Unborn by Rose ChristoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Started reading this when I was halfway through Blind Faith and it was sort of a balancing act going between the two stories. Blind Faith was a total comfort read, it made me snuggle up in my sofa or my bed and just enjoy it-the slow progress of Carter and Isaac's relationship was sweet, Isaac's acceptance of Brady was heartwarming (though Isaac's short temper deserved a noogie or two), and the whole awesomeness that was Brady himself-he deserves an unlimited supply of treats. Definitely a good time to be had reading this one.
On the other hand, Unborn is just heartrending. This story is painful and raw, and at times just filled me with sorrow, for kids like Kerry and Sahara. But it also made me hope and smile for the people that surrounded them, protected them, and taught them that they were worthy of being loved.
Kerry is so full of anger that is almost palpable each time you 'hear' his voice as this story unfolds. At 19yrs. old, he is living with the physical and emotional scars of being an unwanted child. Burdened with a long list of maladies brought on by a botched abortion, he spends his days isolated from people until out on an errand he collapses and wakes up in the hospital.
It's there where Kerry finally learns the meaning of home and family. The first to reach out is Ram-a 16yr. old teen that lives in Kerry's apartment complex-and suddenly shows up to visit him. He offers kindness, company, and brings him home cooked meals.
Then it's Matty, his doctor's son, for whom Kerry is his idea of Indestructo Man-his favorite superhero. Matty-an 8yr. old who spends his time in the hospital because his dad is always busy, and his mother left him; whose a total troublemaker and has plans to marry Agatha Flannery, a sick little girl who shares a room with Sahara.
There's Tim, his roommate-a university student who has carcinoid tumors. Who is serious, spends most of his time reading, and takes none of Kerry's attitude-but shows his solidarity and loyalty when it counts (totally unrelated, but he reminded me of Legal Drug's Rikuo. >.<).
Another is Daniel the 24yr. old hospital nurse, who is so utterly devoted to his job that he spends almost all of his free time in the hospital as a volunteer. Who has an infinite collection of earrings and in Kerry's eyes, has a smile that resembles the sun.
And finally Sahara, a 13yr. old who lost her innocence at the hands of the people who were supposed to protect her. Who knew just by looking at Kerry that he would protect her; a little girl who stole Kerry's heart and who just had an abortion.
This group of kids amazed me with their strength and their resilience. How they banded together and where there for each other as they went through surgeries and complications, losses and heartbreak. It was beautiful for me how Kerry just opened up and flourished with all his growing ties with his friends but particularly his love for Sahara and Daniel. Completely and thoroughly fell in love with all these characters.
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