

"This layered first novel explores the aftereffects of the trauma, convincingly depicting why Imogen blames herself for a situation over which she had no control. "Her story is compelling, and readers will stick with her as new insights bring about a believable shift in her behavior.This distinctive debut will be appreciated by fans of contemporary fiction." "Offering psychological drama and an introduction to martial-arts code of behavior, the book has a meaningful message about power, control, and the internal bruises carried by victims." With action, romance, and a complex heroine, Bruised introduces a vibrant new voice to the young adult world-full of dark humor and hard truths. But now that her sense of self has been challenged, she must rebuild her life, a process that includes redefining her relationship with her family and navigating first love with the boy who was at the diner with her during the shoot-out. Before the shooting, she believed that her black belt made her stronger than everyone else-more responsible, more capable.

When Imogen, a sixteen-year-old black belt in Tae Kwon Do, freezes during a holdup at a local diner, the gunman is shot and killed by the police, and she blames herself for his death.
