Dorian Box’s THE GIRL GOES HOME (Emily Calby Book 4) will not disappoint the readers who have followed Emily Calby this far. It is a fiercely energetic story, full of moments both bitterly heartbreaking and tenderly uplifting, as Emily goes home and finally comes to terms with some of the darker history behind her family’s tragedy. Box’s dark and mischievous sense of humor lightens the book just enough to keep it entertaining without overshadowing the real emotional power at its core.
At heart, THE GIRL GOES HOME is a book about justice, sought too late but inexorable and inevitable nonetheless. Emily’s generously warm heart and her honest desire to fight for those who have been wronged makes her a loveable heroine. Also, her (sometimes violent) trauma responses and internal struggles to define who she is (and who she has become) make her a heart-wrenchingly believable one. The potential for a romantic subplot is handled deftly and subtly, as is appropriate given Emily’s emotional damage and her completely understandable difficulties with trust and vulnerabilities.
There’s plenty of room here for development in further books, and hopefully the author will take advantage of it. The book’s most emotional moments—especially Emily’s memories of her family, her reconnection with an old childhood friend, and the old family story of love, loss, and heartbreak she uncovers—are beautifully done, drawn well enough to tear at the reader’s heartstrings without being in any way cloyingly sentimental. Have a handkerchief handy. However, there’s also plenty of satisfying catharsis here: autocratic power used for evil, poisoning an entire community (as well as Emily’s own life and family), meets its match in Emily’s fierce will and ingrained righteous fury. While some of her methods may be dubious, it is absolutely gratifying to see such a vigorous force for justice finally having a chance to fight back against those who callously destroy lives with a flick of their fingers for the sake of money and power. The plot is full of action and energy, and the reader is advised not to start the book just before bedtime, as it’s very difficult to put down in the middle. All in all, this is a highly engaging, thoroughly satisfying read—an excellent companion for a cozy winter afternoon.
Dorian Box’s THE GIRL GOES HOME (Emily Calby Book 4) strikes the perfect balance between dark humor, vigorous and suspenseful action, heartwarming found family, and the theme of long-overdue justice.
~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader