Originally published in Library Journal, February 2018. Readers meet Venus Black, age 13, in 1980 Washington state, as she is locked up in juvenile detention after a horrific event involving her stepfather Raymond. Her father died when she was 5, and soon after Inez, her self-absorbed mother, married Ray. The only positive aspect of their… Continue reading My Name is Venus Black by Heather Lloyd
Tag: Child Abuse
The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas
The Darkest Corners offers fast-paced thrills and suspense. The main character, Tessa, is sort of an unreliable narrator, causing readers to wonder whether she can truly be trusted, or if she is in on some secret herself. As more of Tessa's family history and past is revealed, readers may start to feel sorry for her, rooting for… Continue reading The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas
The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter
This is a heartbreaking, raw story of mental illness and how it can systematically unravel the bonds between a family. I wasn't sure what to expect from the story, but it was so much more than a young adult coming-of-age story. Of course, there is some young romance and dating involved, but poor Cassie was forced… Continue reading The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter
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