Review: Powerful Story!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 17, 2013
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*The Whore and The Virgin was a very powerful story. The book centers around Melanie a young girl from California. When her parents decide to divorce she is sent to stay with her mother's family in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is whole new world for Melanie who is used to a more sheltered way of life. Up until now, Melanie's parents have always been there to protect her from any hardships that may come her way. From her very first day in Philadelphia her life changes and not necessarily for the better. She's exposed to drugs, hard drinking, sex, violence...the list goes on and on. You can't help but root for this girl. Throughout it all she rolls with the punches and still manages to hold on to her sense of self. No matter what is thrown at her.Yolanda, Melanie's cousin, is a hardened girl from the streets. In the beginning you can't tell whether she's going to be the hero in the story or the villain but you can't help but admire her strength. I ended up caring just as much, if not more, for Yolanda as I did for Melanie. This poor girl has never known any other way of life but it's built her up into the person that she is. She's hard and cold on the outside but if you dig deep enough and break down those walls, she's just a normal 16 year old girl underneath. A young girl who has seen and experienced way more than she should have.Right up to the end of this book, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. It introduced me to a way of life that I'm thankful to say, I've never had to experience before. As a mother, it touched me in ways that I can't explain. I ended up really liking this story and I'm glad I read it. Ceet the Author has a true talent for putting you right into the middle of the story and really getting your feelings invested in the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.