What Was Taken, What Remains

What Was Taken, What Remains is a courageous and lyrical memoir by Isla Rue — a voice once silenced, now writing herself whole.
From a childhood marked by shifting walls and unspoken pain, Isla takes us through the shadows of trauma, the fragility of survival, and the long, quiet journey toward healing. In prose that echoes both heartbreak and hope, she writes not only for herself, but for every girl who was told to stay quiet.
With the Tree of Life closing each chapter, this memoir is more than remembrance — it's reclamation. A story of what was lost, yes, but more importantly, of what remains.
For those who have walked through fire — and those still standing in the smoke — this is for you.

Isla Rue is a memoirist, storyteller, and survivor who writes with raw truth and quiet strength. Through vivid memory and poetic reflection, she explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of deep trauma and loss.
Born into a world where silence was often survival, Isla now chooses voice — not only for herself, but for others still finding theirs. What Was Taken, What Remains is her first memoir: a reclamation of identity, faith, and the girl who kept going.
When she's not writing, Isla finds comfort in stillness, trees, and the kind of conversations that begin with honesty.