Elora Nicole Ramirez

An outstanding breakthrough and an incredible piece of work!

The second book in Ramirez's Shattered Things series, starts off months later from the ending in book one. I believe this book could be read without reading the first, especially if your one of the weak hearted, faint-hearted, easily squeamish whatever you like to call it. BUT. The only way to truly grasp and connect with Stephanie's feelings, emotions, and truly understand the depth of hell she went through, then you would not see a word of this book until finishing the first. I like to describe this book as the brighter side of Stephanie's rough-trekked journey. She is finally more in control of things and able to, in a way, start fresh although she is still mentally tormented and constantly looking over her shoulder, too paranoid to really relax. However, things are far from over and the evil she was able to distance herself from was lurking, biding time to strike. The only thing different now is that she will fight back with vengeance to fuel her and no longer cower in fear. Along side her are her true family, willing to be there for her no matter what hell may bring.

I extremely appreciate the lightness of the new characters' personas, even though they have fought their own demons, they came over the other side still being able to smile and have hope. Just reaching out to Stephanie in an a way not many others would've before proved Stephanie's self-condemnation wrong and especially helped her come to know that there are people out there that are good, worth fighting for, loyal, and extremely trustworthy.

With Stephanie's past not wanting to let go, she can't think of anything other than to run at first, but her new friends, Jessa and Ren, get her to stay. Mostly Jessa, because Ren was poking for answers and invading her personal space in the very beginning. Although, that doesn't exclude Jessa being just as nosy, if not more. They helped her try to fit in, experience things and learn that there is more out there in the world to see while living. They convinced her to stay, as well as relieve her anger, and stress. To let go.

The poetry in the story was very helpful and added a mystique aura around things that happened, both good and bad. They poetry was a story itself and completed the prose perfectly.

The storyline finally comes to an end, but not without a few scrapes and bumps along the way....

I wish there was more to read about on the trafficking of the girls and the corrupt authorities, but that was all for the first book. The bad news first, the lesser bad news last. This book was mostly about Stephanie's transformed avenging spirit against the evil of her father, and how much it took for her to be as far from her broken home and the trafficking as possible before it caught up to her face-to-face.

Overall, this read was a great contrast of light to the first's dark, a complete turn-around for the characters that allowed them peace and an amicable ending, I enjoyed every bit and will continue to look forward to more great work such as this original.… (més)

Every Shattered Thing was a heartbreakingly wonderful read! I hadn't read the blurb to this book before I started, I was just told that it was an amazing read, YA but with mature content. The beginning of the book reminded me of Reason to Breathe series, but after a few chapters I realized that there was more going on than just a drunken abusive father. The writing is very vivid, enough that your stomach twists in knots.. it's just down right sick in places.

The thing I liked most about this book, was Stephanie, the main character. Her life is the most crap-tastic I've ever read, yet she remains strong. Even at her most shattered and broken, she's strong. My heart ached at times when she was strong. I don't know if my will to live would have equaled hers, yet she made it. The ending made me sad though. I saw some of the components coming through, but was in denial. I have to agree with Stephanie's decision even though it hurts to think about it.

Overall, this was a very rocky and emotional read. It will break you down but give you hope.. you will know that things can always get worse, but you need to stay positive, and hope things will get better. Since this is a dark read, it's definitely not for the light hearted, it hurts, it's real life, but a damn good read!… (més)