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Review: My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

Title: My Sister Rosa
Author: Justine Larbalestier
Year Published: 2016


Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 309
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Location (my 2017 Google Reading map): USA (NY)

FTC Disclosure: I bought this with my own money


Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he's also certain that she's a psychopath--clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he's the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she's capable of.

Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa's "acting out." Now that they have moved again--from Bangkok to New York City--their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che's always been Rosa's rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her.

Review: I loved Larbalestier's book Liar so was really looking forward to this novel. And oh what a disturbing book it is.

I really like the main character and narrater, Che. He is caring, thoughtful, and scared. Scared of his sister Rosa and her psychopathic ways. She infiltrates the psyche of every person she encounters, controls them, manipulates them, and charms them. And Che tries to control her, but he can't. All Che wants is a girl friend, to spar, and to return home to Australia. That doesn't seem like too much to ask for, but somehow getting what you want isn't always the right thing.

The support characters are also good. Che's confused parents who are in denial, his girlfriend, his friends. They are all people you can imagine, can picture, would want to know. All of them except Rosa. And Che's parents. They creep me out.

I'm not really sure what to say about this book except that it is good, and psychologically creepy. And well done. 

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