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Shattered
From award-winning author Kia DuPree, hailed for her emotionally complex characters and breakneck pacing, comes a propulsive and compelling novel about a young girl navigating the dangerous underbelly of the foster care system.
Kiki's world is turned upside down when her partially deaf mother loses custody of her children, sending Kiki and her siblings into foster care. After running away with a friend, the two run straight into the arms of a pedophile in disguise, who lures the two girls into a life far too mature for their twelve-year-old minds. Held in captivity for months, the girls are finally set free when a neighbor exposes them. But what should have been a happy moment for Kiki actually sends her on a life path that quickly spirals out of control.
Kiki's world is turned upside down when her partially deaf mother loses custody of her children, sending Kiki and her siblings into foster care. After running away with a friend, the two run straight into the arms of a pedophile in disguise, who lures the two girls into a life far too mature for their twelve-year-old minds. Held in captivity for months, the girls are finally set free when a neighbor exposes them. But what should have been a happy moment for Kiki actually sends her on a life path that quickly spirals out of control.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 18, 2012
Muddy Roads
Shakira Alexis Scott and her siblings are placed in foster care when drugs are discovered in her youngest sisters diaper bag. While in foster care, Shakira aka Kiki, learns that living with others is much different than living with her own family.
Innocence stolen, security lost, identity exploited, Kiki has been forced into adulthood. When reunited with her family, it's apparent that all of the children are different. Kiki is accustom to selling herself. Will she ever learn to love herself?
SHATTERED by Kia DuPree was a very difficult read as it deals with sexual abuse, rape, and exploitation. DuPree allows readers to see Kiki's past, present and future. In doing so, you're allowed to see how Shakira's life has been affected and how it comes full circle. I really, really liked this book, despite the extreme story line. I could've done without the detailed fashion scenes, but even still, DuPree held my attention. This is a recommended read.
Reviewed by: Crystal
Shakira Alexis Scott and her siblings are placed in foster care when drugs are discovered in her youngest sisters diaper bag. While in foster care, Shakira aka Kiki, learns that living with others is much different than living with her own family.
Innocence stolen, security lost, identity exploited, Kiki has been forced into adulthood. When reunited with her family, it's apparent that all of the children are different. Kiki is accustom to selling herself. Will she ever learn to love herself?
SHATTERED by Kia DuPree was a very difficult read as it deals with sexual abuse, rape, and exploitation. DuPree allows readers to see Kiki's past, present and future. In doing so, you're allowed to see how Shakira's life has been affected and how it comes full circle. I really, really liked this book, despite the extreme story line. I could've done without the detailed fashion scenes, but even still, DuPree held my attention. This is a recommended read.
Reviewed by: Crystal
October 27, 2014
Great read. Audiobook was the bomb... Loved Karen Pittman as the narrator, she really knows how to bring characters to life.
December 26, 2021
I mainly listened to the audiobook and occasionally followed with the paperback. The narrator captured my attention and could hear and see the characters. It was a pretty decent story, a couple loose holes but still fit together for me. I just wondered what happened to the grown man who took in two young foster girls, underaged, and the things he had them do to survive. I do not recall anything happening to him.
September 22, 2017
Enjoyed this book.
June 15, 2016
This book was great it room me awhile to finish this book. because I had classes and couldn't listen to this book as much as I wanted to. I thought Kiki story was interesting and glad she finally was happy in the end. I like rich aka Richard lol.
January 30, 2015
Absolutely Awesome!!! Listen to this on audio book TODAY. I had so many emotions while listening to this one. My favorite book so far this year!
July 13, 2013
Full review, including a lot of thoughts about street lit is here on my blog.
Bottom Line: Recommended for a library with a street lit collection. Strong female protagonist and likely to appeal to women readers. Definitely will appeal to fans of Sister Souljah. (I don't know enough of this genre to know more of the cross appeal.)
When Kiki's partially deaf mother loses custody of her children, and Kiki enters the foster care system her life begins to crumble. She runs away from the foster home and into the arms of a pedophile, abuse, and prostitution. Even as an adult reunited with her family, those patterns continue for her and her family. As she struggles against a life of pimps, boyfriends, drugs, gangs, and violence, she makes hard choices about her future.
Most obvious thing about this book: it is written in vernacular. To me the grammar feels wrong and it is grating. It is an intentional choice. To the credit of the author, the character and plot was enough to keep me engaged through the first twenty pages. After that the speech patterns and grammatical choices felt natural and organic to those characters and that setting. As such they faded into the background and allowed me to enjoy the book. This is a great triumph for the author since the first 20 pages I was itching to grab a red pen.
Please note I don't have perfect grammar either. So I definitely should not be judging harshly. It is just that this dialect of English is different similar enough to my own that instead of seeing it as a different dialect, I see it as a series of mistakes. That the author brought me past that surprised no one more than me.
Bottom Line: Recommended for a library with a street lit collection. Strong female protagonist and likely to appeal to women readers. Definitely will appeal to fans of Sister Souljah. (I don't know enough of this genre to know more of the cross appeal.)
When Kiki's partially deaf mother loses custody of her children, and Kiki enters the foster care system her life begins to crumble. She runs away from the foster home and into the arms of a pedophile, abuse, and prostitution. Even as an adult reunited with her family, those patterns continue for her and her family. As she struggles against a life of pimps, boyfriends, drugs, gangs, and violence, she makes hard choices about her future.
Most obvious thing about this book: it is written in vernacular. To me the grammar feels wrong and it is grating. It is an intentional choice. To the credit of the author, the character and plot was enough to keep me engaged through the first twenty pages. After that the speech patterns and grammatical choices felt natural and organic to those characters and that setting. As such they faded into the background and allowed me to enjoy the book. This is a great triumph for the author since the first 20 pages I was itching to grab a red pen.
Please note I don't have perfect grammar either. So I definitely should not be judging harshly. It is just that this dialect of English is different similar enough to my own that instead of seeing it as a different dialect, I see it as a series of mistakes. That the author brought me past that surprised no one more than me.
May 31, 2016
This one book I think everyone should read. For one I kind of felt bad for the main Character in this book because 1) I felt like she put herself in those situations I mean the girl was only 21 and still haven't learned anything from when she was younger. And 2) she was in college that right there should've told her to stop doing what she was doing, but it took her to get in the situation that happens with her at almost the end for her to see she needs to change. I'm like about time glad bad happen. Plus finding out who Rich was, was a surprise I'm like nice didn't see that coming. But Karma did get Kiki brother because what he did to her was some foul spit. Only a dirty sicking family member would do something dirty like that.
February 5, 2017
This book is tough to read at times, but it tells the story of Kiki and how her life spirals out of control. There were times I didn't want to finish the book due to its graphic nature, but I pushed because I had to know how it turned out.
September 30, 2015
OMG! No words. I absolutely loved this book. The synopsis does not do this book any justice. I did not think that all of these big topics would be in this book. This book mad me angry, it mad me sad, it mad me tear up, happy; I was on the bus laughing out loud. I was ready to put this book down twice because it got so shocking and gritty. I immediately went to the library and put a hold on another of Kia Dupree's books. This was not my first choice of hers to read but it was the one that was readily available. I am so glad I read this book ! I loved it sooooo much.
September 28, 2014
Excellent read by Kia Dupree. This is the sequel to Damaged. Shakira aka KiKi was truly shattered if not broken. She went through a lot before finding herself and loving herself. Once this happened she was on her way but, before finding & loving herself she did it all. Her friends weren't much better. She used her body as a means to an end. Her family was dysfunctional to say the least. KiKi found love with Rashard aka Rich. I really enjoyed this book.
June 10, 2013
I really liked the ending of this book! Shakira has had to endure alot in her life and she deserved the happiness she received in the end. I think I would've handled some situations a little differently than she did, but I guess she did what she thought was best for her. I couldn't keep it to myself if my brother had raped me. Turning him in could've gotten him the help he needed cause he was sick in the head from trauma he probably endured in foster care. Looking forward to other books by Kia.
July 6, 2016
Kia Dupree is an amazing author!!! she has yet to disappoint me. I read this book in one day & I was totally engrossed in it. I'm glad she fought her demons & found true love & her calling. I'm glad her mother didn't turn out to be an handicapped junkie neither. her mother was a good mother & she never gave up & she had a lot of sense. this is a great book & I'm glad I read it.
May 23, 2013
to me this is the best , i can see that MS. Dupree is really in to this book as she was writing it .
the book keep me in it because of the life of Kiki. i love reading Ms. Dupree books and looking forward to
reading the next one. keep them coming.
the book keep me in it because of the life of Kiki. i love reading Ms. Dupree books and looking forward to
reading the next one. keep them coming.
May 19, 2013
This was an interesting novel. I give it a thumbs up. Shakira went thru so much as a young girl. It seems like she had to grow up so fast. She never had a childhood. When things were going good they always backfired. I was glad she overcame all of it at the end.
June 12, 2013
the author has you on the edge of your seat with this twist and turn book..and wow, the ending...real good read..i would read another from her..
August 12, 2016
Wow. I love the way Kia Dupree writes! It felt like i was back in my hood. Made me cheer, cry and feel all type of emotions reading this. I will have to get every book by this Author! Bravo
December 29, 2016
Can't wait to read another book of hers!
March 14, 2018
Great read. Although it might be a fiction, sadly this is real life for many people, especially alot of women...I mind 1 star because I felt like the author could have conducted a better research for the airport incident. Certain things were incorrect, like agencies you'd deal with upon entering a country. ..overall loved the book, and glad she told this story.
March 11, 2023
I was really interested based on the description and the front looked strong. What I cannot stand is the bad writing, sure maybe it is to match a senario but it makes the story un-readable. Bad english, bad writing = no thank you.
October 11, 2017
The ending made up for all the stupidness that you have to read about this girl going thru.
April 21, 2018
This book is like none I've ever read. This book is worth the time it takes to read it.
September 5, 2020
A great read
Her books week exactly what in looking for. I've read one of her books in the past and it was amazing just like this one. Thank you Kia Dupree
Her books week exactly what in looking for. I've read one of her books in the past and it was amazing just like this one. Thank you Kia Dupree
December 12, 2021
I have the audiobook version on Libby (or Overdrive), and female narrator is fairly decent. I will probably follow up with the book copy.
This is my first time reading this author, and in the past I have ordered all three copies of her urban fiction literature, and seeing raving review in hopes I will enjoy it as well.
This is my first time reading this author, and in the past I have ordered all three copies of her urban fiction literature, and seeing raving review in hopes I will enjoy it as well.
February 2, 2017
This novel was a good read, I have read other books by the Author Kia Dupree and this book is a page turner like the others. First I would like to say that this novel has some of the same characters and details from the Author's other book "Damaged" giving the reader a "life after" point of view about some of the characters. In this novel, the main character Kiki goes from good to worse. After the death of their father and a mistake that was made by her mother, Kiki and her siblings were all separated and placed in foster care. Kiki deals with so much at a young age. Being mentally and sexual abused & mulnipulated led her to a rough life as an adult. The characters, the details, and settings are very realistic. I do recommend that you read the book "Damaged" before reading this novel so that you can relate more how some of the characters past explain their parts in this novel.
July 16, 2013
I liked this book. Kind of surprising because I read another one from this author and... Not so much. It's the sad story of Shakira (aka Kiki. After her family is split up and all 4 kinds are placed in foster care, her life takes a bad turn. Sexual abuse, stripping, prostitution. She is taken advantage of by almost everyone. Kiki tries. She really does. Going to school to become a medical assistant and washing hair in a friends beauty salon. But, the odds are against her and, she sometimes sabotages herself. There is only one life she knows. After an ill fated trip to Costa Rica, she learns about herself.
March 11, 2014
All I can say is "WOW" and job well done. This novel was the last in the series and the best by far. Kiki who's point of view the story is told had me on a roller coaster ride. At times her actions made me want to cry and holler at the same time. This author is a MUST read for every young women of color who felt they were meant for a better life then what they were dealt, very uplifting.
February 4, 2016
It's not often that a book is so good, I'll stay up til 3 am to finish it. I'm not a person that reads street lit, but I enjoyed this author's style and enjoyed this book very much. I will be at my library to look for more of her books.
December 16, 2012
I love Kia Dupree's books and this one did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down. So many twists and turns...just the way I like it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews