Different, Not Damaged by Andy Peloquin.
Where do I begin? Andy never ceases to amaze and impress me with the intricate worlds and characters he creates. If you haven’t read this author’s work, I implore you: pick up his work—any of it.
In Different, Not Damaged, Andy writes short stories of characters from some of his other books. These were not main characters in previous stories, yet they each played an important role, albeit for a short time, in the stories they were cast in.
This time, the characters of each story in Different, Not Damaged show up with a bang. Each may struggle with PTSD, OCD, a physical pain or deformity, or a whole host of other mental dis-eases where they learn to make said problems work for their good. Just because a person struggles with something some may term as ‘damaged,’ doesn’t mean these characters can’t find strength in a deep reservoir of themselves, and learn to overcome their challenges.
Andy’s ability to go within each of these characters’ personality flaws (though I say their strengths), and pull out their deepest emotions as they overcome their issues is phenomenal. Fear reigns, depression and sadness threaten to consume, flashbacks and terrors attempt to wear a person down, yet through it all, each character finds the beauty of finding himself or herself in this wondrous collection of short stories.
One of the things I most loved about these books and characters is how Andy managed to create missing links and hidden clues to a few of his other stories. For example, if you read another of his books, you may have been left wondering where ‘so and so’ disappeared, but if you pay close attention to the characters in Different, Not Damaged, you may find your answers.
Absolutely brilliant and fascinating tales of overcoming and celebrating ones differences, rather than viewing them as damages. Set in a beautiful world of fantasy and intrigue, I highly recommend Different, Not Damaged.
Different, Not Damaged on Amazon
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