I Am Lucky Bird Review & Giveaway

When her mother mysteriously vanishes from the small town of Plains, Montana, 12-year-old Lucky Bird’s childhood comes to an abrupt end. Left to defend herself against her suddenly abusive grandmother, Marian, and forced to endure the twisted predatory games played out by Marian’s lover, Lucky soon finds herself trapped in a nightmare.

Even when she manages to escape, the outside world can’t take away the brutal images of her past. Still haunted by her mother’s disappearance and the trauma that followed, Lucky is easily led down a path of self-destruction—a path that only the intervention of a young stranger and his family can guide her away from. But first, Lucky will have to confront her demons, and the dark truths kept hidden.

I Am Lucky Bird is a poignant coming of age novel, but with dark overtones that had me filled with anguish and just about broke my heart.  Poor Lucky, she just wanted to be loved and be wanted.  Child abuse is horrific and Phillips tackles the subject no holds barred.  I read this book in one sitting, it is just so powerful. I found myself wrapped up in Lucky's world, a girl who doesn't even have a name.

Lucky really isn't lucky at all.  Every decision that is made for her or that she makes doesn't always seem to work out.  Just when things start to be going well for her, something happens.  Lucky can't outrun her past, she must tackle it head on.  The title having a bird is spot on as that is what Lucky reminds me of.  A small baby bird, so fragile and delicate and must be handled with gentleness.  Abused, I prayed she would find her wings to fly away.   I experienced so many emotions in this book - anger, sadness, hope, joy and much more!

Although the subject matter is dark, the story is rich and powerful.  A must read book, with spectactular writing and a protagonist who has found a special place in my heart. 

Fleur Philips is a graduate student at Antioch University in Los Angeles, pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing. She attended the University of Oregon in Eugene where she was awarded placement in the Kidd Tutorial Creative Writing Program. After a short-lived acting career (she was a “featured extra” on Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can), she completed three manuscripts. I Am Lucky Bird is her first novel and was selected as a general fiction finalist for the 2011 Book of the Year Award from ForeWord Reviews. She’s currently working on her second novel which will be released in the summer 2013. She lives in Upland, California, and when she’s not writing, she’s cheering for her son in his athletic endeavors. 

*I received a copy of this book as a member of Booksparks! All opinions are my own.

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