From School Library Journal Gr 10 Up—A sobering, compelling, and realistic view of campus sexual assault. Haley is a college freshman whose life revolves around soccer. She's just been sidelined by a concussion when her roommate Jenny is raped at a party off campus. Jenny asks Haley to be her adviser in the campus investigation, giving her a front-row seat to the mounting pain and trauma Jenny goes through. Told from two points of view—those of Haley and Richard, a housemate of the accused—this work submerges readers in the aftermath of a campus sexual assault. Without feeling heavy-handed, the narrative lays out how the school administration handles the investigation and the various ways the students react. This is an important and, unfortunately, timely novel. In the midst of the details of the crime and its effects, readers are also given a sweet and genuine love story between Haley and Richard. This isn't just a book that all young men and women should read; it's gripping and human enough that many will want to. VERDICT Shelve and display alongside Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak and Courtney Summers's All the Rage.—Emily Moore, Camden County Library System, NJ Read more Review Fall 16 Kids’ Indie Next Pick “Padian’s latest boasts a swift, excellently crafted plot, exceedingly readable prose, and painfully relatable characters. It is especially surprising to find an affectionate involvement as believable as Haley and Richard’s in the middle of a story centering on a rape investigation. Particularly relevant for high school seniors and college freshmen” —Booklist, starred review“Powerful, suspenseful and illuminating . . . With intriguing, flawed characters and a gripping storyline, Wrecked by Maria Padian offers readers a view of a college sexual assault case that is as engrossing as it is important . . . valuable, riveting.” —Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review “Rape on college campuses is a massive issue right now (hopefully not forever), and Maria Padian’s new novel Wrecked delves into not just the emotional and physical toll it takes on survivors but the bureaucracy and red tape that exists within the structures that are supposed to be stopping it.”—Bustle   “Padian excels at showing the messy aftermath of a sexual crime in a college community . . . This is a novel about truth and the damage done—to a community, to a person, and to relationships—when hard truths are hidden . . . Wrecked should be assigned to all incoming freshman, especially fraternity members. It’s not enough to have students sit through lectures about sexual assault and rape. They need to learn about it through a story where they see humans instead of statistics, and, as in Wrecked, the very real ripple effects that such a crime can have on an entire campus.” —Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine)   “Outstanding, powerful, and important . . . This is, hands down, one of the best sexual assault reads in YA, and it’s a book that high schoolers of all genders should read.” —Kelly Jensen, Book Riot   “In the face of recent college rape trials, readers will be rapt and emotionally spent by the end. An important, devastating new perspective on an all-too-timely subject.” —Kirkus Reviews   “Revelatory, deeply real, and urgently important.” —Nova Ren Suma, author of The Walls Around Us   “This is an important and, unfortunately, timely novel . . . This isn’t just a book that all young men and women should read; it’s gripping and human enough that many will want to. Shelve and display alongside Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak and Courtney Summers’s All the Rage.” —School Library Journal   “Padian avoids oversimplifying or stereotyping as she explores one such assault and its aftermath, telling a story that combines the most painful, everyday, and emotionally intimate aspects of college life . . . Padian’s expansion of the story to include friends and family lends it visceral realism, allowing readers to imagine themselves in a similar scenario without asking them to envision themselves as either victim or perpetrator.” —Publishers Weekly “Padian’s boldest effort yet . . . a powerful, dramatic story with strong messages.”—Morning Sentinel (Waterville, ME) “A fast-paced read . . . With down-to-earth characters and a relatable setting, Wrecked hits close to home for many high school and college students.” —The Bowdoin Orient (Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME)   “Padian’s characters come beautifully to life in this enthralling and powerful novel. They allow us to step into their shoes and wonder how we would act, what side we would choose and if right and wrong can be defined as sharply as the world wants them to be.” —Middlebury Campus (Middlebury College, VT) “A refreshing look on a subject many of us are unfortunately all too aware of. It keeps the reader enthralled and curious until the very end . . . This book is an easy read for any college student looking for an enlightening, emotional and relatable story.”—The Royal Purple (University of Wisconsin—Whitewater)    “Chapter after mesmerizing/engaging/compelling chapter. . .  I absolutely could not put down this timely, poignant and thought-provoking novel.  Wrecked should be required reading for every rising college freshman.” —Pinestraw Magazine (Southern Pines, NC) “Terrific . . . It is a nuanced account with superbly realized, realistic characters, and a compelling story-line. This is a book made to be discussed . . . a great book on an important issue.” —Daily Bulldog (Farmington, ME)   Read more See all Editorial Reviews
T**A
Interesting perspective but ultimately, wasn't taken with the writing
Content warnings for rape, sexual assault, harassment and cyberbullying, and borderline stalking.My actual rating is 2.5/5 starsI think this book did a few things well:- It offered an interesting perspective into how a college handles a rape investigation involving students- Directly addressed consent and that a lack of a no is NOT a yes- Offered a perspective of a character who was well-meaning but often perpetuated rape culture out of ignorance or misguidanceAspects of the book that felt weren't executed well:- Third person present tense. I don't think I've ever read anything like that; I'my pretty sure I've only ever read first person in past or present tense and third person in past tense. So it was weird.- I felt the writing tried to be beautiful, immersive, and atmospheric but it felt stiff- The characters weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked and the dialogue read more as melodramatic than authentic
M**L
I thought I was going to immensely dislike this book.
Mandatory reading at my university. A little context: it's my second undergraduate degree, which I'm am pursuing via remote campus that is not so much a campus in the traditional sense as it is a triad of office buildings which also have classrooms and labs in them. Non-traditional "campus" life. We party with our kids at the science museum in the hours between work and class.So, anyway, I didn't care to be made to read it, though it took me until just now to realize the irony in that. Almost needless to say, I instantly identified with Richard. But the story itself is what kept me engaged.From all angles, this a fantastic, and fantastically told story, at a time of sincere relevance. I'm glad for having read it, and am humbled to be reminded that we always stand to learn, even from the experiences we don't (or think we won't) enjoy.So, in the spirit of Richard, I will say what I probably shouldn't, by noting that sometimes having things forced on you is just what the Doctor ordered.
L**R
One of he best books i have read all year.
<strong>One of the best books I have read all year.</strong>This book was great. It was written from two perspectives. I think all young adults should read this book. Perspective really makes you think. Was Jenny raped or not? That is the question that drives this story. This is a story that plays out all over collage campuses. This book really shows both sides of the coin. It does not in my opinion make up your mind for you. The story let's you make your own conclusion. I will defiantly be rereading this in the future.
K**G
I really enjoyed this book
I really enjoyed this book. While it's told from the perspective of two people who aren't directly involved in the incident, you get a good idea of that the people involved are going through and how they're feeling, as well as how they are being perceived and how they feel they're being perceived. It shows how easily the waters are muddied and how one person can feel one way about a situation, and another person some other way. Mostly, it really hits the nail on the head with how important consent is every step of the way; just because it's okay to hold hands, doesn't mean it's okay to touch other parts or kiss or assume that you will be going further. If a person doesn't say yes, they haven't given their consent.
C**6
Well worth the read.
Engrossing and timely, this story's necessary as campus sexual assault reaches more discussion. There's no gratuity and given the subject matter, it takes the topic into serious and fair territory for its readers.
C**N
Excellent book, and a different view of a campus ...
Excellent book, and a different view of a campus rape . . . . . or was it? Great book for discussion with high school and college age kids. I thought it was a well-written and very interesting read for any age.
K**R
She adkef for it
A gift
A**R
A timely and important book about a very serious subject ...
A timely and important book about a very serious subject, which we cannot ignore. Should be required reading for teens and young college students. Incredibly well written.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
3 days ago
