Rating: 
Summary: Through the Eyes of a Child
Review: Tina,
Upon reading this book at a close friend's mentioning, I was immediately drawn to the content. Having worked in education for 10 years, I found the book to only reinforce my views in reference to the long-term impact of various types of abuse children are subjected to suffer. Your book reaffirmed my belief that a child's susceptibility to believe what they are told about them, whether it is good or bad, is profound and can be everlasting. And the physical abuse, in conjunction with verbal abuse, only sets the stage for the true test of resiliency. Fortunately for you, your level of resiliency paved the way for a productive life as an adult. I can only hope that your days are filled with pleasant thoughts about the positives in your life now. Many are not so lucky....
For parents trying to encourage their children, by positive measures, to know that there are no boundaries for their future, this book offers the other side of the coin. This is an eye opening book that lets the fortunate ones know what really does happen in our world, from a child's point of view, and lets the ones who have endured similar experiences know that there is hope for them to make it!
To have consistent and unrelenting negatives put upon such young minds or for that matter any mind, is truly a travesty of justice for the human soul to endure. Your book puts in perspective the realities of life for far too many and it is heart breaking. I read it quickly, leaving laundry for another day and then yet another day, to find some hope at the end. I found it to be real...and thereby leading me to be even more alert to the children I work with, and knowing that follow-through and true caring makes a difference for the life of many that don't get it from home or family. Thanks for being so open and honest and letting your heart open up to us. You may have helped your therapy by doing so, but you also helped countless others. Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray for Trenna
Review: What an incredible story of an unspeakable life. After reading this book I was sickened that teachers, authority, or even family did not try and help this children. What is wrong with our world that we turn our heads to such abuse. How can we sleep at night knowing we did nothing. Thank you Trenna for sharing your incredible journey and my heart is with you always.
Rating:
Summary: a review from a reader
Review: When my mother told me about this book, I was a little skeptical. It wasn't something to just read on a lazy sunday or pick up for 25 minutes or so. This book is extremely emotional and mind-provoking. Even though that's not usually my desire when I sit down with a book, this one was different, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who is curious or wants to learn more about abuse and child developement. This is a wrenching story, but it has an excellent payoff. I hope the best for Trena, she is an inspiration to anyone who ever feels like giving up.
Rating:
Summary: Mystery To Me
Review: Why people enjoy torturing, manipulating and mistreating children is a mystery to me. What kind of victory do adults feel by bullying the small and defenseless? I used to say jokingly, on a bad day with my children, "I'll never condone child abuse, but some days I can almost understand it." After reading Charred Souls, I will never say that again, it's not funny anymore. I had never heard the term 'recreational child abuse' until I saw this book and that's exactly what Trena, and her brothers and sisters, lived with. If I were a vengeful person I'd say it would be fitting for those parents, and a few extended family members, to have to live the way those kids did for just one year. But I'm not vengeful and they probably still wouldn't admit the error of their ways anyway, child abusers almost never do. Trena Cole did a wonderful job making me feel as though I was there with her while she lived through the abuse she was dealt in life. I'm glad she told, I wish more survivors did. The author describes the way the children were cussed at and smacked at all day, every day. It seemed like the children enraged the adults just by being there. They were either enraged and attacking the children, or they were torturing them for fun. Recreational child abuse, who could have put a finger on that one? Trena Cole's therapist. Who would have thought someone would have to come up with a name for such mistreatment? That bunch of sick pillars of the community who had seven kids and abused them emotionally, physically, mentally, verbally and permanently! I have to believe they knew exactly what they were doing and I also believe they will never admit that what they did was deplorable. I would recommend this book to anyone. It's definitely five star material.
Rating: 
Summary: An open look at life from the eyes of the abused
Review: Writing under a pseudonym, the author of "Charred Souls" takes the reader through her experiences growing up in an abusive family. It is not for the timid or those offended by foul language but the hurt and pain the author has endured is openly visible through the text. What makes this story somewhat different from most is that it is a case of recreational abuse, abuse that is done just for the pleasure of the abuser. The author takes us from her earliest childhood memories, through her childhood growth years, and on through high school to adulthood. At each stage she shares her thoughts and experiences as a child. This book will appeal to people who identify with the abused person and those who want to acquire a detailed knowledge of the potential of this type of abusive relationship. It is a detailed and heart wrenching tale.
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