and depression, then you need to read this book! I give it an enthusiastic 5/5 stars.
I don't know how this book didn't get more buzz when it came out. (Maybe I missed it? Did I miss it? Because it totally deserves buzz!) But I am incredibly glad that I found it!
The synopsis describes the book well, but it makes the book sound much lighter than it really is. This is not an easy read. At all. But I loved it! The book follows Imogen, who has suffered from depression since her mother died when she was a child. She finds some solace in being a techie for her school's theatre productions and in her best friend (and crush), Grant, who has stood beside her through all of her darkest moments.
What I loved:
A realistic depiction of depression.
Even after reading Mishma's review, I still for some reason thought that this would be a lighter read. Maybe just the whole fairy tale reference thing made it seem like the book wasn't going to take itself too seriously. Well, that was completely untrue. This book was a completely realistic and sometimes dark look at depression. Imogen has some serious mental health issues because of her mother's death and her own insecurities. She often spirals into utter depression and can't pull herself out, no matter how much she wants to. She also struggles with cutting. Reading from her perspective was sometimes hard because Imogen is definitely a flawed main character. Not only is she incredibly hard on herself, she's bitter about the people around her because she has been bullied and because she sometimes just takes her own insecurities out on other people (at least in her own mind and in her journal - she isn't outright mean to people). Imogen feels broken and she doesn't know that she can be fixed. She knows that her feelings are wrong and sometimes irrational, but she can't change them. I found this to be incredibly realistic. The fact is that depression is an illness, and you can't simply tell yourself to cheer up and snap out of it. It doesn't work that way. And, while Imogen's friends help her through her pain, the mere presence of people who love her doesn't cure her depression. The book is hopeful, but realistic in leaving the reader with the knowledge that Imogen most likely will still fall victim to depression again, but that she has a support system and will be able to get through it!
Emotions.
I had no idea I would cry so much when I read this book. I cried. A lot.
Grant.
Grant is pretty much the perfect best friend for Imogen, and you can completely see why she's in love with him. Not only has he supported her through thick and thin, he is sweet and funny, and Imogen is lighter and funnier when she's with him because she feels like she can be herself when he's around. When Grant is in the story with Imogen, the book lives up to that cute, sweet feeling that you get in the blurb, and it's a great balance to the darker parts of the book. Grant is also nerdy, but in a totally adorable way (LOVE his sciency shirts!). And Imogen's other friends are awesome too!
Body image.
One of Imogen's main areas of insecurity is her body image. She weighs 200 pounds at five feet tall and she thinks about her size A LOT. I loved that Imogen did realize by the end of the book that she could look pretty and that size isn't the only factor in beauty!
Neutral:
Imogen.
Some people might have a hard time reading Imogen's perspective because it is really sad and dark sometimes. She gets down on herself constantly and she has some really negative thoughts about other people sometimes too. By the time we see her in a depressed episode, we kind of want to shake her and tell her to see the people who care about her around her. But that's kind of the point. The fact is that these people who love her can't fix her, she has to find ways to come to terms with life and help herself. So, it's hard, but realistic.
I honestly don't know why this book hasn't gotten more attention with the current trend of YA books that address mental health issues, but I highly recommend it. If you're ready for an honest and sometimes heartbreaking look at adolescence and depression, then you need to read this book! I give it an enthusiastic 5/5 stars.
pchittenden's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hyms's review
2.0
I’m not sure I really understand this one. I thought it would be some kind of a retelling of Cinderella from the stepsister’s POV but I never felt the Cinderella story except in the name. I need more than a name to connect to the original story. This is not a retelling; it is just a boring story with a character that happens to be names Ella Cinder.
Mostly, when I do not like the main character, I do not like the book. This is one of those times. Imogen is so whiny and so annoying. She complains about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. and I got so sick of her. I get that she has some problems, but come on – she has not one redeeming quality. She is self-centered and selfish and she is so needy! Ella Cinder is a total bitch and so cliché. Some of the supporting characters were well described and nice to read about, but they were few and far apart.
The story is so painfully obvious. Everything is laid out from the very beginning and that didn’t really make me want to read the story – no surprises and nothing interesting happens. It’s such a shame because it is actually well written and I think I may pick up something else from Kelsey Macke one day – this one just does nothing to me.
It has been a while since I read this and back then, I rated the story 2 stars. I don’t really understand why, because I can’t think of a single thing about it that I liked. But I don’t change a rating once I give it so let me just make this very clear: This is not a retelling. This is a boring story about a needy, horrible girl who thinks that complaining about everything and everybody will make her life so much better. Don’t waste your time: Read something else!
Mostly, when I do not like the main character, I do not like the book. This is one of those times. Imogen is so whiny and so annoying. She complains about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. and I got so sick of her. I get that she has some problems, but come on – she has not one redeeming quality. She is self-centered and selfish and she is so needy! Ella Cinder is a total bitch and so cliché. Some of the supporting characters were well described and nice to read about, but they were few and far apart.
The story is so painfully obvious. Everything is laid out from the very beginning and that didn’t really make me want to read the story – no surprises and nothing interesting happens. It’s such a shame because it is actually well written and I think I may pick up something else from Kelsey Macke one day – this one just does nothing to me.
It has been a while since I read this and back then, I rated the story 2 stars. I don’t really understand why, because I can’t think of a single thing about it that I liked. But I don’t change a rating once I give it so let me just make this very clear: This is not a retelling. This is a boring story about a needy, horrible girl who thinks that complaining about everything and everybody will make her life so much better. Don’t waste your time: Read something else!
shaydelayed's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
Finished this at work and had to keep stopping so I wouldn't be caught crying at my desk (reoccurring theme). There's a great message in this one! I was only slightly hesitant when the synopsis hinted at "Cinderella" being the villain. Say it ain't so! But, if we all take a second to break it down, don't most of us end up relating more to the ugly stepsisters, anyway? We take away from the fairy tale that Cinderella is beautiful and she gets her prince. I don't know about you, but I can't relate to that. That's what makes this story so unique. That's what made me read it. You can't get more realistic than Imogen. Some heavy subjects are battled in this tale, but it's done in a way that isn't too intense. There are fluffy moments throughout that help balance all the heavy stuff. Some of the really sweet moments are pretty much EVERYTHING that involves GRANT! He is absolute GOLD! This story has a little bit of everything. Grant for the swoons. Ella for the mean girl drama. Brice, Johnathan & Antonique for the friendship and then there's Imogen. She's a princess. Did I get too cheesy for you guys? I couldn't help myself. Yay for great stories that make you feel all the feels!
Finished this at work and had to keep stopping so I wouldn't be caught crying at my desk (reoccurring theme). There's a great message in this one! I was only slightly hesitant when the synopsis hinted at "Cinderella" being the villain. Say it ain't so! But, if we all take a second to break it down, don't most of us end up relating more to the ugly stepsisters, anyway? We take away from the fairy tale that Cinderella is beautiful and she gets her prince. I don't know about you, but I can't relate to that. That's what makes this story so unique. That's what made me read it. You can't get more realistic than Imogen. Some heavy subjects are battled in this tale, but it's done in a way that isn't too intense. There are fluffy moments throughout that help balance all the heavy stuff. Some of the really sweet moments are pretty much EVERYTHING that involves GRANT! He is absolute GOLD! This story has a little bit of everything. Grant for the swoons. Ella for the mean girl drama. Brice, Johnathan & Antonique for the friendship and then there's Imogen. She's a princess. Did I get too cheesy for you guys? I couldn't help myself. Yay for great stories that make you feel all the feels!
powersthatbe's review
5.0
I LOVED this book! It reminded me a lot of My Mad Fat Diary because the main character Imogen has a lot of the same issues that Rae Earl suffers from (depression, self harm, binge eating disorder) and it's so relate-able, especially as someone who had a lot of problems in high school and grew up fat. The book is well written, has a set of really good characters, and will probably make you cry (yeah I cried, what of it!?).
alienor's review
3.0
Warning : This isn't a review, just a please still love me post. Yikes.
Actual rating : 2.5/5
(Of course the 'yes' is ticked, you know I'm a hopeful girl, right?)
Because I think myI'm putting this on hold because I'm feeling too guilty to dnf it "I didn't like the book that much" is a case of That's not the book but me.
To be clear:
✔ I don't want to be annoyed but I am. Sorry Imogen, maybe I just reached my month limit in teenagers' insecurities.
✔ I don't want to be bored but well, I am. Sorry writer, because your writing is great, it's just - I don't have a damn clue of how I'm supposed to be interested in highschool stage - I'm just not.
✔ I don't want to guess the end but...Let's say I am wrong about it and I didn't guess what will happen next, shall we? I wasn't wrong.
✔ I wasn't lying when I said I wasn't a huge fan of this let's love my best friend kind of plot. It did happen I loved that - but that's far from the majority, unfortunately.
Because here's the thing : sometimes I'm okay with the fact I'm reading a predictable book. Hey, I'm reading romance for God's sake.
But sometimes I'm not. That's not fair, I agree, but that's what I feel right now.
Forgive me?
Of course I'm cheating with that Gif. And I'm really proud of it :p.
__________________________________________
Let's try this! I never loved Cinderella that much in the first place.
I mean, she was a bit dumb, don't you think? (please don't hate me for saying this) I always preferred the birds. What can I say? I'm weird.
But they're cute, aren't they?
Okaaay, I'm so missing the point. I'd better read.
Actual rating : 2.5/5
(Of course the 'yes' is ticked, you know I'm a hopeful girl, right?)
Because I think my
To be clear:
✔ I don't want to be annoyed but I am. Sorry Imogen, maybe I just reached my month limit in teenagers' insecurities.
✔ I don't want to be bored but well, I am. Sorry writer, because your writing is great, it's just - I don't have a damn clue of how I'm supposed to be interested in highschool stage - I'm just not.
✔ I don't want to guess the end but...
✔ I wasn't lying when I said I wasn't a huge fan of this let's love my best friend kind of plot. It did happen I loved that - but that's far from the majority, unfortunately.
Because here's the thing : sometimes I'm okay with the fact I'm reading a predictable book. Hey, I'm reading romance for God's sake.
But sometimes I'm not. That's not fair, I agree, but that's what I feel right now.
Forgive me?
Of course I'm cheating with that Gif. And I'm really proud of it :p.
__________________________________________
Let's try this! I never loved Cinderella that much in the first place.
I mean, she was a bit dumb, don't you think? (please don't hate me for saying this) I always preferred the birds. What can I say? I'm weird.
But they're cute, aren't they?
Okaaay, I'm so missing the point. I'd better read.
thepaperreels's review
5.0
You can also read my review here!
"I am whole. I am more than just the pieces that I see. I am stronger than I seem"
Wow. That gif right there is right, my feelings right now is indescribable. Kelsey Macke just slayed me with her words. I can literally feel my heart squeezing while reading Imogen's thoughts. I don't know how to go about reviewing this book. Frankly, this is a book that will linger in my mind for the rest of my life. It made an impact on me.
Imogen is overweight and depressed. She's Ella Cinder's step sister. And she hides in the audio room because she thinks that that's where she belongs. Imogen is such a real character that it scares me. She's engraved in my heart now and I'd be lying if I say that it's easy letting her go because it's not. I cried with her, laughed with her, she shared her feeling about everyone that surrounds her and she even let me know her greatest fears. And I am grateful for that. There are characters that you read, but there are characters that you read.. and stays with you.
Imogen is also Grant's best friend, the sound goddess and a precious friend to have. Grant.. Gosh, how do I even describe Grant? I want to say he's perfect. But he's not. He is absolutely flawed and beautifully made. I have a feeling that I might love him more than Imogen.
This book is stunning. It will break your heart. It made my stomach hurt as I recalled my past experiences, and made me cry at how cruel people can be to others. But this book needs to be read. Bullying and depression needs to be brought into the light.
This is not an easy book to read, but well written, capturing the truth and hardness of high school bullying and where it leads to, the damage it can do. With a cast of characters that you will love to hate, Kelsey Macke has portrayed the bullies in this book exceptionally well.
I enjoyed this book despite it's difficult message and content, a YA book that adults can read, an intelligent book talking about important matters using fiction as the messenger. What happens to Imogen? Do the bullies get the best of her in the end? Will she learn to love herself so she can finally open her heart for other people who wants to love her?
Damsel Distressed is a powerful debut. It's provocative, beautiful and creative. Kelsey Macke is an author to watch out for. I cannot wait to see what's more in store for her readers. I really hope everyone will read this book.
jbojkov's review
5.0
Just finished this book. Loved, loved, loved it! Imogen has earned a place beside some my other favorite flawed, but interesting literary characters. Kelsey Macke does a wonderful job of creating a young woman with an authentic voice- I believed Imogene was real as I was reading. That's the gold standards for me. This book and accompanying album will be released in October. Go buy it. Please. You'll be happy you did.
soojinniee's review
5.0
This was a really wonderful book to read. I've read a lot of books that had to deal with mental health, but this one really got to me and made me cry so much.
I loved all the characters, especially Grant. omg I need a man like him.
I loved all the characters, especially Grant. omg I need a man like him.