Damage Done

Reviewed by: Cidney Mayes - Wells Public Library, Wells, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 20, 2015

Review

A twisted contemporary thriller that will stun readers with its dramatic conclusion, "Damage Done" is fast-paced and captivating. Julia Vann is the sole survivor of a high school massacre, where her brother Ryan shot eleven students in the band room. After killing the students, Ryan turned the gun on himself in attempted suicide, but was instead left in a coma. As the sole survivor, yet unable to recall the event itself due to traumatic amnesia, Julia and her family are plagued by reporters, police, and an angry community. The Vann family moves and tries to begin again under assumed names, Julia becoming Lucy Black. After settling in to her new life, Lucy makes friends and sparks a new romance, but her dreams of leaving the past behind are shattered when Ryan's old psychologist starts following her. The action quickly escalates, and soon Julia is forced to face her past or suffer dangerous consequences. Fans of E. Lockheart's "We Were Liars" will be equally captivated by this book, as the twists and turns are slowly revealed in a similar manner. The jacket description does not do this title justice, nor give a very clear summary of what this book is actually about. As a protagonist, Julia may not always be likable, but this only contributes to the book's thrilling conclusion. At times graphic and mature, "Damage Done" is best suited for older high school readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, mystery, and suspense.

Overall Book Score: excellent