This thriller is based around a girl’s unusual condition and how that changes her life. Viola’s body cannot process UV rays, so any exposure to sunlight or UV lights has the potential to kill her. Consequently, she lives in the world of the night, often wandering alone through the nearby forest. When she witnesses a terrible crime, she decides to keep it a secret, but this act has terrifying consequences for her.

The characters in this novel are full of secrets, with few words spoken, which make it occasionally a little heavy on exposition in order to reveal important back story. However, when Viola is in the woods the story moves along at a fast pace and keeps the reader engaged.

Readers 12 and up who like realist fiction and thrillers will enjoy this novel.

Angela Crocombe