Saturday, 26 July 2014

Saved by Eleanor Updale (Interest Age Teen/Young Adult, Reading Age 7 years +, Dyslexic Friendly, 10E/10E)



May 2014, Barrington Stoke, 72 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Themes: car accident, cult life, forbidden things, strict parents, cult fanatics, deception, protests, so-called prayer healing, money,

Content: Lots of tension, Tissue might be needed

Summary from Barrington Stoke
Luke and Anna belong to a very strict religious group that believes that medicine is evil. But when Anna is injured, Luke must work out what he really believes - and who he can trust.

Nayuleska's thoughts
There is something about people in a cult which makes a compelling read. It was clear from the start the cult was wrong - why else would his parents paint windows shut and lock Luke in? If there had been a fire Luke could have died. Thankfully he had the sense to break a window to get out to his sister when the accident happened. 

It was heartbreaking watching him try and figure out the best thing to do according to his parents' delusional ideals. I kept wanting the hospital or the police to take Luke into protective custody and then save his sister. However, Luke uses the few tools and opportunities available to him to try and get the help his entire family needs. This made it a tense read, and I only relaxed once I read the last word. The unlabelled epilogue is a realistic one and made me not worry for either Luke or Anna.

Find out more on Eleanor's website.

Suggested read
For another thrilling read check out Snapshot by Robert Swindells (Young Adult, Dyslexia Friendly, Reading Age 8, Intended Age Teen, 10E/10E)

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