Review Detail

Lia and Cassie were friends, best friends, in a deadly competition to see who could be skinnier, resist temptation, stay strong and in control. They are Wintergirls, so far gone that they hover between life and death, just surviving day to day. Only now Cassie is dead. And Lia, haunted by her death, is succumbing to the voice in her head telling her to stay strong, lose more, weigh less... no matter what the cost.

Wow. Sure, I've read books about eating disorders before, but never like this. Lia's first-person narrative doesn't hold back any details as she describes struggling with her demons day after day, counting the calories of each and every thing she puts in her mouth, feeling disgusted by her size, and being proud as she becomes one pound smaller, one pound closer. The descriptions in this novel are really like nothing I've read before. They are poetic, they are lyrical, and they draw you into an entirely different world.

All of the relationships and character development were really well-done. Whether it was Lia's somewhat distant mother, her bond with her half-sister Emma, or even the support system relationship with Cassie, it was shown in a thorough and understandable way. I never questioned or doubted the reality of any of these relationships.

Another thing I admired in this book was how relatable it was. The raw, heartbreaking emotions in this book were so easy to identify with, and they made me really think about how hard it is to turn back once you've been pushed over that edge. Sure, a lot of people reading this have never struggled with an eating disorder, but they've probably stood next to someone and thought I wish I could look like that. What happens when you take that a few steps further? It stops being simple, or something you can just shrug off.

Here's a warning to those of you looking to read this novel: it is not for the light of heart. I've seen a few reviews out there saying things like "sickening" or "too depressing" or even that it should be censored, but I think that certain issues shouldn't be watered down to make them less upsetting to the public. If you are interested in a raw and honest account of one girl's struggle with anorexia, go ahead and pick this up. If you are looking for a fairy tale, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Five stars!