This incredible story begins with a bang and does not let up! Page one introduces us to Jordan, a 15 year old crystal meth addict who had not only ditched rehab, she JUST gave birth to a baby (also hooked on meth) on her dirty mattress. Immediately I was overwhelmed with emotions, good and bad. Knowing this was a fictional girl did not stop me from thinking some pretty harsh thoughts about her and her choices. Like I said- this book attacks all of your senses from page 1. I should also point out this is book 2 of 3 in the “Intervention” series by Mrs.Blackstock. I had not known book 1 existed, but that is ok. This book stands well enough on it’s own. It has a few passing mentions of a big event in book 1, not enough to spoil or throw the story off though. However I am going to read book 1 very shortly. Jordan is a main character that shares the spotlight with another teenaged addict, Emily Covington. Same age, same rehab. That is where all of the characters lives intertwine. The rehab both girls attended together. Fortunately Emily stayed the entire year and got her life back on track. Shortly before her graduation, when an addict is at their most vulnerable, is when Jordan has her baby and drags Emily’s family into a whirlwind ride, that challenges all of them to their very core. While the storyline could be considered harsh and tragic the author did not tell it using graphic & obscene content. It gets the point across,loud and clear, tastefully. I know that may sound funny to some, but I feel it was important that she did that. This book is a phenomenal tale of the dangers of addiction and how it creeps into the hearts and souls of everyone around the addict. I believe many young people would benefit from it and the fact she told this story the way she did leaves it open for young people (16 on up, maybe 15. Parental discretion) to read. Lance (Emily’s 15 y.o. brother) may be a little too smart for his age. A year of learning about addiction via family groups at the rehab gives Lance the confidence he needs to rush out and save Jordan. While visiting his own sister he came to know Jordan and developed a friendship with the pregnant, fragile, young girl. Her running away from rehab hurt him as much as it hurt Jordan herself. Going to check on her at her home he discovers not only her baby had been born, but her Mother & Brother (also addicts, got Jordan hooked) have developed a truly evil plan for Jordan's baby. Lance is trying to save Jordan & her drug addicted newborn against all odds, from addiction and the people who want to profit off of addictions pain and misery.I loved how the author shows us addiction from both sides of the track, those who seek and struggle with sobriety and those who have yet to hit rock bottom. She teaches us how fragile an addict is, at any age, and how easy it is to get the “F it’s” and go back to their drug of choice. Dealing with life on life's terms is not easy for anyone. When you have a little “helper” to help you along- why deal with it NOW?Choices. All of the characters in this book have choices. Some easy, some not so. All of them, even the seemingly right ones often have consequences. It seems 15 year old Jordan has all of the cards stacked against her. Even with people like Lance and Emily in her corner, it is still all too easy to turn back to drugs. Then there is Grace, the newborn born on Jordan’s dirty mattress. What will become of her? Jordan wants her with a loving adoptive family, Jordan’s family wants something different.Along with the drama of the addiction issues, there is a lot of action in this story. I was highly impressed with how the author handles the subject matter. It would have been easy to fall into a preachy and judgmental tone, and she blessedly did not. She lays it all out there for us, pulls no punches. Has no need to exaggerate. It is then up to us to look into ourselves. How would we deal if a Jordan or Emily were in our lives?I have to say if I wanted someone to read a book about what addiction does to people and their loved ones, I would have NO hesitation in handing them this very book to read. How she managed to blend that and the action,love,friendship,etc. into it and make it good is beyond me. Talent, pure and simple.Time for me to post this review, get book 1, get some cold ice t (it is 95 degrees here, again), and get back to reading! Let me know what you’re reading now & how your summer is going so far. I enjoyed this one even more then the first book in the series! The Author gives such accurate details surrounding drug abuse that you could almost assume that she is speaking from experience. Just like in the first book, I found myself so angry with the addict. You just want to scream at her to get her stuff together. The story line was completely believable and I am sure it happens more often then we would like to think. I also love the way the Author weaves scripture into her books. Terri Blackstock is an amazing author and the "Intervention" series is the absolute best!
What do You think about Vicious Cycle (2011)?
GREAT book by a wonderfully engaging author! Worth your time! Read both books in the series!
—Amber
Great book! Read it in 3 days! Could not put it down!!
—Cam
