Social Reading Club @OSU discussion

Add your thoughts about the first half of the book (Page 188 - Chapter 27)!

Honestly, the first 80 pages or so made me want to cry for this poor girl. I didn't expect to get so attached to Kya, but she's such a fascinating character and I love seeing the marsh through her eyes. I've tried so many times to put myself in her family's shoes and understand why no one took her with them (especially her mom) and I just can't! I really think there's no way to justify leaving her to fend for herself and it breaks my heart to see her slowly losing hope over the years that someone would come back for her.

Despite all that, she figured out how to be self-sufficient and in my opinion, Jumpin' and Mabel had huge roles to play in that. They definitely instilled some confidence in her by providing supplies and just letting her do her own thing. And while everyone else would immediately label her as "marsh trash", I think Jumpin' and Mabel were able to approach and help her as equals due to their own status as "outsiders".

Oh and Tate... I'm actually so mad at him for lying to her!!! I think he knew the damage was already done when he didn't come back when he said he would, but he is such a BUM for not going through with his apology visit. His view of her as "tormented, isolated, and strange" was so incredibly out of pocket (156). I can't believe he would think of her that way knowing all the hurt she's been put through. Like Kya is literally just trying to protect herself the best way she knows how!

As for Chase Andrews, I'm not sure how to feel about him. I'm still pretty wary of him and I'm worried Kya will end up thinking their "relationship" is more than it is. I'd like to see something positive come out of it, but this murder mystery plot is suggesting otherwise. Not that I think Kya's the perpetrator, but I think their eventual falling out has something to do with the murder.

Anyways, it was super neat (and tragic) seeing Kya grow up on her own and I'm excited to see where the story leads!