This book felt hard to rate in some ways. The writing was excellent - the author painted such a vivid picture of the landscape (physical and emotional) and the characters. It flowed well and you felt what Tilla felt, you hated the villains she interacted with, hoped for her heart to find belonging and real love, and wished you could be on her side.  I really loved Tilla and her character. 

And there were so many deep nuggets of a child looking for a father’s love, struggling with abandonment, and of finding courage in herself despite suffering.

What had me struggling a bit is this was enormously sad. Certainly not unrealistic or exaggerated, but so very heartbreaking with all the abuse, rejection, racism and betrayal. Most of the men and boys were predatory and self-serving, and the girls and women were malicious and vindictive. I don’t think I can say I *enjoyed* the book, but I did really like it.