May 2012 MEGA Debut of the Month. A debut novel which packs a heart-stopping punch. Sixteen year old twins Hephzi and Rebecca are about as different from each other as they could be; Hephzi is beautiful and bold, Rebecca suffers from disfigurement and is shy. But the twins are united in a dreadful fate and their attempts to escape from it. The daughters of a vicar, they both suffer a life of torment at his hands. A torment with no end. When Hepzi dies, Rebecca is alone for the first time in her life and she knows she must find a way out. In intertwined stories, each girl tells a part of this poignant whole.
Please note that this book contains references to sexual abuse.
Hephzibah - You've no idea what it's like having a freak for a sister.
Rebecca Born first, prettier, Hephzi's always been the more popular one. The Father - When he was busy with his bottle we were usually safe. Usually. The Mother - Her specialist subject was misery and lessons of painful silence...Hephzibah and Rebecca are twins. One beautiful, one disfigured. Trapped with their loveless parents, they dream of a normal life. But when one twin tragically dies, the other must find a way to escape. Because if she doesn't, she'll end up like her sister.
Louisa Reid is the author of the YA verse novels Gloves Off, nominated for the Carnegie Medal, and Wrecked, which was selected for both the Read for Empathy collection and National Poetry Day. Her debut adult novel, The Poet, was published this year by Doubleday to critical acclaim.
Louisa Reid has spent most of her life reading. When Louisa’s not reading she’s writing stories, or imagining writing them at least. As an English teacher, her favourite part of the job is sharing her love of reading and writing with her pupils. Louisa lives with her family in the north-west of England and is proud to call a place near Manchester home.