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The Broken
In November of 1997, two young men make a suicide pact. That night, one of them dies. On the stereo - the song “Where I Go” by infamous rock band, The Broken.
From the streets of Paterson, NJ, to the heights of fame, The Broken follows the members of this band - Malcolm, Heather, Hayley, Eddie and Johnny - as they struggle to overcome their backgrounds, their identities - and ultimately the cost of fame. From the origins of the band in the early 90s to present day, The Broken asks the question: can you ever truly be free from your past - and from yourself?
From the streets of Paterson, NJ, to the heights of fame, The Broken follows the members of this band - Malcolm, Heather, Hayley, Eddie and Johnny - as they struggle to overcome their backgrounds, their identities - and ultimately the cost of fame. From the origins of the band in the early 90s to present day, The Broken asks the question: can you ever truly be free from your past - and from yourself?
- GenresYoung Adult
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2021
485 people want to read
About the author
C.M. North
2 books35 followersC.M. North was born in the suburbs of Boston, MA, although he left there when he was two. He spent most of his childhood split between the soaring peaks of the Swiss Alps an the dark industrialism of northern England, and their scenery has left an indelible mark on his psyche and creativity.
He went to school in Sheffield, England, and earned a B.A. in Music Composition from the University of Sheffield. From there he somehow ended up returning to the stories he used to write as a child, and has spent most of the time since 2005 honing the craft of writing (though he says he’s a long way from a master yet).
He became severely depressed in his late teens, and this forms the basis for his first novel, 22 Scars. The story of a teenage girl suffering through catatonic depression in the wake of a tragic upbringing, it reflects many of the feelings and traumas that he lived through himself in those early, dark days.
He currently lives in northern New Jersey with his wife and son, and he firmly believes that without their support he would not be here today.
He went to school in Sheffield, England, and earned a B.A. in Music Composition from the University of Sheffield. From there he somehow ended up returning to the stories he used to write as a child, and has spent most of the time since 2005 honing the craft of writing (though he says he’s a long way from a master yet).
He became severely depressed in his late teens, and this forms the basis for his first novel, 22 Scars. The story of a teenage girl suffering through catatonic depression in the wake of a tragic upbringing, it reflects many of the feelings and traumas that he lived through himself in those early, dark days.
He currently lives in northern New Jersey with his wife and son, and he firmly believes that without their support he would not be here today.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 10, 2022
Reading this book is like to listen an LP. Each chapter is a track with a distinct kind of song. I relived the 90s and a lot of moments in this novel, it was hard to put down. I was shocked on the first pages, I could feel desperate for Kyle. Thanks to Mr. C. M. North and Voracious Readers for this reading!
June 14, 2021
20% into this book and I was finding it a little confusing. At this point I’m not sure what happened in the first chapter. I’m not even sure what happened to Jerome, if he’s dead or alive. The story jumps from 17 year old Malcolm to middle aged Malcolm- lots of darkness- he’s arguing with his therapist about maybe having sex with his seventeen year old male guitar student.
So I know what happened in the first chapter, sad but I get it. It’s the crap Marilyn Manson is usually accused of, total bull crap.
This book is a little depressing at times but it had some really sweet moments like when the teens had their first sexual encounter. It had moments of reality like when Drew came out to his parents. By this point I’m totally hooked on this book and can’t put it down. The writer has a way of making me feel like I’m at that dinner table with this family. This book is about two groups of people in their early teens in different decades. It’s about Malcolm and his band starting out back in the day and Drew wanting to start a band now. This book has depression and adolescent dealing with homosexuality and the bigotry associated with that. This book has love, romance and much more, I loved it and finished it in about eight hours. I’m giving it five stars and I highly recommend it.
So I know what happened in the first chapter, sad but I get it. It’s the crap Marilyn Manson is usually accused of, total bull crap.
This book is a little depressing at times but it had some really sweet moments like when the teens had their first sexual encounter. It had moments of reality like when Drew came out to his parents. By this point I’m totally hooked on this book and can’t put it down. The writer has a way of making me feel like I’m at that dinner table with this family. This book is about two groups of people in their early teens in different decades. It’s about Malcolm and his band starting out back in the day and Drew wanting to start a band now. This book has depression and adolescent dealing with homosexuality and the bigotry associated with that. This book has love, romance and much more, I loved it and finished it in about eight hours. I’m giving it five stars and I highly recommend it.
February 13, 2023
Holy crap, this book kind of broke my heart.
The Broken follow the rise and fall of a band of the same name; however, much of the novel centers around Malcolm, the lead singer. Barely an adult and living in a less-than-ideal household, he is consistently fighting the anger and resentment that surges inside him. His only outlet is the music he shares with his friends. Together, they fight to break into the industry all the while battling their own demons as well.
Wow, there is so much to this book. Subject matter is definitely heavy – LGBTQ, homophobia, suicide, depression and drugs are only a few of the serious topics covered in The Broken and I found the author did a great job presenting these issues in a thoughtful and respectful way. I thought he did well with the pacing and while I wasn’t the biggest fan of the story jumping back and forth, I still found myself completely drawn into the plot. I had previously enjoyed CM North’s 22 Scars and was so happy to see this was just as carefully written. An excellent read.
Thank you Voracious Readers and CM North for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Broken follow the rise and fall of a band of the same name; however, much of the novel centers around Malcolm, the lead singer. Barely an adult and living in a less-than-ideal household, he is consistently fighting the anger and resentment that surges inside him. His only outlet is the music he shares with his friends. Together, they fight to break into the industry all the while battling their own demons as well.
Wow, there is so much to this book. Subject matter is definitely heavy – LGBTQ, homophobia, suicide, depression and drugs are only a few of the serious topics covered in The Broken and I found the author did a great job presenting these issues in a thoughtful and respectful way. I thought he did well with the pacing and while I wasn’t the biggest fan of the story jumping back and forth, I still found myself completely drawn into the plot. I had previously enjoyed CM North’s 22 Scars and was so happy to see this was just as carefully written. An excellent read.
Thank you Voracious Readers and CM North for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 17, 2025
[I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review through Voracious Readers Only]
As with his previous novel 22 Scars,North has once again written an emotionally heavy, angst-filled, and gritty yet completely engrossing story with great use of flashbacks as a main narrative device. The whole story feels so realistic, from the characters right down to the band’s song lyrics. The 1991-1997 segments of the book are steeped in the grungy atmosphere of the time period with some parts harkening back to the days of the post-Columbine moral panic about metal and other music’s influence on the youth. I’m really glad I got to read this and those who enjoyed Girls on Fire may like this novel also.
As with his previous novel 22 Scars,North has once again written an emotionally heavy, angst-filled, and gritty yet completely engrossing story with great use of flashbacks as a main narrative device. The whole story feels so realistic, from the characters right down to the band’s song lyrics. The 1991-1997 segments of the book are steeped in the grungy atmosphere of the time period with some parts harkening back to the days of the post-Columbine moral panic about metal and other music’s influence on the youth. I’m really glad I got to read this and those who enjoyed Girls on Fire may like this novel also.
July 10, 2022
This was a GoodReads giveaway book. This book is interesting to me in many ways. It has multiple narrators and it shifts between the 90s and the 2000 to the 2010s. The book cover looks like an album and the chapters are titled with track#. This book chronicles the struggles of Malcolm and his friends as they form a band and try to make it big, as well as their downward spiral that starts with being accused of causing a teenager to shoot his friend and the friend's father. It also chronicles the struggles of Drew, a gay, teenager who, ironically, finds a music teacher who happens to be the same Malcolm from The Broken. I very much enjoyed this book. It does cover heavy topics like, LGBTQ, suicide, murder, abusive parents, and drug use and overdose. It was well written and, though it's not for everyone, I would recommend it.
January 19, 2023
This was a very dark, but enlightening book. Most of us wouldn’t go down this rabbit hole because we don't want to look at the darker side of our lives and growing up.
Can't say anything like this happened to me but have been in some extremely dark places, to the point of walking in the doors of a psychiatric ward and staying for a week for my own mental health.
We don't have to let the darkness take over, but we do need to recognise that the dark can create all sorts of bad and look for help to get us out of it, be it professional, friends or via a diary.
Killing one's self only leaves behind questions and giant holes in those who loved you.
Highly recommend reading this.
Can't say anything like this happened to me but have been in some extremely dark places, to the point of walking in the doors of a psychiatric ward and staying for a week for my own mental health.
We don't have to let the darkness take over, but we do need to recognise that the dark can create all sorts of bad and look for help to get us out of it, be it professional, friends or via a diary.
Killing one's self only leaves behind questions and giant holes in those who loved you.
Highly recommend reading this.
May 18, 2023
This book is incredibly dark and uncomfortable in places. However it is a wonderful book to read. It spoke to me on so many levels. I loved the music side of things, and found the parallels between the two times amazing. I liked the insight into the bands and friendships and losses. It is tough to say I enjoyed this book as it is not really a subject you can enjoy reading about, but I definitely took something from it that will stay with me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 17, 2023
Thank you to @voraciousreadersonly for the arc. I loved this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I read this in a day. What a rollercoaster of emotions! There were at least two occasions I literally stopped and thought oh my
God! Loved the two era’s as a 80s girl myself. This book made me sad at times but the emotions in the writing where spot on!
I’ve never read this author before but I will in the future. #cmnorth @cmnorthauthor
God! Loved the two era’s as a 80s girl myself. This book made me sad at times but the emotions in the writing where spot on!
I’ve never read this author before but I will in the future. #cmnorth @cmnorthauthor
May 18, 2023
This book is all about the vibes. Such dark grungey vibes through the whole thing. Very dark subject matter, the frustration of not being able to change your situation, or the world, depression, suicide, ooft this book has it all.
This is a gut punch of emotion, rage, sadness, frustration, the excitement of youth, hope, disappointment.
For such a small book it really tackles a lot, without feeling forced in any way.
This is a gut punch of emotion, rage, sadness, frustration, the excitement of youth, hope, disappointment.
For such a small book it really tackles a lot, without feeling forced in any way.
May 3, 2021
4 ⭐️s
This was a very heavy read. The author, C. M. North has a very good understanding of depression and friendships. I was impressed with his writing. If you looking for a thought provoking read where you feel for the characters this is a good one.
This was a very heavy read. The author, C. M. North has a very good understanding of depression and friendships. I was impressed with his writing. If you looking for a thought provoking read where you feel for the characters this is a good one.
January 24, 2023
I received this book for free from the author through Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.
This was a very heavy book - depression, suicide, LGBTQ, homophobia, racism, police brutality, bullying, drug abuse - it is all there... While the writing felt juvenile in places, particularly in early chapters with Drew, the overall story was good. The author was able to invoke multiple emotions through the writing - I was angry, sad, despondent and happy multiple times as I read it.
I am glad I stuck with it past the opening chapters.
This was a very heavy book - depression, suicide, LGBTQ, homophobia, racism, police brutality, bullying, drug abuse - it is all there... While the writing felt juvenile in places, particularly in early chapters with Drew, the overall story was good. The author was able to invoke multiple emotions through the writing - I was angry, sad, despondent and happy multiple times as I read it.
I am glad I stuck with it past the opening chapters.
November 19, 2023
I was sent this by Varcious Readers.
This book was so real, raw, and sad. I don't usually enjoy books with a lot of characters, but C.M. North made it absolutely work! I honestly don't know why this book isn't more well known.
TW: Suicide, domestic violence, bigotry, racism
This book was so real, raw, and sad. I don't usually enjoy books with a lot of characters, but C.M. North made it absolutely work! I honestly don't know why this book isn't more well known.
TW: Suicide, domestic violence, bigotry, racism
June 10, 2024
Not real sure how I feel about this novel - and that's not a bad thing. Like all good art, it makes me feel, and I'm not always sure how.
This heartbreaking story of Malcom, Drew, and the rest of the cast is well told and compelling.
This is a "don't miss ".
This heartbreaking story of Malcom, Drew, and the rest of the cast is well told and compelling.
This is a "don't miss ".
January 22, 2022
******Voracious Readers Only book******
This book made me angry, sad, depressed, happy and a whole plethora of other emotions. In the end, I feel like this is a book that was definitely worth the read. Touched on a lot of subjects and made me come away with a new understanding of how to look at the world.
I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to be able to read past the first chapter but I’m so glad I did. The raw emotion that was laid out on each page made my guts twist but I kept going.
I suffered from depression as a kid and still at times have those “dark” days that consume me. I can’t imagine the loneliness that some feel day after day.
I have a real hatred for bullying and homophobia so those themes bothered the shit out of me. Why… why are some people so hateful to others?
This book made me angry, sad, depressed, happy and a whole plethora of other emotions. In the end, I feel like this is a book that was definitely worth the read. Touched on a lot of subjects and made me come away with a new understanding of how to look at the world.
I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to be able to read past the first chapter but I’m so glad I did. The raw emotion that was laid out on each page made my guts twist but I kept going.
I suffered from depression as a kid and still at times have those “dark” days that consume me. I can’t imagine the loneliness that some feel day after day.
I have a real hatred for bullying and homophobia so those themes bothered the shit out of me. Why… why are some people so hateful to others?
October 11, 2024
if you want a book to challenge you emotionally . This one will.
There are times it made me angry and sad all at the same time.
I can definitely understand the main character.
There are times it made me angry and sad all at the same time.
I can definitely understand the main character.
March 6, 2023
This was an ARC from voracious readers only.
I took a while to work out whose story this actually was as the movement between the characters in each chapter shifted. The narrative of the band’s rise and fall wove everything together well and was engaging. I needed to know what happened to The Broken.
The book deals with depression well and the author is clearly drawing from first hand experience. 4* from me though because the suicide and self harming scenes were too graphic for me.
I took a while to work out whose story this actually was as the movement between the characters in each chapter shifted. The narrative of the band’s rise and fall wove everything together well and was engaging. I needed to know what happened to The Broken.
The book deals with depression well and the author is clearly drawing from first hand experience. 4* from me though because the suicide and self harming scenes were too graphic for me.
May 22, 2025
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for giving me access to a copy of this book!
Although I was drawn by the blurb, I found that the story didn’t extensively delve enough into the suicide pact. It seemed to jump too much between time periods and certain aspects could have been elaborated on more.
My other main criticism of this book is the fact that there was a relationship occurring between a freshly-turned 18 year old (keep in mind, they were spending a lot of time together before this) & the teacher was in his late 40s. And it sounded like they had been ‘close’ for quite a while. And the fact that they had sex on his 18th birthday?! When this relationship surfaced, the book infuriated me a bit after that.
I look forward to reading the authors other book, however and hope it doesn’t have a similar inappropriate and predatory relationship between characters.
Although I was drawn by the blurb, I found that the story didn’t extensively delve enough into the suicide pact. It seemed to jump too much between time periods and certain aspects could have been elaborated on more.
My other main criticism of this book is the fact that there was a relationship occurring between a freshly-turned 18 year old (keep in mind, they were spending a lot of time together before this) & the teacher was in his late 40s. And it sounded like they had been ‘close’ for quite a while. And the fact that they had sex on his 18th birthday?! When this relationship surfaced, the book infuriated me a bit after that.
I look forward to reading the authors other book, however and hope it doesn’t have a similar inappropriate and predatory relationship between characters.
May 29, 2023
3 stars!! I like reading about bands. Also towards the end I started noticing quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes. Nothing major but enough for me to pick up on.
I think i’d recommend this to anyone looking for a LGBTQ story, covering dark topics but giving a moving story about friendship, love and coming to terms with sexuality.
(I received a free digital copy of this through Voracious Readers Only - thank you).
I think i’d recommend this to anyone looking for a LGBTQ story, covering dark topics but giving a moving story about friendship, love and coming to terms with sexuality.
(I received a free digital copy of this through Voracious Readers Only - thank you).
October 24, 2023
This was good, but I wanted more about the suicide pact mentioned in the summary as I feel like that was sort of glossed over as was the downfall of the band afterwards. That being said it was well written and emotional so if you're looking for a band story that will pull on your heartstrings a bit this is a good option.
February 1, 2024
I received a copy of this from vicarious readers only (thank you :)) but I felt the book was heavily dominated by 1 character instead of talking about them all like the blurb suggested, the 'relationship' also felt a bit wrong due to the age difference and everything and personally felt a bit unnecessary but the first half was very enjoyable.
March 30, 2024
3.5 Very heavy read. Very good and interesting explaination of friendships and depression. The music mentioned was a unique touch and was enjoyable for me. It was a bit confusing to follow at times.
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an Honest Unbiased Opinion of a review.
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an Honest Unbiased Opinion of a review.
July 17, 2021
I don't even know what to say. The start of this book was in your face and so sad. Then I got so confused when the next pages started. I tried to get into it and I just couldn't. I don't think this book was for me.
A VoraciousReadersOnly read
A VoraciousReadersOnly read
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February 29, 2024Wow - what a book. It packs an punch!
I loved all the characters and the story line.
A great amount of thought went into the writing of this book and worked out so well.
It gives one a lot to think about.
Beautifully told by the author.
I loved all the characters and the story line.
A great amount of thought went into the writing of this book and worked out so well.
It gives one a lot to think about.
Beautifully told by the author.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews