Monday, July 20, 2015

Review: Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

Title: Damage Done
Author: Amanda Panitch
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Random House For Young Readers (July 21, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Thriller/Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
22 minutes separate Julia Vann’s before and after.

Before: Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend.

After: She has a new identity, a new hometown, and memories of those twenty-two minutes that refuse to come into focus. At least, that’s what she tells the police.

Now that she’s Lucy Black, she's able to begin again. She's even getting used to the empty bedroom where her brother should be. And her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school, a boy who will do anything to protect her. But when someone much more dangerous also takes notice, Lucy's forced to confront the dark secrets she thought were safely left behind.

One thing is clear: The damage done can never be erased. It’s only just beginning. . . .









Brace yourself because this review might be all over the place only because my thoughts are as well.

How did I feel about this crazy messed up read? At times upset at the parents, confused about Ryan and Julia's relationship, and other times mad at the psychologist who was obsessed with getting into the BAU instead of the actual case. And other times, completely enthralled with the story and wondering what possible messed up twist was coming, because I knew it was coming, it was only a matter of when and how. 

So how did I feel about this story? I think it is safe to say, I felt a little bit of everything. 

This is definitely one that you don't want to miss out on if you love something that will completely mess with your mind and throw you for a loop. It was one crazy ride that I'm not sorry I took, no matter how twisted it ended up being. 

I really did enjoy this and of course, was disgusted with it as well. I saw many things coming but there were quite a few I didn't and I loved that. Overall, it was hard not to be caught up in the mystery, intrigue, and the characters themselves. It was hard not to be fascinated, sort of like a train wreck you can't resist sneaking a peek at and then feeling sick over by the time you go by but still somewhat glad you looked and satiated your curiosity. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

58 comments:

  1. Sometimes, train wrecks are the most fascinating thing to watch, and sometimes, not so much. Glad you found this book fascinating!

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    1. Thanks so much Joy, it really was a crazy read.

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  2. I'm glad this was a success for you, Ali! It sounds so fascinating and I'm intrigued by it too. I love that the book was such a messed up ride. Those are definitely a sign of a good book!
    Great review, Ali!

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  3. I love books that surprise me and make me feel pretty much everything! I'm so glad I have this for review now. I was unsure about it, but although you were somewhat conflicted, you really convinced me that it's the right book for me.

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  4. I love books that mess with my mind and can throw me off a little. Great review!

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  5. Sounds like one of those books that keeps you guessing.

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  6. I have to admit to being curious about this one for sure Ali, sometimes the ones that leave me thoroughly confused as to my feelings about them stick with me the longest. I'm keeping this in mind for when I'm in the mood for something a little twisty:)

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  7. It's funny how these types of reads can bring out so many reactions really leaving an imprint long after. Very twisty sounding, one I'm going to keeping in mind for sure!

    Lovely review, Ali :)

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    1. They are definitely fun when you are in the mood for them. I do hope you read this one Kim, I would love to know what you thought about it. ;)

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  9. Oh wow, this sounds really dark. Thanks Ali!

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  10. I am so curious about this book! I love dark books - and this one sounds right up my alley! I am so happy to hear it worked out overall for you, even though some parts were messed up.

    Great review

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    1. I hope you do try it, I would be curious to see what you think about it.

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  11. You have me curious about the train wreck of a ride this took you own. I love that some things took you by surprise, and you are right sometimes we cannot help but to look! Great review, you certainly piqued my curiosity.

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    1. Glad i could Kim and if you do read this, I can't wait to see what you think about it. ;)

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  12. It's on my list too, and I can't wait to get to it. I think it's absolutely wonderful if, at the end of a book, you're left feeling so much :) Great review!

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  13. Hmm.... I was totally curious about this book and I can certainly see it evoked a range of emotions for you, Ali. I have read my fair share of train wreck books and for the most part I like them. I am on the fence on this one though....

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    1. This has so many twists that I really think you would like it.

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  14. Definitely seems a bit all over the place, but not necessarily in a BAD way. Thanks for sharing - I think you explained yourself well. :)

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  15. hahaha, yeah... I get the ''digusted'' part. For me, it wasn't that of a shock when I learned you-know-what, but it did feel a bit weird lol. I guess I'm just not used to it, lol!!

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    1. Yeah there were some things that...eek! But yeah, it was a really good read nonetheless. ;)

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  16. I'd never heard of this book before, but you definitely have me intrigued. The fact that you still came out really liking the book tells me that it's twisted and weird in a lot of good ways!

    Yay for Dark Triumph! I think that one was my favorite of the series!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  17. Oh now I'm very curious about this one. I also suspect from your review that I may want to throw the book a time or two against a hard surface. Reminder to me: Don't throw the ebook reader! LOL

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    1. Definitely don't throw your e-reader! :P Nah, not that kind of frustrating though more just, weird LOL!

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  18. What the ... damn, now I'm super curious. Adding it!

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  19. I love mind-fuck reads. Those are the ones that keep me on my toes and gets me thinking long after the novel is finished. I should read an excerpt and see if this is my kind of messed up. lol

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    1. I bet you would really like this one, it definitely messes with you.

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  20. Crazy reads are soooo up my alley! I heard of this one here and there on Twitter, mostly about people talking about some sort of twisty-twist?! I'd love to read this and find out what it was :D Yay for trainwrecks XD

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. I think you will like this one as well Faye, it is definitely crazy and yes, there is a twist at the end that was pretty messed up.

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  21. Ooooooooo *loves the pretty cover* I'm a big fan of thriller movies but have never had the chance to read them so I'm really looking forward to reading it. You've convinced me!♡♡ Thanks for such a lovely review. :)

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  22. Hmm...I'm very curious now. I do love a good twisty read, but I wonder if the ending would be upsetting.

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  23. I have seen this one around but never really paid attention to it. So glad that you enjoyed this one overall!

    Nice review <33

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  24. Disgusted with it but still loved it? Now that is saying something.

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  25. Oh it's nice to see that you were so caught into the story like that. I remember hearing nice things about this one. It's intriguing.

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    1. That is definitely a good way to describe this one. ;)

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  26. I'm so glad to hear that this is good, been meaning to read it for a long time!!!

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  27. this sounds so super fantastic :)...hehe! I love books that mess with my head, that means they make me think more than normal while reading. Makes it more fun to follow :)

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  28. I am so glad that you liked this. The weirder the better is usually the rule for what really rocks my world in a book, and Damage Done really did it for me.

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    1. Happy to hear that Suzi, it really was a great read and so different from most out there.

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  29. Well alrighty then! I have seen this before but wasn't that interested, but you sure have me interested now! Mixed up review? Nah-you got me wanting to read it!

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    1. Oh so glad! It was so hard to review this without giving anything away!

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