Sieni A.M.

If you love The Fault In Our Stars , then you must read Scar of the Bamboo Leaf .

This is a story about finding ourselves, where we belong, what we we're meant to do. Kiva is a great young woman who got a rough start in life when she was born with a leg shorter than the other. Kiva has lived with her uncle Mau and aunt Naomi for her whole life. Her mother, Viola abandoned her and left her with Naomi and she left Samoa, never to return.

Ryler "Ry" got sent to Samoa's Toa Boys' Academy to finish his senior year, seeing as he would keep getting into trouble in the States, even almost killing a guy in a fight. This academy gives treatment and therapy to troubled boys, like Ry.

Ry and Kiva meet at an art school program where Mau and Naomi give art class. Naomi hurt her hand and Kiva steps in to help Mau and this is where Kiva befriends Ry, after seeing his art work and realizing he had scars—inside and outside—that she wanted to find out. They become very close and Kiva starts having feelings for this amazing guy. Mau realizes the potential Ry has and how great of a person he truly his and decides to take him under his swing, to assist him with the carving wood project at the art school and Kiva and Ry start getting closer as time passes.

Unfortunately, Ryler finishes his program and he leaves without saying goodbye to Kiva. Ryler grew up and matured so much. He finished college but decided he wanted to be a volunteer at the Peace Corps, which he joined and that's how he returned to Samoa four years later. Ry and Kiva meet again and their story builds, their friendship grows until they finally confess their love for one another. But the story obviously doesn't end there. You MUST read and find out what happens.

My heart was torn apart and I cried a lot. I kept thinking it would have a different ending, but I was mistaken. I keep suffering just thinking about it. I liked all of the characters, not once complaining about the characters. At first, I didn't like Hana, Kiva's cousin because of her bad attitude and how she would treat Kiva but I guess you can blame it on teenage years and feeling unwanted for a while. I'm glad she redeemed herself and ended up being a great human being.

I fell in love with Kiva and Ry's friendship so much. They were there for one another, through thick and thin. They are so adorable and you can't help but want that kind of relationship that they had, whether it be friendship or a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.

This is a story that stays with you forever, like TFIOS. Fifty years from now, I will still remember this story. It is one so deep it grips your heart tight and doesn't let go until it ends.

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Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript of a diving letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything you want,
you are already that.
-Rumi… (mais)