Review: Good Reading
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 24, 2014
Don’t pick up this book expecting a light, fluffy paranormal sparkly vampires kind of book. It’s about real kids with real serious problems. It made my heart break (and be very thankful for my own family) to see the things these kids go through.From the drug use (they smoke pot the way my friends and I drank Coke) to the abuse they suffer, these teens are from a lifestyle I personally was blessed to avoid. But, this author does an amazing job of making it real to the reader. I was right there with them as they try to escape their problems.Evelyn, “Evil”, had strikes against her from the time she was born. Her mother, in a psychotic episode, tries to kill her–an event witnessed by her brother Jim. From that day on, Jim is Evil’s protector–from everything, but he tries especially to protect her from their father. Unfortunately, his “protection” leads her to a state of dependency as she turns to him for everything.This is a very character-driven book and I really came to care for Evil, Jim, and Dopey (Jim’s best friend). The young people have to come to grips with who they are, what their relationships are, and how to adjust to the changes that are going on around them and within them.Kudos, Ms. DeLoach, for a book reminiscent of my generation’s Judy Blume books… books that did not shy away from real life and real life problems.originally posted at long and short reviews