Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 This book opens up to our protagonist, Joy Delamere (16 or 17 years old - I waited too long to review this so I don't remember which...), setting up her own "kidnapping" - except she's really running away from home. 
 The problem? It's more than just one thing. Joy has severe asthma and because of a brush with death when she was younger, her parents practically suffocate her by watching over her too closely - she feels like a burden. She wants to be free. The clincher, though, is the abusive relationship she is caught in with Asher. Asher hurts Joy not just with words, but other things as well. As for trying to get out of the relationship? Not going to happen - you see, Asher's father is a very prominent and wealthy man in the community. He got a job for Joy's father, and Asher has threatened to take that away if Joy leaves and/or disobeys him. 
 "ASHES. 
 He had reduced me to ashes. 
 And now I would rise." 
 The solution? Running away, but making it look as if she was taken against her will. Joy runs off to the streets of Seattle to find Creed; a homeless boy who, after seeing an altercation between Joy and Asher, promised help if she ever needed an out. Joy quickly learns that life on the streets isn't as easy as she thought it was. There's danger at every turn, and she may lose her life before she's even able to find the elusive Creed. 
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 Don't Breathe a Word was nothing like I expected, yet so much more. 
 Holly Cupala has some of the most amazing writing I've ever seen. I was completely mesmerized the entire time I read this novel. It was entrancing, which, considering this story is as gritty as it gets, says a lot. Even when Cupala had need to describe the down and dirty life of a homeless teen - it was still beautiful. I am saddened that this is only her second novel because that means once I read Tell Me a Secret, that's it. *cries* 
 This story is written in present and past. It opens up to Joy running away before we even know the why of it. As the book progresses, we read through flashbacks of how Joy met Asher, how they got to know each other, to the first signs of his abuse, all the way to that final event that triggered Joy to want to run. I think having the book written this way was pure perfection. It flowed so easily and beautifully. 
 Joy was a very inspirational character. I had trouble with her at first. It was hard to get past the fact that she let Asher do the things he did and still stayed with him. It was almost like she had a sort of sick fetish for it - but later on in the book, bits and pieces are revealed that helped me to view the situation differently and I grew to admire Joy and was impressed with her heart and gut. 
 The depiction of street life seemed accurate. I can't pretend I know what it is like, but it seemed to be exactly what one would imagine. It was terrifying and sad. I think Cupala did a wonderful job of transferring the feel of that life and experience onto paper. 
 Overall, this book blew me away. It truly truly did. It was an emotional ride from the very first page. Cupala was not afraid to show her readers that life and stories aren't always sunshine and roses. People hurt other people. Life events can break you. Some situations are nearly impossible to deal with. Sometimes fighting is the only thing you can do. 
 "When the worst happens and you still survive, it sets you free from fear." 
 That really says it all. :) Don't Breathe a Word is a beautiful and moving novel. It's packed full of raw emotion and inspiring characters. There just aren't proper words to describe how wonderful this book really is. You just have to read it for yourself. I recommend it 100%. It's one of my new favorites! 
 *Be aware of some violence, language, and sexual situations.* 
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 Book source: Personal collection 
 Publisher: HarperTeen/HarperCollins