Reviews

Bruised by Tanya Boteju

thereadingchallengechallenge's review

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An emotionally charged novel about a girl in pain and the ways she tries to break out of it, both beneficial and detrimental. 

kian_annus's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

3.25

lsparrow's review against another edition

4.0

YA roller derby novel. I loved the look at roller derby culture - reminded me of many of the things that drew me to the sport.

raemondd's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

3.0

I liked it but it got a bit repetitive. I love roller derby though so anything about that and I am IN

tinynavajo's review

4.0

A story about learning to forgive yourself and love yourself, to let in the voices of others so that they can help support you and make you stronger than you ever thought possible. A story about how being hard can be a good thing, but when taken too far can lead to destructive habits. How being soft can be a form of being strong and without taking shit from other people.

For Daya, learning all of this takes nearly the whole book, but you can start to see her point of view, her perspective change once she joins the Killa Honeys and learns that being a team player just may be the best thing she ever signed up for.

ramintah's review

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

redfishbobfish's review against another edition

4.0

For the most part I enjoyed the book. However as someone who has been playing, reffing and watching WFTDA derby for a decade it felt as though the author didn't know the game. I know some changes are made for artistic reasons, but the idea of someone going from never been on skates to playing in a game in what a month? is just so far outside reality. And the scores in the games felt so unlike anything I've ever heard.

That said, I loved the casual inclusion of a diverse cast of characters, the growth of the protagonist and how even she was able to see that reflected in others.

adrzeck's review

3.0

Warning: Self Harm (bruising), hostile homelife, off-screen death of parents.

Daya has serious survivor's guilt, a lack of tools for dealing with emotions, and no outlet. Welcome Roller Derby. Maybe being a soft little marshmallow will get you ahead in life. ELECTIC group of supporting characters.

Note: the author did lots of research and review for derby practices.

__kira's review

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aoosterwyk's review

3.0

Took me awhile to finish this one. I found the derby more accessible than the self-harm/self-blame storyline but I think for high school readers, it works. Made me want to put on my skates again and watch some derby.