Severed Heads, Broken Hearts - Robyn Schneider

Title: Severed Heads, Broken Hearts - Robyn Schneider
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Series: N/A
Service: Own
Release Date: 01/09/2013
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★

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Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them - a moment after which everything that really matter will happen. His own tragedy waited until he had everything to lose - in one night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra's knee, his athletic career and his perfect life.

No longer part of the popular crowd, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he meets Cassidy Thorpe. Intelligent, effortless and wonderfully weird, she is unlike anyone Ezra's ever known before. Together they discover flash mobs, buried treasure, secret movie screenings and a poodle with a questionable history.

But as Ezra dives into new friendships and new love, he is forced to ask: if you survive a disaster the first time round, what happens when it strikes again?

Give us a few words...

Why do you say that?

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts was a book that I had heard a lot about and decided that I must read. I will never forgive myself for waiting so long to get around to it.

From the first few pages Robyn Schneider pulls you in by describing the tragedy that befell Ezra’s old best friend Toby when they were younger. What a way to open a book!

Narrated by Ezra Faulkner, an athletic boy that once had it all but loses it after a car accident. We follow Ezra’s story as he adjusts to no longer being part of the popular crowd and reconnecting with friends he had drifted away from.

Ezra was definitely the reason I was drawn to reading this book. His character was realistic and written so well. From his sarcastic quips at his over bearing mother to the pity parties in his room to the longing to be popular and ditching the people that really mattered, Ezra was the perfect mix. His interaction with the other characters is what really drives this book that is less about plot and more about his self discovery.

Schneider delves into the school yard politics that exist from the different lunch tables to the mock nominations for prom. Her characterisation was something I could not fault. There are characters in this book you will love easily (Toby) and those that you will hate (Charlotte) but all for the right reasons.

Romance plays a massive role in this plot but I think that was to be expected from the high school settings. Ezra and Cassidy seem so perfectly matched for a number of reasons. They are both hurt and broken and although they never discuss it, it is this unspoken similarity that binds them. At times I did dislike the way Cassidy uses it as leverage against him but by the end of the book this makes sense. Their tumultuous relationship keeps you guessing and Cassidy’s secrets are slowly exposed as the book goes on. The first revelation was something I did not expect but the second was more predictable afterwards.

For me, the best part of this book was the very end. Ezra’s revelations about his life are very refreshing. It was nice to see that his journey of self discovery had not been fruitless and that he understood what had happened in his life and why.

I would say that Severed Heads, Broken Hearts is something you should pick up if you are looking for a broody and confused guy teamed with an intelligent and feisty girl in a typical high school setting.

March Wrap Up

Hello everyone! I’ll be the first to admit that March has not been the most riveting month for me. The majority of the past 31 days has revolved solely around university.

Dissertation drafts. Drafting my dissertation was possibly the most stressful portion of this month. Trying to get it all down on paper was much more difficult than I originally imagined. To anyone who is looking at a dissertation next year, my advice is to start as early as you can.

Dissertation presentation. Amongst writing out a dissertation, I was required to give a presentation on my project to half of my course mates and the teaching staff in our college. I think mine went quite well as a few lecturers stopped me afterwards to say I had done well.

Assignments. The worst assignment I have ever had to complete was done this month. Constructing a Wikipedia page certainly wasn’t my cup of tea and I much rather would have written an essay. I’m not exactly having high hopes for that piece of work considering it was handed in two hours before the deadline.

Dissertation deadline. I officially handed in my finished dissertation on March 26^th after getting it back from being bound. I have never felt so relieved and tired in my life. I have pretty much been sleeping ever since but honestly I need to get back to work now or I’ll have no chance at passing my exams.

Mother’s Day. The only trip I have taken this month is to Cardiff. Sai and I spoiled my Mum but taking her out to Jamie’s Italian and have a girly shopping day. It was nice to just spend time with her before the exam stress kicks in and over delicious food was an absolute bonus.

Finished:

·      Severed Heads Broken Hearts – Robyn Schneider

·      Rivers of London – Ben Aaranovitch

·      Larby Lodge – G. P. Gallacher

Currently reading:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Set in the future, the world is in crisis and everyone escapes by logging into a virtual reality called ‘The OASIS’. When the creator of the game dies a video is released informing everyone that whoever can solve the puzzles and throughout the game will inherit his fortune. The catch? James Halliday, the creator, was obsessed with the 80’s. This book takes us on a journey through 80’s nostalgia and the need to beat the game.

Forgive me Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick. Leonard Peacock is 18 and has decided that he no longer wants to live. Carrying an old Nazi handgun in his bagpack, Leonard has it all planned out. But before he can kill himself and Asher Beal, Leornard wants to gift the four people in his life who he loves with something special.

Slated by Teri Terry. Kyla is one of the Slated. Her memory has been erased and her personality removed. Kyla can’t remember a thing because the government believe her to be a terrorist.

According to Goodreads I’ve read 11 out of 50 books and I am 1 book behind scheduled. I’m sure that’s going to grow thanks to exam season.

Hope you’ve all had a better month than mine!