Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Blog Tour Review: Wounded by Jasinda Wilder (and Giveaway)


Wounded

Wounded by Jasinda Wilder
Publication Date: December 16, 2012
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Ecopy provided by the author

Summary (from Goodreads):

War has taken everything from me. My family. My home. My innocence. In a country blasted by war and wracked by economic hardship, a young orphan girl like me has very few options when it comes to survival. Thus, I do what I must to live, to eat, and I try very hard to not consider the cost to my soul. My heart is empty, and my existence brutal.

The one impossibility in my life is love.

And then I meet HIM.

War is hell. It takes a chunk out of a man's very soul to do the kinds of things war demands of you. You live with fear, you live with guilt, and you live with nightmares. If you haven't been through it, there's no understanding it. War leaves no room for love, no room for tenderness or softness. You gotta be hard, closed off, and ready to fight every moment of every day. Lose focus for a split second, and you're dead.

Now the only thing that can save me is HER.

What I Liked:

This book... this book was so powerful and emotional. You might see me use two words in particular throughout this book: bittersweet and heartbreaking. I almost cried so many times throughout this book, because of the story and its content.

This book deals with prostitution. Rania is forced to become a prostitute in order to survive. She was abandoned by her brother, when their parents died, at a very young age. I cannot imagine what I would have done in her situation, and I really cannot imagine having the strength to do what she did. I know in society, we tend to look down on prostitutes. I am in no way condoning prostitution, but this book really brought out the other side of prostitution: the side of the prostitute. My heart really went out to Rania, because everything that she felt, all the disgust, self-loathing, and anger, it was so real. We all cannot imagine being in her place, but what she did took courage.

The romance in this book is simple, but complex. It seems straightforward: soldier is taken in by prostitute, and they fall in love. But it is so much more than that. It goes deeper than that, on a level that goes past lust and love. I really liked Rania and Hunter's relationship. They really did have a love relationship, and more.

I really cannot say more about this book - it is so intense and powerful. I do not know if I have the heart to read it again, but I enjoyed it when I did.

What I Did Not Like:

There is not anything in particular that I did not like. But when I finished the book, I felt sad and morose, yet happy for the couple. This book did a number on my emotions. This book felt like a 4-star book for some reason, but it is really, really well done.

Would I Recommend It:

I am going to say yes, but not if you do not like books that go deep. This book, while very steamy and filled with adult-approved romance, contained some heavy themes, such as prostitution. That being said, this book is not for everyone. But, give it a try!

Rating:

4 stars. This book is  so heartbreaking, and bittersweet, but at the same time, it is touching and memorable. The truth of this book is stunning and amazing.


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!


The Giveaway (tour-wide):






7 comments:

  1. Hats off to the author. It takes a great writer to be able to take something that is morally repugnant and allow the reader to see it from a different perspective.

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    1. Definitely! I think she did an excellent job :)

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  2. This does sound powerful and emotional. The cover looks great.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  3. WOW! I've never thought to consider the prostitute perspective! Sounds gripping. Must add to my TBR pile.

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    1. It is very gripping! I would never have either.It was a good eye-opener!

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    2. The only other book I can recall reading from this perspective is Kate Quinn's Mistress of Rome and that book was pretty powerful. It had me tied up in knots!

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