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Atlanta Burns is one seriously messed up young lady. Somewhere between 17 and 18 years old she has seen far more than anyone her age should see. Living in rural Pennsylvania, she tries to hold it together. She tries to fit in, but somehow, after you've blown the nards off of your mother's perverted boyfriend you don't really fit in. The world of ordinary teenagers in out of her reach. She doesn't do facebook or talk for long hours on the phone. She's damaged. Atlanta undoubtedly has PTSD. She definitely has a reputation. And she definitely isn't putting up with bullshit any longer.

Returning to school and her old life, she encounters a couple of punks picking on a Hispanic kid, she steps in, kicks some ass and saves the kid, Shane. And so begins her long journey through the underbelly of her rural PA community - keelhauled might be a better description. Atlanta encounters Neo-Nazis, gay-bashing and murder, dog fighting rings, and corrupt cops. She threatens to break several times, but rather than weaken her, her traumatic past has tempered her into something hard and unyielding. No more bullshit. Despite being only 17 or 18, she takes names and settles scores.

This was a powerful book. Being the father of two girls about Atlanta's age, I already know how traumatic being a teenage girl can be. The author takes that and piles on another layer of pain and angst. I felt for Atlanta. I wanted to give her a big hug and tell her that it would be OK, but I know that she wouldn't like that. She'd push me away. I thought Wendig captured her spirit well. She wanted her mother - she wanted someone to help her - but she was not sure how or was unwilling to ask for that help.

It was also powerful for someone with two (rescue) dogs. Wendig gives his readers a glimpse into the dark underbelly of dog fighting. I was both revolted and compelled to read. I seriously cannot believe that this is really a thing - that people do this. But they do. Unfortunately. On that note, Atlanta's attachment to Whitey was perfect. It softened Atlanta and also tugged at the heart strings. Well done.

Four and a half stars rounded down to four. I really liked the book, but I wonder who really is the market for the book. Is it really young adult? What parent would let their 13, 14 or 15 year old read this? It deals with some really seriously heavy stuff - rape, suicide, drugs, etc. A kid who is on the edge and dealing with shades of this stuff might react poorly. Maybe. I don't know. Really good book, but pretty heavy stuff. No sunshine, unicorns and rainbows here.