The Situation: A year and two months ago, the Torres sisters attempted to run away from home. After they each climbed out of an upstairs window and down a tree, Ana, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa made their way into the streets, crowded with those celebrating Fiesta. But thanks to the group of boys who hang out at the house across the street, who believed themselves to be helping, the girls are caught and brought back to live with their father, a man who fell apart when their mother died 13 years ago. Two months later, Ana dies after having fallen out of that same window, and things got worse. Angry and scared Jessica is now even more angry and scared. Deeply introverted Iridian has done the impossible and folded in on herself even more, only waking up to read Anne Rice's The Witching Hour, write in one of her notebooks, or watch TV. Rosa manages to remain a bright light in a dark house, holding onto her faith and her desire to help, but her adventures may inadvertently put her in harm's way.
The Problem: It has been a year since Ana died, and while it is clear the Torres house is falling apart, both the family and the actual structure, it does not look like anything will change. Jessica is holding down a decent job at the local pharmacy, but taking care of the house and her father takes most of her money. Iridian keeps to herself, allowing her anger and contempt to keep everyone else at bay. And Rosa keeps looking for ways to help, often consulting Father Mendoza on her path in life. If their father Rafe, were at all helpful, he would be able to see that Jessica's boyfriend is abusive, Iridian needs help, and Rosa is wiser and more helpful then her 13 years would suggest. But instead of providing solutions, he remains possibly the main problem, as all he can do is drink, borrow money, and insist his daughters stay close to him. He does not even notice when strange things start happening at the house, things that the sister's believe are proof that Ana's ghost has come back to haunt them.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult novel that is set in San Antonio, Texas. The book opens up in the month of April during Fiesta, the annual celebration that seemingly takes over the entire city for close to two weeks. After the sisters' attempt at running away is unsuccessful, the book jumps to June 9th of the following year, and follows the three remaining Torres sisters for the next eight days. Jessica works at the pharmacy, hangs out with her abusive boyfriend, and also gets closer to Peter, her coworker and one of the boys who hangs out across the street. Iridian rarely leaves the house, opting instead to read, write, remember Ana, and go through her dead sister's things. And then there is sweet Rosa, the youngest but possibly the strongest of the Torres sisters. Wiser than her years, but also the most lost in her own world, she manages to hold it together better than all of them. The Torres house is inhabited by four people who are grieving, and a ghost that is not quite down with this world. When Rosa asks if it is possible for a house to be abandoned and still have four people living in it, the answer is a clear 'yes.'
My Verdict: My feelings on this one are incredibly mixed. While there are some powerful moments in this book, the majority of it feels jumbled and messy. This could be attributed to the narration style, which jumps from sister to sister as the chapters change, and occasionally moves to the group of boys across the street who have seemingly done little else but watch the Torres sisters. But some of the characters also feel less than solid, specifically Jessica and Iridian. Jessica is clearly angry and scared, but something about the way both of those traits manifest does not quite work. Iridian is also angry and scared, but her desire to only read, write, and watch TV only served to make her the least interesting of the three surviving sisters. I understand that these girls are hurting, and that their father is less than helpful, but hard moments, such as the loss of a loved one, help to bring out who people really are. If that is what is happening here, then Rosa is the only one of the Torres family I would have patience for.
Favorite Moment: When Rosa picks up a lamp and successfully uses it as a weapon.
Favorite Character: Rosa, easily. Jessica and Iridian would be lost without her, and they know it.
Recommended Reading: There are quite a few young adult books out there with daughters who shoulder larger burdens than they probably should due to the absence (either literally or figuratively) of one or both parents. I recommend Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo and Sadie by Courtney Summers.
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