Heart Like a Broken Arrow

Heart like a Broken Arrow, despite being a cheesy title, has a lot of interesting themes! Between the parents who are incredibly immature and are right out of the AITA subreddit, the guilt that goes on for years, the neglect and how the book was wrapped up, we get a really lovely story. Of course, we also have all the pain that goes along with hope.

Heart Like a Broken Arrows comes out on the 1st of April! I highly recommend it to Hi/LO fans or just readers who want to read a book on how those who become differently abled deal with the changes, and the support that many need and often lack! The section in the hospital was particularly horrifying to me, as was what the parents did!

Heart Like a Broken Arrow by Maija Barnett is a HI/LO novel written in verse. It tells the powerful and heartbreaking story of a young woman whose life is forever changed in an instant when she crashes her truck after a night of heavy drinking. Left paralyzed from the waist down, Fern is sent to live with the aunt of her estranged father, who introduces her to archery. It is a new start for Fern, but can she ever overcome her past?

This is such a complex story packed into very few, yet well-chosen words. Wonderful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, West 44 Books, and Maija Barnett for the opportunity to read Heart Like a Broken Arrow in exchange for an honest review.

This is a Hi-Lo novel written in verse, meaning it is a high-interest novel written with a lower readability level to generate interest for younger readers. The poetic form in this novel is exquisite, and the exploration of mental illness and overcoming hardship is eloquently portrayed.

Fern loves running. That's going to be her key to college scholarships. Running is her escape from reality. After the loss of her brother, and her father leaving soon after, blaming Fern for her younger brother's death, she and her mother struggle with episodes of depression from the loss.

One of Fern's coping mechanisms is drinking with her friend. Drowning her depression in alcohol is her other alternative to running. When a drink goes to far and a drive home involves a deer and a terrible accident, Fern's life is changed forever.

Living with her aunt allows a chance at starting anew after the accident. She may not be able to run anymore, but Fern makes friends and finds a new passion through archery.

The fast pace of this story makes it a quick, heart-pounding read, though my only qualm is there could have been more to develop the love interest before it ends, as that portion of the books pacing was the only off aspect.

This novel-in-verse is brilliantly written and a must-read for all.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Man, I adored this book. I plan on seeking out other books by this author as soon as it's possible.

Heart Like A Broken Arrow is written in ... a poetic / verse format. In my opinion, that makes it extremely easy to read and stay engaged.
The book was beautifully written.
The main character is a 17 year old named Fern. Fern harbors a LOT of guilt in regards to the death of her younger brother. Due to that guilt, she starts drinking and an accident occurs. Her life is forever changed due to said accident. She's sent to live with her aunt, as her mom cannot afford to care for her injuries. The remainder of the book covers the changes in Fern, her new life, etc.

Such an amazing read.

This book. THIS. BOOK. As soon as I hit 27% I did not stop crying at this book. Fern is- she is so strong. I- there are no words. This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. Could relate to Fern so much!!
Aunt Helen I love you. You're amazing.
So as much as I am emotionally drained from this book I am glad I read it! Also another fast paced short book. 200 pages max. Read within an hour!

Fern Blakely has been on an emotional and mental collision course ever since her brother's death. Rather than deal with the death of her brother she would instead numb herself from her feelings of sadness and grief. She has nobody to lean on, her mom avoids her and any conversations about her brother and father left them soon after her brother's death. Eventually, this leads to Fern driving drunk on an ice-covered road after a party and getting into a significant accident. This accident leaves her paralyzed and instead, then try to help her daughter her mom cocoons herself further away from her daughter spending much of her time in her room not caring if Fern even goes to school. Luckily her father's sister steps in, taking her in hopes of helping Fern grow and process her grief at the very least.
I can't say much without giving significant details of the story away. I enjoyed this book because even though Fern's world changed she learned that though things were different they weren't necessarily bad. I have always wondered what it was like for someone to become disabled versus being born as such. I consider myself lucky I have had these challenges my whole life because there was no missing what I never had if that makes sense.

This is also a short read so it should not take you long at all. I used to shy away from reviewing lyrical or hi/lo novels but over the past couple years, I have read more and more. Just because the stories are faster to read does not mean they lack of content or heart.

Maija Barnett writes a compelling story about 17-year-old Fern Blakely, who has lost her brother and now has to cope with being in the world without him. Fern has turned to drinking to forget that her beloved brother is no longer with her. After a night of drinking, Fern is driving home and crashes her truck and has suffered irreparable damage. She was once an athlete, but now she is bound to be in a wheelchair. Her mother can no longer manage the loss of her son and the injuries of her daughter. She sends Fern to live with her aunt Hele. Fern is upset about the change but is living with her aunt, the best choice. Will living with her aunt send her a new path, or will it send her spiraling? Maija Barnett does a great job keeping the reader engaged and connected to Fern. We can feel the depression, emotions, and sadness that Fern goes through in the book. Overall, Maija did a great job with the storytelling.