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A review by zinelib
Bruised by Tanya Boteju
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
"Bruised" refers to Daya's heart, as well as her limbs and extremities, following her parents' death in a car crash and Daya's chosen form of self-injury: skateboarding. Pain gives her the feeling she thinks she deserves, and having given up boxing, which was her thing with her dad, she needs a new sport to prove her toughness.
Daya lives with her theatrical paternal uncle Priam and his wife Vicky, who mean well. She's a high school student, but we don't see her interacting with any friends but her 22-year-old friend Fee and fee's girlfriend Cai. One day Fee suggests Daya go to a roller derby bout with them and Cai, and normally uninterested-in-anything Daya is psyched for ondce. At the game, Daya meets the derby girls, especially Kat, who plays jammer on the Killa Honeys, and Daya's perfect YA love interest Shanti.
Daya lives with her theatrical paternal uncle Priam and his wife Vicky, who mean well. She's a high school student, but we don't see her interacting with any friends but her 22-year-old friend Fee and fee's girlfriend Cai. One day Fee suggests Daya go to a roller derby bout with them and Cai, and normally uninterested-in-anything Daya is psyched for ondce. At the game, Daya meets the derby girls, especially Kat, who plays jammer on the Killa Honeys, and Daya's perfect YA love interest Shanti.
It didn't bother me that they thought I was queer somewhere deep down. I twas the first time someone had assumed I liked girls, even though I dated boys (well "dated" might be a stretch). My skater uniform--baggy jeans, hoodies, ball caps, and skate shoes, plus my undercut and piercings--suggested I might not conform to all kinds of "gender norms."
Get-lose-get back ensues--both with the girl and in reverse with Daya's rage issues. There is a cast of flamboyant and believable characters (you can be both!) and good roller derby descriptions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm