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Permanent Damage
Death taunts Elodie Gold.
It took her parents when she was a teenager, left her tormented by violent ghosts she cannot escape, and forced her to live in constant fear. She thinks she is broken forever, and the people around her worry that she’s too far gone to help.
After a ghost attack leaves her with what appear to be self-inflicted wounds, Elodie is referred to Dr. Emory Dick, a psychologist who works with emotionally damaged teenagers. When a shocking encounter during her first session convinces Emory that her ghosts are real, he offers to rescue her in exchange for the use of her “gift.”
For the first time since her parents' deaths she feels like she can breathe, until one morning when she awakes to find she is not as safe as she thought. A dead man hovers in her living room, having penetrated the protection spells that cover her walls, and it appears someone she knows helped him get in.
With the help of a stranger who seems to know more about Elodie than she knows about herself, she must learn the truth that sometimes the living can be more dangerous than the dead.
In this heartbreaking tale that proves there are things more sinister than death itself, Elodie must find the courage to step out into the world and save herself from the ghosts - both real and in her head - before she suffers permanent damage.
It took her parents when she was a teenager, left her tormented by violent ghosts she cannot escape, and forced her to live in constant fear. She thinks she is broken forever, and the people around her worry that she’s too far gone to help.
After a ghost attack leaves her with what appear to be self-inflicted wounds, Elodie is referred to Dr. Emory Dick, a psychologist who works with emotionally damaged teenagers. When a shocking encounter during her first session convinces Emory that her ghosts are real, he offers to rescue her in exchange for the use of her “gift.”
For the first time since her parents' deaths she feels like she can breathe, until one morning when she awakes to find she is not as safe as she thought. A dead man hovers in her living room, having penetrated the protection spells that cover her walls, and it appears someone she knows helped him get in.
With the help of a stranger who seems to know more about Elodie than she knows about herself, she must learn the truth that sometimes the living can be more dangerous than the dead.
In this heartbreaking tale that proves there are things more sinister than death itself, Elodie must find the courage to step out into the world and save herself from the ghosts - both real and in her head - before she suffers permanent damage.
- GenresHorrorYoung Adult
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 11, 2023
Another excellent horror book by Ivy Thollen. This one was heartbreaking as well as spooky. I don’t typically like ghost stories, but this one was really well done and got under my skin.
October 6, 2022
Gostei dos personagens e a escrita da autora é bem envolvente então o livro me prendeu do começo ao fim, mas achei o final corrido e continuei com várias dúvidas sem respostas :/
November 20, 2023
yesss ok i need y'all to know that idc if ivy tholen's books are YA, she's most def an auto buy for me.
-ghosts
-witches
-loving girl friend bonds
-dead parents
-a scummy dude
-a good dude
-heartbreak (i cried. a lot.)
-a weird almost abrupt ending (gimmie a companion novella plz ivy i'm begging you)
-as always, STUNNING cover art
-it's on KU!
-ghosts
-witches
-loving girl friend bonds
-dead parents
-a scummy dude
-a good dude
-heartbreak (i cried. a lot.)
-a weird almost abrupt ending (gimmie a companion novella plz ivy i'm begging you)
-as always, STUNNING cover art
-it's on KU!
January 30, 2023
YA Ghost book
I loved Ivy Tholen's sisterhood slasher Tastes Like Candy: A Slasher Novel.
Some of what I loved about Candy was also visible in "Permanent Damage": there were strong female friendships that mattered way more than any (potential or real) romance. There are feminist undertones. The heroine finds her backbone and uses it in this one. It's less a coming of age novel and more a growing into your natural armor novel. And I love that.
Unfortunately, despite a cast of interesting side characters and some pretty good scenes and dialogues, the main part of the book just played in one room, making it very much a limited glimpse of a bigger picture.
It was still well-written though and I hope Tholen keeps publishing books!
I loved Ivy Tholen's sisterhood slasher Tastes Like Candy: A Slasher Novel.
Some of what I loved about Candy was also visible in "Permanent Damage": there were strong female friendships that mattered way more than any (potential or real) romance. There are feminist undertones. The heroine finds her backbone and uses it in this one. It's less a coming of age novel and more a growing into your natural armor novel. And I love that.
Unfortunately, despite a cast of interesting side characters and some pretty good scenes and dialogues, the main part of the book just played in one room, making it very much a limited glimpse of a bigger picture.
It was still well-written though and I hope Tholen keeps publishing books!
May 29, 2024
I’m a sucker for an author placing all their books in the same town & a story that talks about the realities of how grief changes you. 💔🖤
March 16, 2022
At just 13 years old Elodie Gold loses her parents in a tragic car accident, the aftermath turns her life upside down when she discovers she can see ghosts and they want to cause her nothing but harm.
The story switches between the past and present which is set 3 years later and sees Elodie holed up and reclusive in her home which she refers to as "The Cage". It makes you emphasis with her as you feel her depression and loneliness and you can also see between the lines of what certain peoples true intentions are.
The characters were interesting and featured Witches, a Necromancer, Elodies best friend Regan who I absolutely loved and Dr Emory the Psychiatrist.
Unfortunately the story became a bit muddled near the end and I felt the author had two different ideas for the book and just put them together. Maybe it needed to be longer to tie up the loose ends and flow more coherently.
I can't wait to read any future works by this author!
The story switches between the past and present which is set 3 years later and sees Elodie holed up and reclusive in her home which she refers to as "The Cage". It makes you emphasis with her as you feel her depression and loneliness and you can also see between the lines of what certain peoples true intentions are.
The characters were interesting and featured Witches, a Necromancer, Elodies best friend Regan who I absolutely loved and Dr Emory the Psychiatrist.
Unfortunately the story became a bit muddled near the end and I felt the author had two different ideas for the book and just put them together. Maybe it needed to be longer to tie up the loose ends and flow more coherently.
I can't wait to read any future works by this author!
November 1, 2021
I don’t know what I was expecting out of this book as it was a ghost story and not a slasher like her other book, but I found the journey of the main character to be interesting and well developed. I wish there was just a little more to it but I still enjoyed it. Truthfully a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
November 23, 2021
2.5/5
This book had SO much potential and I am super bummed that it didn’t live up to it. The whole last half of the book felt insanely jumbled and rushed and was just very underwhelming. Disappointing because it could have easily been a favorite.
This book had SO much potential and I am super bummed that it didn’t live up to it. The whole last half of the book felt insanely jumbled and rushed and was just very underwhelming. Disappointing because it could have easily been a favorite.
November 27, 2021
This had a lot of potential. There was no conclusion to the end at all. Just a bunch of build up (which at time were weak) to lead to well, nothing. I feel like there could have been an at least an extra chapter to properly end the story since it had so much potential.
June 3, 2021
Must read
Its soooooo GOOD! I don't want to give anything away but this book is amazing! I need a whole series lol
Its soooooo GOOD! I don't want to give anything away but this book is amazing! I need a whole series lol
August 27, 2022
Despite an intriguing premise it’s predictable, repetitive and simply not good. There’s also a character named Peaches.
November 24, 2022
I really liked the office other book but this one, not so much. The writing is really rocky. Individual scenes can be hard to parse, and the characters and dialogue are convoluted at best.
The world building is also very muddy. Everyone in town knows about witches, but people have trouble believing that the main character can see ghosts. The main character is 16 and was orphaned at 13. At no point did she have to enter the foster care system, no one seems to care that she doesn’t go to school, she currently lives alone in a house that she owns and works in television production. if the character had just been 18 or older, most of this wouldn’t have mattered, but as it is, it just makes no sense. I’m all here for this sort of kitchen sink fantasy world, but there’s so much cognitive dissonance that I keep getting pulled out.
The world building is also very muddy. Everyone in town knows about witches, but people have trouble believing that the main character can see ghosts. The main character is 16 and was orphaned at 13. At no point did she have to enter the foster care system, no one seems to care that she doesn’t go to school, she currently lives alone in a house that she owns and works in television production. if the character had just been 18 or older, most of this wouldn’t have mattered, but as it is, it just makes no sense. I’m all here for this sort of kitchen sink fantasy world, but there’s so much cognitive dissonance that I keep getting pulled out.
July 5, 2023
2.5 stars.
This was a great premise with a disappointing execution. There were good parar, but mostly, this was slow and repetitive with some cringey dialogue. The twsit at the end was the worst. It seemed like it was improvised at the last minute and rushed. There wasn't enough explanation, and it didn't really make sense. If I can end on a positive note, it would be to say I never saw the twist coming.
This was a great premise with a disappointing execution. There were good parar, but mostly, this was slow and repetitive with some cringey dialogue. The twsit at the end was the worst. It seemed like it was improvised at the last minute and rushed. There wasn't enough explanation, and it didn't really make sense. If I can end on a positive note, it would be to say I never saw the twist coming.
April 13, 2022
Bedlam is a town infused with witches. Elodie moved there as a child and is fully human. When she and her parents are in a car crash Elodie is the only survivor. She now finds that she can see ghosts and they all want to kill her. An unputdownable romp of witches, mystics, and necromancers. Lots of fun. Now just waiting for the author to write a new book!
July 14, 2022
4.5! Really enjoyed this, more than pretty much all of the other horror books I've read lately. But I think I'm learning I prefer chilling stories with mostly happy endings. Splatter and over the top gore doesn't really do it for me. This was excellent though, can't wait for the next book by this author.
July 26, 2023
Although this didn’t reach the level of Taste Like Candy for me, I still loved my time in this book! Elodie was SUCH a beautifully complex and deep character and I absolutely loved being along on her journey. I’m pretty much at the point where I’ll read anything this author writes. I’ve already bought Maul Rats and look forward to it!
October 5, 2022
This book was a little repetitive at times but I enjoyed it so much! I didn’t see the twists and turns at all.. and I found the entire plot super interesting. It did read very YA to me (not sure if it’s supposed to be YA or not) and usually I don’t like YA books, but this one might be an exception!
September 12, 2023
Really liked it up until like 3/4 of the way in, after that it just felt really jumbled and rushed and there wasn't much of a conclusion. This had so much potential to be a 4 or 5 star for me but the ending just fell flat for me
September 30, 2023
I really liked this story. The imagery was creepy and vivid. I got frustrated with the MC sometimes but I feel like you're suppose to. The "focus" the witches have reminded me of a loved Disney movie🤣 and as always with Tholen's books I love the pop culture references.
October 25, 2023
Strong start falls flat
The story was good and had me glued to the book but the ending is kind of boring. Like okay, let's just make up a quick ending just because. Other than that it keeps you entertained.
The story was good and had me glued to the book but the ending is kind of boring. Like okay, let's just make up a quick ending just because. Other than that it keeps you entertained.
December 1, 2022
Loving this author
She pulls you in, keeps you entertained and her characters are likable and worth rooting for. Read her, you'll be glad you did.
She pulls you in, keeps you entertained and her characters are likable and worth rooting for. Read her, you'll be glad you did.
December 22, 2022
This book was a ROLLERCOASTER of feelings.
December 31, 2022
Not scary enough, but well written and good overall.
February 27, 2023
This one was ok. It was different than what I was expecting, but it didn't wow me.
March 5, 2023
Rounded up from 3.5
July 28, 2023
Yknow I actually really enjoyed this! It was a very easy book to get into and I found it very entertaining.
July 30, 2023
Just felt like one huge backstory with the tea revels coming out of nowhere and having zero payoff.
Though I got a kick out of reading about the mystic system of the town.
Though I got a kick out of reading about the mystic system of the town.
May 20, 2024
Ending felt rushed.
February 3, 2023
I thought I would prefer this one to the slasher but ended up having the opposite opinion!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews