Review: The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book opens with Minnow being arrested after beating up a boy, taken to the police station, questioned, and made to hand over the contents of her pockets, which include two skeleton hands wired together with gold. The hands belong to her, she has only stumps at the end of her arms. She's convicted of attempted murder, because the boy she beat/kicked almost dies. After being put in juvenile detention facility she tells her story in flashbacks, to her cellmate, an FBI man who makes a deal with her for the truth, and her memories.

Minnow has spent the last twelve years of her life living in the woods as part of the Kevinian cult. The Community has burned to the ground. The people are scattered. The Prophet is dead. Minnow alone holds the keys to what really happened that night. But will the truth matter to a justice system that seeks only motive and shows little compassion for victims who strike back against their abusers?

I have not read such an amazing retelling of the Handless Maiden, before. Very modern, very disturbing.



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