Game over.

84. Vicious Circle – Imogen Howe

“I’m not saying it’s aliens…” And it’s not. Although little sister Andrea very much wants to see aliens. They’re her thing now. And child abuse is not her thing. You see, there’s something very obvious about the title of this book once the dead family and their brokedown shack of terror and boarded up doors makes its debut. Their backstory screams “break the cycle” so loud I couldn’t be bothered about much else in the plot.

Yes, it’s very nice that Andrea doesn’t get kidnapped and she helps the overdramatic cop get his daughter back, but she has a supportive family and friends. Her sister notices she’s gone and runs after her. Her sister’s boyfriend doesn’t treat her like a complete nuisance. She’s protected even if she isn’t constantly safe. It’s pretty obvious those who grew up in the shack had neither support nor anything else. It’s not really surprising they didn’t break the vicious circle of abuse through generations themselves, especially once they neglect-murdered the deformed and lonely child Jeremy.

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Danger Crumples understands why Andrea wants to see Aliens. It was really good.