∎ Download Blank Canvas Mere Joyce 9781772334036 Books

Blank Canvas Mere Joyce 9781772334036 Books

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Blank Canvas Mere Joyce 9781772334036 Books

We meet Maddie Deacon at a tipping point in the aftermath of her abduction and rescue: can she rediscover the purpose and dreams stolen from her or will she sink into the depths of the horror put into her by a twisted abductor? She is physically free of him now. But she is far from free. She is ‘the girl from TV’ who everyone points out at the store and the mall. And yet she is almost a stranger in her own home. She feels the burden of needing to recover not only for herself, but for those who love her, because they have suffered too.

I was gripped by the reveal of the truth about her nightmare years held hostage by a sick man with an unusual motive. And Maddie’s efforts to rebuild relationships with the people left behind, including the beautiful boy who is as confused by her as she is by him, are revealed in personal and powerful moments resonant with real life hopes and pains. And if you don’t fall in love Autumn, Maddie’s wise beyond her years younger sister, you aren’t me. By the end of the novel, I felt as if I knew Maddie personally and wanted her to win, to choose purpose and hope, and to get back to what she should be obsessed with . . . her art, the dedicated boy, and putting her once and forever rival in her place. Overall, the journey into Maddie’s heart and soul and her struggle to rediscover herself is emotional, captivating, and relatable to any person who has ever experienced the depths of a personal tragedy. A great read.


Tags : Blank Canvas [Mere Joyce] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Three years ago, sixteen-year-old Maddie Deacon was abducted on her way home from her school’s Art Showcase. Five months ago,Mere Joyce,Blank Canvas,Evernight Teen,1772334030,Children's BooksAll Ages,Juvenile Fiction Love & Romance,Love & Romance

Blank Canvas Mere Joyce 9781772334036 Books Reviews

I’ll admit I went somewhat dubiously into this book. Not because of any particular doubts about the author – I’ve followed her blog for some while, and so knew she was quite capable of stringing a sentence together – but because of the book’s premise. This isn’t the sort of story I usually gravitate toward. And yet, as it unfolded chapter by chapter, I began to think that, just maybe, it’s the sort of story I kind of needed to read right now.

I felt so much for Maddie – someone trying for normal after everything’s been cruelly shaken up and she doesn’t feel like herself; doesn’t know what self she even is, anymore.

I empathized more than I thought I would. Related more than I expected to. Though I’m blessedly ignorant of what I’d think and feel and do in Maddie’s situation, her telling of it rang true and honest. She made it understandable. And with or without the traumatic cause, I know all too well how painful it is to be an artist who is – for whatever reason – unable to feed their starving passion.

I might as well also point out that Maddie’s determinedly enthusiastic little sister came darn close to making me cry. So here’s to you, Mere Joyce.

This book read like art, and I deeply appreciated it. Simple as that.
I'm not usually a big fan of coming-to-terms-with drama, but Blank Canvas swept me in and didn't let go. The main character, Maddie, has escaped from being held in the basement of a madman she names The Painter. We meet her five months after her escape, and even though she refuses to really work with the therapists, it seems as if she's already worked her way through some things, which gave the story a good point to start off from.

We are given bits and pieces of what happened to Maddie during that horrible time, just enough to hint at how horrendous it was without delving on the period too much. I appreciated that because it let the story really focus on what the plot was about - her healing. Certain points are even kept hidden on purpose, allowing a nice mystery and suspense to filter in. This being from Maddie's viewpoint, the reader gets to know her very well--but not completely. It was a great twist which made me want to read on.

The setting itself was simply well done. It's easy to fall into Maddie's world and understand why she does what she does. The school itself is only lightly touched upon, but this isn't Maddie's main focus either. It's her closer environment, her family and long-term friend next door, which play the center in her life and take color in the story. I loved the interactions and felt my own heartstrings pulling as Maddie tries to find balance with the ones she loves.

There's a sweet romance, nothing shocking or unexpected. Simply sweet and that's perfect for a character like Maddie.

Summed up, I really enjoyed this and am glad I got a chance to read it (through winning a copy). The writing is wonderful and the author really knows how to pull the reader in. I can't wait to see what other stories will be coming from this author.
I know @merejoyce as an exceptionally talented author of YA/paranormal after reading Shade, the first book in the Oracle of Senders series earlier this year. After she so graciously sent me a copy of her first novel, Blank Canvas, I was completely floored. This is not a paranormal story; instead, it is the tale of Maddie, a 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped and kept for 2 1/2 years until she escaped. Before her abduction, Maddie was a painter who dreamed of becoming a professional artist. After escaping her captor, she can't even pick up a paint brush again.
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Mere Joyce has created such a depth of emotional turmoil in her characters, this novel, although written for a younger audience, had me choking up at points. Maddie's struggles to deal with her inner demons is so well-written, it is logical to assume the author has a psychology degree. Maddie's relationships with her family and friends, most notably Wes, are touching in their crafting.
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This was not my usual genre of choice, but Mere had enough questions for the reader. (What's with her feet? What did her captor actually do to her?) that this was a suspenseful story, as well as a heartfelt book of recovery. Kudos to Mere Joyce for one of the best stories I have read in several years.
I love the music and painting themes. I look forward to reading more from this author.
We meet Maddie Deacon at a tipping point in the aftermath of her abduction and rescue can she rediscover the purpose and dreams stolen from her or will she sink into the depths of the horror put into her by a twisted abductor? She is physically free of him now. But she is far from free. She is ‘the girl from TV’ who everyone points out at the store and the mall. And yet she is almost a stranger in her own home. She feels the burden of needing to recover not only for herself, but for those who love her, because they have suffered too.

I was gripped by the reveal of the truth about her nightmare years held hostage by a sick man with an unusual motive. And Maddie’s efforts to rebuild relationships with the people left behind, including the beautiful boy who is as confused by her as she is by him, are revealed in personal and powerful moments resonant with real life hopes and pains. And if you don’t fall in love Autumn, Maddie’s wise beyond her years younger sister, you aren’t me. By the end of the novel, I felt as if I knew Maddie personally and wanted her to win, to choose purpose and hope, and to get back to what she should be obsessed with . . . her art, the dedicated boy, and putting her once and forever rival in her place. Overall, the journey into Maddie’s heart and soul and her struggle to rediscover herself is emotional, captivating, and relatable to any person who has ever experienced the depths of a personal tragedy. A great read.