Scars Like Wings

by Erin Stewart

Everyone has scars. Some are just easier to see ...

16-year-old Ava Lee is heading back to school one year after a house fire left her severely disfigured. She’s used to the names, the stares, the discomfort, but there’s one name she hates most of all: Survivor. What do you call someone who didn’t mean to survive? Who sometimes wishes she hadn’t?

When she meets a fellow survivor named Piper at therapy, Ava begins to feel like she’s not facing the nightmare alone. Piper helps Ava reclaim the pieces of Ava Before the Fire, a normal girl who kissed boys and sang on stage. But Piper is fighting her own battle, and when Ava almost loses her best friend, she must decide if the new normal she’s chasing has more to do with the girl in the mirror — or the people by her side. 

The beautiful, life-affirming debut from Erin Stewart that's being called the YA answer to Wonder. Perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson, Nicola Yoon and John Green.

“A heartfelt and unflinching look at the reality of being a burn survivor and at the scars we all carry. This book is for everyone, burned or not, who has ever searched for a light in the darkness.” – Stephanie Nielson, New York Times bestselling author of HEAVEN IS HERE and a burn survivor

"A gripping story, which examines what it means to survive." - i newspaper
 

• ISBN10: 1471187012
• ISBN13: 9781471187018
• Publish Date: 3 October 2019 (first published 1 October 2019)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 14 July 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[stressedrach]

Such a thought-provoking book. We meet Ava Lee, who is a burns survivor but with significant scars on her face and body, in the fire, she lost her parents and now living with her aunt and uncle. It is now time to return to school, how will the other students be with her?
We follow Ava through her struggles and her achievements, friendship and self-acceptance it is heartbreaking at times, I felt the pull and was almost in tears reading some of it.
Erin Stewart did an amazing job writing this, it flowed well and I would recommend it

[Laurie]

Review posted on https://lauriesbookshelf.com
A while back, I stumbled upon Scars like wings by Erin Stewart. I immediately added it to my TBR, because such stories interest me. First of all, I haven't read any book about a burn survivor in Young Adult bfore. Furthermore, this story shows courage and empowerment, themes that are explored more and more these days.

• Representation: Burn survivor, anxiety, insecurity, depression
• Trigger warnings: Graphic description of burns and scars, (re-experiences of) a traumatic experience, bullying, suicide attempt

When starting the book, you'll get immediately thrown into the story. Ava Lee is about to start school again after a fire made her loose nearly everything. You see her struggles and hopes she will be accepted and find her place there. The story is fast-paced and it's clear that Erin Stewart did a lot of research regarding burns. However, I cannot judge the representation, which therefore I won't do so.



All characters in Scars like wings are pretty likeable. There's Ava, who is of course very insecure but shows an enormous growth throughout the book. Then there is Piper who helps Ava, but struggles herself and constantly hides it. Is this a good depression rep? Something I can't judge either. Finally, we have Assad, who treats both Ava and Piper as actual humans instead of different people with scars. He sets a good example for everyone.



Erin Stewart managed to write a story of courage and empowerment. Despite their scars, Ava and Piper manage to find back themselves and their place in the world of high school. I really enjoyed reading Scars like wings and experiencing this character development. Furthermore, after a few very disappointing books, this was such a welcome read that got me out of my lurking reading slump. I managed to read this book from start to finish in just a few hours. I highly recommend Scars like wings to everyone.
This review was originally posted on Laurie's Bookshelf

[lauriesbookshelf]

Review posted on https://lauriesbookshelf.com
A while back, I stumbled upon Scars like wings by Erin Stewart. I immediately added it to my TBR, because such stories interest me. First of all, I haven't read any book about a burn survivor in Young Adult bfore. Furthermore, this story shows courage and empowerment, themes that are explored more and more these days.

• Representation: Burn survivor, anxiety, insecurity, depression
• Trigger warnings: Graphic description of burns and scars, (re-experiences of) a traumatic experience, bullying, suicide attempt

When starting the book, you'll get immediately thrown into the story. Ava Lee is about to start school again after a fire made her loose nearly everything. You see her struggles and hopes she will be accepted and find her place there. The story is fast-paced and it's clear that Erin Stewart did a lot of research regarding burns. However, I cannot judge the representation, which therefore I won't do so.



All characters in Scars like wings are pretty likeable. There's Ava, who is of course very insecure but shows an enormous growth throughout the book. Then there is Piper who helps Ava, but struggles herself and constantly hides it. Is this a good depression rep? Something I can't judge either. Finally, we have Assad, who treats both Ava and Piper as actual humans instead of different people with scars. He sets a good example for everyone.



Erin Stewart managed to write a story of courage and empowerment. Despite their scars, Ava and Piper manage to find back themselves and their place in the world of high school. I really enjoyed reading Scars like wings and experiencing this character development. Furthermore, after a few very disappointing books, this was such a welcome read that got me out of my lurking reading slump. I managed to read this book from start to finish in just a few hours. I highly recommend Scars like wings to everyone.
This review was originally posted on Laurie's Bookshelf

[Sam@WLABB]

It had been a year since the fire. She lost so much - her parents, her cousin, herself. Now, her aunt and doctors, believed it is time for Ava's "reintegration", but how could they expect her to find her place in a new school, when she could not even recognize herself.

I. Loved. This. Book. I started it, and blazed through it, because I was so absorbed and invested in Ava's story.

One thing I especially loved about this book was that it was not a story about a victim. This was the story of a survivor, of a young woman fighting to reclaim her life, and I always appreciate a survivor story, as it helps me keep things in perspective.

Ava had, and was still, suffering physically and mentally. Stewart included visits to the doctor and therapist, as well as journal entries, which helped me understand the full extent of what Ava had experienced. I learned quite a bit about the physical aspects of severe burns, though the focus was largely on the mental challenges Ava was experiencing. Her inner struggles were quite heartbreaking, but her progress and the steps she took to take back bits of her life, were fantastic.

The good news was, that Ava didn't have to do it alone. She was lucky to have her aunt, her uncle, and a few friends in her corner. All of these characters encouraged Ava and pushed her, just enough, when she needed it. They refused to let her sink into isolation even when things got dark, and because of that, Ava was able to make so much progress.

I was so happy Stewart put Piper in Ava's life, because she was this angsty breath of fresh air, and exactly the push Ava needed to once again, join the world at large. It was also interesting to see the different ways Piper and Ava were coping with their "new normal", but it was the support they gave each other that captured my heart.

Can we talk about her Aunt Cora? I think I shed the most tears for her. Ava wasn't the only one, who lost a lot in the fire. Her aunt and uncle lost their only child, and I felt Cora's pain in depths of my heart. It's just struck as so beautiful, that these people were able to set aside their own grief in order to care for their niece, who required nineteen surgeries and special care as she healed. In fact, I might be crying right now just thinking about it.

I will admit, that I was not that keen on the mean girl storyline, but I guess it served a purpose. Best of all, it didn't detract from all the amazing parts of this book, at least, not for me.

Overall: This was a story that went from heartbreaking to heartwarming, from sad tears to happy tears, and I am so happy I had the opportunity to read Ava's story.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[Kelly]

Ava Gardener is the sole survivor of a house fire that took the lives of her parents and cousin Sara. Ava lives with the scars that serve as a reminder of her sorrow, for the lives lost that fateful day and the life that she's been so cruelly denied. Once an outgoing and popular girl, Ava has become a recluse, completing her education through correspondence and reluctantly attending group counselling appointments for adolescents who have survived tragedy and trauma.

Enduring invasive reconstructive surgery and grafts, Ava is restricted to compression bandages to ensure her skin remains taut during the heeling process, her aunt and uncle working tirelessly to afford Ava's ongoing medical expenses. Cared for by her aunt and uncle, Sara's parents who are mourning the loss of their only child, Ava understands the financial burden she's become. Championing her recovery, Cora is enthusiastic when Ava's counsellor suggests Ava return to school, no longer challenged by her online studies and needing to gain a sense of normalcy so to appease Cora, Ava agrees to a two week trial.

Ava Gardener is a wonderful young woman who has endured devastating tragedy, losing her parents and cousin in traumatic circumstances and although heavily scarred, Ava survived. The intensity of the fire burnt over sixty percent of Ava's skin and although she's endured multiple grafting procedures, Ava's facial scarring has become a barrier in regaining her independence. Through counselling Ava befriends Piper, the two young women both survivors. Piper was involved in a car accident and now physically disabled as a result, never allowing herself to become a victim or survivor but rather a girl who is thriving. Neither Ava or Piper serve as an inspiration to others, they simply want to experience adolescence.

Ava and Piper are characters of contrast, Ava wants to remain as inconspicuous as possible, Piper is self deprecating and uses humour to make antagonisers and detractors feel uncomfortable. Ava is a kindred spirit filling the void of loneliness for Piper, Piper encourages Ava to broaden her horizons and although both Piper and Ava continue to navigate their tentative friendship, Ava's confidence begins to blossom.

Scars Like Wings is a gentle and healing narrative, to not merely survive but to endure, to exist and to live again. Diverse young adult literature is almost exclusively sexually diverse, multicultural, multigender or hearing and vision impaired and Scars Like Wings is an incredibly important narrative. Physical scarring can often be debilitating, not only effecting confidence but the discomfort and pain associated with skin trauma. Ava's experience in finding her sense of normalcy is a personal journey, she experiences isolation, undiagnosed depression, acute pain and her movements restricted due to her compression bandages. Her recovery is ongoing, with Cora massaging ointment into her skin nightly. Psychologically, Ava also experiences vivid reminders of her loss which some readers may find confronting.

Erin Stewart has authored a tender, captivating narrative and an unflinching account of the scars we carry. Some not always visible. A beautifully compassionate debut novel and essential reading

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley and Delacorte in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I had zero expectations for this book, and it blew me away. What a fantastic debut.

Scars Like Wings combines so many of the things I enjoy in contemporaries, and attached them to an amazing girl and an important topic. How many times have we judged people by their outside, or thought less of them because of some sort of difference that makes us, for no good reason, feel uncomfortable? Difference is not something people like to talk about. Because we all want to believe we have no unconscious bias and that we are all perfect humans.

Ava is the sole survivor of a fire that killed in her parents and her cousin. After a year, she has reached the point where she can go back to school… and that’s terrifying. Ava is acutely aware of her appearance and tuned to the way people react to her. She decides, before walking in the door, it will be a nightmare. Ava’s transformation is fantastic in this book. I really appreciate the emphasis on “not okay”. As in… things are not okay, but lets find the “new normal”.

One of the things that stuck out to me the most was the twisting and turning of the relationships. In Scars Like Wings, there’s no villains and no heroes. I really enjoyed the complexity of all the characters and that the relationships were not just surface-deep. There were multiple stories being told here, and it was great.

The writing style is also very good. Erin Stewart is never preachy. She’s not flowery. The characters’ sarcasm comes through easily, without excessive (exhaustive) interpretation. It was really easy to get into the flow of this one. I read it in one sitting, over a couple of hours. It was a quick read that changed its tone subtly and made you love ALL the characters. All of them. Even the ones you thought you were supposed to hate at the beginning.

Scars Like Wings takes a topic most of us are uncomfortable with a makes it vulnerable and tangible. Even if you have not experienced severe physical trauma, you can relate to the flood of Ava’s raw emotions. The end was so filled with hope and determination that I teared up a little. I loved it.

Some small asides: I really liked all the Broadway musical references! I was totally obsessed with Broadway musicals at Ava’s age and I’m pretty sure I got all the references and am quite pleased. I also liked that Ava didn’t need someone to call her “beautiful” to find worth in herself. And I really like the bold simplicity of the cover.

In short – great book, great characters, great debut. I’ll be watching for Erin Stewart’s next story.