Overall: As someone with first hand experience with a horder, this story definitely touched me on a personal level. It’s hard watching someone you love ruin their life (and your own) because they cannot overcome a psychological problem. I never had friends over my house (ever) so I never experienced the redicule that Nalena did from her classmates. Mine didn’t know what my home life was like living with someone that rather buy a new set of dishes than wash the two or three sets stacked in the kitchen sink. Nalena was more aware that her mother had problems than I did – for a time, I thought that it was normal to have half of the shower covered with empty shampoo bottles yellow and coated with soap scum. I’d like to personally thank the author for making it feel authentic, even if Nalena’s mother had better motives for her paper-filled house than the typical horder.

Characters: My absolute favorite character is Addo. He’s colorful personality (and clothes) shine in every scene he’s in. I couldn’t help but smile in one of the scenes where he makes cookies for Nalena, the majority of them are gone by the time she arrives, and slowly during the scene, the remainder of the cookies dissapear one bite at a time – and Addo acts like a druggie getting his high with every bite. And while this is going on, Addo is delivering very serious and life-changing news to Nalena. The contrast is startling, but presented amazingly well.

There is no instant love between Nalena and Garrett. She actually tells him off upon first meeting, expecting this popular guy to make fun of her like everyone else. For much of the novel Nalena is more furious with Garrett’s decisions than in love with him, but when they are together the chemistry is sizzling.

Plot: I think this story is more about Nalena’s relationship with her mother than Nalena discovering her powers. It’s definitely hard enough for a teenager to deal with the ridicule associated with living with a horder; it is even more difficult when that horder is actually hording for the sake of mankind. Nalena has no choice but to support her mother’s weird habits, even when it directly conflicts with the attention of a cute boy named Garrett.

I found myself equally frustrated as Nalena by the lack of answers for much of the novel. I understand that some things could not be revealed early, but it felt like the author was stalling at times – a lot of filler when all I wanted was to know WTF was happening. And that alone kept me from rating this book five stars.

Ending: Nalena chooses what I thought she would choose but definitely not for the same reasons. It’s a bittersweet ending, but a good place to pause the series.