Sacred by Elana K. Arnold

Growing up on Catalina Island, off the California coast, Scarlett Wenderoth has led a fairly isolated life. After her brother dies, her isolation deepens as she withdraws into herself, shutting out her friends and boyfriend. Her parents, shattered by their own sorrow, fail to notice Scarlett's pain and sudden alarming thinness. Scarlett finds pleasure only on her horse, escaping to the heart of the island on long, solitary rides. One day, as she races around a bend, Scarlett is startled by a boy who raises his hand in warning and says one word: "Stop."

The boy—intense, beautiful—is Will Cohen, a newcomer to the island. For reasons he can't or won't explain, he's drawn to Scarlett and feels compelled to keep her safe. To keep her from wasting away. His meddling irritates Scarlett, though she can't deny her attraction to him. As their relationship blossoms into love, Scarlett's body slowly awakens at Will's touch. But just when her grief begins to ebb, she makes a startling discovery about Will, a discovery he's been grappling with himself. A discovery that threatens to force them apart. And if it does, Scarlett fears she will unravel all over again.

Goodreads Summary

Sacred was a good surprise. I am not certain what the title has to do with the plot at all, but the cover represents the book very well. Scarlett’s older brother died suddenly and now her remaining family is collapsing around her. Although her dad continues to struggle through the days, Scarlett’s mom is a complete wreck. Scarlett is not doing much better than her mother. Starving herself to feel and even cutting herself a few times, Scarlett is on a downward spiral. The only part of Scarlett’s day that she truly loves is riding her horse, Delilah. A few days before her junior year of high school began, Scarlett was flying down a trail on Delilah when a strange boy named Will steps in front of her horse. After this encounter, Will always seems to appear when Scarlett truly needs him and she begins to recover from her grief. Will admits that he is drawn to her, but for reasons that are difficult to explain.
I have a lot of respect for Scarlett, even though she felt like she was dying, she kept up with her school work and tried to “live” for her family. Scarlett was drowning in pain, but still tried to exist. Will is interesting as well, but I can’t describe him too much without spoiling the book. I think Arnold drifted from her plot at times, and I am not 100% sure that the aspects of the Jewish faith she put into this novel will be understood by her intended audience. My only other complain is that Will’s character sometimes did not seem complete. There are a few scenes with Will that appear to exist strictly for drama and excitement. This book is still definitely worth reading and I am looking forward to the sequel. Sacred earns three and a half out of five stars from me.

3 1/2 Stars

*Reviewed by Kristin*


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