Bruised

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Author(s)

Sarah Skilton

Publisher

Amulet Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

March 05, 2013

ISBN

1419703870

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16-year-old Imogen Malley has spent most of her life in the shadow of her popular older brother, but there is one area in which she excels: martial arts.

As the youngest black belt at her dojang, Imogen loves assistant teaching more than anything in the world, and she plans to open her own martial arts studio one day. Per the Tae Kwon Do student creed, she's come to think of herself as a potential hero, a defender of the weak, and a champion of justice.

Her confidence disappears when she freezes up at an armed robbery that leaves someone dead. Guilt-stricken and numb, Imogen is left to wonder if martial arts failed her, or she failed it. Estranged from her family and friends, who don't understand why she's still beating herself up for failing to act, she struggles to get by on her own, and decides to prove herself by teaching another student how to fight –- no holds barred, no protective gear, no rules.

When the image you have of yourself is shattered, how do you make it whole again?

16-year-old Imogen Malley has spent most of her life in the shadow of her popular older brother, but there is one area in which she excels: martial arts.

When the image you have of yourself is shattered, how do you make it whole again?

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3 reviews

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BRUISED

July 18, 2014

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4.3

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BRUSIED is a stunning contemporary debut. It’s raw, powerful and unique. Every sentence is gorgeously written. The characters are so real, each voice strongly defined. I’d recommend this title to fans of PUSHING THE LIMITS - emotional, romantic, faultless. BRUSIED is a strong, compelling novel of guilt, love, and forgiveness, that is beautifully written and incredibly thoughtful.

Kate Top 500 Reviewer 23 reviews

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Great Contemporary Fiction

December 12, 2013

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4.7

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After training in Tae Kwon Do for years and achieving a black belt, Imogen does not act when confronted with a real life situation. The aftermath is devastating, and Imogen sinks into depression, weighed down by a massive amount of guilt. She's also dealing with other issues in her life that could potentially overwhelm her, all while trying to find herself again.

Imogen is an awesome character, and the way she deals with her problems is captivating and real. She has a lot of emotions and difficulties to face, and she doesn't just bounce back automatically like Superwoman; she has to work her way through her issues. Her choice at the end of the book was fantastic, and I loved that Skilton went that route. The romance in the book does not come off as overly sappy or contrived, and I really appreciated that Skilton didn't shove Imogen and Ricky together via insta-love. The storyline is interesting and the telling is well-paced; it didn't really drag painfully at any point, which is usually my problem with realistic fiction. This is a great example of contemporary fiction, and it would probably be a great addition to any public library, school library or personal YA collection.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amulet Books for the galley!!

Amber McKinney Top 100 Reviewer 51 reviews

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A Unique and unforgettable debut!

February 28, 2013

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4.0

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GUYS!!! WANT TO WIN A FINISHED COPY OF THIS BOOK FRESH OUT OF THE PRINTERS?HOP ON OVER TO MY BLOG AND FOLLOW THE LINK TO THE SPREADSHEET FORM AND FILL IT OUT!GOOD LUCK!!! IT'S INTERNATIONAL!!
Link:
http://perrytheplatypus1102-3daydreamer3.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-intl-giveaway-bruised-by.html

Originally posted at: http://perrytheplatypus1102-3daydreamer3.blogspot.com/

**I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from Abrams And Chronicle Books U.K in exchange for an honest review.**

Amulet has really got a good handful of YA debuts this year.Their first 2013 debut,Splintered, won my heart at first read (because first sight wouldn't really count :P) and Bruised was no less fascinating.Yes,I've already fallen head over heels love with Amulet at their second debut read.

Bruised is one of the most unique YA contemporaries that I've read so far.It's not everyday you see Tae Kwon Do being a major focus in a YA contemporary.I bet that took a lot of guts,considering the risks of whether it would go along with the usual cup of tea for most YA readers.

But Sarah Skilton had no problem at all in adapting the story for the YA crowd.Not only that,she was able to portray the concept of one's passion for a sport through her story and has gone through lengths that no other YA contemporary author had dared to reach before.

With an admirable and strong female protagonist with a vibrant voice,a daring sport,and an unforgettable story,what more could you ask for?Bruised is one YA novel that will not fail to move people,even someone who is not much of a contemporary fan.