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Into Thin Air
When no one comes to save you…you have to save yourselfMaia Duncan learned “Stranger Danger” and the perils of the internet when she was just 12 years old. Unfortunately after her captivity and forced participation into the sex trade, it was a lesson she learned too late.But after six long years when her next assignment was to groom other young girls in the sex trade, Maia knew she had to escape…or die trying.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2011
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Maarten
7 books37 followersLet me introduce myself...
I have been writing ever since I discovered that letters made sounds and a combination of letters made words. It wasn't until recently that I decided to share my work with the public at large.
The only thing I love more than writing, besides the obvious (God, family, life and country), is reading. As you will soon learn, I have an eclectic taste in what I read and what I write. There isn't a romance genre that I will pass up. I've recently began reading suspense and paranormal romance and have dabbled in the vampire series.
But one day, I'm going to reach in my storage bin or previously unpublished work and dust off that masterpiece I've been working on.
Until then...
I have been writing ever since I discovered that letters made sounds and a combination of letters made words. It wasn't until recently that I decided to share my work with the public at large.
The only thing I love more than writing, besides the obvious (God, family, life and country), is reading. As you will soon learn, I have an eclectic taste in what I read and what I write. There isn't a romance genre that I will pass up. I've recently began reading suspense and paranormal romance and have dabbled in the vampire series.
But one day, I'm going to reach in my storage bin or previously unpublished work and dust off that masterpiece I've been working on.
Until then...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 25, 2012
I started this book with some trepidation, knowing the subject matter would be one that appalled me, and sickened me. Like most, I would love to turn my head and pretend these things don't happen in the real world. They do. Into Thin Air opened my eyes not only to the reality of the world Maia, China, India and Becca lived in, but to the real life dangers the internet poses to young girls and boys. I love social media, as does most of society today. I love my on-line friends and family. But I will be much more careful in speaking with my grandchildren about the dangers now. More dilligent in educating them not only to not speak to strangers, but also to not develop on-line friendships that their parents don't know about. Social media is here to stay, as are the dangers related to it.
Ms. Maarten takes you deep into the world of sex-slavery, and the lives of three young women who plot and plan their escape. All seems hopeless until when confronted with bringing another young girl into the same horror that has filed their lives, they fight back. Led by Maia they risk their own lives to save each other, a friendship with bonds stronger than blood. You will find yourself on the edge of your seat, reading quickly to turn the page, perhaps chewing on a nail, as you hold your breath, both in fear and anticipation. A gripping read, that you won't want to put down until the very last page, and even then you will be wanting more.
Ms. Maarten takes you deep into the world of sex-slavery, and the lives of three young women who plot and plan their escape. All seems hopeless until when confronted with bringing another young girl into the same horror that has filed their lives, they fight back. Led by Maia they risk their own lives to save each other, a friendship with bonds stronger than blood. You will find yourself on the edge of your seat, reading quickly to turn the page, perhaps chewing on a nail, as you hold your breath, both in fear and anticipation. A gripping read, that you won't want to put down until the very last page, and even then you will be wanting more.
September 27, 2018
A stark look at the reality of human trafficking.
A little far fetched but an excellent easy read. Characters were realistic and the plot was exciting and often unexpected!
A little far fetched but an excellent easy read. Characters were realistic and the plot was exciting and often unexpected!
November 21, 2011
By: Valerie Maarten
Reviewed By: Crystal Trent Dotson
Maia is a twelve year old who wants to be able to fit in at school, once she convinces her mother to ease up and give her a little more freedom, Maia meets up with a friend she met on the internet and then she disappears.
For the next six years Maia endures horrible abuse and is made to watch young girls be killed. When Maia finally decides to try and escape with a five year old on her back, she knows what will happen if she doesn't find freedom.
Once she has escaped she can't let herself live with the guilt of not trying to go back and free the other slaves.
But will she be able to overpower cruel,disgusting men twice her size just to be guilt free and free the others or will her life come to an end by the man who took her innocence and made her a sex slave?
This is a very powerful story , it's very emotional and brings the reality of this horrible crime to life.
Reviewed By: Crystal Trent Dotson
Maia is a twelve year old who wants to be able to fit in at school, once she convinces her mother to ease up and give her a little more freedom, Maia meets up with a friend she met on the internet and then she disappears.
For the next six years Maia endures horrible abuse and is made to watch young girls be killed. When Maia finally decides to try and escape with a five year old on her back, she knows what will happen if she doesn't find freedom.
Once she has escaped she can't let herself live with the guilt of not trying to go back and free the other slaves.
But will she be able to overpower cruel,disgusting men twice her size just to be guilt free and free the others or will her life come to an end by the man who took her innocence and made her a sex slave?
This is a very powerful story , it's very emotional and brings the reality of this horrible crime to life.
April 4, 2012
I literally couldn't put this book down, I just had to know what happened next. I stubmled upon this book as an accident, it was sent to me in one of those free kindle book emails and I'm glad it was. This book was so good it was well worth paying for so I'm not sure why it was free. The subject matter of sex trafficking young, kidnapped girls was a little hard to read but it just makes you cheer for the main character (Maia) that much more. She is a very strong girl with an incredible sense of doing the right thing. The book was very well written and it kept you interested long after you thought you should stop reading. I highly reccommend this book, it's exciting and has a great story and you genuinely feel something for these girls. I will be looking to read another book by this author.
August 24, 2012
12 year old Maia Duncan is a typical young girl. Feeling suffocated by her overprotective mother, she decides to sneak out to a modelling shoot with her friend Pamela. Having met Pamela on the internet, this will be their first meeting in real life, but is Pamela everything she claims to be?
While Valerie Maarten should be commended for tackling such a taboo subject, one that is sure to be every parent's worst nightmare, I found "Into Thin Air" to be an utterly dreadful read.
Filled with constant perspective changes (sometimes 2 or 3 times per page), cringeworthy interactions & dialogue between the various characters, and the incorrect use of past and present tense, "Into Thin Air" did everything in its power to keep me disconnected from the story.
Sadly, this is one book to avoid.
While Valerie Maarten should be commended for tackling such a taboo subject, one that is sure to be every parent's worst nightmare, I found "Into Thin Air" to be an utterly dreadful read.
Filled with constant perspective changes (sometimes 2 or 3 times per page), cringeworthy interactions & dialogue between the various characters, and the incorrect use of past and present tense, "Into Thin Air" did everything in its power to keep me disconnected from the story.
Sadly, this is one book to avoid.
April 17, 2012
Kudos to Valerie Maarten for writing about the subject of sex slavery, which is hardly ever in the media, and yet is big business all over the world. In fact, it's going on right under your nose right now.
In this case, a young girl made a mistake of trusting the wrong person on the internet. He was grooming young Maia to get her away from her mother, and resulted in dire consequences. These things happen all too often in real life, and it's a real wake-up call. Maia is kept as a sex slave for 6 years until the opportunity arises to escape. Taking her life in her hands, and the lives of other slaves, Maia takes her chance for freedom to gain the life she should never have lost in the first place. It's a gripping read, but very non-graphic.
In this case, a young girl made a mistake of trusting the wrong person on the internet. He was grooming young Maia to get her away from her mother, and resulted in dire consequences. These things happen all too often in real life, and it's a real wake-up call. Maia is kept as a sex slave for 6 years until the opportunity arises to escape. Taking her life in her hands, and the lives of other slaves, Maia takes her chance for freedom to gain the life she should never have lost in the first place. It's a gripping read, but very non-graphic.
October 26, 2011
This book has everything...
Maia is a strong-willed twelve year old who often deceives her mother. One day she arranges to meet up with a friend she's met on the internet and she disappears...into thin air.
What she has to endure for the next six years is both despicable and heart-wrenching.
When the opportunity to alter her situation arises she grabs it with both hands, knowing what the consequences will be if she doesn't.
Great characterisation and a gripping story from start to finish.
Maia is a strong-willed twelve year old who often deceives her mother. One day she arranges to meet up with a friend she's met on the internet and she disappears...into thin air.
What she has to endure for the next six years is both despicable and heart-wrenching.
When the opportunity to alter her situation arises she grabs it with both hands, knowing what the consequences will be if she doesn't.
Great characterisation and a gripping story from start to finish.
March 5, 2012
If I weren't already a fan of Ms. Maarten, her novel Into Thin Air would have roped me in. This is a book of one of the hardest topics in the world to write about, human trafficking and yet Valerie brought the story to life without being gory and graphic. The use of your own imagination travels the story along. Even though there are many horrible points, you still get the urge to cheer for Maia. A great read.
March 18, 2012
Ms. Maarten tells an amazing story of the horrors of child sex-slaves. Not a subject most people want to hear, but the world needs to know how world-wide these horrid crimes are being covered up by governments,and the media.
Into Thin Air, not only unveils the sex-slave industry for what it is, but tells a beautiful story of strong young girls, and their survival.
I wish everyone would read this book, and become more watchful of our children of the world.
Into Thin Air, not only unveils the sex-slave industry for what it is, but tells a beautiful story of strong young girls, and their survival.
I wish everyone would read this book, and become more watchful of our children of the world.
December 27, 2013
The writing style was very naïve and easy to read, vey much an amateur writer. However, the book was engrossing. I don't read much in this subject matter and I felt very moved by the plight of the heroines.
Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing, so it did ruin the book a wee bit. If the author was trying to make it real and highlight the plight of such children, then using that ending made the whole thing seem rather unlikely and less believable.
Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing, so it did ruin the book a wee bit. If the author was trying to make it real and highlight the plight of such children, then using that ending made the whole thing seem rather unlikely and less believable.
October 29, 2020
it is a must read for parents of children and teens who frequent the internet. It was dark and a hard read but a well written book nonetheless. i will definitely recommend its reading!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews