OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Behind Broken Glass Walls" by N. M. Aaroones.]

Have you ever read a book that sticks with you for days or weeks after you finish it? Have there been books that you have finished that you have to stop and process before you begin another one? Behind Broken Glass Walls by N. M. Aaroones is such a book.

Oceana is a single, working mother trying to raise her teenager daughter Drachea. Her ex-husband gets visitation days only on Sundays. Unfortunately, high school is no walk in the park. Drachea doesn't feel like she fits in, and she has the misfortune to become a target for the jocks in the school. You see, she doesn't dress like they think she should. She doesn't act like they think she should. She's an easy target, and they bully her at least twice a week. Her only friend is a girl named Emmalynne who doesn't quite fit in either. One day the boys go too far; Drachea snaps. She formulates a plan to get back the pieces of her soul that were stolen from her.

Behind Broken Glass Walls is not an easy story to read. There is abuse – verbal, physical and sexual. There are no puppy dogs and rainbows; in fact, the mood is downright melancholy most of the time. Yet, nothing is overdone. In the note to readers at the beginning of the book, the author herself states that there is nothing graphic that is not necessary to the plot – and I agree.

The characters are realistic. I felt their pain and anguish. I cried when they cried and hurt when they hurt. The author uses a third person omniscient voice, so that the reader is able to understand what everyone feels and sees. I had no trouble figuring out who was talking even in this perspective because the author uses this voice masterfully.

There was one flaw in this book. I hesitate to mention it for fear that it will keep someone from reading the book. Let me state first that this book is so powerful, I urge you to overlook this flaw and read it anyway. I don't normally say that; but, in this instance, it is necessary. Throughout the book, the author tends to switch back and forth between calling the main character him and her. This happened more than a few times. I did, also, spot some other grammatical errors that led me to believe this might not have been professionally edited.

Due to those grammatical issues, I am forced to rate the novel 3 out of 4 stars. However, I strongly urge everyone to pick up this book. Despite the nature of the book, the content would be suitable for anyone high school aged and up. This is a great conversation starter for those with teenage children. This isn't only for parents and their children, though; the strong message against violence, bullying and preconceived notions is one that we would all do well to learn from. I hope that it changes your heart as I know it has changed mine.

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Behind Broken Glass Walls
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Like kandscreeley's review? Post a comment saying so!

Great review, Kandscreely. As soon as I saw the book cover, I had no doubt that the book invokes certain feelings of sadness, even of sorrow for the characters unjustly treated. I agree that compared to its content, the grammatical errors are somewhat insignificant.

This book sounds very intriguing and powerful. Definitely a most read for a YA audience as they see Drachea try to put her life back together.

Great Review! ?

Thanks lady Claire. I really recommend this book to all.

Amagine... This one might surprise you. Definitely with a read.

Great review! I find abuse storylines too disturbing to read, so I don't think this book is for me. It's certainly an odd error for the author to switch between calling a character him and her.

Bookowlie- it really isn't extremely graphic. It's more like you know something is going on by telling rather than graphic details. If that makes any sense. Thanks for commenting.

Interesting. I don't mind graphic scenes in a book, as long as it contributes something in its theme and development. I too am not a fan of senseless violence. Maybe I'll give this book a read.

Your review has piqued my curiosity. I am definitely going to read this book.

From your review,this sounds like a captivating book to read.This is from the perspective of the main character being a teenager who has to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, and all by herself. It is a story line i can identify with,for i have being a victim of bullying and bigotry. It is a positive book which promises the reader that the power of change is all within us,what we need is just a change of attitude.This is a great review.

raikyuu wrote:Interesting. I don't mind graphic scenes in a book, as long as it contributes something in its theme and development. I too am not a fan of senseless violence. Maybe I'll give this book a read.

It's really not graphic per se, but the themes are there. It's worth a read for sure.

-- 05 Aug 2017, 08:02 --

The Researcher wrote:Your review has piqued my curiosity. I am definitely going to read this book.

I strongly encourage you to read this. If you do, let me know what you think.

-- 05 Aug 2017, 08:03 --

Andrew Kyalo wrote:From your review,this sounds like a captivating book to read.This is from the perspective of the main character being a teenager who has to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, and all by herself. It is a story line i can identify with,for i have being a victim of bullying and bigotry. It is a positive book which promises the reader that the power of change is all within us,what we need is just a change of attitude.This is a great review.

Thanks Andrew. Just don't get the wrong idea. It's not necessarily an uplifting encouraging type book. It is very dark. It's worth reading though.

Great Review!! Looking forward to giving this book a try. Ive been looking to reading something a little more serious and this one looks interesting.

Thanks lavio4. If you read it, let me know what you think about it.

lavio4 wrote:Great Review!! Looking forward to giving this book a try. Ive been looking to reading something a little more serious and this one looks interesting.

I agree it a good review! I spent 12 plus years in domestic abuse, friends in it, friends out of it, and one friend killed it. I been through other paths of the criminal justice field as well. Life could be worst. Mahalo for the warning! I do not want to read a book and have a trigger. Most domestic abuser surviors like me, like a warning. If warned, I read the book. One can never have enough healing from swimming in Hades. Many have it worst.

Again, Kudos!

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I'm so sorry to hear that alwaysdaddysgirl. I'm glad that you overcame and survived though. There definitely needs to be more of an awareness and a willingness to do something.

The review is very good. I enjoyed reading it ?