I can remember reading this as a teenager, and really identifying with Melanie. It took me years to hunt down a copy to own.

What I loved most about the book is that although Melanie is your typical teenage girl, she's not your typical damsel-in-distress. Her background and the events she has had to overcome really instilled a resilience inside her, preparing her for what was to come.

Being Australian, I loved the references to our culture and brands. The descriptive writing isn't overpowering, and the exciting storyline will appeal to teens and adults alike.

It's a quick read, however it's paced nicely and the ending doesn't let you down. We get to see the cogs ticking inside the antagonists head, and Melanie's internal dialogue keeps us on the edge of our seat.

I've always wondered why this book isn't as well-known as it ought to be. It's deeply disturbing, intense and a great example of a heroine who uses her brains to get herself through what is a thoroughly terrifying experience.


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