REVIEW for VIGILANTE by Kady Cross

Thank you to Harlequin Teen for giving me an electronic advance reading copy of this book.

TITLE:                    Vigilante

AUTHOR:               Kady Cross

GENRE:                  YA

RATING:                5 STARS

Okay, this book is terrific! but it only works if you can suspend your disbelief.

While this book is not a fantasy, I have to be honest and say that, in the *real* world this story would simply not stand up.  Having said that, however, the story was entertaining, at times sad and always, always a treat to read.

Magda is at the center of this storyline, but she rarely makes an appearance as the story is set after her death.  What propelled her death is what makes this such a compelling read and while the author sometimes goes "way out there", her take on rape and the rape mentality, especially from young men (and their parents it seems) is spot on and deserves to be pointed out.

At times, this book makes me teary eyed, but for most of it, I find myself voting and encouraging Harley with her crazy revenge scheme.  There are some seriously terrifying moments here when she gets the "heck" kicked out of her by the guys she is trying to get revenge on -and I love, love the message of female empowering throughout - there are not victims here.

The writing style is perfect, just down to earth and no flowery prose that goes on forever.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!