No Virgin by Anne Cassidy

No Virgin by Anne Cassidy
Buy No Virgin by Anne Cassidy at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Teens
Reviewer: Molly De'Ath
Summary: This book, although rather short, managed to put its message across clearly. I was interested to read this, as it is a theme that I had not read before in a book. I found it very difficult to read at times, but I always found myself turning the next page a minute after the last. I was quite nervous to read this, but after I had finished, I could not have been more glad I had chosen it - it showed me the mind-set of the main character after her experience. I found this an interesting and unique book.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 192	Date: November 2016
Publisher: Hot Key Books
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-1471405785
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This book is the account of seventeen year old Stacey Woods' rape. In it, she describes the horrific experience that supposed-nice guy, Harry, put her through, and how she has come into terms with her situation. It deals with issues no person should have to face, and in a way that provokes deep thought. Anne Cassidy clearly shows how sexual assault not only harms the body, but the mind too - in a way that causes a person to believe they were at fault.

Despite her situation, Stacey's character was relatable. She wasn't in a large friend group, but her friendship with Patrice was special and one of the most important things in her life. But she was very naive - and this innocence shrouded her thoughts at times which caused her to lead herself into some stupid and vulnerable situations.

Stacey's family life is dysfunctional - her sister becoming pregnant at fourteen, and living at home with her child who is typically put into the hands of Stacey and their mother at every chance she gets.

Patrice was one of my favourite characters in this novel - she was immensely supportive of Stacey and encouraged her to write, if not talk, about her situation before deciding on what to do about it. Harry was charming and knew how to manipulate girls - which made me feel as though he had done so many times before. He was a creepy character from the reader's perspective and very intelligent. The way he raped her was so cleverly carried through that it made Stacey believe it was all her fault that it had happened in the first place.

Cassidy did a great job with writing this book and depicted Stacey's emotions very well. The shame, guilt and fear she felt were prominent throughout this novel - which made it a much more convincing read.

I will recommend this novel to any other teenager I know, as it will help many view life differently and will show some the warning signs so they can avoid making the same mistakes that she did. It shows that rape is not black and white and there is no right way to deal with something that should not happening - but that if you accept the fact that it is not your fault, then dealing with it will be much easier.

If you enjoyed No Virgin, then you should check out other books that deal with tough topics in life. I'd recommend Crush by Eve Ainsworth which deals with the beginning of an abusive relationship. Or if you would rather a story that deals with other hard topics, I’d suggest My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga which is another great plot with powerful characters.

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You can read more book reviews or buy No Virgin by Anne Cassidy at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy No Virgin by Anne Cassidy at Amazon.com.

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