Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
Expected publication: March 19th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books
Reminiscent of the Elizabeth Smart case, Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological mystery about a girl who must piece together the story of her kidnapping and captivity. Angie Chapman was thirteen years old when she ventured into the woods alone on a Girl Scouts camping trip. Now she’s returned home…only to find that it’s three years later and she’s sixteen-or at least that’s what everyone tells her. What happened to the past three years of her life? Angie doesn’t know. But there are people who do—people who could tell Angie every detail of her forgotten time, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind. With a tremendous amount of courage, Angie embarks on a journey to discover the fragments of her personality, otherwise known as her “alters.” As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: When you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the parts of yourself that are responsible? Liz Coley’s alarming and fascinating psychological mystery is a disturbing-and ultimately empowering-page-turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love.
As weird as it might sounds, I am always drawn to these types of books. The mind is a fascinating thing, and what goes on up there is always interesting to me. After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this and find out what happened to Angie and where she had been for 3 years. Angie went missing 3 years ago on a camping trip, and when she returns her mind still believes she is 13. Can you imagine this, I certainly can’t. Feeling for her came so easy. The frustration, the not knowing was so hard for Angie. And as the story progresses we learn why she has no memory. Her “alters” have helped her and protected her, but now it time for her to know the truth. It was frightening, yet intriguing at the same time. Everyone that she remembers has grown up and moved on. Friends who grew up as best friends were longer best friends. Boys that different, but there is one friend that I thought was just amazing. Kate, who while Angie was missing had been labeled as a social outcast, but they were friends before Angie was kidnapped and she stuck with Angie, always listened and helped her. And I have to mention Abraim. He was so patient with Angie, he didn’t really know everything she had been through, but he didn’t care, he just liked her. The world building was amazing. Being given a little bit of Angie’s past a little at a time, until it all came together was at times excruciating. The emotions I felt ranged from snickering at some of things that Angie said when trying to handle her disorder, to bawling my eyes out. The things this poor girl endure in her life were horrible and hard to read sometimes, but the strength she had was commendable and I wanted to know everything. The ending was one that I cried my eyes out on, so heart breaking, but how could I have not been proud of Angie for the decision she made. Fans of psychological thrillers will not be disappointed, I know I wasn’t. I can’t really say enough about this, just that I highly recommend reading it. Pretty Girl-13 was gripping, completely emotion inducing and one that will stick with me. This copy was provided by Harper Collins/Katherine Tegen Books for an honest review.
Discussion (18) ¬
Aww I love when a book grabs you and leaves you emotionally spent. I am a little confused, she goes missing at 3 comes back and thinks she is still 13? how old is she know..did I get that right?
Her mind still doesn’t want to believe that her body is actually 16..
Not weird at all, I am def drawn to these types of books as well. Glad you enjoyed even though so emotional. Ending made me want to weep as well.
I know, I was a blubbering mess. But it was so good.
Sounds totally emotional and gripping!! It seems like Angie had suffered a lot while she went missing. Awesome review, Jenea!
It just sucks you in.
I have this one but I had seen some mixed reviews so I didn’t pick it up yet. I have to say that your review has me super eager to read it now though!
I hope you do enjoy it, I know I did.
I’m already feeling tense and edgy trying to suss out what could possibly have happened to Angie. This book wasn’t really on my radar but your review has me wanting it now!
Yay, I hope you’ll give it a try.
Awww, this sounds heartbreakingly sad. It does sound like an original idea to me, too! Now, I may not be well rounded in my reading but I just haven’t come across a storyline with a loss of years with multiples hiding those years. Very cool!! Awesome review!!
It was definitely heartbreaking but completely engrossing.
Oh man! I need to read this. Wow, I really had no idea this book was like that. Great review!
I really didn’t wither when I got it, but it was fantastic.
This does sound really interesting and intriguing. Thanks for the informative review!
I just started this one on audio and I am loving it. Great review.
I really wanted to read this book.. but the thought that the ending is sad scares me.
I don’t do well with sad endings but the thing is this book sounds like it’s right up my alley.