This is a thought-provoking, powerful, slow-burn character study that addresses the sensitive topic of child abuse in a very unique way. A definite “page-turner” that almost reads like a thriller. This is not “light” reading however. This is not escapism. It is an emotional and eye-opening journey that will remain with you long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended for serious readers. – Readers Review
MARY’S WAR
Mary was eight years old when she first promised to protect her little sister Sarah from their dad. At the time she didn’t know that parents have more legal rights than the children they are hurting.
Mary’s courageous quest to keep her little sister safe in an unsafe world leads her to discoveries of dark truths and shining love that changes her life in unforgettable ways.
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In May 2009 a previous version of this novel received a contract offer from HarperCollins (which the author eventually declined to sign). Here are a few of the responses the novel has received:
“Mary is a protagonist that you can’t help but fall utterly in love with. Her view of the world is both naive and gut-wrenchingly mature, and her love for and devotion to her sister made my heart actually ache.”
Susan Cantin (editor/Atria Books)
“A harrowing, incredibly affecting story I admit that once I started reading, I didn’t stop until the end.”
Suprurna Bnerjee (editor/Henry Holt & Company)
“This novel is an extraordinary creation.”
C.Hodell (editor/Farrar, Straus, and Giroux)
“I read this in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. Intense and grossly compelling.”
Sarah Landis (editor/HarperCollins)
“Should be required reading in every high school in America. Every abused kid who reads it won’t feel so alone anymore. I was so emotionally moved, I wept at the end. You Alexi, were born to write. Your passionate defense of children is extraordinary.”
Jodie Rhodes (literary agent of record during HarperCollins negotiations)
“I read this in one sitting and couldn’t put it down.”
Sarah Landis (editor/HarperCollins)
“Breathtaking . . . “
Andrea Olenik (editor/Algonquin Books)
“This is exactly the kind of fiction I am searching for – accesible, beautifully rendered writing with social significance. There are moments in this novel where my breath was absolutely taken away with a particular turn of phrase or image. The voice was haunting and I feel in love with our hero.”
Sulay Hernandez (editor/Simon and Shuster)
“This novel was enthralliing – full of thought-provoking, gut-wrenching wrting that I couldn’t get enough of. So much so that I carry highlighted passages of it in my purse so I can re-read them throughout the day.”
Ginee Seo (publishing director/Chronicle Books)
“A very powerful, disturbing, and ultimately, hopeful story.”
Jill Schwartzman (editor/Random House)
“Your writing deserves attention, it truly does I find your work an amazing, heart-wrenching gift of passion.”
Velvet Martin (founder of Samantha’s Law #NoMoreSilence and Advocate for Family-Centered Care
“My favorite quote about God is from Ellie Weisel: ‘Don’t say anything about God that you can’t say while standing over a pit of burning babies.’ Alexi, your anger burns bright, brave, and beautiful. Thank you for writing this.” Susan Olmsted (reader/Amazon Books)
“How did you handle such a back-breaking, heavy topic with such simple elegance? So clean and precise it chiseled images in my brain.”
Carol Ward (reader/BuzzFeed Books)
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