Review Detail

What worked: Engaging glimpse into the life of Grifters mixed with forbidden love and hope. Sixteen-year-old Tal is a wanderer who travels to the next big con. Along with her younger brother Wen, they end up in a Southern town. When a con goes wrong, a townie, Spencer Sway, helps her out. The chemistry between these two sparks right at the beginning and doesn't let go.

I really loved the voice of this novel! Grifters are those who wander though towns on the look out for the next con, heist. Taylor does a great job of showing the life of teens that are wanderers. Tal isn't all hardcore. Readers see her daily struggles of trying to make enough money to save her younger brother from being beaten. Though she thinks she's 'free' from things like being forced to stay in one town or even to attend school, she's really not. Some of the customs and folk legends are mingled throughout. Like the whole omen of owls.

I was hooked from the very first page! The almost musical voice is very addictive: Here's an example where Tal describes her relationship with Spencer:

...Using that one word-love-he's made us into something so sugary sweet we have to be phony. Like cotton candy and Pixy Stix and promises.

The other characters are equally intriguing. Lando, the Boss's son, who is more controlling. Sonia, the former BFF, who change after being married only reminds Tal of what she doesn't want. Rona, the woman who takes over watching Tal and her brother after their mother is in jail. The town of Cedar Falls which shows the possibilities and also the ray of hope that there might in fact be a way out of the prison-like experience that Tal feels.

Gripping portrayal where two different ways of life collide set in a quiet Southern town with promises of hope and redemption.