Don't Breathe a Word
By: Holly Cupala
HarperTeen
ISBN-13: 9780061766695
Joy Delamere is suffocating...
From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.
Joy can take his words—tender words, cruel words—until the night they go too far.
Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.
Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.
Review
Joy Delamere had a pretty good life, with a decent family and some close friends. All that changed when she started going out with Asher, a rich boy with a cruel streak. But after overlooking all of the problems with their relationship, one night Asher goes to far. Joy decides to run away because she knows that Asher will never let go of her any other way. Making it look like she was kidnapped, Joy escapes from her house and disguises herself by bleaching her hair, wearing goth-like clothes and calling herself Triste. Joy only takes some basics with her, including her asthma medication. Without it, there is a possibility that Joy could literally suffocate to death, because her asthma has already almost killed her before. Joy sets out to find this homeless boy named Creed, who promised to help her (when he saw her and Asher fight outside a club one night). Creed, along with his friends Santos and May who are equally messed up, take Joy under their wing. As they school her on the ways of the streets, Joy learns to value herself and begins to fall in love with Creed. Evnetually each of the group's individual issues catch up with them. Will having one another be enough to survive? Joy's journey was so heartbreakingly real. While sympathizing with her situation, at the same time you want to grab her shoulders and shake some serious sense into her! All of the problems and family issues of each of the kids is realistic and painful to read about, especially Santos. The book evolves in a way that stays true to the characters, but I did feel disappointed with how neatly things wrap up for Creed and Joy. Overall a good read that I had a hard time putting down. Recommended for those who want a realistic fiction book that packs a punch.
VERDICT: 4/5 Stars
*No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores and online.*
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