Review: Broken

Title - Broken

Author - A.E. Rought

Genre - YA Horror/Retellings

Format - Paperback Arc

Publication - January 8th 2013

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis 

Imagine a modern spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein where a young couple’s undying love and the grief of a father pushed beyond sanity could spell the destruction of them all.

A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry's boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetery and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.

When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she's intrigued despite herself. He's an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely... familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel's.

The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there's something very wrong with Alex Franks. And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks' estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

Review

I received Broken from Arcycling in return for an honest review. Emma is still dealing with the loss of Daniel her boyfriend whom she shared a special connection with. With the arrival of Alex the new student at Shelley high she can’t help being draw to him. She finds herself reminded of Daniel when she looks at Alex. The pair has the same spark that Emma felt for Daniel, and she can't help being drawn to Alex. 

However both of their parents are tough obstacles that they will have to deal with if they want to be together. As the spark continues to grow between them strange events cause Emma to wonder be it their attempt at saving a Deer or Alex’s quick healing. Her dreams and thoughts are torn between her dead boyfriend who haunts her thoughts and Alex who tells her his heart beats for her. As Emma gets closer to unraveling the truth about Alex will she be able to accept it?

I've not read the real Frankenstein so for me Broken is an interesting concept that captures my imagination. I felt that the author is innovative in remaking Frankenstein’s story for the new generation. Like using Shelley’s name for the high school is clever. Broken is well written filled with vivid details that captivate the imagination. I think Emma is a perfect character we get to see how she deals with her grief which feels so real. I really felt her emotions as I was cheering her on through the whole book. I like Alex for Emma he compliments her well who doesn't want a sexy nice guy who may have died for a moment or two. I really enjoyed the story I don't see additional books in the series but I will be sure to check out future books by A.E. Rought. 

4 out of 5 stars