What do you think?
Raised
What if we never get the apology we deserve?
Anxiety was not part of Ember’s plan. She has everything she’s ever wanted: a home, a successful career, and a loving partner she can’t wait to marry. When her past unexpectedly sets off a series of panic attacks, she is desperate to keep it from ruining the life she’s built, and resorts to the one thing she never imagined she’d need—therapy.
Sana is stuck in a nowhere place with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She’s told she is a mystical guardian with time-bending magic, assigned to help a little girl in need. It doesn’t take Sana long to realize that Amelia’s story is anything but magical. But what choice does she have? If anybody knows how it feels to be unseen, it’s Sana.
Stay out of trouble. It’s a rule. Amelia tries very hard to follow the rules. She knows bad things happen when rules are broken. So, when she notices a stranger sitting across from her at the kitchen table—the one nobody else seems to see—she also knows better than to say anything. A ghost at the dinner table most definitely spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
As each woman fights for the future, knotted threads of the past will force Sana, Amelia, and Ember to face the painful choice that binds them together: stop waiting for an apology and take back their power or stay tangled and trapped by inherited wounds they didn’t deserve to begin with.
Anxiety was not part of Ember’s plan. She has everything she’s ever wanted: a home, a successful career, and a loving partner she can’t wait to marry. When her past unexpectedly sets off a series of panic attacks, she is desperate to keep it from ruining the life she’s built, and resorts to the one thing she never imagined she’d need—therapy.
Sana is stuck in a nowhere place with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She’s told she is a mystical guardian with time-bending magic, assigned to help a little girl in need. It doesn’t take Sana long to realize that Amelia’s story is anything but magical. But what choice does she have? If anybody knows how it feels to be unseen, it’s Sana.
Stay out of trouble. It’s a rule. Amelia tries very hard to follow the rules. She knows bad things happen when rules are broken. So, when she notices a stranger sitting across from her at the kitchen table—the one nobody else seems to see—she also knows better than to say anything. A ghost at the dinner table most definitely spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
As each woman fights for the future, knotted threads of the past will force Sana, Amelia, and Ember to face the painful choice that binds them together: stop waiting for an apology and take back their power or stay tangled and trapped by inherited wounds they didn’t deserve to begin with.
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Published June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 15, 2026
(Advanced reader copy received from the author)
This novel is a heartbreaking exploration of childhood trauma, resilience, and the ways society teaches girls to shrink themselves for the comfort of others. The kind of book that rips your heart up and then hands you a needle and a thread, pointing at the shreds.
By means of alternating timelines, we follow Amelia, Ember and Sana. Amelia is a young girl enduring relentless emotional and physical abuse at the hands of the very people who should have protected her. Ember is an accomplished adult woman whose life appears successful on the surface but is quietly dominated by anxiety, disproportionate stress responses, and unresolved pain. Third, there's Sana, Amelia's spiritual guide, a feisty and assertive young woman who appears as an imaginary friend throughout Amelia's childhood and teenage years. In a story filled with cruelty and neglect, this presence offers moments of comfort, hope, and encouragement, helping her survive experiences that no child should have to endure.
The split narrative structure works beautifully, gradually revealing how childhood trauma echoes throughout adulthood.
Through some of the most beautiful writing I've read in recent years, Raised explores one of the most raw topics in today's society: the way girls are conditioned into silence and submission. Again and again, the message imposed on the protagonist is that speaking up is dangerous, resistance is futile, and suffering should be endured rather than challenged.
Readers who appreciated The Grace Year by Kim Liggett may find similar themes here. While the two books are very different in setting and style, both explore the ways societies control girls through fear, shame, and obedience, and both ask what it takes to reclaim one's voice after years of being taught not to use it.
This was not an easy read, but it is a powerful one and it will stay with me for a long while.
This novel is a heartbreaking exploration of childhood trauma, resilience, and the ways society teaches girls to shrink themselves for the comfort of others. The kind of book that rips your heart up and then hands you a needle and a thread, pointing at the shreds.
By means of alternating timelines, we follow Amelia, Ember and Sana. Amelia is a young girl enduring relentless emotional and physical abuse at the hands of the very people who should have protected her. Ember is an accomplished adult woman whose life appears successful on the surface but is quietly dominated by anxiety, disproportionate stress responses, and unresolved pain. Third, there's Sana, Amelia's spiritual guide, a feisty and assertive young woman who appears as an imaginary friend throughout Amelia's childhood and teenage years. In a story filled with cruelty and neglect, this presence offers moments of comfort, hope, and encouragement, helping her survive experiences that no child should have to endure.
The split narrative structure works beautifully, gradually revealing how childhood trauma echoes throughout adulthood.
Through some of the most beautiful writing I've read in recent years, Raised explores one of the most raw topics in today's society: the way girls are conditioned into silence and submission. Again and again, the message imposed on the protagonist is that speaking up is dangerous, resistance is futile, and suffering should be endured rather than challenged.
Readers who appreciated The Grace Year by Kim Liggett may find similar themes here. While the two books are very different in setting and style, both explore the ways societies control girls through fear, shame, and obedience, and both ask what it takes to reclaim one's voice after years of being taught not to use it.
This was not an easy read, but it is a powerful one and it will stay with me for a long while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2026
(Advanced copy received from the author)
Raised is an ambitious blending of literary fiction and fantasy that looks at the long term impacts of early trauma and the lengths we have to go to to heal from that, and for the most part, spectacularly succeeds at what it tries to do.
Talisha Ekkebus is a phenomenal writer - her prose is beautiful, with a particular gift for natural imagery, and her understanding of the psychology of her characters is masterful. The early Ember chapters specifically stood out to me as some of the best descriptions of the day to day realities of living with severe anxiety that I've seen in a work of fiction.
I did have a few issues with Raised overall that prevent me from giving it the full five stars, but on reflection these are largely stylistic and personal preferences that would not prevent me from enthusiastically recommending it to others.
This is a powerful, thought provoking first novel from a talented author, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Raised is an ambitious blending of literary fiction and fantasy that looks at the long term impacts of early trauma and the lengths we have to go to to heal from that, and for the most part, spectacularly succeeds at what it tries to do.
Talisha Ekkebus is a phenomenal writer - her prose is beautiful, with a particular gift for natural imagery, and her understanding of the psychology of her characters is masterful. The early Ember chapters specifically stood out to me as some of the best descriptions of the day to day realities of living with severe anxiety that I've seen in a work of fiction.
I did have a few issues with Raised overall that prevent me from giving it the full five stars, but on reflection these are largely stylistic and personal preferences that would not prevent me from enthusiastically recommending it to others.
This is a powerful, thought provoking first novel from a talented author, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.
May 29, 2026
Raised is an emotional and powerful story about trauma, healing, and what it takes to stop being defined by what happened to you and become the one who saves yourself.
I loved how this story captured the courage it takes to walk away from the people, places, and patterns that no longer serve you, and the freedom that comes when you realize choosing yourself is enough.
I loved how this story captured the courage it takes to walk away from the people, places, and patterns that no longer serve you, and the freedom that comes when you realize choosing yourself is enough.
October 1, 2026
3.5 stars
Raised is an ambitious and emotionally heavy story about trauma, healing, and the difficult process of reclaiming your voice after being taught to stay silent. It follows Ember, Sana and Amelia across intertwined timelines, gradually revealing the connections between them and the wounds that have shaped their lives.
There is a lot to admire here. Ekkebus has a beautiful, often lyrical writing style, and some passages really stayed with me. I particularly appreciated the way the novel explores the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the ways girls and women can be conditioned to accept silence, obedience and suffering. The central idea of having to stop waiting for an apology and instead find a way to take back your own power is genuinely moving.
The structure is ambitious, moving between different characters and periods of time, and while I thought the connections gradually coming together worked well, I sometimes found the shifting perspectives difficult to fully settle into. I also wanted a little more distinction between the three women's voices, as they occasionally began to blur together for me.
My biggest issue was the pacing. There are some incredibly powerful emotional moments, particularly as the story moves towards its conclusion, but the impact isn't always consistent. Some sections felt beautifully developed while others felt slower or less fully realised, and at times the structure seemed more complicated than it needed to be.
That said, the heart of this book is very much in the right place, and there is a lot here that I found thought-provoking. This isn't an easy read, but it is a story with something meaningful to say about trauma, resilience, healing and learning that you don't have to carry the wounds of the past forever.
**Recommended for:** Readers who enjoy literary fiction with elements of magical realism/fantasy, multiple timelines, emotionally complex characters and stories exploring trauma, resilience and reclaiming your voice.
**Content warnings:** Childhood abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, trauma, anxiety, neglect and references to self-harm.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. This review was posted on NetGalley.
Raised is an ambitious and emotionally heavy story about trauma, healing, and the difficult process of reclaiming your voice after being taught to stay silent. It follows Ember, Sana and Amelia across intertwined timelines, gradually revealing the connections between them and the wounds that have shaped their lives.
There is a lot to admire here. Ekkebus has a beautiful, often lyrical writing style, and some passages really stayed with me. I particularly appreciated the way the novel explores the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the ways girls and women can be conditioned to accept silence, obedience and suffering. The central idea of having to stop waiting for an apology and instead find a way to take back your own power is genuinely moving.
The structure is ambitious, moving between different characters and periods of time, and while I thought the connections gradually coming together worked well, I sometimes found the shifting perspectives difficult to fully settle into. I also wanted a little more distinction between the three women's voices, as they occasionally began to blur together for me.
My biggest issue was the pacing. There are some incredibly powerful emotional moments, particularly as the story moves towards its conclusion, but the impact isn't always consistent. Some sections felt beautifully developed while others felt slower or less fully realised, and at times the structure seemed more complicated than it needed to be.
That said, the heart of this book is very much in the right place, and there is a lot here that I found thought-provoking. This isn't an easy read, but it is a story with something meaningful to say about trauma, resilience, healing and learning that you don't have to carry the wounds of the past forever.
**Recommended for:** Readers who enjoy literary fiction with elements of magical realism/fantasy, multiple timelines, emotionally complex characters and stories exploring trauma, resilience and reclaiming your voice.
**Content warnings:** Childhood abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, trauma, anxiety, neglect and references to self-harm.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. This review was posted on NetGalley.
October 5, 2026
In this book we meet Ember who has everything she ever wanted but she suddenly starts experiencing panic attacks and in order to understand why and ultimately stop them she finds herself in therapy.
Then we meet Sana, who has been raised as an ancient marked one, a Anatherae, a magical being who is called upon to deal with knotted threads of time, these knots are caused by grief, loss, trauma, turmoil, fear, anger etc. and it is Sana’s job to untangle them. The person she has been summoned to help is six year old Amelia.
Amelia was abandoned by her mother and left with her father. He remarries and Amelia struggles with the dynamics of her new life but even before this point in her life she had experienced inherited trauma from her parents, her grandparents. This is where Sana comes in. Her very existence is to support Amelia through these difficult periods of her life. The three of them are connected in ways they don’t understand.
This was certainly an emotional rollercoaster ride that is definitely not for the faint hearted that’s for sure. There is a list of trigger warnings so please check them out before reading. We have a front row seat to some of the most difficult parts of Amelia’s life and it’s not pretty. But Sana helps Amelia to navigate her way through them by showing up consistently, by shining a light not he darkness, by loving her, by showing her she is worthy of that love, by being her rock, her constant, her avenging angle. While the book is full of trauma, bullying, abuse of all flavours, abandonment, violence, mental health illness, it is also full of love, hope, patience, healing and friendship.
It is a beautifully written journey of hope and healing that shows while our experiences may very well define us, they don’t have to control us to report the cycle, to repeat past mistakes. This was a 4 star read for me and I would definitely recommend.
Then we meet Sana, who has been raised as an ancient marked one, a Anatherae, a magical being who is called upon to deal with knotted threads of time, these knots are caused by grief, loss, trauma, turmoil, fear, anger etc. and it is Sana’s job to untangle them. The person she has been summoned to help is six year old Amelia.
Amelia was abandoned by her mother and left with her father. He remarries and Amelia struggles with the dynamics of her new life but even before this point in her life she had experienced inherited trauma from her parents, her grandparents. This is where Sana comes in. Her very existence is to support Amelia through these difficult periods of her life. The three of them are connected in ways they don’t understand.
This was certainly an emotional rollercoaster ride that is definitely not for the faint hearted that’s for sure. There is a list of trigger warnings so please check them out before reading. We have a front row seat to some of the most difficult parts of Amelia’s life and it’s not pretty. But Sana helps Amelia to navigate her way through them by showing up consistently, by shining a light not he darkness, by loving her, by showing her she is worthy of that love, by being her rock, her constant, her avenging angle. While the book is full of trauma, bullying, abuse of all flavours, abandonment, violence, mental health illness, it is also full of love, hope, patience, healing and friendship.
It is a beautifully written journey of hope and healing that shows while our experiences may very well define us, they don’t have to control us to report the cycle, to repeat past mistakes. This was a 4 star read for me and I would definitely recommend.
August 28, 2026
Raised is an ambitious, emotionally driven novel that follows Ember, Sana, and Amelia through interwoven timelines as their connections gradually come into focus. Talisha Ekkebus is clearly working toward something tender here: a story about the long, uneven process of healing, and what it costs to let go of an apology that may never come. That central idea is genuinely moving, and it's the strongest thing the book has going for it.
The structure is ambitious too, shifting between perspectives and time periods, and for the most part it holds together without becoming confusing. Amelia's sections in particular carry real tension and vulnerability, and there were moments, especially toward the end, that landed with genuine emotional force. The prose occasionally rises to something close to lyrical, and Ekkebus includes a thoughtful trigger warning up front, which is a considerate touch given how heavy some of the material gets.
Where the book falters is in its pacing and consistency. The emotional peaks are real, but they're inconsistent, some chapters carry that promised weight and vulnerability, while others feel comparatively flat or underdeveloped, which makes the shifting timeline structure occasionally feel more like a device than a necessity. I also found myself wanting more differentiation between the three women's voices; at times the seamlessness the multiple perspectives are going for blurs into sameness, making it harder to feel fully anchored in whichever character's chapter I was in.
It's a book with real heart and a message worth sitting with, but the execution doesn't quite match its ambition throughout. Readers drawn to layered, character-driven stories about trauma and reclamation will likely still find plenty to connect with here, just be prepared for some uneven stretches along the way.
The structure is ambitious too, shifting between perspectives and time periods, and for the most part it holds together without becoming confusing. Amelia's sections in particular carry real tension and vulnerability, and there were moments, especially toward the end, that landed with genuine emotional force. The prose occasionally rises to something close to lyrical, and Ekkebus includes a thoughtful trigger warning up front, which is a considerate touch given how heavy some of the material gets.
Where the book falters is in its pacing and consistency. The emotional peaks are real, but they're inconsistent, some chapters carry that promised weight and vulnerability, while others feel comparatively flat or underdeveloped, which makes the shifting timeline structure occasionally feel more like a device than a necessity. I also found myself wanting more differentiation between the three women's voices; at times the seamlessness the multiple perspectives are going for blurs into sameness, making it harder to feel fully anchored in whichever character's chapter I was in.
It's a book with real heart and a message worth sitting with, but the execution doesn't quite match its ambition throughout. Readers drawn to layered, character-driven stories about trauma and reclamation will likely still find plenty to connect with here, just be prepared for some uneven stretches along the way.
October 3, 2026
Thank you to LBT for having me on this food review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.
Holy cow was this a good book. I don’t even have words really I don’t think this was such a good book.
Raised is essentially about trauma and healing and basically how you have to learn how to save yourself. This is so hard because I feel like I look to people to save me and I know they can’t but I still look for it. Not sure why.
In this book that is so well written we follow women—Sana, Ember, and Amelia each on their own journey of navigating grief trauma identity and just trying to not let the past define them. I connected with these characters and this book so much it will stick with me for a while even though this book was fiction for me it didn’t feel that way at all!!
I’m a person who can’t let the past go and forgive myself for the mistakes I’ve made how I regret so much and I wish to go back. I don’t know who I am anymore I really don’t. It’s sad.
The way that this author writes is magic I don’t know how else to describe it. Because she writes with such passion and drive and the way you feel everything from her characters and being with them every step of the way it’s like watching a really good Netflix series but you are part of that series because you can connect with every one of the characters in some way. The author really makes you feel like you can do anything. Leaving people or situations even when it’s hard. Gosh for me this was tough to read at times because I feel like some days my life is such a mess and it’s not what I wanted it to be !!
I truly can’t wait to check out more from this author. I’m just blown away by her book and it might be one I read again. I loved her writing style. I also think I’m going to buy this book!! Definitely an excellent read!!
Holy cow was this a good book. I don’t even have words really I don’t think this was such a good book.
Raised is essentially about trauma and healing and basically how you have to learn how to save yourself. This is so hard because I feel like I look to people to save me and I know they can’t but I still look for it. Not sure why.
In this book that is so well written we follow women—Sana, Ember, and Amelia each on their own journey of navigating grief trauma identity and just trying to not let the past define them. I connected with these characters and this book so much it will stick with me for a while even though this book was fiction for me it didn’t feel that way at all!!
I’m a person who can’t let the past go and forgive myself for the mistakes I’ve made how I regret so much and I wish to go back. I don’t know who I am anymore I really don’t. It’s sad.
The way that this author writes is magic I don’t know how else to describe it. Because she writes with such passion and drive and the way you feel everything from her characters and being with them every step of the way it’s like watching a really good Netflix series but you are part of that series because you can connect with every one of the characters in some way. The author really makes you feel like you can do anything. Leaving people or situations even when it’s hard. Gosh for me this was tough to read at times because I feel like some days my life is such a mess and it’s not what I wanted it to be !!
I truly can’t wait to check out more from this author. I’m just blown away by her book and it might be one I read again. I loved her writing style. I also think I’m going to buy this book!! Definitely an excellent read!!
June 1, 2026
Raised by Talisha Ekkebus is an emotionally layered and deeply tender story that doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of healing. The book weaves together the lives of Ember, Sana, and Amelia in a way that feels both seamless and intentional. The shifting timelines and perspectives never felt confusing and they added depth as the characters' connections were uncovered.
What stood out most to me was the emotional weight of the story. It’s both heartwarming and incredibly difficult at times, especially in Amelia’s chapters, which carried a real sense of tension and vulnerability. You can truly feel what these characters are going through, and that emotional pull has stuck with me since I finished the book. This book had me tearing up in all the right ways. It was sad and difficult, but so beautiful and uplifting as well. This book is written in such a gorgeous way, it could almost be poetry in some parts.
This is a story that may be triggering for some readers. Ekkebus put out a thoughtful trigger warning at the start of the book and it’s worth taking a moment to check in with yourself before diving in. Raised is a powerful reminder that in order to reclaim your story, it might be necessary to let go of the apology you may never receive.
HUGE thank you to the author for allowing me to read a copy early. I genuinely feel so fortunate to have experienced this book and I can't wait for the world to discover it.
What stood out most to me was the emotional weight of the story. It’s both heartwarming and incredibly difficult at times, especially in Amelia’s chapters, which carried a real sense of tension and vulnerability. You can truly feel what these characters are going through, and that emotional pull has stuck with me since I finished the book. This book had me tearing up in all the right ways. It was sad and difficult, but so beautiful and uplifting as well. This book is written in such a gorgeous way, it could almost be poetry in some parts.
This is a story that may be triggering for some readers. Ekkebus put out a thoughtful trigger warning at the start of the book and it’s worth taking a moment to check in with yourself before diving in. Raised is a powerful reminder that in order to reclaim your story, it might be necessary to let go of the apology you may never receive.
HUGE thank you to the author for allowing me to read a copy early. I genuinely feel so fortunate to have experienced this book and I can't wait for the world to discover it.
September 30, 2026
This book found it’s way into my bones and will be staying with me.
Raised is unlike anything I’ve read this year in a way I was not prepared for. A deeply emotive story that intertwines the lives of 3 female characters Ember, Sana and Amelia.
It’s told from every changing points in time and from different characters perspectives, which from the outside sounds like it would get really confusing, but Talisha Ekkebus writes with such detail and precision that it flows so naturally and with incredible emotional depth.
Raised does not shy away from hard hitting subjects so checking the trigger warnings which are beautifully shared at the beginning is definitely advised. For me although some chapters were incredibly difficult to read from an emotional point of view, I found myself completely consumed with walking alongside each character on the journey towards healing. A path that never comes easy.
It’s real, it's raw, it’s painful, it’s honest, its vulnerable but most of all it’s a complete triumph of a novel.
Favourite Quote:
“Sana, this is the only way she’ll speak of this; the only time she’ll ever say it out loud. Without you, it lives in her, and it poisons her. She passes it to you because you are the only safe place for her. You’re the only person she can lash out at who won’t retaliate. This was necessary. She needed somewhere to put it. Forgive yourself, my love. Prevention was never the point; salvation was.”
Raised is unlike anything I’ve read this year in a way I was not prepared for. A deeply emotive story that intertwines the lives of 3 female characters Ember, Sana and Amelia.
It’s told from every changing points in time and from different characters perspectives, which from the outside sounds like it would get really confusing, but Talisha Ekkebus writes with such detail and precision that it flows so naturally and with incredible emotional depth.
Raised does not shy away from hard hitting subjects so checking the trigger warnings which are beautifully shared at the beginning is definitely advised. For me although some chapters were incredibly difficult to read from an emotional point of view, I found myself completely consumed with walking alongside each character on the journey towards healing. A path that never comes easy.
It’s real, it's raw, it’s painful, it’s honest, its vulnerable but most of all it’s a complete triumph of a novel.
Favourite Quote:
“Sana, this is the only way she’ll speak of this; the only time she’ll ever say it out loud. Without you, it lives in her, and it poisons her. She passes it to you because you are the only safe place for her. You’re the only person she can lash out at who won’t retaliate. This was necessary. She needed somewhere to put it. Forgive yourself, my love. Prevention was never the point; salvation was.”
October 4, 2026
This was a really interesting story, I enjoyed how it is told in Ember, Sana and Amelia’s points of view with interconnecting timelines. However, you don’t find out how they are all connected until further down the line which kept me guessing and intrigued.
It is an emotional read and covers some heavy topics such as abuse, trauma and healing. I felt that this was portrayed really well, it’s realistic, hard hitting, and explores the effects of childhood trauma in adulthood which is an interest of mine. The author does warn going in that this is not a quick, easy read which I do agree with, but it will stay with you after you’ve finished. Check your trigger warnings before reading.
The author has a beautiful prose which was not always the best match for me and pacing could be a little uneven at times but it has a strong message of healing and putting yourself first that a lot of people will connect with.
Overall, I rate this 3.5⭐️
June 12, 2026
"Raised" by Talisha Ekkebus is a deeply emotional and beautifully vulnerable story that stays with you long after you close the book. Through its intertwined storylines, the book takes you on a journey filled with pain, reflection, healing and hope. It brings emotions to the surface in a way that feels raw and honest, yet hopeful and warm. Like a guide, a best friend or inner voice, it gives you the reality check but is also there for you to manage it. The story reminds us that healing is not always easy and gentle, but it is always beautiful and worthwhile. Deep, vulnerable, at times painful, and completely captivating, "Raised" is the kind of story that consumes you entirely. The book that invites you to not only witness the main characters' hardships, but also to walk beside them as they find their way through them.
June 9, 2026
Raised is an emotionally charged, intricately layered novel that threads together the lives of three women—Sana, Ember, and Amelia—each navigating trauma, identity, and the lingering shadows of their pasts. Talisha Ekkebus writes with a raw, unfiltered honesty that makes the story feel less like fiction and more like a mirror reflecting the complexities of being human
I feel genuinely grateful to have been among the first to experience Talisha’s work. She has a rare gift for capturing emotion in a way that feels both intimate and universal. It takes a special kind of writer to explore life’s pain, sadness, and resilience with such tenderness—reminding us not only of the wounds we carry, but of the strength we’ve found in overcoming
I feel genuinely grateful to have been among the first to experience Talisha’s work. She has a rare gift for capturing emotion in a way that feels both intimate and universal. It takes a special kind of writer to explore life’s pain, sadness, and resilience with such tenderness—reminding us not only of the wounds we carry, but of the strength we’ve found in overcoming
June 9, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this title from the author.
Raised gives us the story of the imaginary friend many of us wish we had as adolescents. This friend comes by your side in the darkest moments, helping you work through your feelings and trauma.
Talisha uses this fictional story to help women everywhere work through their own history and experiences. Sana, Ember, and Amelia find a way to bring hope to those that may be struggling to understand why things happen in life. There are two chapters that hurt to read, and the author noted those before sending the book and in this copy they have a * in the chapter title.
I think this is a great read that comes with emotions and deep introspective work.
June 10, 2026
This was not a book but an experience; it captured all of my senses, even the ones I attempted to keep far from the flames of the human condition we call being alive and feeling! I was enraptured by the details and pulled into the story that each one of us can resonate with. Talisha's ability to bring us with her through the characters' courage to walk away, see themselves and grow was so first-hand it was like being in the front seats of a really good play. You are not just the audience but a participant. Thank you, Talisha, for reminding us that the soul is the centre of all that matters. With gratitude, I know I am one of the first of many to experience this writing and want to share it with the world. Everyone should read this!
August 6, 2026
I’m a bit biased because I wrote it but I can tell you this with absolute certainty:
This is a heart-written book and the proof is on the page. If you love something pure, raw, and human, this story is exactly that.
We follow Amelia, Sana, and Ember as they each travel a path of fear and uncertainty, pushing beyond their perceived limits, as they search for a truth that will set them free. Along the way they need to learn to survive, look within themselves, find courage when all seems lost, and forgive; each in very different ways.
Tired of holding it together, tired of being tired, tired of fighting, it’s time to find a new way.
I love this story with all my heart. I hope it finds its way to yours.
This is a heart-written book and the proof is on the page. If you love something pure, raw, and human, this story is exactly that.
We follow Amelia, Sana, and Ember as they each travel a path of fear and uncertainty, pushing beyond their perceived limits, as they search for a truth that will set them free. Along the way they need to learn to survive, look within themselves, find courage when all seems lost, and forgive; each in very different ways.
Tired of holding it together, tired of being tired, tired of fighting, it’s time to find a new way.
I love this story with all my heart. I hope it finds its way to yours.
October 1, 2026
This was a really thoughtful exploration of the way early childhood trauma can continue to affect us well into adulthood. A lot of the themes characters were dealing with resonated with me, and there were quite a few moments where I could easily put myself in their shoes.
And I think that many of themes in the book are universal—healing, perseverance, learning to move forward, and trying to become a healthier version of yourself despite what you’ve been through. I also thought the way the story blended those very real experiences with a magical element was a really creative way to explore something so emotional and complex.
I appreciated that the story ultimately focused on healing, breaking patterns, and finding a way to move forward. So if that's your jam, check this one out!
And I think that many of themes in the book are universal—healing, perseverance, learning to move forward, and trying to become a healthier version of yourself despite what you’ve been through. I also thought the way the story blended those very real experiences with a magical element was a really creative way to explore something so emotional and complex.
I appreciated that the story ultimately focused on healing, breaking patterns, and finding a way to move forward. So if that's your jam, check this one out!
October 2, 2026
This book is an absolute stunning book of how childhood trauma can follow you into adulthood, i really resonated with the characters. It was such a delicate subject that was delivered so beautifully. It was a real eye opener and something that cut deep. sometimes you don't think anything of the behaviours you adopt through adulthood are a reflection of childhood. Sometimes i did struggle as some bits were very real to me, however that is what makes a great book with things the reader can connect with. I would definitely recommend this book and i think there is something in it for everyone whether it being for entertainment value or something you can learn from such as dealing with anxiety and getting over or coping with trauma.
June 6, 2026
Raised is a thought provoking, moving story following young Amelia as she navigates a cruel family dynamic. Sana, a thread weaver and form of guide is learning on the job as Amelia's unseen protector. Ember, struggling to trust herself in her new relationship seeks out counselling and starts building towards a better life herself. Little do these three women know, their worlds will collide in a deep and unexpected way. Talisha Ekkabus weaves a beautiful and gripping narrative that left me devouring the pages. Some were raw and emotional, others joyful and expressive. This slow-burn literary piece is well worth the investment.
June 21, 2026
At original time or review I was going through a very emotional time and wasn't in a place to read this, However, I am so glad I came back to this book! Wow! This story is deep, raw and powerful! I don't think I'll ever forget about this book. There is a powerful message here. I absolutely love Amelia and her strength. I love that there is a familiar in this book that helps her through her journey. I resonated with this story and it's message so deeply. An absolute must read. It is a book that hits hard topics and emotions so please make sure your in a good head space.
October 3, 2026
Raised is a beautifully written story on healing from trauma, using narratives from 3 women whose lives are woven together due to the trauma and healing process. There are some hard parts to read throughout the book, so make sure you read the content warnings before starting. There were parts where I had tears in my eyes and ached to hold the fictional child experiencing the multiple traumas done to her over the years. If a book evokes an emotional response in me, it is typically a good book! Raised: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 4, 2026
Raised, by Talisha Ekkebus, is a heavy read, but oh, what a powerful story. How skillfully this author deals with trauma and the accompanying emotions while still weaving a thread of healing within the narrative. I loved watching these women connect and learn to deal with and speak about the wounds that carved out their lives. It’s a story for women and about women; about losing power and regaining it; about learning to break the silence and regain a voice.
June 2, 2026
Raised is.... it's a lot of things, a message of hope, I think, above all.
Through the heartbreak of abuse and generational trauma in a world that feels out of control, this book shines a light on how to navigate a life that can feel hopeless.
Beautifully written. Engaging. Relevant.
I'm sorry. I feel like I'm no good at this. Basically I loved it.
Through the heartbreak of abuse and generational trauma in a world that feels out of control, this book shines a light on how to navigate a life that can feel hopeless.
Beautifully written. Engaging. Relevant.
I'm sorry. I feel like I'm no good at this. Basically I loved it.
June 21, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review.
A powerful work of fiction which realistically captures the pain of childhood trauma and the journey of healing.
It took me a few chapters to get my head around this book, but once I realised what was going on I was blown away by the concept.
A fantastic piece of writing.
A powerful work of fiction which realistically captures the pain of childhood trauma and the journey of healing.
It took me a few chapters to get my head around this book, but once I realised what was going on I was blown away by the concept.
A fantastic piece of writing.
August 23, 2026
**Advanced Reader Copy from the author** The book is beautifully written, with great phrasing and was clearly from a place of passion. A story from a deep place of love and understanding that touches on hard topics.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Phoebe Waller-Bridge once wrote, "Women are born with pain built in. It's our physical destiny".
Talisha Ekkebus reminds us that our destiny doesn't always equal prophecy, and that pain is only one thread in the fabric of our beings. Raised is a heartwrenching, poignant story of three women, Amelia, Sana, and Ember, bound together by the knots of courage and survival.
Interwoven with magic, Raised holds a mirror to the realities of generational secrets, scars, and silence that many mask behind the walls of daily life. The story echoes that trauma rarely arrives or ends as a singularity, but as a constellation of choices made by those too graceless to protect our hearts.
And though there is a cathartic gravitas to this tale, Raised shows us that life is a journey on a road of our choosing. Ekkebus's novel is a powerful exploration of how our roots can grow into knots and, through careful unweaving, how we can rediscover our autonomy and agency to loosen them.
Talisha Ekkebus reminds us that our destiny doesn't always equal prophecy, and that pain is only one thread in the fabric of our beings. Raised is a heartwrenching, poignant story of three women, Amelia, Sana, and Ember, bound together by the knots of courage and survival.
Interwoven with magic, Raised holds a mirror to the realities of generational secrets, scars, and silence that many mask behind the walls of daily life. The story echoes that trauma rarely arrives or ends as a singularity, but as a constellation of choices made by those too graceless to protect our hearts.
And though there is a cathartic gravitas to this tale, Raised shows us that life is a journey on a road of our choosing. Ekkebus's novel is a powerful exploration of how our roots can grow into knots and, through careful unweaving, how we can rediscover our autonomy and agency to loosen them.
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