Smada's Book Smack : Blog Tour & Giveaway: Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart

Book Blurb:

SCARS LIKE WINGS by Erin Stewart
Pub. Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 352

Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of resilience--the perfect novel for readers of powerful contemporary fiction like Girl in Pieces and Every Last Word.

Before, I was a million things. Now I'm only one. The Burned Girl.

Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her.

A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever.

But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.

"A heartfelt and unflinching look at the reality of being a burn survivor and at the scars we all carry. This book is for everyone, burned or not, who has ever searched for a light in the darkness." --Stephanie Nielson, New York Times bestselling author of Heaven Is Here and a burn survivor

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Hearts

Genre: Heart-Wrenching, Teen--

I was not fully prepared for the level of emotional turmoil I experienced while I was reading this book. Yes, I knew that this was a sad traumatic subject matter AND I had a friend forewarn me that it was going to be heart-wrenching, but I was not at all mentally ready for the roller coaster of feels Erin put me through. There was so much sadness and overwhelming grief, but there was also surprising bursts of humor sprinkled throughout the pages to balance out the story nicely, as well as hope and healing. Erin was able to make her readers feel everything, Ava experiences became mine, I was there with her in every situation, rooting her on and cheering her successes.

“Know what John Wayne used to say?”
I shake my head. “I barely know who John Wayne is.”
Glenn laughs. “Well, then here’s your first lesson: ‘Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.’”

My favorite part of the story was the relationship dynamic between Ava and Piper. Piper was such a force of nature, unafraid of the looks and opinions of others and just trying to be herself. She was the reason that Ava was able to come out of her shell and give living and being true to herself another try. I loved watching Piper coerce and negotiate with Ava for every little detail, and sometimes just force her will (but in the best of ways I swear!) This was a friendship that deserves a story and I want more books with wonderful girl friendships like this.

I also need to point out how wonderful the aunt and uncle were in this story! They were dealing with their own terrible loss, yet they supported and embraced Ava to the fullest and some of the moments that stood out the most to me were the interactions between them. Hands down two of the best people, fictional or not.

"I want you to hear this. The truth is, you’ll never replace Sara, and we’ll never replace your parents. We wouldn’t want to. But sometimes I don’t know how we would have survived this last year without you.”

Overall this was an incredibly touching story that was so easy to read even while the subject matter hurt. Erin made the topic approachable and her short chapters were perfect for luring me in to read "just one more chapter" until I was finished. I highly recommend having a box of tissues handy since those pesky emotions will sneak up on you and maybe not read in public due to the potential bawling. I can't believe how wonderful this book was and as Erin's debut she set the bar so high. I look forward to whatever else she wants to bring to life.

Author Bio:

Erin Stewart is the author of SCARS LIKE WINGS, her debut novel. Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate who works as a freelance writer and editor, as well as a weekly columnist in Salt Lake City.

Erin lives in Utah with her husband and three children. She is represented by the amazing Brianne Johnson of Writers House.

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