I could go on for ages about this book. Instead, I'll try to save your time. 
 It scared me to death, if I'm honest. 
 I was reading once in bed, before I went to sleep. I just so happened that I ended up reading about half-eaten children found in a police report as I was getting ready to fall asleep. 
 Often, I would have to stop reading in order to let my mind deal better with the plot's continuity. I'm sure my breathing patterns fluctuated throughout most of the main plot points. 
 I even took a very, very long break from reading it. I'd like to say it was because I ended up getting legions of other books for my birthday, but if I'm truthful, it was more of a mental health leave. 
 I'm also a girl. Yes, being of the female gender does not help the mental health issues that this book may develop in you. 
 I have to give it five stars though, because I thoroughly enjoyed the book. And another thing, the main character was likeable, which goes a long way with me after reading the Mediator books in which the main character is so infuriating.