This book was captivating and mysterious in the beginning. I was drawn in by Shalini's world and her childhood. As the book progresses, it becomes more and more sad and disconnected. The ending was absymal. The last 30 pages were just avoiding the inevitable bad ending. I was shocked and disappointed. I supposed the author was trying to convey the consequences of being cowardly and not standing up for anything. I would not recommend and would not read again.