Brandon Ford

Brandon Ford is a horror author of scary stories I've enjoyed in the past. Open Wounds is different, but that doesn't make the story any less horrific. The book shines a spotlight on abuse: emotional, physical, sexual. It's a spotlight many of us would rather go dark, as the subject of abuse is so very hard for so many. However, it needs to shine brightly to bring awareness to something which still happens far too much in our society.

The story is set in 1981. I was thirteen that year and I am so thankful I did not have to endure what Kate did. Ford was smart setting the story in this era because these kinds of abuse were even less recognized back then. Often, if a girl told what was happening, no one would even believe her. We're seeing this come out in the present time...that abuses were going on back then and no one believed.

I'll be honest. This story is very dark. I sometimes found it hard to continue because it was so disturbing and distressing. Plus, I listened to the audio book which made it even more real. The young voice of the reader made it seem like Kate was really relating the story. I had to keep listening though. I had to know how it would all end.

I love stories that draw me in, while still teaching a lesson along the way. I warn again...it's very dark, and those who are triggered by stories containing subjects of abuse and self-harm should probably avoid. For others, read it. Learn why it's so important to believe when someone tells you something bad is happening to them. If they're lying, fine, but if they're not, you just might save a life.… (lisätietoja)

Dark, very dark.

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a horror book, it’s more along the lines of a tragedy.

Kate’s life has never been easy, but she learns how easy it is for it to always get worse, because it does always get worse. After the divorce of her parents, she tries to tell herself that her new home will be a fresh start. Then her mother meets Grady, and Kate’s life spirals down into abuse and fear. Her only relief comes from cutting.

This is a book that will make you ugly cry for sure. It’s easy to feel sorry for Kate because her life is never easy. The author handled the delicate situations in this book in a very real, very concrete manner. It’s sad to think there are girls forced to suffer lives like that, and this is one of those types of fiction stories that makes you really think about the world and people in it.

For all the darkness in the story, I loved the end of the book and felt like it gave the piece a bit of hope, a bit of closure. A little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. I was so captivated by the story that I had to finish it in a day because once I started, I didn’t want to stop until I heard how it ended.

This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle difficult topics, it is worth a listen.

The narration was well done, giving a gentle edge to these not-so-gentle topics.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
… (lisätietoja)

Merciless is a book very fitting it's title. It mercilessly puts the reader into the mind of not only the villains, but the victims. The name's sake part of the book eloquently speaks of the victims of this true life crime, making them real and relatable. The story evoked all the emotions you get from the decisions teens make, while later putting them at a raised level while the reader watches them try to weather the storm they happened into with dignity. Very well written.

The subsequent fiction stories were gripping and put the reader square in the lives of these twisted people. The last story, "All I Ever Wanted," pulled all the stops, dragging your emotions through the ringer by the main character's hopes, strive to meet her goals, and her ultimate fate.… (lisätietoja)