Super short read. good for traveling or just one bored evening ...

Here's the thing. This book was well written. I just could NOT stomach the content. it was the most horrifying thing that I could imagine, and I'm sure it's a reality for some very unlucky people, but I had a very, very hard time reading it. It is only for people with iron stomachs, and I thought I had one! ( )

A frightening, disturbing, and gripping read. The author gets right inside character's head and the stark way the book is written offers just enough explanation as well as leaving just enough horror to the imagination. I like that Ray's background is explored a bit, showing the reader how he became the way he is. I find the ending a bit too dramatic and a bit predictable but it is fitting.

Besides a peek inside the mind of a kidnapped and abused girl, I'm not sure what this book offers to young readers, since there's no real lesson here (not that there needs to be) and it seems more to be about shock value. Still, this was an addictive read, the kind of book that you can't put down (and it certainly is slim enough to finish in one sitting), and the story haunts you long after you've finished it. ( )

Disturbing difficult read. ( )

It was hard to read this one and I ended up quickly skimming much of it because the depiction of unrelenting abuse was so disturbing. Very well written. I'm having a hard time deciding if it's really YA, though. I'm certain I couldn't recommend it to anyone younger than a senior in high school. The ending was unsatisfying to me, but I think I can see why the author chose to end it the way she did. ( )