Review of Don’t Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala
Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
Published by HarperTeen on January 3, 2012
Plot Summary for Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
Joy is suffocating.
From asthma, from her parents, and from her boyfriend, Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out. She can take his cruel words, his tender words . . . until the night they go too far.
To escape, Joy sacrifices her suburban life to find the one who offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. He introduces her to a world of fierce loyalty, to its rules of survival, and to love—a world she won’t easily let go.
Set against the backdrop of the streets of Seattle, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the secrets we keep, and the ways to redemption. But above all, it is an unflinching story about the extraordinary lengths one girl will go to discover her own strength.
I went into this book knowing little about it and came out a huge fan. This is a gripping and beautifully written story about abusive relationships and life on the street that isn’t preachy or depressing or melodramatic. It’s just …. really good!
My Review of Don’t Breathe a Word from 2012
Joy seems to have everything — a loving family, a rich, gorgeous boyfriend, and a comfortable upper-middle class lifestyle in Seattle.
But she’s suffocating. Joy has asthma, which means that her family watches over her every breath. Then there’s Joy’s boyfriend, Asher. He’s the rich son of her father’s boss. But he belittles her. He wants to control her. He threatens her family if she doesn’t obey.
So Joy runs away, joining the shadow word of Seattle’s homeless population.
Life on the street is hard, especially for a young girl. But Joy is determined to tough it out. She finds a new street family, a group of kids who look out for each other. But there are dangers. While Joy’s family never stopped looking for her, neither did Asher. Neither did Maul, the guy on the streets that everyone fears. And then there’s Joy’s asthma. She needs expensive medication to keep it under control.
I’ve never experienced the things that Joy does in the book, yet her story seemed completely believable to me. I’d guess that the author did research on abusive relationships and into the harsh realities that teen runaways face on the streets. Parts of it were hard to read, but Cupala’s lyrical writing and unforgettable characters drew me in and wouldn’t let me go.
I’m off to put Holly Cupala’s first book, Tell Me a Secret, on my TBR list!
My 2023 Thoughts on Don’t Breathe a Word
I’d be really curious to read this again and see if it holds up in 2023.
But this story has a lot of classic YA themes of a teen trying to find freedom.
Don’t Breathe a Word manages the absent parents of YA cliche in an original way, by having the main character run away from home.
“Issue books” featuring health issues and “dark and gritty” books were also a big trend in the 2010s.
It was even written up in a VERY hotly debated pearl-clutching June 2011 Wall Street Journal article, which felt that YA books had gone WAY too dark.
Great review! This book sounds really great, and I have it on my TBR list.
When I first heard about this book I didn't really get what the big deal was. It just didn't appeal to me. After reading your review, I think I may give it a second chance. I really want to read more standalone books and would love a gritty read. Thanks again for a great review!
Now I really want to win your giveaway–even if it does make my TBR larger!This book sounds wonderful and gripping but do you think you will need a lighter book next to balance it out?
It was a dark book but hopeful at the same time. Hard to explain. Just read it!
Woo! Now I want to read that too! I'm jealous of all your ARCs lol. And by the way, pick BloodRose for the other boxed book! It just sounds awesome!
I'm going to give the winner a list of 8-10 ARCs and they can pick up to 6 that they want.
Bloodrose was great. Don't read any spoilers!!!
I'm loving stand alone books right now. I already have DON'T BREATHE A WORD on my radar.
Hey, terrific review! That book sounds awesome! Harper Teen never disappoints.
PS I hated Bloodrose with a passion. It angered me so much, haha.
The cover AND the storyline are attention grabbers! I am putting this book in my TBR list.
This definitely sounds like an amazing read. I already know I will love this book. I am still wowed by the fact that Jen willingly goes to live on the streets and wants to tough it out on her own. That shows great strength and bravery. This book is on my TBR list and I can't wait til I read it.