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Sacred #1
Sacred
Growing up on Catalina Island, off the California coast, Scarlett Wenderoth has led a fairly isolated life. After her brother dies, her isolation deepens as she withdraws into herself, shutting out her friends and boyfriend. Her parents, shattered by their own sorrow, fail to notice Scarlett's pain and sudden alarming thinness. Scarlett finds pleasure only on her horse, escaping to the heart of the island on long, solitary rides. One day, as she races around a bend, Scarlett is startled by a boy who raises his hand in warning and says one word: "Stop."
The boy—intense, beautiful—is Will Cohen, a newcomer to the island. For reasons he can't or won't explain, he's drawn to Scarlett and feels compelled to keep her safe. To keep her from wasting away. His meddling irritates Scarlett, though she can't deny her attraction to him. As their relationship blossoms into love, Scarlett's body slowly awakens at Will's touch. But just when her grief begins to ebb, she makes a startling discovery about Will, a discovery he's been grappling with himself. A discovery that threatens to force them apart. And if it does, Scarlett fears she will unravel all over again.
The boy—intense, beautiful—is Will Cohen, a newcomer to the island. For reasons he can't or won't explain, he's drawn to Scarlett and feels compelled to keep her safe. To keep her from wasting away. His meddling irritates Scarlett, though she can't deny her attraction to him. As their relationship blossoms into love, Scarlett's body slowly awakens at Will's touch. But just when her grief begins to ebb, she makes a startling discovery about Will, a discovery he's been grappling with himself. A discovery that threatens to force them apart. And if it does, Scarlett fears she will unravel all over again.
288 pages, Library Binding
First published November 13, 2012
13 people are currently reading
2559 people want to read
About the author
Elana K. Arnold
42 books1,077 followersELANA K. ARNOLD writes books for and about children and teens. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing/Fiction from the University of California, Davis where she has taught Creative Writing and Adolescent Literature. Her most recent YA novel, DAMSEL, is a Printz Honor book, Her 2017 novel, WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and her middle grade novel, A BOY CALLED BAT, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. A parent and educator living in Huntington Beach, California, Elana is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries, and writers’ conferences. Currently, Elana is the caretaker of seven pets, only three of which have fur. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://elanakarnold.us10.list-manage...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
March 5, 2013
A contemporary with a hint of paranormal, Sacred is a story with a lot of grief and pain, but also hope and acceptance.
Having lost her brother suddenly, Scarlett is left with a broken family and an emptiness nothing can even begin to fill. Grief over her brother's death begins as the main topic of this novel. We get a very realistic portrayal of a family broken by pain, by a missing entity. I thought this was very heartbreaking. You can see that Scarlett really wants, needs, her family back. She yearns for what she sees her friends have as a home life when she visits, a house that is not dark and desolate. Having no one else to turn to, Scarlett uses horse riding, along with self punishment as a way to cope. This too was also very emotional and made me feel incredibly sad for her situation. Even she knows she has a problem, she wants to get better and move on, but the unending grief is making this incredibly hard.
Then she meets a boy--Will. At first the love interest annoyed me. He was the typical stalker guy who's always there when he's not wanted, and seemed a little too pushy. After a while though we come to understand the reason behind his actions. I can't say I ever grew to like him exactly, but I stopped being hateful towards him at least. He also harbours a secret that starts out intriguing but fizzles out into a less interesting (at least to me) direction than I was expecting--more on this in a bit. Their relationship starts out a little rocky, but then he becomes sort of her rock. He's a real gentlemanly type of guy that I found perfect for just this purpose. However, the romance they developed was a bit lacking. I wouldn't say it's insta-lovey, or even unrealistic, I just didn't see any sparks between them, really. In turn, the passion and chemistry was missing from the story, leaving the romance a little plain.
The plot mostly consists of Scarlett moving on from her brother's death. There is also a paranormal/spiritual element added to it, and it's explained with religious faith and belief. So yes there's a religious aspect to the novel, especially deeper during the last part, to which I didn't particularly care for. I think those who enjoy religious lore--Kabalah, Tzaddikim, gifts and abilities brought on by Jewish legends, etc (Will's father is a Rabbi, too, hence where it all comes from)--would find a lot of this fascinating, but it just rolled off of me. Religion aside, the rest of the story is an emotion filled tale of sorrow and loss that I found really quite potent. You could say there's two sides of this story, one religious, and the other raw contemporary. I enjoyed the latter much more.
A solid story of the loss of a loved one, Elana took Sacred, the seemingly usual contemporary, into a path that combines religion and spiritualism to create an affectingly unique YA novel. If religious tones are not something you shy away from in books I can see you becoming a fan of this one.
--
A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Having lost her brother suddenly, Scarlett is left with a broken family and an emptiness nothing can even begin to fill. Grief over her brother's death begins as the main topic of this novel. We get a very realistic portrayal of a family broken by pain, by a missing entity. I thought this was very heartbreaking. You can see that Scarlett really wants, needs, her family back. She yearns for what she sees her friends have as a home life when she visits, a house that is not dark and desolate. Having no one else to turn to, Scarlett uses horse riding, along with self punishment as a way to cope. This too was also very emotional and made me feel incredibly sad for her situation. Even she knows she has a problem, she wants to get better and move on, but the unending grief is making this incredibly hard.
Then she meets a boy--Will. At first the love interest annoyed me. He was the typical stalker guy who's always there when he's not wanted, and seemed a little too pushy. After a while though we come to understand the reason behind his actions. I can't say I ever grew to like him exactly, but I stopped being hateful towards him at least. He also harbours a secret that starts out intriguing but fizzles out into a less interesting (at least to me) direction than I was expecting--more on this in a bit. Their relationship starts out a little rocky, but then he becomes sort of her rock. He's a real gentlemanly type of guy that I found perfect for just this purpose. However, the romance they developed was a bit lacking. I wouldn't say it's insta-lovey, or even unrealistic, I just didn't see any sparks between them, really. In turn, the passion and chemistry was missing from the story, leaving the romance a little plain.
The plot mostly consists of Scarlett moving on from her brother's death. There is also a paranormal/spiritual element added to it, and it's explained with religious faith and belief. So yes there's a religious aspect to the novel, especially deeper during the last part, to which I didn't particularly care for. I think those who enjoy religious lore--Kabalah, Tzaddikim, gifts and abilities brought on by Jewish legends, etc (Will's father is a Rabbi, too, hence where it all comes from)--would find a lot of this fascinating, but it just rolled off of me. Religion aside, the rest of the story is an emotion filled tale of sorrow and loss that I found really quite potent. You could say there's two sides of this story, one religious, and the other raw contemporary. I enjoyed the latter much more.
A solid story of the loss of a loved one, Elana took Sacred, the seemingly usual contemporary, into a path that combines religion and spiritualism to create an affectingly unique YA novel. If religious tones are not something you shy away from in books I can see you becoming a fan of this one.
--
A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
November 11, 2012
I admit I didn't like this book very much at first, but it ended up really growing on me.
I had my doubts because I really didn't like Scarlett in the beginning. She was just way too depressing for me. Yes, I understood that her brother just died, and I know what grief feels like, but I just wanted to shake her and scream at her to wake up. And I didn't know why she was such a witch to Will. I could see why his untimely presence can be a bit unnerving, but she had no reason to be so angry at him, particularly because she wasn't written as the character who dealt with grief by being mad at the world.
But once she got over whatever the "problem" it was that she had with Will, I found myself really, really liking the book.
You won't believe how many books I have read with a similar premise - the cliched car wreck leaving a kid without a parent(s), a girl dealing with a death, her family basically checking out until something catastrophic happens to wake them up. And let me tell you, it usually annoys the hell out of me because those are too conveniently easy scenarios that writers stick in because they can't think of a more creative way for that setting.
However, it worked in this book, in my opinion. I don't know very much about Jewish culture, but Arnold has found a way to apply some context to the cliche scenes. I could tell she put some thought into it and crafted her story around that premise. I found that I had become so emotionally attached to the characters in this story, that it really moved me.
The same goes with the overdone scenario about boyfriend who's a jerk and there is a mysterious guy who shows up in town to save the girl. Yes, it was cliche, but I actually liked the story. But the thing was, it didn't just end with her being saved. He had some issues too.
My only complaint about that was that I thought his problems were too glossed over at the end. Yes, the focus was on Scarlett, but to me, that was part of her healing process was helping Will in return, and I would have liked to see a little more than just the easy, quick, glimpse of the solution that Arnold wrote.
So yeah, I hope readers who felt the same way I do about the beginning would give the rest of it a chance because it did end up being a pretty good story.
I had my doubts because I really didn't like Scarlett in the beginning. She was just way too depressing for me. Yes, I understood that her brother just died, and I know what grief feels like, but I just wanted to shake her and scream at her to wake up. And I didn't know why she was such a witch to Will. I could see why his untimely presence can be a bit unnerving, but she had no reason to be so angry at him, particularly because she wasn't written as the character who dealt with grief by being mad at the world.
But once she got over whatever the "problem" it was that she had with Will, I found myself really, really liking the book.
You won't believe how many books I have read with a similar premise - the cliched car wreck leaving a kid without a parent(s), a girl dealing with a death, her family basically checking out until something catastrophic happens to wake them up. And let me tell you, it usually annoys the hell out of me because those are too conveniently easy scenarios that writers stick in because they can't think of a more creative way for that setting.
However, it worked in this book, in my opinion. I don't know very much about Jewish culture, but Arnold has found a way to apply some context to the cliche scenes. I could tell she put some thought into it and crafted her story around that premise. I found that I had become so emotionally attached to the characters in this story, that it really moved me.
The same goes with the overdone scenario about boyfriend who's a jerk and there is a mysterious guy who shows up in town to save the girl. Yes, it was cliche, but I actually liked the story. But the thing was, it didn't just end with her being saved. He had some issues too.
My only complaint about that was that I thought his problems were too glossed over at the end. Yes, the focus was on Scarlett, but to me, that was part of her healing process was helping Will in return, and I would have liked to see a little more than just the easy, quick, glimpse of the solution that Arnold wrote.
So yeah, I hope readers who felt the same way I do about the beginning would give the rest of it a chance because it did end up being a pretty good story.
December 22, 2012
The synopsis is mysterious. I didn't know if this was going to be a contemporary book or a paranormal book. I didn't know where it was heading, and that intrigued me. What I didn't realize was that I would finish the book still not knowing what happens.
This was a confusing book for me. There doesn't seem to be a focus for the plot except that Will and Scarlett were meant to be. The beginning was okay. It wasn't outstanding, but I could see a general course for the novel. Scarlett is depressed, anorexic, and self harms by denying her body's needs. However, the plot doesn't end with Will saving her and righting her life. It introduces a paranormal element with Will's abilities. This may still have worked with the plot; instead, it leads to difficulties in their relationship and a lot of drama that doesn't make much sense in hindsight. In short, despite the paranormal aspect of the book, this reads like a normal high school drama and not even a good one at that. There is the exposition and some rising action; however, I can't name a definite climax or change happening, the falling action takes forever, and there is no real sense of resolution. By the end, I was skimming pages in the hopes of finding some interesting development.
Honestly, Scarlett annoyed me for the most part. She doesn't treat herself well, and her relationships are a mess. She stays with Andy, though she isn't attracted to him anymore, if she ever was, and he's a jerk whose only purpose for being with her seems to be getting into her pants. She and Lily and best friends, but they mostly only hang around, talk about guys, and dress up. She is inexplicably drawn to Will from the start, and they're perfect for each other. I could overlook the instalove because Will's abilities pull him towards her, but the changes in his behavior after they begin dating are out of character. Normal jealousy I can understand, but Will typically has such good control over his behavior that his actions seem groundless and unbelievable.
In fact, the main characters are relatively unstable in their attitudes and motivations, they don't show much, if any, growth, and they fall flat for me. I do understand some of Scarlett's feelings at the beginning. However, I couldn't feel her emotions. It may have helped to know how close she was to her brother, but little information is given other than the circumstances of his death and a few other details. I can't get a feel for him as a person and how his loss would impact his family so severely.
With no clear sense of direction in the plot and with flat, unrelatable characters, Sacred rambles through a time of change in Scarlett's life. I say rambles because that's what it feels took place. There are no major developments in Scarlett's life after she dumps Andy and dates Will, and there are no periods of intense emotions that made me feel as though I was there with Scarlett. Overall, this book fell flat for me along with its characters. It just wasn't for me.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
This was a confusing book for me. There doesn't seem to be a focus for the plot except that Will and Scarlett were meant to be. The beginning was okay. It wasn't outstanding, but I could see a general course for the novel. Scarlett is depressed, anorexic, and self harms by denying her body's needs. However, the plot doesn't end with Will saving her and righting her life. It introduces a paranormal element with Will's abilities. This may still have worked with the plot; instead, it leads to difficulties in their relationship and a lot of drama that doesn't make much sense in hindsight. In short, despite the paranormal aspect of the book, this reads like a normal high school drama and not even a good one at that. There is the exposition and some rising action; however, I can't name a definite climax or change happening, the falling action takes forever, and there is no real sense of resolution. By the end, I was skimming pages in the hopes of finding some interesting development.
Honestly, Scarlett annoyed me for the most part. She doesn't treat herself well, and her relationships are a mess. She stays with Andy, though she isn't attracted to him anymore, if she ever was, and he's a jerk whose only purpose for being with her seems to be getting into her pants. She and Lily and best friends, but they mostly only hang around, talk about guys, and dress up. She is inexplicably drawn to Will from the start, and they're perfect for each other. I could overlook the instalove because Will's abilities pull him towards her, but the changes in his behavior after they begin dating are out of character. Normal jealousy I can understand, but Will typically has such good control over his behavior that his actions seem groundless and unbelievable.
In fact, the main characters are relatively unstable in their attitudes and motivations, they don't show much, if any, growth, and they fall flat for me. I do understand some of Scarlett's feelings at the beginning. However, I couldn't feel her emotions. It may have helped to know how close she was to her brother, but little information is given other than the circumstances of his death and a few other details. I can't get a feel for him as a person and how his loss would impact his family so severely.
With no clear sense of direction in the plot and with flat, unrelatable characters, Sacred rambles through a time of change in Scarlett's life. I say rambles because that's what it feels took place. There are no major developments in Scarlett's life after she dumps Andy and dates Will, and there are no periods of intense emotions that made me feel as though I was there with Scarlett. Overall, this book fell flat for me along with its characters. It just wasn't for me.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
November 21, 2012
When I started the book, it was slow and smooth, but as I progressed, the Sacred caught me by surprised. I felt very urge to uncover the mysteries that was embedded in pages. I was previously dying to read the book, now I believe I’m lucky to have Sacred to have on my book shelf.
In a beautiful island Catalina, Scarlet was mourning over dead brother, and her life seemed to have stopped, until a new boy Will showed up. Strangely, Will was drawn to Scarlet in a very unexplainable way. Every time Scarlet is in danger, Will saves her. But Will has some secrets to hide, secrets that can cause enough damage in their lives and those damages would be irrecoverable.
Lonely girl and mysterious boy with lot of dangerous secrets; what could be most interesting than that?
I always had a soft corner for broken characters and for me both Scarlet and Will won me by the end, however Scarlet was very depressing at the beginning, but I felt her remorse. Her emotions were expressed in a very intense way, even after one year of her brother’s death she fought with her grief in every second. On the other side the new boy Will was utterly gorgeous and everything was mysterious about him that it made me wonder that I badly wanted to dive inside the book. He was a stalker at first, kind of annoying but later it revealed to be his strange attraction to danger and in this case danger was Scarlet herself. He was kind of guardian angel to her, a protector and a lover.
The book was gorgeously written, and the author’s description of Catalina Island took my breath away. It was vivid and beautifully described that it’s not impossible for readers to visualize every tiny detail. It was slow at the beginning, and then the book picked up speed and never let of it. The more I made progress with the story, the more I found myself engrossed in it. I loved Sacred; it’s a surprisingly brilliant starting of a new series and a wonderful debut.
In a beautiful island Catalina, Scarlet was mourning over dead brother, and her life seemed to have stopped, until a new boy Will showed up. Strangely, Will was drawn to Scarlet in a very unexplainable way. Every time Scarlet is in danger, Will saves her. But Will has some secrets to hide, secrets that can cause enough damage in their lives and those damages would be irrecoverable.
Lonely girl and mysterious boy with lot of dangerous secrets; what could be most interesting than that?
I always had a soft corner for broken characters and for me both Scarlet and Will won me by the end, however Scarlet was very depressing at the beginning, but I felt her remorse. Her emotions were expressed in a very intense way, even after one year of her brother’s death she fought with her grief in every second. On the other side the new boy Will was utterly gorgeous and everything was mysterious about him that it made me wonder that I badly wanted to dive inside the book. He was a stalker at first, kind of annoying but later it revealed to be his strange attraction to danger and in this case danger was Scarlet herself. He was kind of guardian angel to her, a protector and a lover.
The book was gorgeously written, and the author’s description of Catalina Island took my breath away. It was vivid and beautifully described that it’s not impossible for readers to visualize every tiny detail. It was slow at the beginning, and then the book picked up speed and never let of it. The more I made progress with the story, the more I found myself engrossed in it. I loved Sacred; it’s a surprisingly brilliant starting of a new series and a wonderful debut.
September 6, 2012
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of Sacred and loved it! Scarlett and Will's relationship is full of mystery, tension, and longing and Scarlett's personal and family struggles are heartbreakingly real. Sacred has everything you remember from your own high school romances and everything you want in a coming-of-age novel. I highly recommend it to young and adult readers!
March 20, 2013
I really enjoyed Sacred. It sure did end up a much 'deeper' read than I thought it was going to be, but that made it an even more intense story! I read this book in one sitting and can say I am definitely excited to see where book two will go.
Sacred follows Scarlett who is slowly turning into nothing, she is grasping at straws but nothing is helping her move on from her brothers death. Her father puts on a fake front, and her mother barely acknowledges her. The only comfort she is finding in life is going to the stables and riding her horse Delilah. Then she meets Will who seems to be showing up everywhere, at first she is annoyed by his presence, but eventually he will turn into the one person that can bring her back to life..but if he leaves Scarlett..she may fall completely off the ledge.
This was quite the mysterious read! Which I personally loved, I hate when books are predictable! Sacred thankfully kept my attention and kept me wondering till well past the last page. Will is so mysterious and you have no idea what he is up to, is he a vampire or something? A Ghost? Werewolf? He thankfully is not any of those things, but something completely different that if you want to find out..well you'll just have to read Sacred! Sacred kept me on the edge of my seat, I was never quite sure what was going to happen to Scarlett!
Scarlett was an unpredictable character that literally shocked me at some points while reading. I found myself so worried about her, which to me just shows what a great writer the author Elana is. It was very easy to connect to Scarlett, and really feel what she was feeling. Besides the great character to reader aspect, I also really loved Elana's imagery, I usually don't like long descriptions or detailed scenery, but Elana's were so beautiful and so easy to imagine that I found those parts of the book actually being my favorite...compared to my least favorite for a change.
ANNNDDDD last but certainly not least there was Will our love interest! I really enjoyed Will, I felt for a YA character he was very mature, he never once annoyed me or made me role my eyes at the things he said. I found him to be quite an interesting character too that kept my attention. He cared alot for Scarlett and really just wanted her to be happy. Overall he was just a great love interest and I am looking forward to seeing him and Scarlett's relationship progress in book two, Splendor!
All in all, I really enjoyed Sacred, the writing was amazing, it had great main characters, and completely captivated me till I finished the book. The only complaint I have is that normally I don't enjoy any religion references in books which this one has quite often, but that is just a personal pet peeve with me, and even with the religion talk I still really enjoyed this. If you are looking for a YA novel that is something a little different, I suggest picking up Sacred. (:
Sacred follows Scarlett who is slowly turning into nothing, she is grasping at straws but nothing is helping her move on from her brothers death. Her father puts on a fake front, and her mother barely acknowledges her. The only comfort she is finding in life is going to the stables and riding her horse Delilah. Then she meets Will who seems to be showing up everywhere, at first she is annoyed by his presence, but eventually he will turn into the one person that can bring her back to life..but if he leaves Scarlett..she may fall completely off the ledge.
This was quite the mysterious read! Which I personally loved, I hate when books are predictable! Sacred thankfully kept my attention and kept me wondering till well past the last page. Will is so mysterious and you have no idea what he is up to, is he a vampire or something? A Ghost? Werewolf? He thankfully is not any of those things, but something completely different that if you want to find out..well you'll just have to read Sacred! Sacred kept me on the edge of my seat, I was never quite sure what was going to happen to Scarlett!
Scarlett was an unpredictable character that literally shocked me at some points while reading. I found myself so worried about her, which to me just shows what a great writer the author Elana is. It was very easy to connect to Scarlett, and really feel what she was feeling. Besides the great character to reader aspect, I also really loved Elana's imagery, I usually don't like long descriptions or detailed scenery, but Elana's were so beautiful and so easy to imagine that I found those parts of the book actually being my favorite...compared to my least favorite for a change.
ANNNDDDD last but certainly not least there was Will our love interest! I really enjoyed Will, I felt for a YA character he was very mature, he never once annoyed me or made me role my eyes at the things he said. I found him to be quite an interesting character too that kept my attention. He cared alot for Scarlett and really just wanted her to be happy. Overall he was just a great love interest and I am looking forward to seeing him and Scarlett's relationship progress in book two, Splendor!
All in all, I really enjoyed Sacred, the writing was amazing, it had great main characters, and completely captivated me till I finished the book. The only complaint I have is that normally I don't enjoy any religion references in books which this one has quite often, but that is just a personal pet peeve with me, and even with the religion talk I still really enjoyed this. If you are looking for a YA novel that is something a little different, I suggest picking up Sacred. (:
December 4, 2013
Elana K. Arnold’s Sacred is the story of normal sixteen-year-old Scarlett Wenderoth whose life is deeply affected by the death of her brother. Recovery seems to be taking a toll on her and her life have stopped as she has withdrew herself from everyone, including her boyfriend. Even her parents are having a difficult time coping with the pain that it has blinded them from noticing their own daughter’s hurt and sorrow. To ease her mind, Scarlett resorts to riding her horse on the open land of Catalina Island. On one of her rides, she meets newcomer Will Cohen, who has an unexplainable attraction to Scarlett and is willing to shield her from harm. She’s attractive to him as well and soon they form a relationship. Scarlett’s life slowly gets together only to be threatened when a part of Will’s life is uncovered. Now she feels that her slowly repaired life may be broken again.
Losing a family member is not an easy task to deal with. It involves an assortment of emotions that affects the way a person reacts to others and towards themselves. Author Elana does a remarkable job of describing the roller coaster of emotions that Scarlett goes through. Readers are able to understand the reasonings why Scarlett feels a certain way through her amazing writing style. She digs deep within the core of that emotion and methodically grabs the reader and places them in it, soaking up all that Scarlett feels. Even when Scarlett meets Will, Elana delivers an amazing presentation of what it feels like to be at the other end of the tunnel, only to pull the rug right under your feet when she drops a surprising revelation.
This complex story about a grief stricken family tells in details how each member copes with the death of a loved one. The choices on this tough journey they are on will have major influences not only on themselves, but also the others in the family. This is an incredible uplifting tale of a lost girl who finds herself through strength and the longing to move forward.
Losing a family member is not an easy task to deal with. It involves an assortment of emotions that affects the way a person reacts to others and towards themselves. Author Elana does a remarkable job of describing the roller coaster of emotions that Scarlett goes through. Readers are able to understand the reasonings why Scarlett feels a certain way through her amazing writing style. She digs deep within the core of that emotion and methodically grabs the reader and places them in it, soaking up all that Scarlett feels. Even when Scarlett meets Will, Elana delivers an amazing presentation of what it feels like to be at the other end of the tunnel, only to pull the rug right under your feet when she drops a surprising revelation.
This complex story about a grief stricken family tells in details how each member copes with the death of a loved one. The choices on this tough journey they are on will have major influences not only on themselves, but also the others in the family. This is an incredible uplifting tale of a lost girl who finds herself through strength and the longing to move forward.
March 14, 2013
Firstly, thank you to Random House, Elana K. Arnold & Jean BookNerd for giving me the opportunity to review Sacred and join in the blog tour.
We meet Scarlett, a seventeen yr old girl who's suffering the loss of her older brother. With her parents in deep mourning she's left to deal with her own demons alone. Scarlett isn't taking the loss well, losing so much weight and just sinking into herself she forgets the people around her, including her boyfriend & close friends.
Scarlett enjoys horse riding, it brings her a little comfort to be out in the sattle, wind blowing in her hair...no worries. Until one day out riding she nearly runs down a boy named Will Cohan and she finds herself intrigued by this new face.
Will Cohan, a sweet boy who's really into Scarlett and does everything he can to help her deal with her grief. Their feelings grow for each other and life seems to be on the up but something Scarlett discovers could change everything.
Sacred is beautifully written the story comes to life in your hands and it takes you on such an emotional journey you'll become glued to your seat. Arnold knows her stuff, my heart broke for Scarlett and her parents. It's never easy to lose a loved one and it's even harder to deal with when you were so close to that person. I must admit I did get a bit upset with Scarlett's mother, I know a parent should never have to go through the pain of losing their child but when you have another child who needs you now more than ever, it saddened me that she withdrew herself and became a ghost of who she was. In the end though she came around and realised what she'd been missing and how far gone she really went. It truly made me realise the pain and sorrow she went through (even though I did get frustrated by her lol).
I look forward to Splendor and seeing where the story will take us next. I recommend this book to anyone that's looking for something real, this gives you the emotions, amazing characters and it'll give you a little piece to keep once you're finished. Simply unforgettable!!
We meet Scarlett, a seventeen yr old girl who's suffering the loss of her older brother. With her parents in deep mourning she's left to deal with her own demons alone. Scarlett isn't taking the loss well, losing so much weight and just sinking into herself she forgets the people around her, including her boyfriend & close friends.
Scarlett enjoys horse riding, it brings her a little comfort to be out in the sattle, wind blowing in her hair...no worries. Until one day out riding she nearly runs down a boy named Will Cohan and she finds herself intrigued by this new face.
Will Cohan, a sweet boy who's really into Scarlett and does everything he can to help her deal with her grief. Their feelings grow for each other and life seems to be on the up but something Scarlett discovers could change everything.
Sacred is beautifully written the story comes to life in your hands and it takes you on such an emotional journey you'll become glued to your seat. Arnold knows her stuff, my heart broke for Scarlett and her parents. It's never easy to lose a loved one and it's even harder to deal with when you were so close to that person. I must admit I did get a bit upset with Scarlett's mother, I know a parent should never have to go through the pain of losing their child but when you have another child who needs you now more than ever, it saddened me that she withdrew herself and became a ghost of who she was. In the end though she came around and realised what she'd been missing and how far gone she really went. It truly made me realise the pain and sorrow she went through (even though I did get frustrated by her lol).
I look forward to Splendor and seeing where the story will take us next. I recommend this book to anyone that's looking for something real, this gives you the emotions, amazing characters and it'll give you a little piece to keep once you're finished. Simply unforgettable!!
June 20, 2013
I'm not really sure what this book is about, to be honest. It starts off about a girl who would rather spend time with her horse than other people because the pain of losing her brother is too hard to keep hidden from everyone else. That's pretty much a flop, since she pretty much starved herself and anyone could tell she was struggling considering she went from healthy girl to a skeleton with a conscious. Oh, and she has absentee parents because they are too caught up in their own grief. So here I was thinking I was reading some girl's sob story who miraculously turns her life around. But nope, there's a guy. Of course there's a guy, but not just a guy. He's a hot, curly haired Jewish kid with special powers. So it's a supernatural kind of story? Nope, the powers are all about views on religion and I'm pretty sure something about reincarnation, which I didn't think was really a part of Judaism. But wait, it's not a realistic sob story about achieving ones goals, it's not about some hot guy with super powers, and it's not about religion, it's about a romance between the grieving girl and the hot guy. Nope, wait, it turns out to be about the girl turning her life around because of her relationship with a hot guy with superpowers that are some how connected with his religion. I don't know how Mrs. Arnold did it, but she some how managed to throw all of these together into a mess of a story that actually had some good characters and an interesting plot. This woman deserves a medal for making something incredibly confusing into an easily understood story. Bravo.
December 14, 2012
Solid 4. Sometimes the writing was too redundant - I've been noticing that more lately, as new writers tend to overwrite when they want to make a point - but, for a debut story, it mixes tropes with a unique take on Jewish mysticism (really, I can't say I've read anything that's used the Jewish beliefs as a basis before - and I wish I've read more now) and emotional characterization with the protagonist that makes her much more fleshed out than the usual paranormal YA heroine. This book isn't extremely paranormal - more Jen Nadol's The Mark than Courtney Allison Moulton's Angelfire - but I love the subtle paranormal stories, and this one will definitely find its place with readers who enjoy something different, something expository, and something enjoyable.
June 3, 2018
I very much liked the story itself but the plot was a little bit too predictable. Anyway there were a few plot twists that I did not see coming! They were brilliant.
July 8, 2014
3.5/5 stars
This was an interesting read. I found it difficult to place a star value on this book, because there were a lot of things that I really liked, while I also found the writing to be erratic (a pet peeve of mine).
The Likes:
Before I delve too far into the heavy, let me just say that there are two things that drew me to this book in the first place, and they are: 1)The setting. I live near and love Catalina Island. And 2)Horses. there are horses and I like that.
Okay now into the real talk...
Sacred deals with some pretty mature content. Scarlet, the main character and narrator, is in the midst of overcoming a terrible loss and consequently finds herself struggling with some very serious issues; self harm and an eating disorder. The eating disorder manifests first as an oversight- she forgets a meal here and there, she's busy and has a loss of appetite. We later discover some pretty horrific evidence of intent to starve as well as other forms of self harm. These are things that young people often struggle with in the face of unspeakable loss, and I thought that Arnold did an extraordinary job of tackling the ugly and hard-to-talk-about aspects of reality. Also, Scarlet's parents are depicted as very real and their suffering shows in entirely different ways; her mother develops a dependence on prescription sleeping pills, while her father sits in wait as he watches his wife sleep the days away and his daughter shrink in size. The family dynamic is well structured and authentic. I really enjoyed reading the parts of the story that show the evolution of pain and recovery this family endures. Then there is Scarlet's best friend. Lily. What a gem. While Scarlet's voice is melancholy, Lily's is light and exuberant. For me, Lily was on of the most realistic aspects of this story (more on realism in "the dislikes"). I also enjoyed reading about Will, however I take issue with the direction his character leads the story in. Will is a very likeable male character, and I love that he strays from the too-perfect-book-boyfriend trope. He has a tendency to be aggressive, and struggles to control his emotions when agitated, which (at least in my experience) is typical of seventeen year old boys. However...
The Dislikes:
Will has a sorta-kinda-supernatural ability. His ability is described as mysterious and as it transforms Will and his father, as well as Scarlet, theorize that it has religious implications. To me, this felt very out of place in the story. When the story begins, Scarlet has a boyfriend, named Andy. Andy is nice, and I like him... until I don't like him (but I wont spoil you with reasons). I think that Will could have been introduced as an alternative love interest for Scarlet without adding the weird, semi-psychic power. For the most part, this story reads like a contemporary, realistic fiction... but then you throw in Will's power out of left field and I don't know how to classify it. Which is fine, I don't really need to classify books. However, for me, it simply did not fit into the story- it was not needed. I think the book would have made more sense if Scarlet met Will and simply grew into a healthier version of herself through falling in love with an awesome boy who treats her with respect and doesn't objectify or pressure her to do things she is not ready for (*See spoiler note at bottom if you have already read the book). For me, adding in the mysterious power just seemed like a bit of erratic writing, and for that reason I struggled to accept it and lost enthusiasm each time the power was mentioned. This is Arnold's debut novel, and after having met her at the Ontario Teen Book Fest I am inclined to believe she is an excellent author. I will definitely be picking up the sequel book, Splendor and give that a shot. Also, she has a standalone novel called Burning that's supposed to be about a gypsy girl and that piques my interest (I think this theme may be better suited for her).
*Spoiler Warning
Andy, Andy, Andy. Oh, you foolish boy. Far too often are incidents like the one at the Halloween party (in which Andy attempt to date-rape Scarlet) dismissed as simple misunderstandings. "She said she was ready, earlier". "Oh, I was drunk, babe. I thought you were into it." And my personal favorite, "She told me she was ready. No take-backs. She teased me, and brought this on herself." Here's the thing: no matter what was said before the act, when you get down to it and someone is uncomfortable and telling you to stop, YOU STOP. This notion that when a girl says she's gonna have sex with you she has to then have sex with you, by will or by force, is ludicrous. People change their minds all the time- think about it. How many times have you ordered the Salmon and then caught the waiter's attention to change your order to the blackened chicken? How often have you put on the blue pants and then changed into the black ones? Sometimes, you may think you're ready to have sex, and then when it's time to do it, you realize you aren't ready. This is okay, in fact, it's more than okay- it's completely understandable and anyone who tries to take away your right to change your mind is abusive. I really liked that Arnold pointed this out in her writing. Will point blank tells Scarlet that what Andy tried to do was not okay, and Scarlet's refusal to accept an apology from the boy who attempted to rape her was perfect. I was very pleased with this part of the story. Like I said, there is quite a bit of mature content in this book.
This was an interesting read. I found it difficult to place a star value on this book, because there were a lot of things that I really liked, while I also found the writing to be erratic (a pet peeve of mine).
The Likes:
Before I delve too far into the heavy, let me just say that there are two things that drew me to this book in the first place, and they are: 1)The setting. I live near and love Catalina Island. And 2)Horses. there are horses and I like that.
Okay now into the real talk...
Sacred deals with some pretty mature content. Scarlet, the main character and narrator, is in the midst of overcoming a terrible loss and consequently finds herself struggling with some very serious issues; self harm and an eating disorder. The eating disorder manifests first as an oversight- she forgets a meal here and there, she's busy and has a loss of appetite. We later discover some pretty horrific evidence of intent to starve as well as other forms of self harm. These are things that young people often struggle with in the face of unspeakable loss, and I thought that Arnold did an extraordinary job of tackling the ugly and hard-to-talk-about aspects of reality. Also, Scarlet's parents are depicted as very real and their suffering shows in entirely different ways; her mother develops a dependence on prescription sleeping pills, while her father sits in wait as he watches his wife sleep the days away and his daughter shrink in size. The family dynamic is well structured and authentic. I really enjoyed reading the parts of the story that show the evolution of pain and recovery this family endures. Then there is Scarlet's best friend. Lily. What a gem. While Scarlet's voice is melancholy, Lily's is light and exuberant. For me, Lily was on of the most realistic aspects of this story (more on realism in "the dislikes"). I also enjoyed reading about Will, however I take issue with the direction his character leads the story in. Will is a very likeable male character, and I love that he strays from the too-perfect-book-boyfriend trope. He has a tendency to be aggressive, and struggles to control his emotions when agitated, which (at least in my experience) is typical of seventeen year old boys. However...
The Dislikes:
Will has a sorta-kinda-supernatural ability. His ability is described as mysterious and as it transforms Will and his father, as well as Scarlet, theorize that it has religious implications. To me, this felt very out of place in the story. When the story begins, Scarlet has a boyfriend, named Andy. Andy is nice, and I like him... until I don't like him (but I wont spoil you with reasons). I think that Will could have been introduced as an alternative love interest for Scarlet without adding the weird, semi-psychic power. For the most part, this story reads like a contemporary, realistic fiction... but then you throw in Will's power out of left field and I don't know how to classify it. Which is fine, I don't really need to classify books. However, for me, it simply did not fit into the story- it was not needed. I think the book would have made more sense if Scarlet met Will and simply grew into a healthier version of herself through falling in love with an awesome boy who treats her with respect and doesn't objectify or pressure her to do things she is not ready for (*See spoiler note at bottom if you have already read the book). For me, adding in the mysterious power just seemed like a bit of erratic writing, and for that reason I struggled to accept it and lost enthusiasm each time the power was mentioned. This is Arnold's debut novel, and after having met her at the Ontario Teen Book Fest I am inclined to believe she is an excellent author. I will definitely be picking up the sequel book, Splendor and give that a shot. Also, she has a standalone novel called Burning that's supposed to be about a gypsy girl and that piques my interest (I think this theme may be better suited for her).
*Spoiler Warning
Andy, Andy, Andy. Oh, you foolish boy. Far too often are incidents like the one at the Halloween party (in which Andy attempt to date-rape Scarlet) dismissed as simple misunderstandings. "She said she was ready, earlier". "Oh, I was drunk, babe. I thought you were into it." And my personal favorite, "She told me she was ready. No take-backs. She teased me, and brought this on herself." Here's the thing: no matter what was said before the act, when you get down to it and someone is uncomfortable and telling you to stop, YOU STOP. This notion that when a girl says she's gonna have sex with you she has to then have sex with you, by will or by force, is ludicrous. People change their minds all the time- think about it. How many times have you ordered the Salmon and then caught the waiter's attention to change your order to the blackened chicken? How often have you put on the blue pants and then changed into the black ones? Sometimes, you may think you're ready to have sex, and then when it's time to do it, you realize you aren't ready. This is okay, in fact, it's more than okay- it's completely understandable and anyone who tries to take away your right to change your mind is abusive. I really liked that Arnold pointed this out in her writing. Will point blank tells Scarlet that what Andy tried to do was not okay, and Scarlet's refusal to accept an apology from the boy who attempted to rape her was perfect. I was very pleased with this part of the story. Like I said, there is quite a bit of mature content in this book.
August 6, 2013
Sacred is about a teenage girl who has just lost her brother. Her family is falling apart and so is herself. She dwindles away into an eating disorder, whose family life is crumbling and whose relationship with just about everyone is pretty much non-existent. Until she meets a boy who is uncontrollably drawn to her. Of course, it's a love story about how the boy fixes the girl, as cliche (and probably gender stereotypical) as it sounds.
I had previously read Arnold's more recent publication, Burning (a review which I posted +here), I went into this book with a high expectations, as I loved that book to pieces. Sacred did not fail.
One of the main things I loved about this book was the way in which Arnold handles the eating disorder. does not sugar coat or skip over out of political correctness or cowardice. Instead it's raw, painful and disturbing. I have known several people who have suffered with eating orders, depression and both and I can honestly say that the way that these were described in the book were very real and accurate. Not only did this give the story a difficult depth, making it hard to read at points, it also made it compelling and relatable. I don't think I would be alone in saying that eating disorders, whether you have it yourself or someone close to you suffers, are a very complex thing and I think that Arnold's depiction of these is honest and true. I would like to praise Arnold on tackling these sensitive issues. For that reason, I do put a trigger warning on this book.
However, this was not the entirety of the book. The character development in this book is fantastic. We are shown almost a full cycle of grief in this novel. The Wenderoth family's story picks up a couple of months after the death of the brother/son, Ronny. Of course, this is going to have an impact on each member in the family and each deals with it in different ways. We are introduced to Scarlett as she is beginning to suffer from her eating disorder, to her mother as an empty shell and her father as a man who is just trying to hold his fragile family together on threads. Throughout the book we see their progression through their grief, from the invisible mother who is lost and isolated by her depression to the daughter who isn't coping as well as she makes out, and we see them all overcome their grief. This is an interesting and heartbreaking journey which captivated me throughout my reading. I also found it particularly interesting to see the development of relationships with friends, boys and the different adults. Arnold has certainly done her research into these issues, and it helps to create some characters that you will not be able to stop caring about even when the final page is turned.
I also commend Arnold on her love story. It is not like most Young Adult Contemporary where the two characters meet and there's an instant connection (well... there kind of is, but not exactly). Scarlett is dating Andy, a complete and utter jerk, who only cares about himself. I did find that he was also very complex, but he didn't seem to have any consideration for Scarlett's feelings. There relationship is simple. It is not until the introduction of Will that things hot up. Their relationship develops throughout the first half of the book and it's incredibly seamless how they go together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading as they grew closer and their relationship blossomed and looking at the different angles and twists and turns it took. The supernatural elements of the story only proved to pique my interest and get me hooked onto the story- why was he so drawn to this girl? What exactly were his powers? And although there were these elements of supernatural, it was great to see how natural it all seemed with the inclusion of religion. To top it off, Judaism is not a topic covered in much literature at all, so I was excited to learn about the mysticism of the lifestyle and religion.
One of the things that did detract from my enjoyment of the novel was the pacing, however. It seemed a lot slower that Burning, which is not a fault exactly, but it did take me off guard. I was expecting a quick and enjoyable read, but Sacred certainly wasn't that. And yet, while it was difficult and slow, I couldn't help but be dragged along with the story and felt inclined to continue and continue and continue. I flew through the last half of the book!
I honestly cannot wait for the sequel to come out in November of this year, because Elana K. Arnold is a fantastic writer who I can see myself reading for years to come. What happens to these two lovers? I don't know, but I will do in a few months!
I had previously read Arnold's more recent publication, Burning (a review which I posted +here), I went into this book with a high expectations, as I loved that book to pieces. Sacred did not fail.
One of the main things I loved about this book was the way in which Arnold handles the eating disorder. does not sugar coat or skip over out of political correctness or cowardice. Instead it's raw, painful and disturbing. I have known several people who have suffered with eating orders, depression and both and I can honestly say that the way that these were described in the book were very real and accurate. Not only did this give the story a difficult depth, making it hard to read at points, it also made it compelling and relatable. I don't think I would be alone in saying that eating disorders, whether you have it yourself or someone close to you suffers, are a very complex thing and I think that Arnold's depiction of these is honest and true. I would like to praise Arnold on tackling these sensitive issues. For that reason, I do put a trigger warning on this book.
However, this was not the entirety of the book. The character development in this book is fantastic. We are shown almost a full cycle of grief in this novel. The Wenderoth family's story picks up a couple of months after the death of the brother/son, Ronny. Of course, this is going to have an impact on each member in the family and each deals with it in different ways. We are introduced to Scarlett as she is beginning to suffer from her eating disorder, to her mother as an empty shell and her father as a man who is just trying to hold his fragile family together on threads. Throughout the book we see their progression through their grief, from the invisible mother who is lost and isolated by her depression to the daughter who isn't coping as well as she makes out, and we see them all overcome their grief. This is an interesting and heartbreaking journey which captivated me throughout my reading. I also found it particularly interesting to see the development of relationships with friends, boys and the different adults. Arnold has certainly done her research into these issues, and it helps to create some characters that you will not be able to stop caring about even when the final page is turned.
I also commend Arnold on her love story. It is not like most Young Adult Contemporary where the two characters meet and there's an instant connection (well... there kind of is, but not exactly). Scarlett is dating Andy, a complete and utter jerk, who only cares about himself. I did find that he was also very complex, but he didn't seem to have any consideration for Scarlett's feelings. There relationship is simple. It is not until the introduction of Will that things hot up. Their relationship develops throughout the first half of the book and it's incredibly seamless how they go together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading as they grew closer and their relationship blossomed and looking at the different angles and twists and turns it took. The supernatural elements of the story only proved to pique my interest and get me hooked onto the story- why was he so drawn to this girl? What exactly were his powers? And although there were these elements of supernatural, it was great to see how natural it all seemed with the inclusion of religion. To top it off, Judaism is not a topic covered in much literature at all, so I was excited to learn about the mysticism of the lifestyle and religion.
One of the things that did detract from my enjoyment of the novel was the pacing, however. It seemed a lot slower that Burning, which is not a fault exactly, but it did take me off guard. I was expecting a quick and enjoyable read, but Sacred certainly wasn't that. And yet, while it was difficult and slow, I couldn't help but be dragged along with the story and felt inclined to continue and continue and continue. I flew through the last half of the book!
I honestly cannot wait for the sequel to come out in November of this year, because Elana K. Arnold is a fantastic writer who I can see myself reading for years to come. What happens to these two lovers? I don't know, but I will do in a few months!
March 24, 2013
Sacred by Elana K. Arnold was a tough read in the beginning. Not because it wasn’t good! But because the subject and emotions that were found in those first chapters was heartbreaking.
Scarlett and her family are still struggling with the death of her older brother, Ronny. After an unexpected cerebral aneurysm in the middle of a soccer game, the sudden loss becomes unbearable to this family. With a mother who is barely living, locking herself in the bedroom self medicating herself with sleeping pills to ease her pain, a father who is trying to keep the peace, and Scarlett who has chosen to harm herself in order deal with the loss.
The thing is, Scarlett knows what she’s doing is bad for herself. She can’t even bear to look at herself in the mirror, but all she knows now is emptiness and feeling hollow. Her only escape is riding. To feel while riding her horse along the trails. And it’s on these same trails that Scarlett comes across Will. Scared and alone on the trail, Will’s demeanour is anything but normal.
But Scarlett soon learns that Will was not just some random tourist whom she will never see again. It seems Will and his after have recently moved to Catalina Island to escape a secret of their own. Scarlett instantly feels this pull towards Will, and it seems Will feels the same way. Time and time again, Will plays the part of the hero, and rescues Scarlett time and time again. Little does Scarlett realize that Will also seems to be saving her from herself.
When I first started reading Sacred by Elana K. Arnold, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was instantly pulled in by the emotional and powerful writing style of author, Elana K. Arnold. The way in which she describes the after effects of Ronny’s death, and talks about just how much the loss is slowly tearing everyone apart. With her descriptive writing, it was easy enough to get completely immersed in the Catalina Island. Because of the beautiful description of the scenery and way of life for the locals, I am even more curious in wanting to visit and experience everything I read for myself.
The characters found in the book are ones that I’m sure readers will be able to relate to, regardless of the subject matter. It was really interesting to witness Scarlett’s struggles with her eating, and it was equally wonderful to read just how much support she has in the background…especially with a now non-existent mother. And can I just say that I want my very own Lily! She is a totally awesome best friend, and pretty much embodies just what a best friend should be. Totally supportive, constantly looking out for Scarlett’s well being, not being overly pushy, and knowing what to say and day for whatever situation arises.
And don’t even get me started on Will. With the story containing a somewhat supernatural element, Will is one character that was so great to follow. A sexy hero in waiting. And the way he deals with Scarlett? How sweet he is, how attentive, and how he is always at the right place at the right time. There’s no way that anyone could NOT fall for Will.
With a very contemporary subject matter and a dash of supernatural, readers will fall in love with the story of Scarlett and Will, the hurtles that they both must jump, and the way in which they both find each other during a dark time, and during time where they need each other the most.
Scarlett and her family are still struggling with the death of her older brother, Ronny. After an unexpected cerebral aneurysm in the middle of a soccer game, the sudden loss becomes unbearable to this family. With a mother who is barely living, locking herself in the bedroom self medicating herself with sleeping pills to ease her pain, a father who is trying to keep the peace, and Scarlett who has chosen to harm herself in order deal with the loss.
The thing is, Scarlett knows what she’s doing is bad for herself. She can’t even bear to look at herself in the mirror, but all she knows now is emptiness and feeling hollow. Her only escape is riding. To feel while riding her horse along the trails. And it’s on these same trails that Scarlett comes across Will. Scared and alone on the trail, Will’s demeanour is anything but normal.
But Scarlett soon learns that Will was not just some random tourist whom she will never see again. It seems Will and his after have recently moved to Catalina Island to escape a secret of their own. Scarlett instantly feels this pull towards Will, and it seems Will feels the same way. Time and time again, Will plays the part of the hero, and rescues Scarlett time and time again. Little does Scarlett realize that Will also seems to be saving her from herself.
When I first started reading Sacred by Elana K. Arnold, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was instantly pulled in by the emotional and powerful writing style of author, Elana K. Arnold. The way in which she describes the after effects of Ronny’s death, and talks about just how much the loss is slowly tearing everyone apart. With her descriptive writing, it was easy enough to get completely immersed in the Catalina Island. Because of the beautiful description of the scenery and way of life for the locals, I am even more curious in wanting to visit and experience everything I read for myself.
The characters found in the book are ones that I’m sure readers will be able to relate to, regardless of the subject matter. It was really interesting to witness Scarlett’s struggles with her eating, and it was equally wonderful to read just how much support she has in the background…especially with a now non-existent mother. And can I just say that I want my very own Lily! She is a totally awesome best friend, and pretty much embodies just what a best friend should be. Totally supportive, constantly looking out for Scarlett’s well being, not being overly pushy, and knowing what to say and day for whatever situation arises.
And don’t even get me started on Will. With the story containing a somewhat supernatural element, Will is one character that was so great to follow. A sexy hero in waiting. And the way he deals with Scarlett? How sweet he is, how attentive, and how he is always at the right place at the right time. There’s no way that anyone could NOT fall for Will.
With a very contemporary subject matter and a dash of supernatural, readers will fall in love with the story of Scarlett and Will, the hurtles that they both must jump, and the way in which they both find each other during a dark time, and during time where they need each other the most.
October 3, 2013
After reading Elana K. Arnold's Burning (my review) I knew I wanted to read her first book, Sacred. Given how much I loved Burning I had pretty high expectations for this one and while I definitely prefer Burning, Sacred is also a great book.
A lot of the time I tend to just quickly read through books, but there's something about Elana K. Arnold's books that make me slow down and really appreciate the fantastic writing and the interesting, nuanced stories. And that's something that I really love.
The book starts before Scarlett's junior year of high school. Her brother passed away a few months before and she isn't dealing with it very well. Her mother has completely shut down, her father is trying to hold everything together while managing his own grief, and Scarlett has developed some serious issues around eating and self-harm. Pretty much the only thing Scarlett enjoys is riding her beloved horse.
Quite a bit of the entire story takes place inside Scarlett's head, which is a very sad, tragic place to be. I liked Scarlett so I didn't mind being in her head, and I really was rooting for her, but still, the book certainly has a very depressing feel a lot of the time. It's almost like you have to take your time reading it so you're not overwhelmed by the sadness.
At the beginning of the book, while Scarlett is riding her horse, she meets Will, a mysterious newcomer to her small community on Catalina Island. Scarlett and Will are drawn to each other, kind of by a higher power, and their connection builds throughout the book even though there are some serious underlying issues and secrets that Will is keeping.
I wouldn't call this book science fiction by any means, but there are, I guess, forces at play here. I would describe it more as mysticism rather than fantasy or science fiction. Maybe this would be fantasy or science fiction to some people, but to me it seemed very real. And I'm not a fan of fantasy or sci-fi. I'm also a super-skeptical person, and while I was skeptical at times, I didn't have a difficult time buying into what was happening here.
Part of me is always bothered by books where the main character overcomes serious issues by herself or with the help of a guy. I always worry that this sends the wrong message to other people dealing with serious issues that they should be able to fix themselves or seeking help from a mental health professional is wrong or unnecessary. I had a lot of that here, but I also liked the way that Will opened Scarlett's mind to help her think of how she was hurting herself in another way and then Scarlett ultimately worked hard to change her habits and look at her life in a different way. And I appreciated that
Bottom Line: Even though I didn't love this one quite as much as I loved Burning, Sacred did further help make Elana K. Arnold a must-read author for me. Her incredible writing and different, creative stories are just a joy to read and I am very excited to read the sequel to Sacred, Splendor, which comes out in November.
This review first appeared on my blog.
A lot of the time I tend to just quickly read through books, but there's something about Elana K. Arnold's books that make me slow down and really appreciate the fantastic writing and the interesting, nuanced stories. And that's something that I really love.
The book starts before Scarlett's junior year of high school. Her brother passed away a few months before and she isn't dealing with it very well. Her mother has completely shut down, her father is trying to hold everything together while managing his own grief, and Scarlett has developed some serious issues around eating and self-harm. Pretty much the only thing Scarlett enjoys is riding her beloved horse.
Quite a bit of the entire story takes place inside Scarlett's head, which is a very sad, tragic place to be. I liked Scarlett so I didn't mind being in her head, and I really was rooting for her, but still, the book certainly has a very depressing feel a lot of the time. It's almost like you have to take your time reading it so you're not overwhelmed by the sadness.
At the beginning of the book, while Scarlett is riding her horse, she meets Will, a mysterious newcomer to her small community on Catalina Island. Scarlett and Will are drawn to each other, kind of by a higher power, and their connection builds throughout the book even though there are some serious underlying issues and secrets that Will is keeping.
I wouldn't call this book science fiction by any means, but there are, I guess, forces at play here. I would describe it more as mysticism rather than fantasy or science fiction. Maybe this would be fantasy or science fiction to some people, but to me it seemed very real. And I'm not a fan of fantasy or sci-fi. I'm also a super-skeptical person, and while I was skeptical at times, I didn't have a difficult time buying into what was happening here.
Part of me is always bothered by books where the main character overcomes serious issues by herself or with the help of a guy. I always worry that this sends the wrong message to other people dealing with serious issues that they should be able to fix themselves or seeking help from a mental health professional is wrong or unnecessary. I had a lot of that here, but I also liked the way that Will opened Scarlett's mind to help her think of how she was hurting herself in another way and then Scarlett ultimately worked hard to change her habits and look at her life in a different way. And I appreciated that
Bottom Line: Even though I didn't love this one quite as much as I loved Burning, Sacred did further help make Elana K. Arnold a must-read author for me. Her incredible writing and different, creative stories are just a joy to read and I am very excited to read the sequel to Sacred, Splendor, which comes out in November.
This review first appeared on my blog.
March 16, 2013
4.5 Stars
'Sacred' is a beautiful young adult novel full of hope and romance. It follows Scarlett Wenderoth as she struggles to contain her grief after the death of her older brother. Scarlett's life has been roughly divided into Before Ronny Died and Since Ronny Died - and the parts that have been happening since his death have been really hard on her. Her parents are consumed with their own grief and trying to keep the family B&B running. Scarlett's only tether to life is her mare, Delilah, and her best friend Lily. Scarlett begins to lose weight at an alarming rate and her parents don't seem to even notice. She feels alone with her only outlet being Delilah. On one of their rides, she meets a mysterious guy named Will - who seems to ease Scarlett's grief and makes her feel safe. Scarlett and Will's relationship grows deeper and she finds herself feeling alive again - until Scarlett discovers that Will is hiding a secret that might bring everything they have to pieces.
This was a fantastic young adult novel that revolves around first love and romance, but also deals with some deep issues such as death, loss, grief, family, self discovery, and trust. The characters are unique and very realistic. I especially liked Scarlett - she was a great lead character with her flaws and obvious issues, but she also showed character growth and the ability to have courage and to move on with life after a devastating loss. Will's character was a perfect fit to go along with Scarlett. He's an interesting and mysterious guy a first, but definitely has layers of his own once we get to know him. The setting was perfect for the novel - the small island of Catalina off the coast of California provided the perfect sense of isolation yet community that the characters needed. The plot was so sad but also filled with hope and romance as we see Scarlett blossom into the young woman she was meant to be. The novel's writing was enchanting and I couldn't put the book down. I was immediately drawn into the lyrical prose and the vivid descriptions. The pace was well done and the plot flowed effortlessly. I'm excited that there will be a sequel released this fall - I can't wait to see what will happen to Scarlett and Will next. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy and contemporary fiction.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Sacred' is a beautiful young adult novel full of hope and romance. It follows Scarlett Wenderoth as she struggles to contain her grief after the death of her older brother. Scarlett's life has been roughly divided into Before Ronny Died and Since Ronny Died - and the parts that have been happening since his death have been really hard on her. Her parents are consumed with their own grief and trying to keep the family B&B running. Scarlett's only tether to life is her mare, Delilah, and her best friend Lily. Scarlett begins to lose weight at an alarming rate and her parents don't seem to even notice. She feels alone with her only outlet being Delilah. On one of their rides, she meets a mysterious guy named Will - who seems to ease Scarlett's grief and makes her feel safe. Scarlett and Will's relationship grows deeper and she finds herself feeling alive again - until Scarlett discovers that Will is hiding a secret that might bring everything they have to pieces.
This was a fantastic young adult novel that revolves around first love and romance, but also deals with some deep issues such as death, loss, grief, family, self discovery, and trust. The characters are unique and very realistic. I especially liked Scarlett - she was a great lead character with her flaws and obvious issues, but she also showed character growth and the ability to have courage and to move on with life after a devastating loss. Will's character was a perfect fit to go along with Scarlett. He's an interesting and mysterious guy a first, but definitely has layers of his own once we get to know him. The setting was perfect for the novel - the small island of Catalina off the coast of California provided the perfect sense of isolation yet community that the characters needed. The plot was so sad but also filled with hope and romance as we see Scarlett blossom into the young woman she was meant to be. The novel's writing was enchanting and I couldn't put the book down. I was immediately drawn into the lyrical prose and the vivid descriptions. The pace was well done and the plot flowed effortlessly. I'm excited that there will be a sequel released this fall - I can't wait to see what will happen to Scarlett and Will next. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy and contemporary fiction.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2013
Scarlett and her family live on the small island of Catalina, off the coast in California. They were the average, run of the mill family until tragedy struck and her brother died. Her parents immediately became emotionally unavailable, withdrawn into their own grief. So they are completely oblivious to Scarlett and her pain, her weight loss and the fact that she is hurting herself. The only time she is truly happy is when she’s on her horse, riding is her escape from reality.
It’s on one of her rides that she almost runs right over the handsome boy with the striking good looks, brilliant green eyes and dark curly hair. Will Cohen is new to the island and has an innate ability of being in the right place at the right time, right when Scarlett needs him. The connection they share is evident and it doesn’t take long before Scar is eating, laughing and living again. But Will has a secret, one that threatens to tear these two apart before they even have a chance to begin.
Arnold has managed to capture the tragically beautiful life that Scarlett leads, and express it in such a way that the reader will be captivated. You will be drawn into Scar’s pain as she struggles with the aftermath and devastation her brother’s death left. How does a young girl pick up the pieces of her once perfect now shattered life? Finally finding that which she longs for with Will, only to learn his secret and have him too pull away from her, just like her parents have done.
My only complaint was the all too quick turn around from her mother. She goes from emotionally absent, dependant on sleeping pills, phoning in her parenting skills to overbearing and over protective in five minutes flat. Don’t get me wrong, I was pleased she finally pulled her head out of her a@@. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development there and not the unrealistic flip.
Overall this was a moving story of a little girl lost trying to get past the grief and pain, and come out on the other side a better person. Definitely a must read for fans of YA love stories, with a slight paranormal twist. I give this one 4/5, but that’s just my two cents!
It’s on one of her rides that she almost runs right over the handsome boy with the striking good looks, brilliant green eyes and dark curly hair. Will Cohen is new to the island and has an innate ability of being in the right place at the right time, right when Scarlett needs him. The connection they share is evident and it doesn’t take long before Scar is eating, laughing and living again. But Will has a secret, one that threatens to tear these two apart before they even have a chance to begin.
Arnold has managed to capture the tragically beautiful life that Scarlett leads, and express it in such a way that the reader will be captivated. You will be drawn into Scar’s pain as she struggles with the aftermath and devastation her brother’s death left. How does a young girl pick up the pieces of her once perfect now shattered life? Finally finding that which she longs for with Will, only to learn his secret and have him too pull away from her, just like her parents have done.
My only complaint was the all too quick turn around from her mother. She goes from emotionally absent, dependant on sleeping pills, phoning in her parenting skills to overbearing and over protective in five minutes flat. Don’t get me wrong, I was pleased she finally pulled her head out of her a@@. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development there and not the unrealistic flip.
Overall this was a moving story of a little girl lost trying to get past the grief and pain, and come out on the other side a better person. Definitely a must read for fans of YA love stories, with a slight paranormal twist. I give this one 4/5, but that’s just my two cents!
January 1, 2013
Concept/Ideas: 4/5
Storyline/Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Sacred was a beautiful, heart wrenching, and mysterious read. I really enjoyed Arnold's novel, and I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. The number one thing I loved about this book? The setting. The fact that the novel took place on Catalina island off the coast of California was an intriguing concept, and left for a lot of imagination for this book's scenery and small town feel.
At first, I found the main character to be unlikable. She came across as whiny, and had that whole "boohoo, poor me" attitude. But as the book progressed, I found her to be more and more likable, and she seemed to grow a backbone and improved and flourished as a person. You can feel what Scarlett was going through, and I became extremely sympathetic to her pain. She only got more relatible, stronger, and likeable as the novel goes on (don't judge her on the first half of the book, guys ;) I promise she get's better!).
The characters were all likable too, and I loved that Scarlett's best friend (who for the life of me, I can't remember the name of -- it's been awhile) was always there for her, despite her steretyped personality. She was always right behind her, and helped her to get better throughout the novel. She was what every girl would want in a best friend.
Will wasn't my favorite to say in the least. I found him to be underdeveloped, and didn't have a lot of personality to him. I can understand why he's more on the mysterious side for this book, but hopefully he comes out of his shell more in the next installment. But Will just didn't do it for me in this one. I couldn't see the like.
The pain that is experienced throughout the novel was absolutely heart-breaking. It was something that took up a good chunk of the book, but at the same time, didn't stall the book from having a bigger point to it either. This book was a perfect balance of sadness, joy, excitment, mystery, and I loved it. A reccommended read for sure!
Storyline/Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Sacred was a beautiful, heart wrenching, and mysterious read. I really enjoyed Arnold's novel, and I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. The number one thing I loved about this book? The setting. The fact that the novel took place on Catalina island off the coast of California was an intriguing concept, and left for a lot of imagination for this book's scenery and small town feel.
At first, I found the main character to be unlikable. She came across as whiny, and had that whole "boohoo, poor me" attitude. But as the book progressed, I found her to be more and more likable, and she seemed to grow a backbone and improved and flourished as a person. You can feel what Scarlett was going through, and I became extremely sympathetic to her pain. She only got more relatible, stronger, and likeable as the novel goes on (don't judge her on the first half of the book, guys ;) I promise she get's better!).
The characters were all likable too, and I loved that Scarlett's best friend (who for the life of me, I can't remember the name of -- it's been awhile) was always there for her, despite her steretyped personality. She was always right behind her, and helped her to get better throughout the novel. She was what every girl would want in a best friend.
Will wasn't my favorite to say in the least. I found him to be underdeveloped, and didn't have a lot of personality to him. I can understand why he's more on the mysterious side for this book, but hopefully he comes out of his shell more in the next installment. But Will just didn't do it for me in this one. I couldn't see the like.
The pain that is experienced throughout the novel was absolutely heart-breaking. It was something that took up a good chunk of the book, but at the same time, didn't stall the book from having a bigger point to it either. This book was a perfect balance of sadness, joy, excitment, mystery, and I loved it. A reccommended read for sure!
March 17, 2013
First, I want to give a huge thanks to Random House and Elana K. Arnold for having me on the tour and allowing me to review the book. I want to give another HUGE thanks to Jean Book Nerd for putting all this together! U ALL ROCK!
Growing up in such a small town off the coast of California Scarlett has been through a lot. She lost her older brother, and now her family is falling apart and her parents are withdrawing into their self as well as Scarlett. She is only finding any self-relief from time spent with her horse. Until one day out on the trail while riding her horse she runs into a boy she has never seen on this tiny island and now she is curious. Will Cohen, a new boy to the island, has moved her with his father after his mother died and Scarlett feels completely drawn to him. Now for a reason he can’t explain, Will feel the need to keep her safe as well as feels the pull to her too. As they find each other, and things between them and the people around them change they will have to make choices that might hurt them in the end. But will they be the right choices, can they find away to help heal each other or will they both unravel in the end?
I love it. It was a smooth flowing read, and once I started I could not put it down. I finished in two sitting and that’s because it all moved the way a good book should. Arnold did a great job keeping my attain and making me fall in love with the two main characters in this story. Scarlett who loves horses and riding was a come to life character for me! She does deal with a lot of self-problems in this one but I liked the way each one was touched on and worked through. (You will understand more when you read) I loved me some Will that’s for sure and I really enjoyed how he just never let go. This was a happy, sad and exciting read so get ready to feel a little heart broken and happy all at the same time! Arnold never let me down! I can’t wait for more form her and this fascinating read! I will not forget Scarlett and Will and their journey with each other and there self!
Growing up in such a small town off the coast of California Scarlett has been through a lot. She lost her older brother, and now her family is falling apart and her parents are withdrawing into their self as well as Scarlett. She is only finding any self-relief from time spent with her horse. Until one day out on the trail while riding her horse she runs into a boy she has never seen on this tiny island and now she is curious. Will Cohen, a new boy to the island, has moved her with his father after his mother died and Scarlett feels completely drawn to him. Now for a reason he can’t explain, Will feel the need to keep her safe as well as feels the pull to her too. As they find each other, and things between them and the people around them change they will have to make choices that might hurt them in the end. But will they be the right choices, can they find away to help heal each other or will they both unravel in the end?
I love it. It was a smooth flowing read, and once I started I could not put it down. I finished in two sitting and that’s because it all moved the way a good book should. Arnold did a great job keeping my attain and making me fall in love with the two main characters in this story. Scarlett who loves horses and riding was a come to life character for me! She does deal with a lot of self-problems in this one but I liked the way each one was touched on and worked through. (You will understand more when you read) I loved me some Will that’s for sure and I really enjoyed how he just never let go. This was a happy, sad and exciting read so get ready to feel a little heart broken and happy all at the same time! Arnold never let me down! I can’t wait for more form her and this fascinating read! I will not forget Scarlett and Will and their journey with each other and there self!
November 16, 2012
This book was beautiful and a refreshing change from everything I have been reading lately.
After Scarlett's brother dies, her mother withdraws into her own world disregarding everything around her whilst her dad is trying to keep everything together as best as he can.
We see Scarlett going through depression and how she copes with it, as well as how she deals with school, her friends and her boyfriend after Ronny's death.The only places she feels safe are her room and the stables where she keeps her horse.
I loved her relationship with her horse. I'm a rider so I love it when an author plugs anything horsey in a book! Eventually Scarlett meets Will who has a secret that he is trying to deal with.
This story felt real. Yes, some people say that the first half is a bit depressing but it is worth it to see the change Scarlett goes through. I admired her so much because she really started learning and thinking in different ways to develop and help herself. And it wasn't done overnight.
I was really happy that her relationship with Will also wasn't perfect. It was quite choppy and the guy had his own problems to deal with. They were good for each other. I agree with another reader that this story has this magic realism feel to it rather than paranormal. Again, this actually made the story more realistic to me.
These characters all grow and you get attached to all of them. Even the island they live in and the atmosphere sounds so isolated yet beautiful.
The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I thought the religious references were a bit overdone and repetitive. I am not against any religion whatsoever, but in this book I didnt really find it too necessary. I heard that there is a sequel but this book is great as a standalone too. You will keep thinking of this story after you finish it. Read it!
After Scarlett's brother dies, her mother withdraws into her own world disregarding everything around her whilst her dad is trying to keep everything together as best as he can.
We see Scarlett going through depression and how she copes with it, as well as how she deals with school, her friends and her boyfriend after Ronny's death.The only places she feels safe are her room and the stables where she keeps her horse.
I loved her relationship with her horse. I'm a rider so I love it when an author plugs anything horsey in a book! Eventually Scarlett meets Will who has a secret that he is trying to deal with.
This story felt real. Yes, some people say that the first half is a bit depressing but it is worth it to see the change Scarlett goes through. I admired her so much because she really started learning and thinking in different ways to develop and help herself. And it wasn't done overnight.
I was really happy that her relationship with Will also wasn't perfect. It was quite choppy and the guy had his own problems to deal with. They were good for each other. I agree with another reader that this story has this magic realism feel to it rather than paranormal. Again, this actually made the story more realistic to me.
These characters all grow and you get attached to all of them. Even the island they live in and the atmosphere sounds so isolated yet beautiful.
The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I thought the religious references were a bit overdone and repetitive. I am not against any religion whatsoever, but in this book I didnt really find it too necessary. I heard that there is a sequel but this book is great as a standalone too. You will keep thinking of this story after you finish it. Read it!
March 15, 2014
A beautifully written book about grief, loss and the struggle to move on with life.
Scarlett and her family are having a hard time moving on after her brother's death. Her mom is addicted to the sleeping pills and Scarlett isn't eating. She doesn't really talk to her friends and she has lost herself in her grief. That all changes when she goes to school and meets Will. When she and her friend Lily go out and sunbathe. This grief and pain that is taking over her life won't go away. But, Scarlett decides that she can't live like that anymore. So, she decides to change. Get her life back. She celebrates the small victories that come her way and tries to remember but let go of her brother. Her whole perspective on life changes.
Will is very important to Scarlett and his dad helps Scarlett through her grief with giving her a book on the Kabbalah. His gift is important to the story but isn't the main focus, which I enjoyed. It isn't all about Will and his gift/curse, it is about grief and letting go.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was sad to see what Scarlett did to herself and you get attached to this story very quickly.
Definitely one everyone should check out.
Scarlett and her family are having a hard time moving on after her brother's death. Her mom is addicted to the sleeping pills and Scarlett isn't eating. She doesn't really talk to her friends and she has lost herself in her grief. That all changes when she goes to school and meets Will. When she and her friend Lily go out and sunbathe. This grief and pain that is taking over her life won't go away. But, Scarlett decides that she can't live like that anymore. So, she decides to change. Get her life back. She celebrates the small victories that come her way and tries to remember but let go of her brother. Her whole perspective on life changes.
Will is very important to Scarlett and his dad helps Scarlett through her grief with giving her a book on the Kabbalah. His gift is important to the story but isn't the main focus, which I enjoyed. It isn't all about Will and his gift/curse, it is about grief and letting go.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was sad to see what Scarlett did to herself and you get attached to this story very quickly.
Definitely one everyone should check out.
December 4, 2013
Sacred is a story about Scarlett who has just suffered a great loss and is having trouble dealing with living.Will comes into the picture and somehow always shows up when she needs it.They have a connection that both feel very powerfully.This is the first book I have read by this author and cannot wait to read more.
I really enjoyed this story.I feel it was a great read.I felt Scarlett's pain,I felt her sadness.I look very forward to reading book 2 when it is released.I cannot wait to see what choices are made and how the rest of the story plays out.Job well done Elana K. Arnold.Your story had me glued to it and that in my humble opinion is the sign of a Great Writer.
Taken from my Blog Le'BookSquirrel
I really enjoyed this story.I feel it was a great read.I felt Scarlett's pain,I felt her sadness.I look very forward to reading book 2 when it is released.I cannot wait to see what choices are made and how the rest of the story plays out.Job well done Elana K. Arnold.Your story had me glued to it and that in my humble opinion is the sign of a Great Writer.
Taken from my Blog Le'BookSquirrel
January 13, 2015
I picked this up randomly, not expecting much. The cover isn't exactly eye-catching, but I was really impressed. The originality of the plot, the complexities of family relationships, and the injection of Judaism sets it apart from other books. I don't believe a boy can fix all of your problems (please girls, don't wait for or expect that! - it needs to be a personal change), but I love that it emphasizes seeking out external help when undergoing difficult issues, especially when you can't exactly turn to your own family. I can't wait to read the sequel. Sacred was just a novel concept and one that has lingered in my mind, due to the nature of the questions and ideas it cultivates. Am I over-analyzing a YA Lit novel - absolutely. But, it was a great read. (:
January 7, 2013
3.5 stars.
I liked the different take on the supernatural in this book. It was something that I hadn't seen before and was rather refreshing.
Loved Will and Lily. Both were excellent characters. Will has some swoony lines and Lily injects humor as the best friend. I'm not sure how I feel about the MC, Scarlett. I get the reasons behind her depression, but to me, something seemed off.
The last half of the book becomes very religious. Personally, I'm not super religious, to each their own and all that. However, I started to feel like I was studying for a test instead of reading for fun.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'll definitely be reading the next one.
I liked the different take on the supernatural in this book. It was something that I hadn't seen before and was rather refreshing.
Loved Will and Lily. Both were excellent characters. Will has some swoony lines and Lily injects humor as the best friend. I'm not sure how I feel about the MC, Scarlett. I get the reasons behind her depression, but to me, something seemed off.
The last half of the book becomes very religious. Personally, I'm not super religious, to each their own and all that. However, I started to feel like I was studying for a test instead of reading for fun.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'll definitely be reading the next one.
November 30, 2019
This was really good book. I loved the freindship between Lily and Scarlett. It was nice to see a freindship that didn't falter or change based on dramatic events that occurred. I also enjoyed the relationship between Will and Scarlett. The mythology throughout the story was interesting as well.
However, I felt the story never really had a big climax that set the pace for the end of the book. The end seemed slow and it remained very monotone through out the ending. The ending also felt alittle rushed compared to the rest of the book.
Overall the book was amazing and I cant wait to read the second book.
However, I felt the story never really had a big climax that set the pace for the end of the book. The end seemed slow and it remained very monotone through out the ending. The ending also felt alittle rushed compared to the rest of the book.
Overall the book was amazing and I cant wait to read the second book.
February 21, 2013
This book gives the reader a good story and quite a lot of information about Jewish mysticism, namely Kabbalah. The main character is Scarlett Wenderoth, a grieving teenager living on Catalina Island. Her brother has died, her mother withdrawn, and Scarlett's only joy is riding her horse on the island trails. Then she encounters Will Cohen. Scarlett's grief has led to anorexia. Will is drawn to her, and the ensuing love story enables Scarlett's resurrection back to life. Well worth reading for a patient reader.
March 22, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part was how well-researched it was. The Jewish parts, horse-back riding, and the setting (Catalina) all seemed thoroughly researched to me. The characters were so likable. I really liked that Hazel pulls HERSELF out of her depression. Although Will helps, it isn't until Will leaves that she really starts taking care of herself. The romance was much more believable than other YA novels, and they seemed more like normal teenagers.
All in all, very entertaining, can't wait for the sequel
All in all, very entertaining, can't wait for the sequel
March 3, 2014
I wish I could give it more then 5 stars. I LOVED this book! I loved the fact that
my review is just a little rant to my self and maybe others why I liked this book!
my review is just a little rant to my self and maybe others why I liked this book!
November 15, 2012
If you're looking for a breezy escapist romance with horses and Catalina Island and a dreamy boy with green eyes, this is your book. But if you like a little touch of the weird- slightly paranormal- you will like this even more. Totally a beach read, or one to take on vacation. Or if you can't afford a vacation and need to get away. The setting totally comes to life and you feel like you're the one galloping around the island or inhabiting the cute little local town.
June 19, 2013
Sacred started off a little bit slowly, and I thought it was going in the wrong direction, but things quickly turned around. There was a little too much about horses and Kabbalah for my taste, but Scarlet and Will are genuinely good characters. They're both flawed and make mistakes, but are mature enough to not get stuck in them.
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