Stories of Troubled Teens Intrigue Me: Old Wounds

Old Wounds by N. K. Smith
Paperback, 409 pages
Published December 2010 by The Writer's Coffee Shop
ISBN13: 9781612130040
Read December 2010

I don't know what it is about stories of troubled teens that always catches my eyes. I can remember the school book fairs and I always bought the most depressing books - such as The Face on the Milk Carton. It seemed if the main character wanted to run away, was kidnapped, attempted suicide, etc I wanted to read the story. It seems that even now as an adult these stories still intrigue me.

I was lucky enough to read a very early draft for N. K. Smith's series Old Wounds. I fell in love with her characters and the hardships they endured endeared them to my heart. I was excited to see her series be picked up by a publisher and eagerly read the release of the first installment.

I enjoyed the changes that she made; a new scene opens the story. The first book in the series does a good job of introducing the characters of the Friday Freak Club (Sophie's language is a bit more colorful than mine and she calls the group she is forced to be a part of by a slightly different name). Knowing what is to come makes me anxious for the next in the series. I look forward to seeing what other changes and new scenes where added since the early draft I read.

This story is considered young adult as it carries important messages for teens that find themselves in similar situations, but it will also be enjoyed by adults. Though I grew up with an ideal childhood, I know not everyone does and Old Wounds examines some darker aspects of humanity. Just as the stories that captured my attention at book fairs, the characters are not left in their misery, but learn to overcome the obstacles and maybe even thrive. I am intrigued by what the human spirit can endure. Smith captures well the struggle that Sophie and Elliot have in overcoming their past and realistically explores the vices they have taken up in order to survive, but now must learn to overcome in order to heal. I look forward to their journey in finding healing and love as the series continues with Little Battles, which is due out in April.