Fault Line

by C. Desir

Overview

In a single night, Ani’s life was torn to shreds—and Ben struggles with the weight of trying to fix the unfixable in this heartbreaking and edgy debut novel.

Ben could date anyone he wants, but he only has eyes for the new girl—sarcastic, free-spirited Ani. Luckily for Ben, Ani wants him, too. She’s everything Ben could ever imagine. Everything he could ever want.

But that all changes after the party. The one Ben misses. The one Ani goes to alone.

Now Ani isn’t the girl she used to be, and Ben can’t sort out the truth from the lies. What really happened, and who is to blame?

Ben wants to help Ani, but the more she pushes him away, the more he wonders if there’s anything he can do to save the girl he loves in this powerful, gut-wrenching debut novel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442460720
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	10/15/2013
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	HL630L (what's this?)
Age Range:	16 - 18 Years

About the Author

C. Desir writes dark contemporary fiction for young adults. She lives with her husband, three small children, and overly enthusiastic dog outside of Chicago. She has volunteered as a rape victim activist for more than ten years, including providing direct service as an advocate in hospital ERs. She also works as an editor at Samhain Publishing. Visit her at ChristaDesir.com.

Editorial Reviews

"The issues in this story are important for teens today, and should not be taken lightly. Fault Line is a story that will stay with the reader long after finishing the last chapter."

VOYA

2013-09-15
A well-meaning but deeply flawed account of the aftermath of rape. Beez and Ani start dating and eventually having sex in a joyful, caring and mutually respectful relationship. Then Ani goes to a party without Beez, and the next day, Ani's friend Kate calls Beez from the hospital. In a believably confusing incident, Ani has been raped by multiple boys, and, in a final act of hostility, the perpetrators "left a lighter inside of her." (The gruesome specifics of this act are left, uncomfortably, to readers' imaginations.) Ani and Beez are both understandably overwhelmed and confused after the incident, but readers are given few tools with which to make sense of their feelings or behavior. A largely ineffectual counselor offers buzzword-laden suggestions, but the book never expands on the meanings of terms like "empower" or "victim-blaming." The narrative never challenges Beez's refusal to let Ani break up with him nor his attempt to heal her sexually by focusing on her body without regard to her stated wishes. Worst, an incident in which Beez finds Ani in a compromising position with a teacher is presented as evidence of Ani's dysfunction rather than a teacher violating a student. An issue this sensitive should be presented with far greater care. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews