A Divided Mind by Mary Billiter was a really emotional read. I would give this book four out of five stars. Branson is your all american boy that hears voices. Only his self awareness and communication with his mom gets the ball rolling on dealing with the voices. This book really pulled at my heartstrings, as a mom of a young boy I could not imagine going through this scenario. Tara’s strength and determination to deal with what live as dealt her was admirable.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Mirela Ruizhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMirela Ruiz2019-08-11 18:40:072019-08-11 20:50:07A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Mirela Ruiz
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter was a lot different to what I had expected- not really in a bad way but definitely not what I thought I’d be reading. I snapped this book up thinking I was getting a thrilling mystery with perhaps a psychological aspect to the story, but instead found a contemporary fiction story focusing on mental illness and how the individual, his family, and friends come to terms with it all. I may have been a little disappointed to begin with, but after reading the story I can honestly say that I don’t regret purchasing this book. Branson’s story is quite emotive, and it made me think. It has an edgier rawness to the story, but it definitely isn’t a thriller. It was interesting- as the author shows the effects that mental illness can have not only on the individual, but also on their family, and all their other relationships. There is a definite adjustment period, a turbulent time full of struggles, that really tugged at my heartstrings. The author gives detailed insight into the Schizoaffective Disorder- as well as exploring the relationship between Branson and his mother, as well as his twin brother, and other siblings. The story came across as really well planned, thought-out, and researched- it’s given me plenty to ponder, that’s for sure.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2019-08-11 13:27:262019-08-11 14:07:36A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Angela Hayes
Where do I begin??? This is the first book I have read by this author but it most certainly won’t be my last! I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book, and what I got was soooooo much more than I imagined! While it is a fictional story, it is so real and so packed full of emotions, you can’t help but feel the pain and sorrow these people are going through. I was crying by the end of the first chapter and could still feel the emotional impact of this book hours after finishing it. This story will stay with me for a long time.
Mental illness isn’t really something I think about much. It’s something you see on TV shows, or read about in books. A Divided Mind not only gives you insight into the seriousness of the disease and how it affects the person who has it, but also how painful it is for their family as well. How a parent can be in denial of what is happening to their child because it’s not something you feel they deserve to be going through, because you want to take it away and would do anything to make your child whole again. How it affects your siblings, friends, enemies, and everyone else you associate with throughout life.
I’m not sure I can even review this book in a way that will do it justice. It is a book that needs to be read. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down until I finished the last word (which will leave you gasping in surprise!). Branson and Tara touched my heart and mind as I’m sure they will yours. I highly recommend this one!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Michelle Kinghttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMichelle King2019-08-11 10:17:582019-08-11 10:23:18A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Michelle King
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter is a fictional story but written from experience. It is well written and absolutely nothing like I expected. It is a realistic look at a mental disorder and the struggles that each one affected by it goes through. It is both sad and frustrating and I went through so many emotions reading it. How do you help someone with a mental illness? Having experienced a mental health problem myself, and watching a work friend go through this exact same situation with her son who has just been diagnosed with schizophrenia, that is a hard question to answer. Mary did a good job of but at times I wanted to smack the mother, she frustrated me no end at times but I also understand her point of view. It is told in several POV which gave us a greater insight into their states of mind.
Tara is a mother who is trying to help her son and come to understand what he is going through as they travel the diagnosis of being schizophrenic.
Branson is trying to adjust to a life that is filled with the unknown, and not knowing what is real and what is not.
Well done Mary and Kyle for sharing this with us. This is an emotional and at times difficult story but one that should be read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2019-07-27 19:11:372019-07-27 20:59:23A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Jenni Bishop
I am not even sure what I want to write about this story. I thought it was going to be a mystery/suspense for some reason. It’s more about coming to terms with mental illness. This is on the heavy side because it’s a teen. So we learn a bit on how he deals with it as well as how his family learns about it and how they deal with it. At the beginning it seemed very confusing. I read the first couple chapters more than once. Trying to figure out whom was actually talking. It said at the beginning of the chapters who it was about but it was misleading in the chapter. I think the author tried to add some trickery at the end as well but it seemed to again confuse me. Anyway this is story is insightful and horrid at the same time. The author did a good job showing the reader both. I was happy at the ending but the Epilogue just threw me for a loop. Now I don’t know what to think.
This isn’t my first book by this author. I enjoy her storytelling and her characters always seem so life-like. The book read choppy for me at first but then smoothed out.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lisa Helmickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLisa Helmick2019-07-27 16:46:062019-07-27 20:50:52A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Lisa Helmick
A Divided Mind by Mary Billiter is a fantastic story about a teenager struggling with mental illness and learning how to cope with it. This book is not at all what I was expecting. When I first started reading it I thought it was going to be more of a mystery/thriller type book. When I realised what the story was actually about it intrigued me more. While a lot of books tend to touch on this subject it always seems to be very briefly, and in a minor character. The way the author tries to delve into the mind of someone suffering in this way should be applauded. The story takes you on such a journey as not just Branson tries to figure everything out but so do his family. You could feel how much emotion and thought was put into the book. This was a brilliant read and one that has definitely left me thinking afterwads.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2019-07-27 14:39:242019-07-27 20:21:28A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Kerry Baker
Thrillers are often one of my guilty pleasures. So when I saw the gripping cover for A Divided Mind I sort of went in blind. I have not read M. Billiter before so I was also new to her writing. I think I was quite pleasantly surprised by what this book turned into being. I will say right now, this book doesn’t really belong in the thriller category, to me at least. It doesn’t mean this book wasn’t great it is just miscategorized for what the story truly does tell.
What do we get then if not a thriller? A very emotional and thought provoking journey of a young man, Branson, and his fight with his mental health. This is written in dual POV sharing his thoughts and journey and being balanced with his mother’s, Tara, point of view. I really felt so much emotion every single time I would get to his parts of the book. I wanted to reach in and give him a hug. Tara on the other hand, I struggled to get attached to. I kind of feel like she went about things in some questionable ways. In the same point, it made the story have dimension to see her struggles with dealing with single motherhood and a mentally troubled son. Overall, for me this was a pretty solid four star read. I will definitely be on the look-out for more novels by M. Billiter and I look forward to seeing what new things are in the works.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2019-07-27 11:16:092019-07-27 11:41:22A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Liz Vrchota
This is a young adult story about mental illness. This is a well written story with great characters. The author’s attention to detail made me feel as if I was right there with them. It is told in the POV of all the characters which made it for fast reading. It takes you on a journey of a family that has to deal with mental illness and trying to hold it together. Hearing voices in your head can feel real as real can be as Branson is just about to find out. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2019-07-27 10:20:582019-07-27 10:20:58A Divided Mind by M. Billiter – Review by Bobbi Wagner
The story A Divided Mind by M. Billiter is a book that is thought-provoking. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I found myself not able to put it down until I had read the final page. The book revolves around a high school senior, Branson Kovac. He has a friend that he turns to. What happens when he discovers that friend really isn’t there? Read this book to find out. The story is emotional. There are some heartbreaking moments as well as moments of clarity. Branson is a likable character and I found myself caring what happens to him. The book packs a powerful punch and I found myself thinking about it even after I had finished reading it. It is a story that I would recommend others to read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laura Furutahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLaura Furuta2019-07-27 07:52:292019-07-27 11:27:03A Divided Mind By M. Billiter – Review by Laura Furuta
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