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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
The Hiding Girl is a fast paced story about a 12 year old girl who has gone through an unspeakable tragedy. Emily is a typical girl until one day two strangers come to her house and convince the mother to let them in. Emily manages to get away but is unable to save her mother and sister. She is on the run and refuses to turn her self into the authorities because she feels she is still in danger. While on the run she meets Lucas. Lucas is an ex-gang member who forges documents. Emily's life will again change in ways she never imagined.
This book thoroughly sucked me in. I like thriller novel's but I did not think that these characters would be so relatable. I did not want to stop reading this and there were even times when I shed a few tears. This is an excellent read!
This book thoroughly sucked me in. I like thriller novel's but I did not think that these characters would be so relatable. I did not want to stop reading this and there were even times when I shed a few tears. This is an excellent read!
This was a hard book to read. Not because it had violence in it, it did. Not because it had rape and child molestation in it, it did. But because of the language. The violence, both the rape and child molestations were not at all explicit which was good. It just let you know it happened. Not any details. But the use of the f-word was uncalled for. Also making Lucas sound so ignorant was uncalled for. I believe the author had good intentions with his part but I'm sorry she fell short. This guy was smart. Not just street smart but smart with a computer. He had a huge heart. He had a very smart girlfriend who would not have been with someone as backwards talking as this guy was written to sound like. While this book was very good that took away from it in a big way for me.
A child, Emily, saw her mom and sister murdered. It was a horrific thing for a twelve year old child to endure. She was not by any means a smart kid. I don't mean she was ignorant or stupid, but she was not world smart. She could sense bad in people though and she had a heart. She knew the men were bad. She knew they were up to no good. When she went on the run she really had to learn as she went. There was so much going on that was basically new to her. But she was very resilient and learned how to get things done. When she met Lucas things seemed to start looking up for her.
Lucas was an ex gangbanger who went straight and started doing great for himself. While some of the things he did were questionable, he did what he had to to make it. When he met Emily she was a dirty kid who needed lots of help. The bond between the two grew. He would do almost anything for this child. I hated the language he used. Especially the use of the f-word. I think that was overdone so bad.
Kiona, Lucas's girlfriend, was a strong woman. She worked as a trainer. Lucas got her to train Emily so she could learn to defend herself. But Kiona didn't like Emily. She acted like she was jealous of this twelve year old child. I didn't like that part and would have liked it much better if it would have been a case of them getting close. Kiona had a heart after all. She would or could have helped Emily in ways that Lucas couldn't. Emotionally she could have been there for her. She did finally come around a bit but good grief it took her long enough.
I did like this book even with the things that drove me crazy about it. It was one that tugged at my heart for Emily. For her mother and little sister. It was not an overly emotional story even with all that happened. At least not for me. It was what it was. Emily needed help. She wanted to survive and wanted justice. Did she get that? I like to think she did. There is going to be a sequel to this about her after it all ended. I think I would like to read it.
Thank you #NetGalley, #DorianBox, #FictionPress
3.5/5 stars. I recommend this one but be warned it's full of bad language.
A child, Emily, saw her mom and sister murdered. It was a horrific thing for a twelve year old child to endure. She was not by any means a smart kid. I don't mean she was ignorant or stupid, but she was not world smart. She could sense bad in people though and she had a heart. She knew the men were bad. She knew they were up to no good. When she went on the run she really had to learn as she went. There was so much going on that was basically new to her. But she was very resilient and learned how to get things done. When she met Lucas things seemed to start looking up for her.
Lucas was an ex gangbanger who went straight and started doing great for himself. While some of the things he did were questionable, he did what he had to to make it. When he met Emily she was a dirty kid who needed lots of help. The bond between the two grew. He would do almost anything for this child. I hated the language he used. Especially the use of the f-word. I think that was overdone so bad.
Kiona, Lucas's girlfriend, was a strong woman. She worked as a trainer. Lucas got her to train Emily so she could learn to defend herself. But Kiona didn't like Emily. She acted like she was jealous of this twelve year old child. I didn't like that part and would have liked it much better if it would have been a case of them getting close. Kiona had a heart after all. She would or could have helped Emily in ways that Lucas couldn't. Emotionally she could have been there for her. She did finally come around a bit but good grief it took her long enough.
I did like this book even with the things that drove me crazy about it. It was one that tugged at my heart for Emily. For her mother and little sister. It was not an overly emotional story even with all that happened. At least not for me. It was what it was. Emily needed help. She wanted to survive and wanted justice. Did she get that? I like to think she did. There is going to be a sequel to this about her after it all ended. I think I would like to read it.
Thank you #NetGalley, #DorianBox, #FictionPress
3.5/5 stars. I recommend this one but be warned it's full of bad language.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on August 29, 2021.
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This review will appear on my site on August 29, 2021.
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What else can I say about The Hiding Girl by Dorian Box other than wow! It is a fast-paced novel that packs all the punches: Literally and figuratively! The Hiding Girl is dark and gritty with very graphic violence that also gives us characters to root for and become very attached to.
Twelve-year-old Emily Calby survives the graphic attack on her family and is on the run. Emily is definitely not the typical twelve-year-old. Experiencing what she did already ages her and over the course of the novel you have to keep reminding yourself of her young age! She meets Lucas who is a former gang member who helps her and these two definitely make quite the unique pair that form a special relationship. We also have Kiona, who is Lucas’ significant other who isn’t quite sure what to make of Emily. They teach her self defense and more as Emily is determined to find the men who killed her mother and sister.
Emily is one you cannot help but be on her side and get attached to. She is in for a long ‘adventure’ with many obstacles that keep coming up. At one point I found myself thinking “What else is Box going to have Emily go through!?!?” It is one thing after another, but our brave little fireball of a main character Emily can pull through!
And let me say this: I love Lucas! He is not what you expected and you really grow to care for him. As I was reading, I pictured Michael Clarke Duncan (RIP) as Lucas, but then I saw the premiere of The Walking Dead’s final season where we meet Mercer played by Michael James Shaw and despite the age difference, he would be a perfect Lucas!
This novel will not be for everyone with the graphic violence, but it also has a lot of heart and emotion to it. What made me read The Hiding Girl was that I was granted an arc copy of the second in the series The Girl in Cell 49B. I realized when I read the description for book two that I should read The Hiding Girl first. Though not needed as the second book touches on Emily’s back story, if you don’t read The Hiding Girl you will be missing so much! I am currently reading the second and still rooting for Emily!
The Hiding Girl actually fits for the prompt for #Diverseathon for this month, which is a main character in an interracial relationship. The relationship between Emily and Lucas starts as a mentor/mentee relationship that grows into so much more. August’s host is Mary @booksbymary1 and she will host at Instagram.
For full details on this year long read-a-thon, please click here.
And don’t forget about the awesome GRAND PRIZE at the end of the year. Click the link here for that information.
And don’t forget about the awesome GRAND PRIZE at the end of the year. Click the link here for that information.
I really enjoyed The Hiding Girl and recommend it and cannot wait to see where Box goes next with the series. He is working on book three and I will be highly anticipating it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
5/5 Stars
Emily Calby is a girl on the run. After her family is murdered, she hides while using money her father had stashed away. All so that the men that tore her family apart wouldn't find her. But then, Emily decides she'd rather have revenge.
This was a gritty and fast-paced suspense. Emily, a mere twelve year old, blames herself for her family's murders. We watch her grow, both physically and in her resolve to get revenge. Or in her words "Justice. Always comes too late, but it's still justice." On her way she meets Lucas, an ex-con who sells her a fake ID. But then he decides to take her under his wing, and they help each other evolve.
I admire Emily's character, even if I didn't always agree with her tactics. I can empathize with the turmoil she is going through, especially with thrusting blame onto herself. Plus her quick wit and sharp instincts were endearing. And there's something about Lucas's gruff nature that shows just how caring he can be.
The plot never felt lacking in its ability to hold my attention and keep me on the edge of my seat. Never knowing how the story would turn out gripped my heart and kept squeezing with every page turn. I can't wait to delve back into Emily's life.
Emily Calby is a girl on the run. After her family is murdered, she hides while using money her father had stashed away. All so that the men that tore her family apart wouldn't find her. But then, Emily decides she'd rather have revenge.
This was a gritty and fast-paced suspense. Emily, a mere twelve year old, blames herself for her family's murders. We watch her grow, both physically and in her resolve to get revenge. Or in her words "Justice. Always comes too late, but it's still justice." On her way she meets Lucas, an ex-con who sells her a fake ID. But then he decides to take her under his wing, and they help each other evolve.
I admire Emily's character, even if I didn't always agree with her tactics. I can empathize with the turmoil she is going through, especially with thrusting blame onto herself. Plus her quick wit and sharp instincts were endearing. And there's something about Lucas's gruff nature that shows just how caring he can be.
The plot never felt lacking in its ability to hold my attention and keep me on the edge of my seat. Never knowing how the story would turn out gripped my heart and kept squeezing with every page turn. I can't wait to delve back into Emily's life.
Emily Calby is a strong, resilient runaway trying to avenge the death of her mother and sister. I really enjoyed the first impression of this book and was super excited for the chance to get a copy. I loved the idea of the runaway white girl being saved by the soft hearted semi-retired black gangster. It seemed like it would be an interesting story. But, I was a bit disappointed. I found that believability and enjoyment didn't go hand in hand for me. I myself trying to choose: I believe Emily was capable of these rather heinous acts or I enjoy the story. To me, if I believed she was actually capable of these things, then how do I enjoy it? How do I enjoy a 12 year old girl running around the country and being involved in a string of murders and crimes? On top of that, not a darn thing happens to her afterword. Don't get me wrong, it has a happy ending and I enjoyed that she ended up where she did (don't want to spoil it). But, I did have a hard time believing that a girl as psychologically damaged goes on to commit these crimes and then all of the sudden is just a hunky dory girl with no more major psychological issues.
I liked the characters and I found myself connecting to Emily. But I also found myself having to put the book down and struggling to finish it. Every bad thing that could happen to her could. That's terrible. To me a better message to convey would be for her to have the same happy ending and get justice instead of revenge. I did really love the discussion questions at the end of the book. I read them all and they were very thought provoking. I feel like this book will be very challenging to a lot of people. Maybe that's the point, but that wasn't what I was hoping for out of this book.
I liked the characters and I found myself connecting to Emily. But I also found myself having to put the book down and struggling to finish it. Every bad thing that could happen to her could. That's terrible. To me a better message to convey would be for her to have the same happy ending and get justice instead of revenge. I did really love the discussion questions at the end of the book. I read them all and they were very thought provoking. I feel like this book will be very challenging to a lot of people. Maybe that's the point, but that wasn't what I was hoping for out of this book.
This book started out great! It opens with Emily, her mother, and sister trying to be good Samaritans when they are asked to help some men who have run out of gas. It quickly turns deadly as they end up trapping them in their home and ultimately murdering Emily's mom and sister. She barely escapes and is now, at only 12 years old, on the run with little resources and no where to turn.
I loved the first few chapters and couldn't wait to see what happens. After that it quickly became unrealistic. I expect a little bit of a far-fetched story from any thriller but this one was too much for me. It also read like a YA novel as it followed 12 year old Emily but was way too violent for kids. As a mom of two teenagers, I am not ready for them to read this content. It included rape, violent murder, drug use, and other adult content. I am not sure who the target market for this book is. The writing style would appeal to young readers but the violent content isn't appropriate. I don't want to give away the entire plot, but I didn't care for the way the people she came across and who eventually helped her were portrayed. I wanted to like it. It drew me in from the beginning but sadly, I struggled to finish it.
I loved the first few chapters and couldn't wait to see what happens. After that it quickly became unrealistic. I expect a little bit of a far-fetched story from any thriller but this one was too much for me. It also read like a YA novel as it followed 12 year old Emily but was way too violent for kids. As a mom of two teenagers, I am not ready for them to read this content. It included rape, violent murder, drug use, and other adult content. I am not sure who the target market for this book is. The writing style would appeal to young readers but the violent content isn't appropriate. I don't want to give away the entire plot, but I didn't care for the way the people she came across and who eventually helped her were portrayed. I wanted to like it. It drew me in from the beginning but sadly, I struggled to finish it.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On one average day, two men show up and kill 12-year-old Emily Calby's entire family. She ends up on the run, making some unlikely friends, and trying to track down the men so she can enact her revenge on them.
This was so exciting, I really enjoyed this all the way through! Emily was a dark character, as to be expected based on what she went through, and I LOVED the characters she ended up befriending in her revenge plan.
There were lots of twists and turns throughout, and a shockingly emotional ending. (Seriously, that ending caught me completely off guard). This ending up being a great range of gritty and dark and funny and emotional all in one.
My only negative was the somewhat predictable "people don't stay dead if you turn your head" trope.
I'd give this 4.5 stars, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next in the series, and seeing how Emily continues to grow.
This was so exciting, I really enjoyed this all the way through! Emily was a dark character, as to be expected based on what she went through, and I LOVED the characters she ended up befriending in her revenge plan.
There were lots of twists and turns throughout, and a shockingly emotional ending. (Seriously, that ending caught me completely off guard). This ending up being a great range of gritty and dark and funny and emotional all in one.
My only negative was the somewhat predictable "people don't stay dead if you turn your head" trope.
I'd give this 4.5 stars, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next in the series, and seeing how Emily continues to grow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
'The Hiding Girl' by Dorian Box drew me in immediately. 12 year old Emily Calby's life changes in the blink of an eye. She finds herself on the run, scared, constantly looking over her shoulder and trying to block out everything that just happened to her and her family.
She goes from a well behaved, obedient child to a thief, a liar and a kid who can clearly fend for herself in extreme circumstances, but make no mistake. She is no dummy. Emily meets a man named Lucas in Memphis, who couldn't be more different from her. She is Southern, white, and religious. He is black, former gang member and from the inner city. However, what brings them together is their loss and their need for justice. Lucas teaches her self defense and his girlfriend, Kiona, gets her in shape. The profound relationship between Lucas and Emily grows throughout the book. It was definitely my favorite part.
The character development was really strong. The twists and turns were enough to keep me guessing and engrossed. It was an intense read. I felt like I was in Emily's head sometimes and I appreciated her strong female character.
This book publishes on June 15, 2020. I can't wait to read Book 2!
Trigger Warnings - Rape (nothing explicit, but mentioned), death, cutting, PTSD with dissociative symptoms
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the eGalley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
She goes from a well behaved, obedient child to a thief, a liar and a kid who can clearly fend for herself in extreme circumstances, but make no mistake. She is no dummy. Emily meets a man named Lucas in Memphis, who couldn't be more different from her. She is Southern, white, and religious. He is black, former gang member and from the inner city. However, what brings them together is their loss and their need for justice. Lucas teaches her self defense and his girlfriend, Kiona, gets her in shape. The profound relationship between Lucas and Emily grows throughout the book. It was definitely my favorite part.
The character development was really strong. The twists and turns were enough to keep me guessing and engrossed. It was an intense read. I felt like I was in Emily's head sometimes and I appreciated her strong female character.
This book publishes on June 15, 2020. I can't wait to read Book 2!
Trigger Warnings - Rape (nothing explicit, but mentioned), death, cutting, PTSD with dissociative symptoms
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the eGalley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Hiding Girl is a suspenseful, gripping and fast read! From the moment I started reading it I was immediately drawn in and had difficulty putting it down.
This is the story of 12 year old Emily who is the lone survivor of the horrible murder of her family. With only the clothes on her back and some money, she lives on the streets running and hiding from the two men that killed her family while carrying the guilt of being the lone survivor of the brutal attack.
Then Emily meets Lucas, a former gang member with his own story of loss and guilt. The two form an unlikely friendship where Emily learns ways to defend herself and seek justice for her family.
This book is a page turner and a fast read. It will draw you in from the first page and you will find yourself rooting for Emily.
[b:The Hiding Girl|53271283|The Hiding Girl (Emily Calby, #1)|Dorian Box|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587933847l/53271283._SY75_.jpg|80138234]
This is the story of 12 year old Emily who is the lone survivor of the horrible murder of her family. With only the clothes on her back and some money, she lives on the streets running and hiding from the two men that killed her family while carrying the guilt of being the lone survivor of the brutal attack.
Then Emily meets Lucas, a former gang member with his own story of loss and guilt. The two form an unlikely friendship where Emily learns ways to defend herself and seek justice for her family.
This book is a page turner and a fast read. It will draw you in from the first page and you will find yourself rooting for Emily.
[b:The Hiding Girl|53271283|The Hiding Girl (Emily Calby, #1)|Dorian Box|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587933847l/53271283._SY75_.jpg|80138234]
Wow, didn't know what I walked into reading this. Definitely could have used a trigger warnings (rape and pedophelia are present). But this novel is full of stereotypes and an expert beta-reader should have been hired before putting this novel out in the world. I'm not saying the author did this on purpose and was probably an implicit bias, but still. First, there is victim blaming that does not come off as being intentional by the author, otherwise it would have been addressed by a different character or the main character as such. Also, the over-the-top characterizations were full of biases. For example, a black gang banger who is a caricature of stereotypes (Lucas), a trauma victim hell bent on revenge without going into the deep hurt and pain, but was also a cookie cutter stereotype in the way she was presented. Even down to the mother. No one would be that naive especially with children. Sorry, that was a set up for sure. Not to mention the father who died before the story starts to make so the mother is a total airhead incapable of protecting her children. Like really? Even 6 year olds are more wary and it infuriated me as a woman to have this old stereotype just so you can bring harm (by the way which is used as a plot device).