'Rough Broke' is a short read set within Kate Sherwood's series, 'Dark Horse'. I can not stress the value of this story enough, however, I'll be the first to admit that it's not easy to read. If you've read this series in order, then you already have a hint of the childhood that helped to create Dan. But thinking you know what he suffered, and actually witnessing it, are two totally different things. Once again, though, I find myself grateful to the author for writing it, since Dan is a very complex character, and understanding him isn't easy.It was sad seeing that beginning very early on, Dan was never loved, never hugged, or made to feel important, or special. He was quiet, and yeah, he fell into a bad crowd, and ended up making poor choices, but it all stems from his anger at his plight. When his dad just up and left his mom, little sister, and Dan. When his mom got so sick with cancer, and while she was unable to care for them, he and his sister were put into foster care. Or when his mom remarried a man who beat Dan, and reinforced his feelings of worthlessness. It was heartbreaking to see that a part of Dan believed he deserved all of this.It was fascinating to learn how Dan got his knowledge about horses, and how they were, basically, the only thing he cared about, or that cared about him. Everything in this short gave me a better insight into Dan, but it also broke my heart to watch. This is a difficult book to read, we know Dan's early life wasn't good but until this book we didn't realise just what he'd been through, how lost lonely and totally alone he was. I'm glad that Justin found him and broke through.The 3 stars is not a negative it's just that the books so short, I always struggle to review such short books since it just doesn't seem fair to give them the same as a full book but then does the 3 stars look negative.
What do You think about Rough Broke (2000)?
Intense look at Dan's childhood and teenage life. I appreciated this look into his mind and past.
—jess
Poor Dan! Makes me want to find and kill some people!
—Toadbud
