Fractured Blog Tour Review

Fractured is a compelling narrative on identity and figuring out who we are as individuals. It also addresses many themes, such as peer pressure and consent.

Intense Topic

What worked best for Fractured was the pacing and character development. The novel follows Mason, who fractured his wrist while playing football. Now football for him has been his dream; he wants to make it to the NFL and earn a football based scholarship to attend college.

However, his whole life does not just revolve around football but also revolves around this womanizing atmosphere that he has built around himself. Now he is the star quarterback, and he has girls lining up to get with him, and he does, in a way, take advantage of them. It is a sensitive narrative, exploring this male perspective on what consent means. However, it is also crucial that we all recognize that Mason’s behavior was not okay. Furthermore, the author is highlighting the fact that his behavior was not okay. The author has chosen to develop Mason by making him more self-aware and regretful of his past behavior.

This is a challenging topic that was addressed very well in this novel. By bringing to life, such a challenging topic through a male lens addresses toxic masculinity. It highlights how men have to be part of the solution and highlight what consent is and what is not.

Slightly Unbelievable

The only fault with Fractured is the dynamic between Mason and Lace. On the one hand, it is nice to see this wholesome relationship blossom between Mason and Lace, who has her issues to contend with. Lace is fractured as well, but emotionally and mentally. She gives Mason perspective and opens his eyes, bringing out the best in him. Moreover, while it is also great to see mental illness addressed thoughtfully and realistically, the pace at which Mason develops verges on unrealistic.

Mason has gone through his whole life womanizing and using his status to peer-pressure girls into being with him. Siegel highlights how his behavior is not okay, but what is unrealistic is how this one girl influenced him so much. His ability to become so self-aware makes him too perfect. While it is good to see him recognize that his behavior is not okay and see him become a better person and seek therapy to become better, the pacing makes it hard to believe.

Granted, the time in the novel follows month’s so that part is believable, but as a reader, we forget how much time is passing while we are reading.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Fractured is a terrific novel. I was unsure when I became part of this blog tour if I would like it, but am I thankful I did.

Siegel brings up many important and realistic topics such as mental illness, consent, and battling toxic masculinity. The characterization and character development are done well, and the pacing was good as well. It is a thoughtful and compassionate novel about growing up and recognizing our bad behavior.