Gemma

I've never written a review on audible before and I've listened to countless books. I felt that I needed to on this one.

The story itself made me sick, sad and at times disgusted with myself for continuing to listen. I couldn't put it away though. It's like a car accident on the side of the road. You just have to see if somebody's ended up a bloody mess.

This book was written with a viscious, foul and truthful voice. It's painful to think of a helpless child in this type of predicament and it's sickening to hear the thoughts of the predator but I think it's a necessary story. I think there are far too many people in the world who don't realize the horrors that await children around every corner.

Wow. How do I describe Gemma?
First and foremost, I truly feel that this book is absolutely NOT for anyone under 21. Not 18... 21!
When the pedophile does the narration, this story is brutal, sick and very disturbing. When Gemma narrates the story, it is honest, endearing and at many points charming. Tilly's reading is amazing and her tearful sequences found me, a 43 year old man welling with tears of my own. I don't think this title would be nearly as good in print because the author's reading is so good, probably due to her fantastic acting ability.

The story has a great ending, is very well done, but MUST NOT be approached lightly. It is graphic, gritty, extremely disturbing, and not for the young, easily influenced, or the faint of heart.

I always wondered what happened to Meg Tilly because she never showed up in People or Enquirer or blah blah blah. Then I stumbled across Gemma and was intrigued with the admonition to beware of it's brutality. Even if I hadn't googled her and found out about her writing career, I would have said that this book rings true like a crystal bell. Her kid voice is perfect. I bought every word of it. The voice of Haven slipped and he sounded a lot like Gemma. But that is a minor quibble that means nothing. The important aspect is that it doesn't look away from the minds of predator and prey. Her look into Haven's mind, especially toward the end, is too twisted not to be true. I will buy a hard copy of this book and send it to a publisher friend of mine, and that's how much I liked the book.

I just finished this audiobook (in record time;) I didn't want to hear anymore, but I couldn't stop either. I have to be honest; about 2 hours into the book I thought to myself, "What kind of sick b*%$ is this?" (referencing Ms. Tilly)

Meg Tilly's writing and performance was amazing - I felt I was with her character every traumitizing and hope filled step of the way.

This book is not for the faint of heart, and I can understand the reviewer with children that couldn't finish it. This book doesn't cut close to the bone - it saws to the marrow.

This book was absolutely awesome! The story itself broke my heart. This book is not for the weak. It will tear you apart. Meg Tilly voice & narration was excellent! I've listened to countless audio books on this site, but never have I heard a narrator deliver such a powerful performance.

I am reluctant to say I enjoyed this book thoroughly because it contains some extremely brutal imagery that only a real sicko would enjoy. However, the narration is nothing short of amazing and the story will quickly have you engulfed if you let down your guard for a few minutes and just listen. This is not "easy listening" but it will make you feel something.

This is a good listen, but like the others say in these reviews, it's not for the faint of heart. The book moves at a good pace and the author/reader is incredibly dynamic. She is an actress, for those of you who haven't figured that out already, and she brings these characters to life...almost a bit too realistically at times. The only real issue I had with the reading is that Gemma (the young lady in the book) is read at a super-fast pace that can be grating and annoying; just like a REAL kid! Very few breaths are taken when she speaks as Gemma and that, coupled with the speed wore on me a bit. Otherwise, she did a phenomenal job!

This was a very intense book. You're emotions will rage, sadden and even hope. It's an excellent listen, but if you're sensitive to the graphic subject matter, which it is, you should pass.

As in Meg Tilly's "Singing Songs" this story leaves the reader wondering how the story ends??????????? Great listen but a very disappointing ending

wow, what a story. You start wishing for redemption in any form for the broken child. The story has simple metaphores,for the complex subject matter. If you liked "The Lovey Bones" you will like this.