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A review by xangemtheelibrarian
I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. Kennedy
challenging
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Y'all. This one was like getting punched in the gut with each chapter. Maya's anxiety, mental health, and trauma are all so hard to read about. Can you imagine? You finally break up with your abusive ex, then she dies the same day and begins to haunt you! That's AWFUL.
Kennedy did a phenomenal job of showing Alana's charm. She's charismatic, vibrant, beautiful, and manipulative. She knows exactly what to say to get what she wants. That's true even in death, especially with Maya.
Kennedy also did a great job of showing how Maya, the victim, got blamed for Alana's death. How her behavior-- things that only make sense to her and the reader because we live in her head during this tale-- makes the people around her quick to judge her as the real abuser. Maya's anxiety and attachment to Alana is written with so much care and attention. Kennedy did it right. She really did.
Rowan is also a beautiful character. She meets Maya where she is. She never once tries to take advantage of Maya's grief, and her support is essential to Maya's development.
This is a book about a victim grieving the loss of her abuser. This is the story of a victim learning to be herself again. This is the story of a girl who freed herself. It's hard to read but it was worth it.
Kennedy did a phenomenal job of showing Alana's charm. She's charismatic, vibrant, beautiful, and manipulative. She knows exactly what to say to get what she wants. That's true even in death, especially with Maya.
Kennedy also did a great job of showing how Maya, the victim, got blamed for Alana's death. How her behavior-- things that only make sense to her and the reader because we live in her head during this tale-- makes the people around her quick to judge her as the real abuser. Maya's anxiety and attachment to Alana is written with so much care and attention. Kennedy did it right. She really did.
Rowan is also a beautiful character. She meets Maya where she is. She never once tries to take advantage of Maya's grief, and her support is essential to Maya's development.
This is a book about a victim grieving the loss of her abuser. This is the story of a victim learning to be herself again. This is the story of a girl who freed herself. It's hard to read but it was worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization