(I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

You don’t mess with Atlanta Burns.
Everyone knows that. And that’s kinda how she likes it—until the day Atlanta is drawn into a battle against two groups of bullies and saves a pair of new, unexpected friends. But actions have consequences, and when another teen turns up dead—by an apparent suicide—Atlanta knows foul play is involved. And worse: she knows it’s her fault. You go poking rattlesnakes, maybe you get bit.
Afraid of stirring up the snakes further by investigating, Atlanta turns her focus to the killing of a neighborhood dog. All paths lead to a rural dogfighting ring, and once more Atlanta finds herself face-to-face with bullies of the worst sort. Atlanta cannot abide letting bad men do awful things to those who don’t deserve it. So she sets out to unleash her own brand of teenage justice.
Will Atlanta triumph? Or is fighting back just asking for a face full of bad news?

Wow! What a cracking book. I think it would be better suited to be labelled a "New Adult" novel than "Young Adult" as the themes and language are probably unsuitable for the younger reader. You have been warned.

Atlanta Burns is the kind of girl you never - EVER - want to get on the bad side of. Straight up, one of the better female protagonists I have read in a long time. Her world she inhabits is not pleasant - through this book we witness lynchings, torture, sexual assault and the like, it is easy to sympathise with Atlanta and, in a very healthy way, cheer her on! With a shotgun as her nearest ally, Atlanta takes on everything from bullies to Neo-Nazis, cutting a swathe through the baddest characters in society - all with good reason, all deserving their punishment.

The plotlines throughout this book are both well maintained and smart. At no point does the author let the tension drop below throttling. It is a full-on romp through a world that demands you don't stop for a moment. Or else. Throw all that together with a well-drawn cast of characters - both good and bad - then you will find that this could very well be one of the best books you have read for a while...

The reason it didn't get 5 stars from me was simple - I am not sure of the target market. Is this aimed at young adults? 14-15 year old reading this? Not sure that is totally appropriate (of course, its none of my business what others read...) - I would think, however, more likely to be aimed at the New Adult market. It is grittier, darker, swear-ier and more violent than most YA books on the market.


Paul
ARH