Review: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Title: If You Find Me

Author: Emily Murdoch

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: March 2013

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone


Synopsis can be found here.
NetGalley review.


Review:

Carey and her little sister Jenessa wait patiently for their mother to come back. Days, weeks go by. And so they wait, in their little wooden shack deep in the woods, until a man comes. A man who knows their name, and takes them back to civilization. Their father.

Now Carey and Jenessa have to cope with being found, with a new family, a new life. And come to terms with what happened in the woods for all those years.

This book was remarkable in many ways. Carey is so strong, likeable and vulnerable. She is a complicated young girl who has gone through so much, you can't help be rooting for her and her self sacrifice. Her voice is clear and solid, which makes her story even more heartbreaking and haunting. She loves her sister more than anything in the world and as the tale unfolds about her and Janessa's past, it kept me on the edge of my seat.

The writing is so emotional. Both settings, the woods and their new home, come to life through Murdoch's writing, giving the reader a clear picture of these two very different places. Carey's bravery shines and Jenessa's inner strength is revealed in subtle and lovely ways. Murdoch doesn't need to spell everything out, but her perfect word choice in those uncomfortable moments are enough to make anyone's imagination run wild.

Overall, heartbreaking and sad, but filled with hope and tomorrows.

Rating 8 Cookie Worthy