Blog Tour/Charity Event and Review: Split by Swati Avasthi

Hi everyone! So, today my review is a little bit more than a review. And not just because it's part of a blog tour set up by The Teen{Book}Scene, but because for every comment left on this post Swati will donate $1 to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, a charity that is against domestic abuse. So please make sure you comment, it's for a good cause!

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Title: Split
Author: Swati Avasthi
Published: March 2010
Source: Received for Review from publisher
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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? Readers won’t be able to put this intense page-turner down.

I loved, loved, loved this book. From page one I connected with Jace, could hear his voice, and felt his pain. I tore through the book because I wanted to know more. More about his past, more about what was happening then, more about what was going to happen. It's been awhile since I've felt like that about about a book.

Like I stated before, Jace was a real character from the beginning. I was compelled to read more about him because his voice was so strong. I felt his struggle to not be like his father, despite how similar they are. I felt the pain in his memories. The rest of the characters were very real as well, just not to the extent that Jace was. I loved the family dynamic between Jace and his brother.

The domestic abuse in this book is absolutely terrible to read about. There were quite a few times where I looked away from the page disgusted by what had happened. Not because it was too graphic, but because it was just too terrible to think about. The really sad thing about it is that the things described in the this book are probably reality for many kids and adults out there.

There's not really anything that I feel I can complain about. I loved it, and will definitely be keeping it for rereading sometime in the future.

Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Overall: 49/50 A+
Cover Comments: Striking cover, I like the keys.
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There is also an auction for a ton of really cool stuff to benefit the charity, like signed books and critiques from authors. Sound like something you'd be interested in? Then go here!

If you'd like to help raise money by commenting on the other stops on the tour, please go here.

And last but definitely not least, if you would like to buy the book (which I recommend, it's amazing) please go to:

Amazon
Indie Bound
Barnes and Noble
or
The Book Depository

I leave you with buttons:
Button for going to the blog tour schedule:

Button for going to the charity auction site for the event :