After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night. Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.
My thoughts:
After reading Vitamins and Death in one sitting, I knew Medeia could write edgy and dark YA really well, so I jumped at the chance to read 52 Likes. Once again, I couldn't put the book down. The book begins with Valerie being raped. I wasn't sure how I'd endure reading a rape scene, but it was handled really well. I felt Valerie's emotion without being overwhelmed by the horrific act. What I loved about this book was that Valerie doesn't allow herself to sit back and become the victim. She fights. Even when everyone around her is making her feel like she is the one who did something wrong, she continues to seek out her rapist and reveal his identity to everyone.
The ghosts of the rapist's victims appear to Valerie, encouraging her to fight for them, too. Valerie was supposed to die like they did, only a passerby saved her life. And that means her rapist is set on finishing what he started. The mystery behind who the rapist is and the race to reveal him and have him locked up before he gets to her again is what made me keep turning the pages.
If you like darker YA with mystery and some ghosts thrown in, this is the perfect read. I dare you to put it down once you start reading it. ;)
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52 LIKES, Evernight Teen, 2015
Purchase from Amazon, Evernight Teen (vendor links will be updated on the author's site)
Find Medeia – YA and MG Author
Thank you so much, Kelly! I'm glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Medeia!
Deleteso good, right?! I flew through it. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Same here.
DeleteCan't wait to read this!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll enjoy it, Dawn.
DeleteThis sounds amazing. If I didn't already have a million "to read" books in my stack, I would definitely add this to the list. Well maybe I'll just have to do that anyway.
ReplyDeleteAdd it. :)
DeleteI just finished reading 52 Likes, Kelly. Like you said, I couldn't put it down. Medeia has written another winner.
ReplyDeleteYes, she has.
DeleteValerie sounds awesome. I love strong female characters. The author's amazing for writing a book like this. I can't deal with rape in anything. Only recently was I able to just write the word.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sensitive subject, but Medeia handles it really well.
DeleteI've heard nothing but good about this book. Bravo to Medeia for tackling such a hard subject with skill and finesse. I can only imagine that was difficult to do!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was difficult.
DeleteThis sounds like a nail biter for sure! I have been hearing such great things about 52 Likes. Wishing Medeia the best of luck. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Medeia's on a roll lately. :)
DeleteVery good review! Medeia's book has been in many places I've seen as of late.
ReplyDeleteYes, she all over the internet. :)
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