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Lisa is a member of the Boffins YA Book Club. You can read her blog here.
Hold Me Like A Breath is set in modern day New York city and surroundings. It’s interesting in a way that is told from the point of view of someone who is really experiencing New York personally for the first time but has done extensive research. At the start of the book we are introduced to Penelope, a 17 year old girl with a dangerous auto immune disease that makes her quite fragile and susceptible to bruising and her Family. Her father is the head of the Family, who are involved with black market organ trafficking, however their family is different to the common stereotype in the sense that they care more for their patients than profit. While Penny’s disease causes her family to be very protective of her and she is rarely allowed off their Family estate she herself is quite strong willed and is always researching and building an argument as to why she should be allowed to leave the estate and attend a proper school. She wants more to be allowed to live an independent life. For most of the book it is unclear who is the ‘bad guy’. There are rival Families also involved in the black market but no clear cut evil guy to be fought and defeated. It is only near the end that it is truly revealed who is responsible for many of the tragedies that surround Penny. Once we are introduced to Penny and other recurring characters tragedy strikes Penny’s family, multiple times within a short period of time leaving Penny to escape and hide in New York, the city she always dreamed she’d be free in. Instead shes forced to hide her identity from anyone she meets in fear she could be harmed. She meets many new people, most harmless, as well as others who are also concealing their true identity. Eventually an old friend shows up and reveals information that forces her to change her mindset. Soon after, a surprise revelation about someone she thought she knew gives Penny the strength to change things so she doesn’t have to hide anymore. She learns who the people are that she should really trust. This knowledge helps her save another Family from the tragedies hers suffered and shes finally able to start living the normal independent life shes always dreamed of with someone who understands exactly what shes been through. This story is enjoyable to read, with a nice, easy flow though it can be a little predictable at some points. Penny is a relatable character even if most of us will never be in her situation. I would recommend this book to young teenagers who are in the process of discovering themselves and their personal styles.
