I received this book from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Wow, what a freaking ride. Seriously though I flew through this one. At one point I was like where am I in the story, how far am I in? I flip to the next page and it was the last page! It doesn’t always happen that I get so fully absorbed, so that deserves all the credit claps.

In this book we meet a tiny girl named Misato. She is having a good life on an island with her family and friends. Doing karate. Kicking bullies to the curb. And everything is perfect. Misato is an adorable kid and I love how sweet and kind she was. I loved it when she got a chance to shine in front of the camera and I loved how she kicked ass even there, she was able to get so much emotion and none of it felt fake (then again she was thinking about her friend and the bullies). But oh my gosh my heart just broke when that event happened and she had to leave the island. It seems like such a wonderful house and a new chance for Misato, but Misato soon finds out that things aren’t that good. Yup. If you think that lavish manor in the blurb is fun and that only outside things happen? Oh no. Misato has a terrifying time at her new home. She is abused by her new older sister who is absolutely vile. Her “mom” is an utter bitch for letting it all happen and making harsh remarks as time continues. The dad is wuss (seriously, that is the only way I can describe him). We see Misato spiral into abyss and I just wanted to grab her and take her back to the island, to give her hugs, to make her happy again. The only thing that is keeping her spirits OK is when she finds a boy in the basement. A boy who cannot walk and thus is dumped into the basement (a lavish basement, but still a basement) with the only one visiting the maid. As I said, the family is disgusting. I mean wtf is wrong with you. I was so happy that Misato found a space for herself to be herself and that she befriended the boy there. Those parts made me tear up (and smile), but also I was fearful, because I knew that one moment the family would find out or something would happen. I just knew it. They just didn’t want Misato or the boy to be happy after all. I was dreading the moment, but also kind of hoping that maybe nothing would happen? Reader, bring tissues. And find a punching bag xxxl because you will need it.

I loved that we got some flashbacks on Misato’s birth which gave me some answers, but also many more questions. Who is that girl???? Why did the doctor act so shady???? I need to KNOW. Hopefully in the next volume we will figure things out or at least get more hints and puzzle pieces.

Oh, and I am also very curious about the guy (who didn’t seem to have aged, which made me laugh). He has an interest in Misato (in a good way, not in an icky way) and I am curious what his next steps will be.

I am not sure how I felt about the fact that NO ONE asked for papers to identify the woman as Misato’s mom. They just gave her away, or at least that is how it felt to me. I would have fought harder. I also found it a bit too coincidental that THAT happened before the big event that led Misato to be taken away from the island.

The art was so good. I love how well the style fitted with the story. And that cover! So pretty, but also ominous.

All in all, if you are looking for a read that will make you cry, make you want to punch something, makes you feel all the things + you want to root for a character, be sure to get this one. I need the next volume ASAP.