Review Detail

MY THOUGHTS
This was such a hard book to read. This book focuses entirely on the difficult subject of bullying. I usually avoid books about bullying because I have a very very low tolerance on bullying. When I read a book about bullying I get so angry. I go through the book in a field of rage because I honestly can't understand how anyone can be so cruel to another being. It makes me even more upset that this cruel people generally get away with what they do.
Reading books about bullying also makes me feel powerless, since I desperately want to help the main character and make others understand what's going on, but I can't do such a thing.

I had all of these feelings and more throughout this book. I hated almost everyone in this book except for the main character. Yes, I didn't even like Matt, who was supposed to be Ashley's best friend. He was okay by the end, but I can't forgive him for the fact that he treated Ashley like she needed to be fixed and sided with the evil demons that tormented her. I despised all of her classmates, who decided to make Ashley's life hell when she did absolutely nothing to deserve it (nobody deserves it), but I hated her mother more. Her mother is a very horrible mother. She only thinks of herself and sees her daughter as an embarrassment and constantly says that Ashley would only be better if she weren't fat or if she would stand up for herself or be popular. She says so many horrible things to her daughter, practically blames Ashley for what her classmates do to her, and even yells at her for crying at it. A mother is supposed to protect and comfort her child, she is not a mother.

This book was very realistic, but it had a little magical element added in. For the past few years, Ashley has been able to see her future self in the mirror and talk to her. Her future self is trying to prevent Ashley's life to play out a certain way and when it doesn't work, that Ashley becomes future Ashley and takes to her younger self. Confusing, I know, but it was a very interesting add in and made for a very unique way to tell the story. This book also goes back and forth between past and present. We have a present Ashley in some kind of mental hospital talking to a doctor about all of these events and it made for an interesting way of telling this story.

IN CONCLUSION
This was a brilliant book. It was unique and beautiful, but so so tragic. Ashley's story is horrible and it will make you so very upset. Be prepared to go through many emotions while reading this book and be prepared for your outlook to change.