Review: Split by Swati Avasthi

Split by Swati Avasthi


Released: March 2010
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary - Abuse
Pages: 282
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥


Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.


He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.


Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split — how do you begin to live again?



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SSplit is one of those novels where I'm really not for sure what to say. I don't mean that like it was a bad read. It was a great read. One that punched me in the gut and made me teary eyed.

The subject of abusive is never a pleasant one nor is it one that is easy to read. It's horrible to know that this type of family, and the things that not only Jace, but his older brother, Christian, were put through happen in real life. That so many children, teens, and adults have suffered these things - it really breaks your heart.

Jace was very well developed and sometimes even scary character. He's so fueled with anger, yet is trying his hardest to get past it, I wasn't for sure how his future would be. The secret that he is carrying around completely took me by surprise. It honestly infuriated me, but at the same time I felt very sympathetic towards him. Throughout the book you see his journey to make amends with his brother, to try and save his mother, and most importantly save himself from turning out like his father.

My only complaint is that during the middle of the read things just seemed to slow down for me. The beginning had me hooked, but then things seemed to drag more, but the ending...the ending was so realistic and due to the subject matter completely perfect.

♥amber