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Missing Girl
In life my name was Sophia Lucia Cruz. In death it is simply missing girls. Not even singular, but plural, as if there was never one single part of me that was unique or separate from all the other girls that were buried in that harsh Mexican dirt; victims of circumstance, irrevocable choices, and just plain bad luck. If I still had the capacity to cry, I would, because it is that sad and tragic. But when the knife slid deep into my belly and the blood gurgled at the base of my throat I knew that tears wouldn't save me and they won't change my story now.Sophia Cruz was what many would consider an average 17-year-old girl from Mission Valley, until the day she had a knife put to her stomach and fear inserted into her heart. Some may have called it stupidity. She called it a necessary sacrifice. Why else would she leave everything behind to walk arm in arm with the devil into a world of prostitution and human imprisonment? This is Sophia's story. She wants you to know who she was before that day. Before she became just another missing girl . . .Missing Girl, is a powerful, provocative story that explores the depths of familial love and the horrors of the human trafficking epidemic that plagues our global community. Sophia's story is a fictional account of what so many real- life women and children experience every single moment of their lives when they are forced into sexual slavery and human imprisonment.
114 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2014
2 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Piper Punches
19 books92 followersAn author of fiction and truth, I can't help but test the limits when it comes to subject matter. I write social justice fiction, but also enjoy writing about the creative process, mindful living, traveling, and the writing life. I hope my books and other writings will inspire and motivate YOU to pursue a fulfilling, passionate life - whatever that means to you. Strike up a conversation with me in the comments, on social media, or send me an email. Us humans have to stick together! Read more about my earliest writing experiences by visiting my little home on the internet at http://piperpunches.com/
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 30, 2014
WOW… this book is intense. There were so many good aspects of this book and the writing style that I don’t know where to begin.
This story is told through an amazing point of view, it is the point of view of the main character Sophia. However, Sophia is no longer amongst the living. After a seemingly normal beginning to an average day in the life of a 17 year old, everything Sophia knows changes in an instant. She is swept into a world of violence, sex for sale and drugs. She becomes another missing girl, who will soon be forgotten. This book is Sophia’s recollection of events; it’s her story, told through her eyes and her words. Sophia explains her actions, emotions, and choices. Told with hindsight, we the reader get to experience all that Sophia goes through and it’s utterly heartbreaking. There wasn’t a moment in this story that I didn’t feel with every fiber of my being for Sophia and those in the same circumstances as her.
I even felt for the characters you didn’t get to see, like Sophia’s mother or her brother all grieving and scared for their daughter and sister whom is missing. Piper Punches does an incredible job of describing Sophia’s environment, the crime, poverty, depression, sorrow and desperation. In a short span of time, as this book is not long at all, Punches gives us more character depth in Sophia’s words and actions as well as through other important characters like Lizzie then some full length novels I have read. There is so much angst and reflection that Sophia expresses that even though as a reader we already know the outcome, you find yourself hoping that it’s not true or it’s all some bad nightmare.
This book was gut-wrenching and amazingly written. Sometimes with short reads you don’t get to connect as much with the characters or storylines, this issue is absent with Missing Girl. During this story you feel invested in what Sophia is going through. Missing Girl is a brutal read about a severe, scary and very real-world problem. It’s conveyed and told with true emotion and insight. I give much kudos to Punches for tackling such a sensitive topic and doing a remarkable job.
This story is told through an amazing point of view, it is the point of view of the main character Sophia. However, Sophia is no longer amongst the living. After a seemingly normal beginning to an average day in the life of a 17 year old, everything Sophia knows changes in an instant. She is swept into a world of violence, sex for sale and drugs. She becomes another missing girl, who will soon be forgotten. This book is Sophia’s recollection of events; it’s her story, told through her eyes and her words. Sophia explains her actions, emotions, and choices. Told with hindsight, we the reader get to experience all that Sophia goes through and it’s utterly heartbreaking. There wasn’t a moment in this story that I didn’t feel with every fiber of my being for Sophia and those in the same circumstances as her.
I even felt for the characters you didn’t get to see, like Sophia’s mother or her brother all grieving and scared for their daughter and sister whom is missing. Piper Punches does an incredible job of describing Sophia’s environment, the crime, poverty, depression, sorrow and desperation. In a short span of time, as this book is not long at all, Punches gives us more character depth in Sophia’s words and actions as well as through other important characters like Lizzie then some full length novels I have read. There is so much angst and reflection that Sophia expresses that even though as a reader we already know the outcome, you find yourself hoping that it’s not true or it’s all some bad nightmare.
This book was gut-wrenching and amazingly written. Sometimes with short reads you don’t get to connect as much with the characters or storylines, this issue is absent with Missing Girl. During this story you feel invested in what Sophia is going through. Missing Girl is a brutal read about a severe, scary and very real-world problem. It’s conveyed and told with true emotion and insight. I give much kudos to Punches for tackling such a sensitive topic and doing a remarkable job.
April 2, 2014
i'm now intrigued to what is going to happen...
April 3, 2014
There are quite a few authors moving into the realm of dark and Piper Punches can be added to that list. Unlike other dark books I have read, Missing Girl focuses more on the thoughts going through the mind of the missing girl, rather than the horrible things actually done to her.
Sophia Cruz is a regular seventeen year old girl living in Mission Valley California, a place where you don’t walk the streets at night without the fear of being kidnapped. Sophia lives with her mother and fifteen year old brother as her dad disappeared years before. She is a smart girl, fully aware of her surroundings, however one choice she makes may cost her her life.
Missing Girl is a novella about a girl making a wrong choice and how so many girls that go missing end up in the world of sex trading and slavery. We get an inside look at how the operations of a sex trade ring work and the others that are involved. We also get to hear the battle that Sophia wages with herself about the choice she made that fateful night, trying to convince herself it was the right one.
The book is short, but packs a ton of gritty details into the pages. It’s hard to imagine a world like the one Missing Girl portrays is actually out there. Well written, semi-dark and disturbing read.
Tiffany
Sophia Cruz is a regular seventeen year old girl living in Mission Valley California, a place where you don’t walk the streets at night without the fear of being kidnapped. Sophia lives with her mother and fifteen year old brother as her dad disappeared years before. She is a smart girl, fully aware of her surroundings, however one choice she makes may cost her her life.
Missing Girl is a novella about a girl making a wrong choice and how so many girls that go missing end up in the world of sex trading and slavery. We get an inside look at how the operations of a sex trade ring work and the others that are involved. We also get to hear the battle that Sophia wages with herself about the choice she made that fateful night, trying to convince herself it was the right one.
The book is short, but packs a ton of gritty details into the pages. It’s hard to imagine a world like the one Missing Girl portrays is actually out there. Well written, semi-dark and disturbing read.
Tiffany
March 30, 2014
I was given an ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a novella so thus a shorter read, but that doesn't lessen the impact of this story at all. Missing Girl is an intense, sometimes painful and dark read. It makes you stop and think about what choices you would make when given no choices. Sophia Cruz was still a teenager when she was abducted by knife point and ending up choosing the world of prostitution and being a prisoner. This book tells the story of Sophia before that life. This is the story of Sophia when she was just your average girl that was forced into living a horrible and degrading lifestyle. This is a story of choices, some of which are painful beyond imagining. This is the first book that I have read by the author and it made a huge impact on me. Her writing is powerful. She is able to get under your skin and emotions in a few pages. This is definitely a book that you won't be able to forget long after you are done reading it.
4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a novella so thus a shorter read, but that doesn't lessen the impact of this story at all. Missing Girl is an intense, sometimes painful and dark read. It makes you stop and think about what choices you would make when given no choices. Sophia Cruz was still a teenager when she was abducted by knife point and ending up choosing the world of prostitution and being a prisoner. This book tells the story of Sophia before that life. This is the story of Sophia when she was just your average girl that was forced into living a horrible and degrading lifestyle. This is a story of choices, some of which are painful beyond imagining. This is the first book that I have read by the author and it made a huge impact on me. Her writing is powerful. She is able to get under your skin and emotions in a few pages. This is definitely a book that you won't be able to forget long after you are done reading it.
4.5 out of 5 stars
March 30, 2014
**I have received this complimentary book by the author for an honest review**
HOLY SHIT! No words Piper, no words at all.. I am at a standstill with this book. It tore my heart in pieces to read Sophia telling her story. Being forced into something that she doesn't want to do because she thought she was protecting her younger brother. To read this story you need to have a clear mind. I cried for these characters. I cried for Sophia, Lizzie, Marcela, Marcela's kids. Just heart breaking. My heart hurts for the young girls,boys, women, and men that are forced into this sick, sick life. Piper you have my ultimate respect and props for writing this. I cannot wait to see how 60 Days comes out. I will be waiting for that book.5 +++++ Stars from me. ~Chris
HOLY SHIT! No words Piper, no words at all.. I am at a standstill with this book. It tore my heart in pieces to read Sophia telling her story. Being forced into something that she doesn't want to do because she thought she was protecting her younger brother. To read this story you need to have a clear mind. I cried for these characters. I cried for Sophia, Lizzie, Marcela, Marcela's kids. Just heart breaking. My heart hurts for the young girls,boys, women, and men that are forced into this sick, sick life. Piper you have my ultimate respect and props for writing this. I cannot wait to see how 60 Days comes out. I will be waiting for that book.5 +++++ Stars from me. ~Chris
April 9, 2014
4 Stars
This book is a short, fast paced read, but don't let that fool you into thinking it doesn't grab your attention. Missing Girl has an amazing ability to pack an emotional punch in just a few pages! It's a bit on the darker side, so definitely not a happy go lucky book. I am amazed at the authors ability to not just touch on usually avoided topics, but to dig deep into them and expose many dark corners and aspects. She writes about those topics so wonderfully and her writing style flows so smoothly that you soon find yourself engrossed in the pages unable to force your brain to let go. This book is gut-wrenching and will tear your heart out, but so worth every second!
~Lauren~
This book is a short, fast paced read, but don't let that fool you into thinking it doesn't grab your attention. Missing Girl has an amazing ability to pack an emotional punch in just a few pages! It's a bit on the darker side, so definitely not a happy go lucky book. I am amazed at the authors ability to not just touch on usually avoided topics, but to dig deep into them and expose many dark corners and aspects. She writes about those topics so wonderfully and her writing style flows so smoothly that you soon find yourself engrossed in the pages unable to force your brain to let go. This book is gut-wrenching and will tear your heart out, but so worth every second!
~Lauren~
April 22, 2014
I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars.
I don't usually say this but I feel like the story was cut way too short. The premise of the story of the horror of being sold as a slave, had hardly scratched the surface. I wanted more! I wanted to know the struggles & fears. Yes, they touched on different aspects but nothing in detail! It only went into some depth about 1 "outing". With that being said, what is written is so very sad! Sad that this is true! My heart hurts for these young girls & boys & their families! I'm looking forward to her book 60 Days about Lizzie's story.
I don't usually say this but I feel like the story was cut way too short. The premise of the story of the horror of being sold as a slave, had hardly scratched the surface. I wanted more! I wanted to know the struggles & fears. Yes, they touched on different aspects but nothing in detail! It only went into some depth about 1 "outing". With that being said, what is written is so very sad! Sad that this is true! My heart hurts for these young girls & boys & their families! I'm looking forward to her book 60 Days about Lizzie's story.
August 3, 2016
This was a very fast read Novella. I can't wait for 60 Days to come out. I really enjoyed the story which I wasn't sure if I would be able to read it. I found it well written. From beginning to the end Piper kept my attention through the book which I really like in a book. ***I received a complimentary copy provide by the author Piper Punches in exchange for an honest review.***
April 3, 2014
SO this story is sad but amazing. I started reading this story and I couldn't put it down. Its a story that is not told very often. These situations are very tragic and makes you wish there was more you could do. I had to take a break a few times just to collect myself.
I think the story is written very beautifully. It is a very good novella to read and I am excited for the follow up!
I think the story is written very beautifully. It is a very good novella to read and I am excited for the follow up!
June 17, 2014
I won this book in a first reads giveaway. It's a pretty short book and a quick read, but relevant nonetheless.
The subject matter of this book, children and young women being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery, is a complex and heavy subject to cover in such a short book. That being said, the author does an amazing job of illustrating the environment and developing some of the characters for so few pages. I came away wishing the book were longer and more involved; however, the rest of the story that's missing goes a long way toward portraying all that's missing in the lives of the victims represented in this story.
This is a difficult subject, but certainly one that needs more awareness. I appreciated the opportunity to read this book.
The subject matter of this book, children and young women being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery, is a complex and heavy subject to cover in such a short book. That being said, the author does an amazing job of illustrating the environment and developing some of the characters for so few pages. I came away wishing the book were longer and more involved; however, the rest of the story that's missing goes a long way toward portraying all that's missing in the lives of the victims represented in this story.
This is a difficult subject, but certainly one that needs more awareness. I appreciated the opportunity to read this book.
February 26, 2016
A must read....a excellent insight:
I loved the fact that this book made you think and not take things for granted. It was an eye opener about the horrors that victims endure and a creative way to educate on how trafficking affects everyone especially the victimized and their families.
I loved the fact that this book made you think and not take things for granted. It was an eye opener about the horrors that victims endure and a creative way to educate on how trafficking affects everyone especially the victimized and their families.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews