Rage to Live

Rage To Live is a young adult novel that deals directly with the aftereffects of rape on not just the survivor, but on everyone around them.

Shirley Ann Edwards gives us a journey towards the light. Charlie has been brutally raped and then due to the downward spiral that the event takes her on ends up hurting herself. The attack leaves Charlie with severe anxiety, panic attacks, scars, and a darkness that she doesn't think she will ever get out of. Edwards takes us on Charlie's journey in Rage To Live.

This book is not for those who have triggers as I said it deals with rape, but it also deals with suicide. Charlie's pain is raw and honest. It lashes out and wounds others. It crawls through her body in a never-ending cycle of guilt, pain, shame, anger, and distrust.

Edwards offers no quick solutions. Instead Edwards writes a story about the residue of rape and how Charlie deals with it along with her friends, family, and the rapist and their family. In the midst of Charlie's hell, Edwards introduces a romantic love interest. Arielle is very different from Charlie's personality today and ends up being part of the light that Charlie needs.

I love Edwards' interpretation of Charlie. Charlie has no clue who she is in the beginning of the story because as life has it her troubles did not begin with the rape. We then get to go on Charlie's journey and see who she becomes, which is a survivor. I don't know if I would say that Charlie is my favorite character of the book as I have a fondness for Tris, Charlie's older cousin. I also love how Edwards shows us a couple who have survived the unthinkable and can be romantic and loving with Uncle Abe and Aunt Eloise. Then there is the amazing friendship of Matilda and Charlie.

There is so much to love about Rage To Live that I hope the trigger warnings do not scare you off. Shirley Anne Edwards writes a captivating story of survival, love, and heading out of the darkness.

I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall