Warrior Woman by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Ok, this isn't really a teen book, but I love Marion Zimmer Bradley and thought I had heard of all of her books (knowing I hadn't read all of them!), so I thought I'd pick this one up.

This is the story of Zadieyek, who has no memory. The first thing she remembers is a trek across the desert and being raped. A lot. But soon she's sold to be the concubines for gladiators--until she defends herself against one gladiator and kills him. Now her 'job' is to fight in the gladiator arena.

For Zadi, that's not a bad life. It isn't one she would have chosen, but she has no memory of life before. She's taken into the home of a rich patron--a woman--and given the task of finding other warrior women who wouldn't mind fighting as gladiators. This takes her over the same desert she was dragged through before, only this time, her memory starts to return.

Ok, so I did enjoy the book, although it was extremely short. A lot goes on, many avenues are started and then not explored, and Zadi only fights in a couple of matches in the arena. This is definitely fantasy, especially when you find out who Zadi is. Maybe not Bradley's best work, but I enjoyed it all the same. Reminded me a little bit about the Darkover novels, although I only read the first one.

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Kendra was sexually abused and is still recovering years later. She doesn't remember the face of her abuser, but slowly her memories are coming back. Kendra doesn't think she has the time it'll take for her memories to return--someone's following her. And threatening her to keep silent.

All Kendra has is her art. But her artwork is getting more expressive of the trauma she's going through, trauma that she cuts to forget. Her artwork also leads her to Meghan, a girl whom Kendra can relate to. Soon she finds herself wanting to talk about everything that's happened to her. And her abuser ups the stakes to keep her quiet.

A very intense book. Kendra's pain is real and visual. Her cutting is well-described so it can be hard to read. Not reading it would be the real tragedy. This is a book everyone should read to understand what the victims of sexual abuse go through, and how inadequate most of the help for them really is. Heartbreaking, realistic, and emotional.

7 Days at the Hot Corner by Terry Trueman

Baseball is Scott's life. He plays 3rd base--the hot corner--and loves it. Baseball has always been his refuge.

Then his best friend, Travis, tells him he's gay. And Scott's life is turned upside down and all he can think about is what everyone else will think when they find out. Scott also worries he might have gotten HIV from Travis, who bled all over him a few months before. The HIV test takes 5 business days, 7 days total, for Scott to find out the truth. His entire future is in doubt--in his own mind anyway.

This begins the seven longest days of his life. In those seven days, Scott struggles to understand his friendship with Travis, his family, and still focus enough to win the state championship ball game.

A very short book that focuses on gays, HIV, baseball, divorce, and friendship. Scott isn't a likeable character right away--too self-absorbed. He grows on you.

Hello, Groin by Beth Goobie

Dylan thinks there is something wrong with her. She has been dating Cam for months, but feels nothing when he kisses her. However, anytime Dylan is with her best friend Joc, her feelings explode. Convinced she is screwed up somehow, Dylan tries to fight her feelings and her true self.

Meanwhile, she is asked to put together a display at school of book covers, in the shape of a girl and boy. Without considering the consequences, she puts Foxfire over the girl's groin, a book about an all-women gang. Now she must worry about her secret getting out.

A thought-provoking novel about being different, feeling wrong, and how much happier you can be when you stop hiding and fighting what you really are. There are some unrealistic moments, like when Dylan and Joc come out, life goes on as normal.