Review of A Girl Reborn

[Cristina-Ioana Toader]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Girl Reborn" by Melissa Wand.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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A Girl Reborn by Melissa Wand is a poignant and harrowing narrative that delves into the resilience and survival of two young girls amidst the harsh realities of abuse and neglect. Set against the backdrop of Western Australia, this debut novel powerfully explores themes of trauma, courage, and hope.

One of the girls, Aleira, is a bubbly and carefree seven-year-old whose life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes a victim of abuse. This traumatic experience is further compounded by her family's financial struggles and the emotional neglect of her parents, who are preoccupied with their own issues. The second girl, Ella, faces severe neglect and abuse from her mother, Ally, who oscillates between moments of affection and deep resentment. At the tender age of seven, Ella is kidnapped and subjected to unimaginable torment. Her captivity leaves her physically and emotionally scarred.

A positive aspect of A Girl Reborn is its profound exploration of resilience and the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome immense adversity. The novel delves into the traumatic experiences of its young protagonists, Aleira and Ella, yet it emphasizes their strength and determination to survive and heal. This theme of resilience provides a powerful and inspiring message, highlighting the possibility of recovery and hope even in the darkest of circumstances. Additionally, the book sheds light on critical social issues such as child abuse and neglect, potentially fostering awareness and advocacy for vulnerable individuals in similar situations.

A notable drawback of the book is the abundance of grammatical issues, such as errors in spacing, punctuation, spelling, and incorrect use of pronouns. These mistakes occasionally disrupted my engagement with the narrative. Although the content is compelling, it would greatly benefit from thorough professional editing.

I recommend this book to adult readers who value powerful narratives about resilience and overcoming adversity and to those interested in stories that address critical social issues. However, please be aware that the book contains scenes of child abuse, cruelty and violence towards children, attempted suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, and abduction. Due to the sensitive nature of these topics, the content may not be suitable for all audiences.

In conclusion, A Girl Reborn is a deeply impactful novel that is both evocative and immersive, drawing readers into the emotional and physical landscapes of the characters' lives. The prose is straightforward yet moving, effectively conveying their inner turmoil. However, the frequent grammatical issues prevent me from giving it a perfect score. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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A Girl Reborn
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[Sandre Lamar]

This book is a poignant exploration of resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

[NetMassimo]

This novel digs into some very dark corners of humanity with the story of two girs who suffer terrible abuses and yet show an extraordinary resilience, so I hope the author does another round of proofreading to make it excellent. Thank you for your great review!