Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala Review

Book Title - Don't Breathe A World

Author - Holly Cupala
Published by - Harper Teen
Release date - January 3, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads - From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

My Review - I started a book club. I know, kind of crazy I don't already belong to one right? With as much as I read... anyway, for our very first book I chose Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala. I had heard all the buzz surrounding the book and I really liked Holly's book Tell Me a Secret, so I wanted to check this book out. Don't Breathe a Word begins with Joy cutting off all her hair and disguising herself because she is getting ready to run away. Joy is suffocating, literally. She has asthma, that can get out of control and her parents are so fearful of losing her because of her illness that they suffocate her and let fear lead them instead of helping Joy live a normal life, aside from her condition. Joy doesn't just pack up and take off, she stages her own kidnapping because aside from getting out from under her parents stifling ways, she is in the middle of an abusive relationship with a man that leaves scars seen and unseen, and threatens everything Joy cares about.

Once Joy escapes her home, she eventually ends up on the streets with other homeless people of all ages, and with all different stories. Holly doesn't hold back here and gives a gritty look at life on the street. It isn't long before Joy gives herself the new name of Triste and starts hanging out with characters May, Santos and Creed. Each of them all have their own painful pasts and secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the story. As each person opens up and reveals themselves, it makes Joy doubt herself even more and she starts to be afraid of what her new friends would think if they knew her secrets, and the real reason she ran away from home. The supporting characters all played important roles in Joy's story and their presence added depth and gave Joy friendship at a time she needed it most. Santos is sweet and funny, but disappears each night but will never discuss where he goes. May is a tortured soul who has a Mother also on the street addicted to drugs and although May hates her at the same time feels the need to stay close to her just in case. Creed is the knight in shining armor who feels it is his job to try to look out and protect them all while at the same time dealing with secrets of his own.  Joy slowly starts having feelings for Creed, this boy that speaks to her heart through his music and quiet strength.

Aside from the relationship dynamics in this book, the bigger story here is the fact that Joy blames herself for the abuse she received at the hands of Asher, and the fact she wasn't brave enough to tell her family the truth.  What she doesn't realize yet is that she is anything but weak. Don't Breathe a Word is a story about hope. A story about a girl that claws her way out of darkness and comes out on the other end realizing she is in control of her own mind, body, an soul, and that there is light even in the darkest of times.

Reviewed by Jennifer