Review: Bad Apple by Barbara Morgenroth (Bad Apple #1)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 10, 2013
Bad Apple is not a fairytale, or a great romance. It is a story about everyday monsters, and the horror and havoc that they wreak on innocent people. Neal is a very complex character that immediately draws the reader in. The fact that she limps makes her very self-conscious and anti-social. At first she seems very rude and standoffish,but as the story progresses Neal grows on the reader as they discover what has made her they way she is.  When Truly meets Neal, the ray of light, even small, peeks through the perpetual dark clouds that seem to overshadow the story.Music is Neal's escape. She can express herself in music, and does not have to be afraid of the consequences. Truly shares this with Neal and is captivated by her singing. He is so taken with her that he asks her to be the lead singer of his band. Everything seems to be looking up for Neal and her past is exactly that, in the past, but then it comes back with a vengeance---Joe has returned. Can Neal overcome her fears and stand up to him? Can she take back a piece of her soul?Barbara Morgenroth is a masterful storyteller that creates characters that are not perfect, but human. The emotions that saturate this story touch the reader on so many levels. Good, bad, distasteful, the reader will experience a full spectrum of feelings before the story is over. Bad Apple is a book for survivors. Abuse, neglect, and psychological warfare are a central theme in Bad Apple. Neal must make a choice--to cower in Joe's shadow or to stand in front of him and redeem the light.I recieved a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.