Fractured by Shay Siegel

A glimpse of the toxic high school atmosphere can be found in Fractured. From the perspective of Mason Vance, the standout quarterback for his high school and a vile women man, this coming-of-age tale is told. Hate the game instead of the player? It should be noted that the game’s board is littered with sorrowful elements. The author produced characters that are so authentic—they have genuine problems, feelings, and lifestyles.

I was duped into thinking that the novel was just another ordinary high school story because it began so lightheartedly. Mason Vance, our primary character, was a haughty, poster boy who lacked intelligence despite his attractive appearance. I wanted to toss his own football at his head at one point because I had had enough of this guy. That is, until he shattered his wrist, at which point his mental gears began to shift. He began to consider and confess the wrongdoing he and his buddies had done in the past as a result of his frustration and the circumstances.

It’s simple to read this novel without getting sucked into the repulsive toxic masculinity because of the character’s organic evolution. Mason’s newfound understanding of how to treat people and his circle of pals from school are always in balance. Mason also understands that he should not treat others poorly, even if they don’t treat themselves well. The significance of showing respect for others is highlighted by the author on several occasions.

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Of course, there was also a girl who had a significant role in it. Lance, who wasn’t impressed by his pick-up lines and didn’t fall in love with him right away, was facing her own conflicts. Thus, what I had initially perceived to be a lighthearted romance became into something much more wonderful as the author covered touchy subjects like rape, despair, self-harm, misogynistic beliefs, peer pressure, and acts taken to fit in at school.

A few things that I found unsatisfactory was how simplistic and clichéd much of the language was. I also felt that the author was trying to sell me something, but I wasn’t getting what I paid for. Mason does not engage in much womanizing, despite what she was telling me about him being a womanizer. The author only illustrates what the characters claim happened. Anyone searching for a thought-provoking young adult book about metamorphosis should pick this up, in my opinion.

About The Book

Mason Vance is the guy everybody wants to be, and he knows it. He’s the best high school quarterback in New York, a shoo-in for a football scholarship at any school he chooses, and he’s expected to land in the NFL one day. That is, until a broken wrist leaves him fearing whether he’ll ever play again.

Desperate to save his damaged ego, Mason sets his sights on Lace. No cheerleader or homecoming queen like his usual type, she’s too wrapped in her own misery to fall for his pickup lines. Even though she tries to shut him out, she’s surprised to find he’s there for her when no one else is. Slowly, she lets him into the sad workings of her mind and less-than-perfect life, and Mason finds himself caring about Lace more than he’d ever thought possible. That’s why neither of them sees his huge mistake coming—one that instantly fractures everything between them.

Will Mason confront the ugliest side of himself, and in the process see who he’s capable of becoming, or will he fall back into the life he knew before Lace and his injury?