I couldn't decide whether to go with 3 or 4 stars, but decided on 4. I think the reason I was leaning against 4 is that the book is by Rowling, who I will always see as the magical creator of HP. However, if I hadn't known HP before this...it wouldn't have been a question. And that's not really fair to Rowling, but it's kind of the same as anyone who makes it big in a certain situation...when they branch out, it's crazy. And damn if this wasn't crazy. This book was a raw, gritty look at the shitty parts of life, all types of life. The slums and the rich neighborhoods and the fact that down deep, there are secrets and lies and horror and also great truths in both kinds of life. And the idea that no one can see from the other side's perspective. And the idea that everyone has a secret agenda or is ignoring something/one they shouldn't in pursuit of something they think is more worthy. Or that there is always something you want to forget...and the different ways people handle that. O my gosh this book was sad and hard to read. I think the focus was slightly too much on the negative...for all that everyone's life has those negatives, there are always little spots of goodness. And there were some here: Krystal's rowing and Gaia's friending of Sukhvinder, but it leaned heavily towards the depressing despite that. However, I think it was a very truthful book. It discusses both views of many issues that in most books you only see one side of, which I felt was well done. And I think, if I remember correctly, that Rowling had a tough start to life before the success of HP and perhaps some of these things are from personal experience. And in that case I applaud her for using that, exposing that and moving forward from that. This was graphic in many places and a bit hard to read coming from a childhood hero, but on the whole it was very sweeping, impressive and an extremely well told story. I am impressed with how well Rowling picked up a whole new genre and rocked it. I'd recommend it, but definitely not if you are looking for a light read.