Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
Matthew:
The oldest of Nikki's three children, Matthew feels obligated to protect his sisters from his mother. He sacrifices himself so that his youngest, Emmy, doesn't have to see how bad her mother really is. He takes the majority of Nikki's anger and receives many physical beatings by her. At one time, she takes a knife to his throat nearly killing him. Also, he shows great determination in his endless quest for first Murdoch. Then when he leaves, Matthew again works dilligently to get help. He shows courage in the face of difficulty by doing what he feels is best despite how difficult it may be. Matthew was so dedicated to his sisters, I believe he would do anything to save them, even if it meant a great sacrifice for himself. He ends up strongly hating Nikki and almost killing her. But instead, he leaves and never sees her again. In the end, his hard work pays off for him and his sisters.
"Werlin reinforces her reputation as a master of the YA thriller, pulling off a brilliant departure in this dark but hopeful tale, with pacing and suspense guaranteed to leave readers breathlessly turning the pages."
—Booklist (starred review, 8/2006)
Nikki:
The mother of Matthew, Callie, and Emmy. She is psychotic, evil, and abusive towards her children and others. She threatens her children, even putting their lives at risk. Once, she takes Emmy, a toddler and holds her upside down over rocky waters. Claiming it's just for fun. Another time, she drives straight into oncoming traffic with all three children in the car. She won't go back into the correct lane until they tell her they love her. She abuses her children mentally and even physically. Her children are afraid of her from all that she puts them through. Nikki brings home strange men and any hours of the night ignoring her children. Life in their house is unstable, the children never knowing what she will do. She tries to get revenge on Murdoch, her ex-boyfriend because she is angry with him. She becomes a crazy stalker and finally in an automobile accident, Nikki, ends up paralyzing a good friend of Murdoch's. Nikki is sent to jail multiple times and finally loses custody of the children.
Review:
I liked this book very much and couldn't put it down. It completely captured my attention and I finished the book withing two days. It takes you deep into the lives of the children and you imagine yourself in their situation. It is gripping and there is plenty of action to keep it interesting. It is well written and easy to understand. It helped me to see somewhat of what it is like to have an abusive parent. Also, it helped me to think that there are many children in real life facing something very similar and they need help from someone. It is a good book because it can help people be aware of a very serious problem that could be easily forgotten. It would very much recommend the book.