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Dissected
Abandoned by her mother at a young age, seventeen-year-old Sydney Warner is always vying for attention. A thrill seeker with a penchant for extreme sports and a fascination with death, she’s brash and doesn’t take crap from anyone.
Withdrawn and broody David from English class is the boy of Syd’s dreams, but love becomes just another extreme sport when Syd discovers David has cheated on her. Betrayal, isolation, and a shard of glass set Syd on a course of self-destruction.
Will new friendships and her love of the stars be enough to help Syd find her way back from rock bottom?
Withdrawn and broody David from English class is the boy of Syd’s dreams, but love becomes just another extreme sport when Syd discovers David has cheated on her. Betrayal, isolation, and a shard of glass set Syd on a course of self-destruction.
Will new friendships and her love of the stars be enough to help Syd find her way back from rock bottom?
- GenresMental HealthYoung Adult
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2013
1 person is currently reading
540 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 12, 2013
When Sydney Warner was six, she awoke one day to find her Mom's telescope and jewelry left in her room. Her Mom was gone--the note she left read she was going to be happy. Sydney managed to weather that storm well enough, but in her junior year far worse happened--and she went badly off-course. Syd's begun to cut herself. Her father and teachers don't know--and if they don't find out, she could cut too deeply.
Sydney's story is told with empathy and concern. Ms. Bostic did her research and made sure her fictional character went through a factual journey. The story's believable, heartfelt, and strongly written.
Some authors would shy away from the hard topics, but Megan Bostic knows that there are kids out there going through difficult situations like Sydney's. Is this a real condition? The new DSM includes a new condition listed called NSSI or Non-Suicidal Self Injury. It's estimated that one in five young girls today cut themselves with razor blades or burn themselves with fire. That's a dramatic increase from 3% of the population in 1990. This condition is particularly common among young girls from ten to sixteen. It's theorized they do this to trigger a flow of endogenous opiates into their bloodstream--these chemicals help deal with pain. Girls who are doing this are not acting out--they do not want parents or teachers to find out. Most conceal their condition with long sleeves or long pants.
Reading books like these help young adults to know that they are not alone. Perhaps that's not as good as group therapy, but it's an important start. How do I know this? Go Ask Alice stopped me from taking drugs in when I was in the eighth grade.
This book is absolutely recommended for readers of all ages. Sydney is a strong likeable character and her predicament is riveting. The plotting is so good you will want to read into the night.
SOURCE: ARC provided by the author
Rebecca McFarland Kyle, November 2013
Sydney's story is told with empathy and concern. Ms. Bostic did her research and made sure her fictional character went through a factual journey. The story's believable, heartfelt, and strongly written.
Some authors would shy away from the hard topics, but Megan Bostic knows that there are kids out there going through difficult situations like Sydney's. Is this a real condition? The new DSM includes a new condition listed called NSSI or Non-Suicidal Self Injury. It's estimated that one in five young girls today cut themselves with razor blades or burn themselves with fire. That's a dramatic increase from 3% of the population in 1990. This condition is particularly common among young girls from ten to sixteen. It's theorized they do this to trigger a flow of endogenous opiates into their bloodstream--these chemicals help deal with pain. Girls who are doing this are not acting out--they do not want parents or teachers to find out. Most conceal their condition with long sleeves or long pants.
Reading books like these help young adults to know that they are not alone. Perhaps that's not as good as group therapy, but it's an important start. How do I know this? Go Ask Alice stopped me from taking drugs in when I was in the eighth grade.
This book is absolutely recommended for readers of all ages. Sydney is a strong likeable character and her predicament is riveting. The plotting is so good you will want to read into the night.
SOURCE: ARC provided by the author
Rebecca McFarland Kyle, November 2013
November 12, 2013
The author does a fantastic job of the very real emotion of first love, high school isolation, coping (and sometimes failing to cope) with what life deals us. Sydney is dealing with some big stuff. Stuff many adults couldn't handle, and she has the skills and perceptions of a teen. She also has some destructive forces around her... betrayal, negative peer pressure, abandonment issues...
There is also a nice balance of the darkness and the hope. In the happy times, there are warnings things might not be as clean and happy as Sydney thinks. And in the dark times, there are people reaching out, even if she isn't ready.
I think this tale is a realistic one, showing that things can always get worse... but maybe they can also get better. I would throw up a warning that any 'shelter the teens' folks, or people who don't believe in teens using alcohol, drugs or having sex... this isn't your book. But if you like edgy YA and a realistic tale for a teen having a really hard time, this is a good one. I recommend it.
There is also a nice balance of the darkness and the hope. In the happy times, there are warnings things might not be as clean and happy as Sydney thinks. And in the dark times, there are people reaching out, even if she isn't ready.
I think this tale is a realistic one, showing that things can always get worse... but maybe they can also get better. I would throw up a warning that any 'shelter the teens' folks, or people who don't believe in teens using alcohol, drugs or having sex... this isn't your book. But if you like edgy YA and a realistic tale for a teen having a really hard time, this is a good one. I recommend it.
September 9, 2014
This is one of the few books I’ve ever read that deals with tough issues. And seriously? I’m so glad I got the chance to do so. Depression, addiction, self-harm — these are subjects that have always intrigued me but I never really sat down to think about them or to deliberate over these issues as they often get lost in the shuffle. So to cut it short, I didn’t exactly know what to expect from this book since it is definitely not my typical read. And by the way — this is one of the hardest reviews I’ve ever written.
Sidney’s life has never been perfect. Her mother abandoned her family at a very young age, leaving Sid somewhat broken although she apparently seems to have quickly recovered from this betrayal. Now she is a junior at high school, having the perfect boyfriend and the best possible BFF — until she relives the ultimate feeling of betrayal and loneliness over again when she finds out that her boyfriend cheated on her. To be honest, there was something about him that screamed fake right from the beginning so I wasn’t too surprised about the betrayal. However, I was positively surprised about the fact that the romance aspect was kept back in a decent way as the book progresses — the plot stays true to its story.
There was that certain indefinable something in the book that gripped me right from the beginning: Sid’s voice. It is so honest and straightforward without being exactly sarcastic or too ironic. It sometimes even gave me the impression as if she was recording her story on a tape due to its “genuineness”. Trust me, there’s nothing the reader can do but empathize with her and experience an rollercoaster ride full of emotions.
You don’t need to be a self-harmer or even have any personal connection to Sid to sympathize with her. The book picks up on many hard topics that affect a lot of teenagers to a greater or lesser extent, such as drugs, sex and first relationships. Yet, the story never gets cheesy or dull; it rather shows us how one little thing can lead to another that ultimately results in disastrous situations which – in Sid’s case – is her mental and physical breakdown after a deadly combination of drugs in her system. And that’s exactly what I liked about the book: It doesn’t happen all at once but it is a series of events that get Sid down. The story raises issues on what it does actually mean to be really addicted, when borders are crossed and you can no longer control yourself.
Also, although there’s some kind of glumness throughout the second part of the book, what the book definitely does not radiate is hopelessness. There is always that glimpse of hope in Sid’s life — just not in a way she would expect it to be. It was heart wrenching to see how she struggles to gain control over herself again in therapy sessions with fellow patients in her age, how they eventually even form some kind of friendship. She is not alone. There is – for instance - Mark who happens to be a self-harmer as well, Buzz, a drug addict or Bianca who is suffering from severe “Anger management problems” (and stabbed her boyfriend in the leg) — they are all charming in their own way because they are authentic characters.
There is something universal about the story: Feeling misunderstood and helpless, losing control over yourself, being isolated — this book is full of those raw and bitter emotions that make you jump up and re-think the term teenage angst again. Megan Bosic deliberately depicts the dark sides of real life in an outspoken way, not mincing her words. Violence, almost-rape…Dissected is not exactly a book for the faint-hearted.
This book is thought-provoking. Provocative. Shocking. It is not the picture-perfect kind of story but a book that shows you the highs and lows of life as well as its unblemished truths. I strongly recommend it to anyone, to people of all ages, especially those who need an emotional read.
Sidney’s life has never been perfect. Her mother abandoned her family at a very young age, leaving Sid somewhat broken although she apparently seems to have quickly recovered from this betrayal. Now she is a junior at high school, having the perfect boyfriend and the best possible BFF — until she relives the ultimate feeling of betrayal and loneliness over again when she finds out that her boyfriend cheated on her. To be honest, there was something about him that screamed fake right from the beginning so I wasn’t too surprised about the betrayal. However, I was positively surprised about the fact that the romance aspect was kept back in a decent way as the book progresses — the plot stays true to its story.
There was that certain indefinable something in the book that gripped me right from the beginning: Sid’s voice. It is so honest and straightforward without being exactly sarcastic or too ironic. It sometimes even gave me the impression as if she was recording her story on a tape due to its “genuineness”. Trust me, there’s nothing the reader can do but empathize with her and experience an rollercoaster ride full of emotions.
You don’t need to be a self-harmer or even have any personal connection to Sid to sympathize with her. The book picks up on many hard topics that affect a lot of teenagers to a greater or lesser extent, such as drugs, sex and first relationships. Yet, the story never gets cheesy or dull; it rather shows us how one little thing can lead to another that ultimately results in disastrous situations which – in Sid’s case – is her mental and physical breakdown after a deadly combination of drugs in her system. And that’s exactly what I liked about the book: It doesn’t happen all at once but it is a series of events that get Sid down. The story raises issues on what it does actually mean to be really addicted, when borders are crossed and you can no longer control yourself.
Also, although there’s some kind of glumness throughout the second part of the book, what the book definitely does not radiate is hopelessness. There is always that glimpse of hope in Sid’s life — just not in a way she would expect it to be. It was heart wrenching to see how she struggles to gain control over herself again in therapy sessions with fellow patients in her age, how they eventually even form some kind of friendship. She is not alone. There is – for instance - Mark who happens to be a self-harmer as well, Buzz, a drug addict or Bianca who is suffering from severe “Anger management problems” (and stabbed her boyfriend in the leg) — they are all charming in their own way because they are authentic characters.
There is something universal about the story: Feeling misunderstood and helpless, losing control over yourself, being isolated — this book is full of those raw and bitter emotions that make you jump up and re-think the term teenage angst again. Megan Bosic deliberately depicts the dark sides of real life in an outspoken way, not mincing her words. Violence, almost-rape…Dissected is not exactly a book for the faint-hearted.
This book is thought-provoking. Provocative. Shocking. It is not the picture-perfect kind of story but a book that shows you the highs and lows of life as well as its unblemished truths. I strongly recommend it to anyone, to people of all ages, especially those who need an emotional read.
June 4, 2014
Powerful & Thought Provoking
I love books that deal with hard issues. When done right they are often heart breaking, and in the end an emotional ride that will stick with you. Megan Bostic, has created a book that was powerful and will undoubtedly stick with me. There is no doubt that the words in these pages will cause some to turn away, or go misunderstood by others. However, for many this will be the book that you read because you understand that people go through this, struggle with this all the time. The writing and story supporting this young girl, is well researched and written in such a way that you will feel the power behind her story.
The plot and pacing in this book are wonderfully done. With something like this, there can be no rushing, and go to slow and you will lose the power of what you are trying to convey. This being said, Dissected was powerful. This story following the downward spiral of a girl, that did not quite know how to manage the falling apart of everything she thought was steady in her life. What I liked about this was that it did not all happen in one quick sweep, it was a series of events that ultimately pulled her down. The failure to find a non destructive way to cope and being around people that are a different kind of destructive, cause the problem to compound and eventually blow up. However, the fact that the author takes us beyond the peak of everything, also gives us a glimpse of what the after could be.
Syd... Where can I even start with her. There is so much truth to what this girl goes through, there are times it is almost painful to read. I am not talking about her heartbreak because most of us have been there, but the struggle with an outlet for the pain and anger she feels. I know there are people out there that will see Syd as weak but truth be told she's not. Her issue is that she does not know any other way to deal with it... However, given the chance and the right help she can get past it. She doesn't want to hurt the people she loves and is able to learn that despite how she thinks, people do love her. Syd's journey was not an easy one, nor is it one that is uncommon in younger females. My heart went out to this character and I saw her as a real girl going through real issues.
There is not much to say in the romance department, because really it was the start of the end for Syd. To be honest, I did not really like David right from the start. His character could seem loving and genuine but there was always something that screamed he was scum. The other characters like her best friend Haley, I found myself wanting to like but couldn't. She was another character that was victim of a mistake, but even one that I found myself pissed at. There are certain things that are unforgivable in a best friend and she crossed a couple of those lines. Zach, was underestimated in the scheme of things. He's that character that could have been good for everything and helped many situations be avoided, but never got the chance. I found myself feeling bad for him and wishing he had played a bigger part in things.
Dissected was a potent, powerful and heartfelt read, though not in the romance sweeping you away way. This read is meant to show you the harder side of things, and that sometimes people can't easily find a way to deal with the pain they have. This is not a book for someone that is looking for something light to read, it is meant for the people that can handle the more dark and heavy issues surrounding teens. However, if you are looking for something that is heavier, and is well written Dissected is a book that you will not regret picking up.
I love books that deal with hard issues. When done right they are often heart breaking, and in the end an emotional ride that will stick with you. Megan Bostic, has created a book that was powerful and will undoubtedly stick with me. There is no doubt that the words in these pages will cause some to turn away, or go misunderstood by others. However, for many this will be the book that you read because you understand that people go through this, struggle with this all the time. The writing and story supporting this young girl, is well researched and written in such a way that you will feel the power behind her story.
The plot and pacing in this book are wonderfully done. With something like this, there can be no rushing, and go to slow and you will lose the power of what you are trying to convey. This being said, Dissected was powerful. This story following the downward spiral of a girl, that did not quite know how to manage the falling apart of everything she thought was steady in her life. What I liked about this was that it did not all happen in one quick sweep, it was a series of events that ultimately pulled her down. The failure to find a non destructive way to cope and being around people that are a different kind of destructive, cause the problem to compound and eventually blow up. However, the fact that the author takes us beyond the peak of everything, also gives us a glimpse of what the after could be.
Syd... Where can I even start with her. There is so much truth to what this girl goes through, there are times it is almost painful to read. I am not talking about her heartbreak because most of us have been there, but the struggle with an outlet for the pain and anger she feels. I know there are people out there that will see Syd as weak but truth be told she's not. Her issue is that she does not know any other way to deal with it... However, given the chance and the right help she can get past it. She doesn't want to hurt the people she loves and is able to learn that despite how she thinks, people do love her. Syd's journey was not an easy one, nor is it one that is uncommon in younger females. My heart went out to this character and I saw her as a real girl going through real issues.
There is not much to say in the romance department, because really it was the start of the end for Syd. To be honest, I did not really like David right from the start. His character could seem loving and genuine but there was always something that screamed he was scum. The other characters like her best friend Haley, I found myself wanting to like but couldn't. She was another character that was victim of a mistake, but even one that I found myself pissed at. There are certain things that are unforgivable in a best friend and she crossed a couple of those lines. Zach, was underestimated in the scheme of things. He's that character that could have been good for everything and helped many situations be avoided, but never got the chance. I found myself feeling bad for him and wishing he had played a bigger part in things.
Dissected was a potent, powerful and heartfelt read, though not in the romance sweeping you away way. This read is meant to show you the harder side of things, and that sometimes people can't easily find a way to deal with the pain they have. This is not a book for someone that is looking for something light to read, it is meant for the people that can handle the more dark and heavy issues surrounding teens. However, if you are looking for something that is heavier, and is well written Dissected is a book that you will not regret picking up.
February 18, 2014
What I Liked
It is hard for me to say what I liked about this book. It deals with real life hard emotional problems and situations. This isn't my typical read, but I read Megan Bostic's other book Never Eighteen (another not typical read) and I really enjoyed it. Megan is one of those authors that I will read anything she writes because I know that regardless how opposite it is of my usual reads I'm still going to get sucked into her characters issues and life.
I did like Syd as a character, we get to see her rock bottom low and her eventual understanding of herself and her problems.
Didn't Like
For me there was no personal connection with the character since I've never emotionally been this low nor do I drink and I've never touched drugs, but that still didn't stop me from cruising through the book.
Recommendation
A good read for those who like troubled, emotional reads.
It is hard for me to say what I liked about this book. It deals with real life hard emotional problems and situations. This isn't my typical read, but I read Megan Bostic's other book Never Eighteen (another not typical read) and I really enjoyed it. Megan is one of those authors that I will read anything she writes because I know that regardless how opposite it is of my usual reads I'm still going to get sucked into her characters issues and life.
I did like Syd as a character, we get to see her rock bottom low and her eventual understanding of herself and her problems.
Didn't Like
For me there was no personal connection with the character since I've never emotionally been this low nor do I drink and I've never touched drugs, but that still didn't stop me from cruising through the book.
Recommendation
A good read for those who like troubled, emotional reads.
March 12, 2014
Bostic did it again. She reaches in and grabs you exactly where you never expected. This story is real life. It is emotional, raw, edgy and exactly how sadly, life is for teens. This is a must read for sure.
Read
August 6, 2016Raw look at a young girls downward spiral into drugs after being betrayed. Heartwarming? No. Real? Absolutely.
May 10, 2017
Sydney has always been a bit dark, especially since her mom left, but after her boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend, she starts cutting herself and doing drugs. It isn't long before she ends up in the hospital, and then she must begin the long road to recovery.
This was a super fast read. The beginning fools you a bit, because it's all happy in love, even though you know Syd often thinks about suicide. While she isn't suicidal, she does have a lot of self-destructive behaviors. I have a soft spot for books about "mental hospitals," and this had plenty of what I love. The hospital she lands at is more of a group care placement, and the staff were positively portrayed, which is a change from most stories I read about places like this. I guessed the truth about Elam pretty early on. The dialogues during the therapy sessions felt a bit forced and stiff, although the other dialogue throughout was more natural and realistic. Happily, though half the story is about Syd's downward slide, a good chunk of the book is about her recovery.
I found this book at a library book sale, and I remembered reading the author's other book, Never Eighteen, and also that she's one of my writing buddies on the Nanowrimo site. Not sure how this self-published book came to be in a library book sale, but it made me realize how much I love used books, because that's how a book lives on.
Parental advisory: Lots of strong language, teen drinking and drug use, and some non-graphic sex scenes.
This was a super fast read. The beginning fools you a bit, because it's all happy in love, even though you know Syd often thinks about suicide. While she isn't suicidal, she does have a lot of self-destructive behaviors. I have a soft spot for books about "mental hospitals," and this had plenty of what I love. The hospital she lands at is more of a group care placement, and the staff were positively portrayed, which is a change from most stories I read about places like this. I guessed the truth about Elam pretty early on. The dialogues during the therapy sessions felt a bit forced and stiff, although the other dialogue throughout was more natural and realistic. Happily, though half the story is about Syd's downward slide, a good chunk of the book is about her recovery.
I found this book at a library book sale, and I remembered reading the author's other book, Never Eighteen, and also that she's one of my writing buddies on the Nanowrimo site. Not sure how this self-published book came to be in a library book sale, but it made me realize how much I love used books, because that's how a book lives on.
Parental advisory: Lots of strong language, teen drinking and drug use, and some non-graphic sex scenes.
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