Scars Like Wings book review [ARC]

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart
Published by Delacorte on October 1, 2019
Pages: 352
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads

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

Scars Like Wings surprised me in every way possible. I loved everything about this book, I was really worried that it was going to turn into a pity party like 100 Days of Sunlight and I wasn’t sure I could take that again. I didn’t need to panic because this book was unbelievably raw and well written. I loved the characters and the way that the plot weaved and waved with just the right amount of angst in the perfect places and about the right things. I think this book really highlights the difficulties that burn victims can face and also the way that they struggle in a world filled with grief. I really enjoyed reading this book, I felt as though I learnt a lot and also the fact that romance didn’t play a huge part in the story really impressed me.

I think the characters are what made this book all the better and for once a character’s angst didn’t ruin a story for me. I think the beauty of Scars Like Wings was definitely the fact that the angst was real and there was a definite need for it. The characters had a real reason to be angst-ridden and it also didn’t feel as though it was taking over the story and I loved finding out more about their stories. It at no point felt like a pity party, and this was a huge thing for this book because it could have very quickly turned into that. I was really really impressed with Ava all the way through this, and the friendships she ended up connecting. I just loved them.

I think the entire of this book is the best bit. I loved reading it and I definitely think the characters in Scars Like Wings was really well developed and the friendships formed in this book were some of the best I’ve read in a long time. I also loved the fact that although there were some romance elements weaved throughout the book, it in no way overshadowed the actual storyline and the important parts. It was a secondary feature which for YA is something I rarely come across. I just loved this book in all of it’s entirety.

There are no bad bits, no worst bits, nothing. I loved it all. I will forever love it. Read it now.

Are you surprised that my answer is YES! Pick this book up, it is one of the best books I have read this year and I will definitely be reading this one again.

What books have blown you away this year? Have you read Scars Like Wings, what did you think? Let me know.