{Synopsis} –The debut novel of an American original, Laurie Plissner is both medical thriller and lyric love story in the tradition of magical realism
Since the snowy night when her family's car slammed into a tree, killing her parents and little sister, Sasha has been unable to speak except through a computer with a robotic voice. Nothing is wrong with her body; that's healed. But, after four years, Sasha's memory, and her spirit, are still broken. Then one day, she's silently cussing out the heavy book she dropped at the library when a gorgeous, dark-haired boy, the kind of boy who considers Sasha a freak or at least invisible, “answers” Sasha's hidden thoughts — out loud. Yes, Ben can read minds; it's no big deal. He's part of a family with a host of unusual, almost-but-not-quite-supernatural talents. Through Ben's love, Sasha makes greater progress than she has with a host of therapists and a prominent psychiatrist. With him to defend her, bullies keep the world from ever understanding Sasha, he pulls away. Determined to win him and prove her courage by facing her past, Sasha confronts her past — only to learn that her family's death was no accident and that a similar fate may wait for her, in the unlikeliest of disguises.
{My Thoughts} – Sasha is an extraordinary girl. She had been through so much, much of it she couldn’t remember, much of it she was still trying to piece together, but that didn’t sway her or change her outlook.
When this book begins Sasha is 13 and she’s lost her family to a terrible crash. She was in the car and she lived, her only injuries were the loss of her voice and memory. I have to admit I didn’t think it was appropriate for a 13 year old character to use some of the language that was being used, but I also know it was Sasha’s thoughts. With that said, I am confident that she probably wouldn’t have been saying such things out load at that age if she’d actually been able to speak.
Fast forward to 17 year-old Sasha. The accident that claimed her parents and her sister did a number on her. She had to see a shrink, she was more or less a social outcast with only one friend that still hung around. It’s hard to believe how much one person can handle before they can’t handle anymore, but with Sasha I think she did pretty darn well considering the circumstances.
Eventually Sasha meets a boy, his name is Ben and he is perfect in every way for her. He helps her to see that she can have a life, regardless her inability to speak out loud, that she can work through her issues and still have some one that loves her close by. They do go through some bumpy roads at first but they eventually work through it and the relationship becomes much stronger because of it all. It is a wonder that such a wonderful person had come into her life at the time that she’d needed it the most!
I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed learning about Sasha and her family. I enjoyed learning more about Ben and his family. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the crash that had claimed her families lives. I believe this book is incredibly well written, and well worth the read for anyone that enjoys murder, mystery. with slight paranormal type styling.
Final Conclusion: 5 Star Rating.
