The Leaving- Tara Altebrando

Are you craving a good mystery book? Not the kind with the sleuth and the murderer, but the kind involving missing people, wiped memories and hidden clues? How about the sort of book that you simply cannot put down? Sound good? Well I have the perfect book: The Leaving by Tara Altebrando.

Eleven years ago, six children were stolen from their school in what the media called “The Leaving”, and weren’t seen until now. Eleven years later they rocked up on the front doorstep of their house not remembering a thing about the past eleven years of their childhood. Some people think they are lying, others think they are crazy. But it’s not as simple as that because although six children were taken, only five came back. With none of the returned victims remembering anything more than one useless memory, there was no way of knowing who took them, where they took them or where the missing boy had gone.

There are so many things that make this book so good. Firstly, the story switches perspectives between two of the returned children, Scarlett and Lucas who are working together to try and regain their memories and Avery, who is the sister of Max, the boy who didn’t return. This gives an interesting view of the emotions that each person is going through and how they feel towards each other. Also, the language that Tara Altebrando uses to portray the thoughts and feelings of each character creates a novel that is beautifully written. There are also visual representations of words and how they are being formed in the character’s mind which made The Leaving very unique and intriguing to read.

If you are up for a gripping mystery book (which I always am), I would definitely recommend reading The Leaving by Tara Altebrando. I think that this novel is suitable for ages twelve and above and can be read in a minimum of one sitting! Thank you for reading my book review and I hope you decide have a read of The Leaving.

~Inkpot Blogger