Review ~ "Rage" by Jackie Morse Keller

Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Apocalyptic / Contemporary YA

Book Description: Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different. That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control. A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation,Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world. 

My thoughts: There were parts of this book that were hard to read. I have to admit to skipping over sections because they were overwhelmingly emotional and brutal.

Missy is a teen who cuts herself to relieve her emotional turmoil. After a traumatic event she cuts too deep. Death offers her an opportunity to live by accepting the mantle by becoming the apocalyptic rider -war.

I find it interesting that in this book as in the last he uses people who are struggling with demons and understand the emotions of their position. One word that pops out often in the dialogue between riders is balance. War is there to balance out the aggressive nature of humans so that it is controlled. I really like this concept.

There are many valuable lessons learned in this book. This book is not for the weak stomached. Definitely for a more mature YA reader.  There is also sexual situations in the book.