View source for Faceless by Alyssa Sheinmel

{{infobox2
|title=Faceless
|author=Alyssa Sheinmel
|reviewer= Sophie Diamond
|genre=Teens
|summary= A beautifully moving story about finding out who you are when the worst happens 
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=400
|publisher=Chicken House Ltd
|date=January 2016
|isbn=978-1910655191
|website=http://www.alyssasheinmel.com
|video=
|aznuk=1910655198
|aznus=1910655198
|cover=1910655198
}}

Maisie is a normal high school student. She's the star of the school running team, has a wonderful boyfriend, a great best friend and she's all set to go to a good college. But when an early morning run ends in tragedy, Maisie finds herself in hospital in the serious burns unit and without most of her face. When a donor appears, Maisie is given a miraculous face transplant. Her doctors, parents and her annoyingly beautiful and upbeat physical therapist all keep telling her how lucky she is... But Maisie doesn't feel lucky. Under this new face, with its heavy scarring, she has no idea who she is anymore. 

This story took me a few chapters to really get in to but it was absolutely worth it. Maisie's story, told from her point of view, is truly moving. I laughed, I cried and I cheered her on the whole way. Sheinmel has done a wonderful job creating Maisie; she's the heroine, but she's not an easy character. She's angry, resentful and makes frustrating decisions. Although it's utterly impossible to relate to how Maisie feels, she feels very real. Maisie's journey from denial to acceptance is beautifully paced, nothing feels rushed or too dragged out, the whole story is natural and sincere.

Maisie's struggle to figure out who she is a heartbreaking. She aches for the time before but knows she can't go back. Adolescence is a difficult and confusing time and it's impossible to fit in when everyone is staring at you. Sheinmel raises a lot of interesting themes about identity, bravery and not being so hard on yourself. Maisie's utter ordinariness is what makes her so remarkable.

Sheinmel's writing is absolutely exquisite. She tells a difficult story with wonderful expertise. I can't strongly recommend this book strongly enough. 

If you like the sounds of this moving story, try reading [[Before I Die by Jenny Downham]]

Thanks so much to the Bookbag and the publishers for my copy!

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