Updating this review because I should've said it sooner: MAJOR trigger warnings for child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, mental, the works), torture, slur usage, slut-shaming, victim-blaming, child death... list goes on.

I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I can appreciate the fact that Ketchum wanted to shine a light on a true story, and on the horrific abuse that happens worldwide to children - and the ways that passersby turn a blind eye instead of righting wrongs. That said, I wasn't a fan of the writing style; I read a lot of books that are actually from the decade this book was set in, and they don't feel half this dated. I also absolutely loathed the narrator and felt like he was completely unrealistic until very near the end of the book. It was very robotic and he seemed to have no real attachment to the story or any other characters. To be frank, I felt like he was just a vehicle for us to look out from while watching the ongoing actions of the other characters. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this title to anyone.