Gr 9 Up—Asheley and Will are essentially alone in the world. Their alcoholic mother is in rehab, and her pothead boyfriend is an occasional (and hungry) presence, showing up only at mealtimes. In alternating first-person chapters, the teens tell the story of how their unstable family contributes to Will's unraveling—and murder of three people. Both of their narratives take the form of confessions to the police. They are monologues peppered with the phrases "I don't know" and "you know?" The writing is strong and the voices realistic, but it may take readers several chapters to adjust to this disjointed style. Early on, Will asserts that he will "explain" everything that happened so readers can understand why he killed. However, when they learn that his sexual obsession with his sister is the motivation for the crimes, most readers will feel even more alienated from him. Will is too deranged a character to be a hero, and remains as enigmatic at the end as in the beginning. Throughout the book, Asheley is portrayed as a victim of circumstance, although her final departure from Will is a victory worth cheering for. Adults won't find many surprises in the plot, but teens might find the twists shocking. This is a book about a world as raw and ugly as can be—which, for some teenagers, will be its appeal.—Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College Queens, Long Island City, NY
Siblings Will and Asheley alternately describe, from police custody, the circumstances surrounding three murders in their California suburb. Their story becomes increasingly chilling, as Will--who's creepily obsessed with protecting his sister--loses his grip on reality. The characters are too broadly drawn to be convincing, but the tense narration and sensational subject matter will keep readers interested.
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