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Faceless: an incredibly gripping YA story of identity, love, and redefining who you are Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 1,173 ratings

When Maisie is struck by lightning, her face is partially destroyed. She's lucky enough to get a face transplant, but how do you live your life when you can't even recognize yourself any more? She was a runner, a girlfriend, a good student ... a normal girl. Now, after a single freak accident, all that has changed. As Maisie discovers how much her looks did and didn't shape her relationship to the world, she has to redefine her own identity, and figure out what 'lucky' really means.

From the Publisher

Faceless Alyssa B Sheinmel face transplant book Wonder YA young adult contemporary
Faceless Alyssa B Sheinmel face transplant book Wonder YA young adult contemporary

Perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

How do you live your life when you can't even recognise yourself?

When Maisie is struck by lightning, her face is partially destroyed.

She's lucky enough to get a face transplant, but how do you live your life when you can't even recognize yourself any more? She was a runner, a girlfriend, a good student ... a normal girl. Now, after a single freak accident, all that has changed.

As Maisie discovers how much her looks did and didn't shape her relationship to the world, she has to redefine her own identity, and figure out what 'lucky' really means.

Product description

Review

Praise for Faceless: A New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2015"Faceless is gorgeous and wrenching, full of gigantic questions and even more gigantic answers about love, identity and appearance. I'm sure I'll reread it many times, as I do with my favorites. It is a vivid, compelling, beautiful, immediate novel, and Alyssa Sheinmel's writing is so true, her characters so real, that they live on long after the last page is turned." -- New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice"[Sheinmel's] depiction of a disfigured adolescent girl, already searching for herself and now suddenly forced to accept this new enormity, is compelling... absorbing." -- Kirkus Reviews"Fascinating... Maisie's struggle is certainly one that not many teens will have to face, but teens will identify with her struggle to accept that her old life is gone forever. The anger and grief that she feels is palpable and vividly expressed. Fans of R. J. Palacio's Wonder will also enjoy this book and relate to its similar theme about how physical appearance does not define who you really are." -- Voice of Youth Advocates"A fascinating human portrait of a unique medical procedure, this work paints a complex picture of a young life impacted by a mammoth change... Give this to fans of Trisha Leaver's The Secrets We Keep and other readers ready for an all-too-gritty piece of realistic fiction." -- School Library Journal"Sheinmel's prose is accessible to a wide range of readers who, for whatever reason, find themselves struggling with differences. A touching reminder that real change is rarely skin deep." -- Booklist

About the Author

Alyssa Sheinmel is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels for young adults including A Danger to Herself and Others, Faceless and Second Star>. She is the co-author of The Haunting of Sunshine Girl and its sequel, The Awakening of Sunshine Girl. Alyssa grew up in Northern California and New York and currently lives in New York City. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @AlyssaSheinmel, or visit her online at alyssasheinmel.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0191RCI4I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chicken House
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 7 Jan. 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 357 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1910655351
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,173 ratings

About the author

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Alyssa B. Sheinmel
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Alyssa Sheinmel is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels for young adults, including The Castle School for Troubled Girls, What Kind of Girl, A Danger to Herself and Others, and Faceless. Alyssa currently lives and writes in New York.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,173 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book incredibly emotional, with one mentioning it had them both crying and laughing at once. Moreover, they appreciate its thought-provoking nature, with one customer noting how it applies to many aspects of life. The storyline receives positive feedback, particularly for its remarkable ending, and customers praise the writing quality, with one highlighting the snappy dialogue.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

15 customers mention ‘Emotional content’13 positive2 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, describing it as gripping and heartbreaking, with several customers mentioning they were both crying and laughing while reading.

"...Either way,it's a gripping story told with some good humour and lots of crying......" Read more

"This book is just heartbreaking and powerful and had me in tears so many times. It's about identity and self-worth and healing and growing up...." Read more

"...The story of Maisie - who literally loses her face - is told with compassion, honesty and a total lack of sentiment...." Read more

"This book was personally emotional for me because in 2016 i was diagnosed with a cancer where I had to have facial reconstruction in result of them..." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and powerful, with one customer noting how it applies to many aspects of life.

"...It shows personal growth after what can happen after a sudden accident and that what a person looks like, isn’t has important as what you think...." Read more

"This book is just heartbreaking and powerful and had me in tears so many times. It's about identity and self-worth and healing and growing up...." Read more

"...its my favorite. its incredibly emotional, inspiring, and i hate to be that person, but a teen, coming of age book, facing mental struggles, it..." Read more

"Wonderful book. So great at capturing the idea of struggling to accept massive gifts and being worried over little issues...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Storyline’8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the storyline of the book, particularly its remarkable ending.

"...There is so much meaning shown throughout, with such a strong and powerful storyline...." Read more

"...The ending is quite remarkable - the author manages to avoid the trap of basing her teenage heroine's redemption on finding a man or boy to love her..." Read more

"...Relationships. And it ends perfectly. There couldn't have been another way once you read it...." Read more

"...And the ending was just fenomenal." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Writing quality’5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting its snappy dialogue and another describing it as a quick read.

"...The crisp writing and snappy dialogue was what initially drew me to buy the book,plus of course,I wanted to find out more about the outcome of such..." Read more

"...The writing itself is great--as I knew it would be because I loved the other book I read by this author. And this book is just as deep...." Read more

"...The writing is flawless. It's not melodramatic. It's clean and crisp and measured...." Read more

"...Great to see a range of characters and opinions and a great, quick read." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Book start’3 positive0 negative

Customers like the start of the book.

"...I really liked the start of this book, as I noticed that itr actually started before her accident, rather than later, as most 'sob-story' books do...." Read more

"...I thought the start was amazing and full of excitement, however, as the book goes on it slows down and the story, i felt was a tad boring...." Read more

"...I think the book is a great place to start when you are reading tragedies. I love the book and I am only 9" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2023
    A rare event indeed,being struck by lightening,or more accurately,a lightening adjacent event.And to give the story more impact,from the perspective of a pretty young girl.I must admit I was impressed with the theme of independence and the resilience of the Human spirit.Not sure how much is based on true events or an interpretation of what could easily be an actual accident.Either way,it's a gripping story told with some good humour and lots of crying...
    I used to be an habitual jogger so could identify strongly with that loss she had to,erm,face...
    The crisp writing and snappy dialogue was what initially drew me to buy the book,plus of course,I wanted to find out more about the outcome of such a traumatic experience.The book could have ended earlier but I guess this type of story needs that transition into an ordinary every day life.
    But those pills,I too would have questioned that regime.I prefer self reliance but that's when my immune system is on my side,not against me.
    The story touches on some important themes that require you to keep reading.
    What Does happen next.
    So,out of 10 ?
    A solid 9.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2019
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There is so much meaning shown throughout, with such a strong and powerful storyline. It shows personal growth after what can happen after a sudden accident and that what a person looks like, isn’t has important as what you think. Especially in today’s day society, with social media taken over everyone lives. This book has stayed with me and I love the mean and impact that this has stayed with me.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2021
    This book is just heartbreaking and powerful and had me in tears so many times. It's about identity and self-worth and healing and growing up. But it's also about so much more.

    Maisie is hit by an electrical storm and loses most of her face. She's given an experimental face transplant, and this book is about her journey after this. We see her going through an array of emotions and battles as she struggles to cope with a life-changing event such as this. It reminded me a lot of Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart--which has a similar theme.

    We see Maisie as her sense of self-worth is shattered and we see her break up with the boyfriend who waited nearly a year to see her after the accident. She didn't feel like she was the same person anymore and therefore decided they wouldn't work together. Although I've not been through anything like that, I've experienced thoughts like this at times where I feel betrayed by my body in how it determines the things I do and affects my confidence. It's made me question whether I can have relationships with others so many times--and this book was so relatable because of this.

    The writing itself is great--as I knew it would be because I loved the other book I read by this author. And this book is just as deep. Just as emotional. Just as powerful.

    I really recommend it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2016
    Yet again another book for young adults which puts to shame many so called adult novels. The story of Maisie - who literally loses her face - is told with compassion, honesty and a total lack of sentiment. Maisie is by no means obsessed with her looks but once she loses them she understands all the things that went along with her pretty face that she took for granted - a handsome boyfriend, the respect and friendship of her peers, the right to feel normal. Her boyfriend Chirag is supportive but things aren't the same, Maisie always admired his calm logical mind, but now she finds herself wishing he could be a little less logical and more emotional - tell her he loves her and she is still beautiful to him. Her best friend Serena is a treasure, supporting Maisie unconditionally. The ending is quite remarkable - the author manages to avoid the trap of basing her teenage heroine's redemption on finding a man or boy to love her as she is, or on a makeover which transforms her to her former self.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2018
    This book was personally emotional for me because in 2016 i was diagnosed with a cancer where I had to have facial reconstruction in result of them taking out the tumor in my face and making me look 'normal ' again. I was around the same age as this girl and even though our stories differ....I connected with her feeling self conscious about her looks, not wanting people to see her, getting used to her new self and just overall trying to continue with her new life that she has.

    The story was heart breaking and sad going through all the character went through yes. But towards the middle and end of showed personal growth and showcased how strong this young girl was (and don't worry it does have light hearted and funny moments too) but I praise this author for making this book cause she did her research and she made girls like me not feel alone and proud to of gone as the same journey as this charscter.... 5/5 for me. This needs to be made into a movie!
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 November 2016
    This book is absolutely beautiful. It follows Maisie as she is out running and is in a freak accident which results in her having a large part of her face destroyed by fire.

    You're there with her as she wakes from her medically induced coma and the confusion she goes through. The writing is flawless. It's not melodramatic. It's clean and crisp and measured.

    How she then adjusts to life afterwards, how she figures out who she is now. It's about identity. Letting go. Friendship. ( I adore her best friend Serena. We all need a Serena in our lives.) Relationships. And it ends perfectly. There couldn't have been another way once you read it.

    What I particularly like is how Maisie constantly honours the character we never see. A touching tribute. A beautiful book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • ST
    5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS BOOK
    Reviewed in Australia on 5 January 2024
    This book shows you to love yourself inside and out. That friendships are important, and to know that people love and care about you. I love this book and Maisie has definitely inspired me to love myself and to not give up on life even when it feels like life’s against you.
  • Melissa D. Benton
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for all ages!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 September 2016
    I loved Faceless because I felt connected to Maisie from the very beginning of the book and I fell in love with her and the other characters along the way. The beginning of the book, in my opinion, was a little slow but toward the middle of the book was when I fell in love with it and I honestly didn't want to put it down after that. The author did an amazing job really showing how Maisie felt and giving a lot of detail, not too much and not too little either. There was a lot of twist and turns in the book that made me laugh, cry and throw my book on the ground out of anger and I loved going through all that emotion; it made me feel more connected. I strongly recommend you to read this book; it's good for all ages, no cussing and no inappropriate terms.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars #BestBookEver
    Reviewed in Australia on 1 November 2020
    this book has been soo good. it has been so entertaining and suspenseful at the same time. my favourite part would have to be wheen she woke up in hospital, because it was so descriptive and i wanted to know more. i can never put this book down and am amazed on how amazing this author is. Alyssa is now by far my favourite author!!
    #LoveIt #Amazing #FavourtieAuthor #SoGood #BUYIT!!!!!!!!!!
  • Nayu
    5.0 out of 5 stars UK version
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2016
    Make sure you have tissues at the ready for this emotional heartwarming read. What happens is tragic, and there's lots of detail about Maisie's feelings. There's anger, hurt, frustration and acceptance, not necessarily in that order and it takes both family, friends, and medical staff to help Maisie deal with her new self. She reacts impulsively over a few issues, and then has to sort out the resulting mess.

    It made me feel grateful for what I have, even though my body is fairly useless; at least I can taste and smell things which Maisie can't. Imagining losing those two senses is impossible, but Maisie's difficulties convey what that is like. Set aside a few hours to read this!

    I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner [...]
  • B. J. Neary
    4.0 out of 5 stars Teens will love this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 May 2016
    I read this novel as part of #yabookchat twitter discussion. When we meet Maisie, she is enjoying a morning run, loves being on the track team, loves her boyfriend, Chirag and best friend, Ellen. As she finishes her run, she stops to enjoy the morning when a lightning storm hits, and that is all she remembers until she wakes in a hospital and part of her face is gone. Together with her parents she accepts getting a face transplant; the many pills and routines that will become part of her life FOREVER. It is during this time, summer and school is out, that I really started not liking Maisie. She did/did not want to see her boyfriend (who she thought about ALL the time) and best friend. She withdrew further and further, became insolent, angry, and lashed out at her parents and friends. It is was only in the final part of the book (I thought it should have happened much sooner) that Maisie joins a therapy support group- BOY did she need it; that she finally started coming around, figuring things out (lots of discussion) with her support friends, then slowly with her best friend and even slower with her ex-boyfriend and I really thought Maisie was a good person once again like she was at the beginning of the book. Teens will love this book, but I wished Maisie had sought out help MUCH sooner, thankfully she had tight, loyal friends.

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