Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

Damage Done
Written by Amanda Panitch
Contemporary, Thriller
Published August 3rd 2015
304 Pages
Thank you to Random House Australia
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RATING ★★★★
22 minutes separate Julia Vann's before and after.

Before. Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend.

After. She has a new identity, a new hometown, and a memory of those twenty two minutes that refuses to come into focus. At least, that's what she tells the police.

Now that she's Lucy Black, her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school. And someone much more dangerous. She thought her brother's crimes were behind her. But now she's being forced to confront the dark secrets she thought were safely left behind. How far will Julia go to keep her slate clean?

One thing is clear. The damage done can never be erased. It's only just beginning...
Lucy Black isn't who she says she is, she's not an only child nor is she the well adjusted teen she portrays. Lucy's name is Julia Vann, she's the twin sister of the boy who shot eleven students in the music room at her former school, having come home to her parents packing her belongings and moving to escape the scrutiny of the brutal and senseless killing spree. Ryan was always a troubled child with both he and Julia having an extraordinarily close relationship, bordering on unnatural and invoking the whispers of their peers. Ryan hurts animals, he wants nothing more to keep Julia safe and away from others who may occupy her time. Enlisting the professional services of Doctor Spence, a man who believed he could help Ryan and worked with the teen up until the day he decided to take multiple lives, sparing Julia's in the process as she watched those around her bleed out.

Now in her new life as Lucy Black, Julia is being followed by Ryan's former doctor and it seems he might hold the key to what lead Ryan to open fire on his fellow students that day. Does Julia remember more than she claims in the twenty two minutes in the time it took for Ryan to enter the classroom that day, and for Julia to be the only person to walk away from the massacre?

MY THOUGHTS

Damage Done is chilling. Twins Julia and Ryan share a bond and even as children, becoming each others shoulder to lean on and source of strength as they age. Their relationship seemingly goes beyond the realm of twin or sibling even, with even their peers questioning how healthy their bond truly is. So Julia begins pulling away, dating and sharing her life usually reserved for Ryan and Ryan only. But Ryan's issues begun long before their teens, as a child he was vengeful and violent, taking his frustration out on animals, eventually leading to putting other children in harms way. But not Julia. Never Julia. 
My brother was not kind to the people who'd wronged me.
Ryan maybe have been officially diagnosed with Conduct Disorder, but Julia's character was horrid. She was abrasive and likened popular boy and love interest Micheal to reminding her of her brother, leaving no doubt as to the closeness of their sibling relationship. Her past experience with the shootings led her to be incredibly paranoid and an unreliable narrator, with a storyline that are told in the present, while providing memories scattered throughout. It was deliciously intense in it's pacing and I enjoyed seeing the story handed to me in snippets to piece together.

The only major flaw I found was how predictable it seemed. The romance would have been more plausible had love interest Michael been acting on lust, rather than love. He seemed to form a connection with her based on appearance, and when he did question her, he allowed himself to be silenced with kisses. Julia is a liar and it's clear she uses her own brand of manipulation to lure others into her web. I'm fairly certain readers will predict the big reveal long before the final few chapters, but in no way does it detract from how sinister this storyline truly is.

THE VERDICT

Damage Done will appeal to lovers of psychological young adult thrillers, who enjoy the unreliable narration of a disturbed and toxic character. Am incredible debut that lures you into the storyline and despite it's predictability, will seize your attention until the final page.

25 comments

  1. I enjoyed this one a good amount! I'd not seen this cover. Not sure which I like more this or US cover. I enjoyed the unreliable narrator but and totally agree the relationship should have not veered into love. Overall I thought it was a well executed thriller! Glad you enjoyed it too.

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    1. I think the Aussie cover represents how creepy the storyline really is, I'll have to check out the US cover and compare. The romance was the only downside for me too, but I guess it was to show how manipulative Julia could be, but using love to describe it would have benefited more from it being more infatuation than anything. So glad you enjoyed this one too Kristen.

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  2. I do really love thrillers. I'm a bit bummed it seems fairly easy to figure out. Regardless, I might have to check this out sometime soon!

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    1. Even with it's predictability, that was only one aspect that you'll probably be able to figure out early on Lauren, but unlike most thrillers, it doesn't detract from the storyline at all. I still really enjoyed it regardless. I'd love to see what you think of it.

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  3. Ooh this sounds intriguing. I love trying to work out the endings of thrillers.

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    1. Me too Sarah and this some parts are cringeworthy, but for all the right reasons. It's an awesome psychological read.

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  4. This sounds like a twisted siblings relationship and I love reading about those obviously. I'm already curious about the nature of their relationship and Julia sounds like she could be an interesting character in a creepy way. I've heard good things about the book, so I'm glad to see you enjoyed it too, Kelly!
    Great review! :)

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    1. Creepy doesn't even cover it Nick, she's not someone you really want to tangle with. Manipulative, verging on mean in so many ways. It really surprised me and I loved every moment. Can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  5. It seems like Ryan and Julia had quite a touching yet toxic relationship. I'm sure she undergoes tremendous growth through all the discoveries she makes about Ryan's character. Julia does seem pretty manipulative, and I'm not sure I'll like her character. The romantic interest sounds a bit like a pushover. Since it's predictable on top of all that, I think I might pass this one. Great review <3

    Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books

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    1. Oh no Rachel, the predictability doesn't impact the overall storyline at all. It's only one small aspect. Once you meet Julia, you'll be so immersed within her story, her relationship with Ryan and how toxic both she and Ryan are. It's well worth the read, superbly entertaining.

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  6. I'm intrigued, but at the same time, none of these characters appeal to me. They actually sound distasteful. Please tell me, they have redeeming qualities! Lol.

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    1. Some have some likability, but it's all part of the storyline Joy. It's one of those where the characters make the storyline and add that creep factor.

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  7. Whoa this book sounds awesome. As in stay-up-all-night awesome. I'll forgive any character flaws if only to figure out why Ryan did what he did.

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    1. There's something I found really eerie about their relationship and it left me reading with a knot in my stomach. It was so well written and I read it entirely in one sitting. It's not at the level of a book like Dangerous Girls, but it's right up there. I'd love to see what you think of it Mawa.

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  8. I HAVE THIS ON MY KIIINDLE!!! Haha. I've seen some people talking about this book on Twitter, especially a supposed twist near the end? I can't wait to find out the reason as well! I saw some people loved it and some hated it haha. It would be interesting to know where I'll stand!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. I really enjoyed it, even with it being a tad on the predictable side Faye. It doesn't distract from the storyline at all luckily. Ooh, I can't wait to see what you think of it too, really looking forward to it. Hurry up and read it Faye.

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  9. I really enjoyed this, too! I actually didn't predict the ending, but I certainly saw the cracks in her story and certainly didn't trust her. So the ending was very entertaining for me! I thought it was a fantastic debut, too. Lovely review, Kelly!

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    1. Oh, she was a piece of work wasn't she. So manipulative and the way she treated her supposed friend was deplorable! As though she prayed on the typically unpopular girl in order to buy her constant bullshit and ill treatment. It was chilling in places, even despite having a fair inkling what was coming. So glad you enjoyed this one too Rebecca, looking forward to reading your review.

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  10. I'm squinting at my screen, wondering if I've figured out the twist already lol my problem with YA thrillers (like Dangerous Girls, which...I did not enjoy) is that I find them so predictable *sigh* hmmmm, I guess the only way to find out if I'm right is to read it. Gun violence gives me the heebie jeebies :(

    Great review Kelly. I'm going to consider this one for a bit, I think.

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. I think you're the first person I've heard of who didn't enjoy Dangerous Girls Wattle, I felt that way about Dangerous Boys though, it wasn't even close to living up to the hype. I'm the same when it comes to gun violence too, it's art imitating life and a bit too realistic especially with so much crime overseas.

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  11. Woah, I need this book like right now! I have a strange love for intense stories and I am quite intrigued by how this story sounds! And man, Julia sounds like a piece of work!
    Lovely review Kell!

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    1. She really is Mishma. I think you'll really enjoy this one and can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  12. I actually didn't recognize this book because of the cover until I read the synopsis, but I definitely prefer this edition over US's! Girl, Julia is looking all types of crazy on the cover because her ass is crazy! If it's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love dysfunctional stories, and this is SCREAMING meeee right now! Girl I need this like now! I'm so glad you enjoyed it because if you didn't I probably would've passed on it! * squeals *

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    1. Me too Tika, the crazed and unreliable narrator especially when it comes to psychological thrillers is almost a must have in fiction isn't it. You must buy a copy, in fact, I insist so we can discuss at length how crazy she is. Like bonkers type crazy.

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  13. Wow! That sounds amazing... I can't work out if I'd love it or hate it. I don't mind flawed and unreliable narrators but if there's nothing redeeming about her I might struggle!

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