Warning: not a book to read or even a review to read if you are susceptible to PTSD flaring over reminders of physica, emotional or sexual abuse.

Set in a dystopian reality, Anna tells the story of a woman who has had to train herself to be reliant only on herself for safety after fleeing her home town due to the break down of society.

She is captured by the novel's main antagonist and the cause for the forefront of a good deal of her trauma - and through this experience we see her lose her sense of self.

We witness the horrors Anna has to experience but just like in real life, nothing is black and white. The brutality and humanity expressed by both victim and predator is an honest rarity in literature and through Anna's mind we can see the separation between her submission and her strength - neither of which can be a true representation of her without the other.

As the novel progresses and as our understanding of Anna deepens, the complex nature of defence mechanisms, biological instincts and PTSD intertwine to create a compelling imperfect character that the audience can't help but embrace and wish to embolden.

I found myself completely beguiled, journeying - much as Anna does - in my mind between who is trustworthy and who is not. This novel provokes you to think about how much you can even trust yourself at times.

I left this book DESPERATE to discuss - to theorise, wonder about other characters, elements of past lives we only get a glimpse of. This to me is the mark of a good story - a reader left desperate for more information.

A truly spectacular feat full of tension, shocking moments and emotional reveals. Please read it so I can discuss it with you!

Anna was kindly gifted to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.