Laika


Fiction - Literary
257 Pages
Reviewed on 11/27/2018
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Keith Julius for Readers' Favorite

In Laika, author Kate Kort has chosen an unconventional way to tell a touching story of two troubled individuals, each struggling with their own inner turmoil. Fourteen-year-old Laika has fled from home, running away from an abusive father whose life has become a mixture of alcohol and anger following the death of Laika's mother several years earlier. His mistreatment of his daughter has not only forced her out on her own, but has also triggered insecurities and delusions that begin to envelop her life. When Graham, a waiter at a local restaurant, notices the girl's plight he becomes concerned, to the point where he tries to reach her and offer what meager assistance he can. Graham, however, has his own demons to fight, with a troubled past that he can't seem to escape.

The story is brilliantly told, primarily from the warped perspective of the young girl who, as the story progresses, lapses further and further away from reality into a paranoid state where she trusts no one and fears everything. Laika is an amazing story, with Kate Kort drawing the reader further and further into a truly frightening world, presenting a view of existence most of us will thankfully never experience. As the confused girl struggles to make sense of her life, you can't help but root for her minor victories while you cringe along with her at the fear and panic so vividly brought to life in the story-telling. This is not necessarily an easy book to read, due to its disturbing subject matter, but it is truly an unforgettable experience.