Customer Reviews

The Scream Within

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book has to be somebody's cruel way of playing a practical joke. The writing was horrible! My friend's eight year old could've written better. Talk about confusing???? This story bounced all over the place. There was no real connection. What in tarnation was she screaming about? I read on the back of the book that the author is an editor and attended writing classes. That remains to be seen. If I were her, I wouldn't tell anyone and would take that off the back of the book. I was so turned off by the writing and story itself (being so poorly written) that on several occasions I had to put the book down. I only picked it back up to give it a chance, but it was so hard and unfortunately, a first occurred for me: I could not finish this book. Don't mean to be cruel, but unlike most authors, this writer does not display any inkling of being "gifted" in any writing manner.

I tend to agree with the first reviewer. I was really disappointed with the book as a whole. Thought maybe the author was in a rush to publish, rather than take the time to really develop characters. I wondered through the whole book what was the "Scream Within". Felt this was a draft rather than a finished work. Feel with a good editor, this could have been a great book. I read reviews on authors website and wondered if we had read the same book.

There was little logic as to why the main character's story ended up the way it did.

This book was a part of a batch of books that I bought at a book store recently. Most of them I was able to read through quite quickly. I'm a fast reader. A Scream Within was a good book to me, but it took longer to read than some of the others. It addresses a lot of family issues and how they can mold the outcome of a person's existence. I couldn't really relate to any of the characters, but I enjoyed it just the same. I'm guessing that a sequel to this is in the making because it left some issues unresolved. Overall, it was a very decent read and if it was possible, I'd give it 4.5 stars. Since it's not, I'll have to settle for 4.

I had the opportunity to meet the author during a book club meeting. The members of my book club enjoyed the book and understood it. I noticed that people who have been through things can relate to Shawna and love the book. The women who haven't been through a whole lot of drama or man problems can't relate, therefore, they don't like the main character. Regardless, the book itself is a page turner and well written. The author informed us that there will be a sequel, and you will find out exactly why the main character is screaming and the source of her dysfunction. I recommend this book and encourage you to read it for yourself. You'll find yourself discussing this book and thinking about it after you've read it.

From the opening pages, THE SCREAM WITHIN becomes an interesting page-turner. Our main character, Shawna Carter, finds herself in a psychiatric ward for reasons that are beyond her control. This particular incident has her reflecting on her life, her decisions and the lies and deceit that have been enmeshed in her family's history.

Shawna Carter is a young lady whose life has been a true emotional rollercoaster. From a biological father who failed to give his daughter the nurturing she needed, to a line of men who used and misused Shawna, contributed to her lack of self-worth. She struggles to find love in each of her relationships; however, she continues to make one bad decision after another. Knowing she is not coping well, Shawna obtains counseling with Keith Sanders. With Keith's guidance, Shawna learns to take a deeper, more introspective assessment of self.

This novel was filled with family secrets, death, adultery, suicide, child molestation, and several other social ills. The many subplots seemed to give the story an unclear ending, instead it seemed to dangle which made the main story a bit difficult to follow. The subplots tended to give the story no clear ending instead they seemed to dangle. One example is that the author mentions early in the novel that Shawna had anxiety problems in high school which she hid. Yet, the anxiety issue was never resolved or mentioned again. Although THE SCREAM WITHIN is a page-turner, the plot needs to be polished to flow at a more comfortable pace. The story begins with Shawna in the psychiatric ward and flashes back to her childhood and moves on from there. However, some issues thrown into the novel just did not go well with the story; they were either too blatant or done for some effect. The author goes through the many mistakes Shawna makes over the years as well as her bad choices, but you do not really get an understanding of why. At times you may think it is because of the family secrets, her childhood abuse, or even the feelings of abandonment by her father, but the author leaves it up to the reader to assume the why. More extensive character development was also needed so they would be more multifaceted. The characters seem to be placed in the story for a dramatic flair.

THE SCREAM WITHIN is good story, but the above-mentioned issues make this an average read. With the assistance of an editor to polish the story, it could be a first class novel. THE SCREAM WITHIN was a very good first effort by the author.

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Dwan has written a wonderful Novel which took my breath away. I would recommend everyone to get a copy. Once you start reading the Novel, you will not be able to put the book down!!

The Scream Within was a brilliant novel. The story was interesting and a real page turner. I didn't want to put it down. I felt a wide range of emotions. The characters seemed realistic, and believable. I highly recommend this novel.

The Scream Within was an interesting novel. It was a real page turner, and I didn't want to put it down. The characters seemed so realistic and believable. I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions. It's a brilliant novel, and I look forward to upcoming books from Dwan Abrams.

This book is one of the most exhilerating fiction books I have read. It starts off strong and ends even better! Unlike so many other books, such as, "Waiting to Exhale", the lead character Shawna Cartier, doesn't just experience drama, but she faces her generational and internal issues and finds herself. This is a book that will entertain and provoke many to look within. The author has a fresh writing style that others will most certainly copy.