Blog Tour: Shattered Soul by Jennifer Snyder

Title: Shattered Soul

Author: Jennifer Snyder

Standalone

Format- ebook

Publisher- CreateSpace

Published- May 14th, 2011

Pages- 298

Source- CBL Book Tours

Hellish Nightmare...

If seventeen-year-old Seth Bradson were to describe his life in two words, those would be the two he’d choose. Seth prefers to cope with his crappy existence by spending his days in a drug-induced haze. But when Ali Carson steps into his life, Seth finds something he’s subconsciously been seeking—a new drug, one that consumes his mind unlike any other. 

Love.

In a moment of unforgivable weakness, Seth allows Ali to try crystal meth, his most addictive temptation. This single event begins the unraveling of both their lives and forces Seth to learn the definition of regret the hard way.

Seth isn't the type of person you would want to introduce to your parents. He’s a pill popper and a drug smoker who hangs around with other pill poppers and drug smokers. His only family is his mother and brother. His mother is an alcoholic who can’t support him and his brother because of her alcohol addiction. There are moments where Seth and you as a reader must conclude that she doesn't even care to support them. His brother like his mother can’t hold a job so he goes into dealing drugs. He likes to not only assert his power on the girls he gets hooked but on him. Seth doesn't dare get on his brother’s bad side because he knows with defiance comes a beating.

In walks Ali, a cute blond who just moved into town. She’s the most beautiful girl he’s laid eyes on. He can’t believe when she starts talking to a guy like him. Soon they are hanging out and smoking together. Ali seems so innocent and sweet but really there is another side to her entirely. The addiction side that begins to fester in her soul. An insatiable hunger that makes her grow distant and makes Seth become a better person. This isn't really a love story. It’s a story of addiction and feeling like you can’t change your fate.

This was a pretty messed up book. I don’t know when was the last time I read a book where drugs was the central theme. This book makes me think of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. It’s not about drugs but it has this sad feeling that comes with the pain with dealing with some parts of life. By the end of it, it really got me down. The thing is it's always good when a book can make you feel a certain way. I wouldn't read or love to read so much if I didn't get anything out of it. This is one of those books that show you realities in life that most of us don't necessarily face day-to-day or don't really think about often.

There were some times where I saw this reality for the way it was and the way the author intended it to be. But other moments I felt like it wasn't as raw or dramatic as I would have liked. I'm pretty sure it's due to Ali and the distance I felt she conveyed right from the beginning. She was at first unattainable, just a dream to Seth. Later she was his but was still a mystery. In the end she was distant, just a stranger to Seth and me. I really didn't like how I wasn't able to relate to her.

I feel like her distance and the parent's non-involvement with their kids could go either way with you. With the parent's involvement or lack thereof issue I saw how the main character felt he couldn't trust an adult to help him so it makes sense that he didn't seek any help when it got bad. On the other side I really just wanted Seth to say something to her parents. I was dying inside a little waiting for him to say something to someone. He let it go on for so long! Overall I really got into what this book was about BUT I have mixed feelings on how everything was handled by the main character. I can say this was a solid read.

To purchase Shattered Soul go to:

Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Smashwords

About the Author

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.

For more info about Jennifer Snyder and her books go to:

Goodreads/Blog/Twitter

Giveaway!

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Thanks to the author & CBL Book Tours for this giveaway!