Book: Black Heart Blue

Book title: Black Heart Blue
Author: Louisa Reid

Blurb:
They tried to make me go to my sister’s funeral today. In the end I had to give in... I’d been walking in her shadow for sixteen years and I liked its cool darkness. It was a good place to hide.’
Rebecca’s twin sister Hephzibah was beautiful and daring. She was the one who always wanted more. The one who wouldn’t listen. Now she’s gone, Rebecca is alone.
While there were two of them, they stayed silent about their home life. But Rebecca, who knows the truth about how her twin died, suddenly finds herself keeping too many secrets. Hephzibah dreamt of escape, but failed. Could Rebecca be the one to find freedom?

Original and unforgettable, Black Heart Blue is not just Rebecca and Hephzibah’s story. It’s a story about all of us: a story about the lies we want to believe, the truth we sometimes can’t accept, and having the courage to discover the difference.

My Opinion:
I started reading this book because a classmate accidentally left it on my desk and found my self unable to put it down! The story is something that I wouldn't have picked up on my own but I'm glad that the classmate bought this. 
The story shows how a deformed girl copes after the death of her 'perfect' twin while dealing with abuse, extremist parents and being sheltered from the way the world works. This beautiful story oscillates between the past and the present. The past is the story leading up the the death of Hephzibah and switches point of views in between the sisters. While the present is completely in Rebecca's point of view and shows how she copes and tries to escape after Hephzi's death. I found myself hating, crying, laughing and getting upset along with the twins's ups and downs.
The story is beautifully worded and delicately crafted. Louisa Reid has made her debut with this beautiful book and has shown the dark side of the world. The story will force you to think of your actions and words along with the effect they can have on others when you can manage to put the book down. It's a wonderfully eye-opening book that will take you through the dark side of abuse while ensuring that light is there to guide your way back.

Ideal For:
This book is ideal for everyone above the age of 14/15. There is a certain level of maturity required to read this but this book is not genre bound. It is a book I'd suggest reading whether or not you like this genre or are a boy or girl. The classmate of mine that read this was a guy and even he found the story touching and an eye-opener. It is rare to find a book written by women about women/girls that can be read and enjoyed by both genders and this is one such book. I would suggest reading it it you can, even if slight angst isn't your forte. 

This is a book that needs to be read in one go, but perhaps not a rainy day. I would suggest keeping this novel for a warm sunny day when you have free time so that the outside atmosphere is not the same as that of the books. When reading this, a little bit of sunshine and laughter will be needed outside the book to make sure the dark atmosphere of the book doesn't get you down.

Snippets:
Snippet 1:

I’ve recorded today as another black day and it’s there, 

a story inscribed hard on my heart. The tales I keep hidden within are many; if  you ever open me up then you’ll 

read the truth. Look inside, peel back skin and flesh, excavate bone,

and there you’ll find a library of  pain. Perhaps 

you will ask me to explain. I am, after all, the curator of

this past. But some things are too terrible to tell and those

words are buried deep. Those are the words I never even  

whispered to my sister, those are the words that I daren't

say aloud. I wish they wouldn't cry in the walls of  my 

room and hunt me down in my dreams

Snippet 2:

Granny had been kind and we’d looked forward to 

staying with her like other kids look forward to Christmas. It was a chance to eat chocolate and watch television.

A chance to read books until well past bedtime. At Granny’s we were allowed to laugh out loud and play dress up, she even let us try her make-up. Hephzi loved make-up, the more sparkly the better. Granny made sure my sister got a bra when she was twelve and started to show. Sometimes she’d take us to the cinema and we would watch unsuitable films: Disney princesses, cartoons, Harry Potter. She was The Mother’s mother and she loved us. She used to kiss me and tell me I was lovely. Her little love. No one else ever said that. As we got older 

we visited her less and less. No need, said The Parents, we could make ourselves useful at their church events instead of  lounging about at Granny’s. Years yawned wide with her 

absence. I know Granny missed us. When she rang up and one of  us managed to answer, her voice sounded thin and far away like a paper aeroplane spiraling out of  sight. And then she died.

Where to get it:
you can get it at;
amazon
e-bay
Flipkart
Barnes & Nobles