Review: Engaging, but with Odd Gaps in Character Knowledge
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 21, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.Malakha has been sent to a Catholic Boarding School due to what her family considers to be a crisis of faith. But to Malakha's way of thinking there is no crisis, she simply doesn't share the same belief system as her family. She believes in a higher power, but beyond that things are rather murky. It doesn't help her case that she is both outspoken and sarcastic.Her roommate Sabrina is used to Malakha's cutting, snide remarks about religion, though she still finds them somewhat hurtful. Her other friend, Malak, claims to be in love with her, and helps her anyway he can.After attending a rave and taking some LSD, Malakha is convinced that she can travel to Hell & back. Malak helps her discover how to make the trip without needing drugs, which is good as she doesn't want to become an addict, yet she knows she needs to go back to fix the recent rash if problems that have been taking place at school.While in Hell Malakha meets Julius, who seems to be her protector. For a girl raised as a Catholic her entire life you'd think she would have clued in earlier on that there are no true protectors in Hell. Everyone/everything has its own agenda.Malakha makes some interesting discoveries during her travels, things that help her to grow as a person & even become more tolerant of those who do buy into the whole religion question. The explanation for those changes are found in the story. Interestingly enough, this story could be considered a parable of sorts, if Malakha is willing to share that is.