Scars Like Wings

by Erin Stewart

[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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