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Daddy's Curse

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Daddy's Curse -A Human Trafficking True Story That Will Change The Way You Think

Have you ever experienced total despair? Yuna was just an eight year old girl when she experienced total devastation. Growing up in the Mongolian countryside, she wasn't ready to face the darker side of the world. And yet she had to.

After she was kidnapped by an organized crime gang, Yuna had to overcome her fears at a young age and start taking care of herself. She tried to escape from slavery, but everybody that she encountered wanted to take advantage of her. Yuna and other girls just like her were constantly abused, beaten, raped and sold as sex slaves. Human trafficking is the worst kind of humiliation, especially for a young woman. She tried to escape and find freedom, but it wasn't easy.

In this emotional and heart-shattering true story, author Luke G. Dahl will let you behind the curtains of sex trafficking gangs and into the soul of abused women, who try to glue the broken pieces of their soul together, in order to survive. By understanding what they have had to endure, you can find a new perspective and respect for life.

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128 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2017

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About the author

Luke. G. Dahl

9 books32 followers
Luke Dahl was born in Sri Lanka but grew up in Stockholm after being adopted by his Swedish parents. Following high school, he went on to study at University in Brisbane, Australia, where he achieved a degree in Business/Travel and Tourism.

Today, he is back living in Stockholm, where he works for SpaceVR as Strategy & Corporate Accountant. Luke has always had a love of writing and for poetry in particular, winning a competition a couple of years. Now he spends a lot of his free time writing scripts, perfecting his art.

When he has time to relax, he enjoys going out with friends and seeing his family. He also loves to travel whenever possible and is involved in charity work through his family, constantly reminded by the Dalai Lama quote - ‘Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.’

In the future it is Luke’s burning ambition to trek to Mount Everest’s base camp and perhaps even attempt to climb the mountain itself one day.

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5 stars
163 (36%)
4 stars
124 (27%)
3 stars
104 (23%)
2 stars
36 (8%)
1 star
21 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR.
1,435 reviews81 followers
July 6, 2018
The execution of this poor child's story and what she went through was subpar at best. It read more like fiction then nonfiction, therefore is wasn't "harrowing" as the author described in his synopsis. The writing had no depth or emotion.
Profile Image for Luke. Dahl.
Author 9 books32 followers
December 5, 2018
Reader's Favourite 5-Star Award

''It's remarkable that a book this compact can leave you reeling and overwhelmed with sadness at the atrocities one human being can inflict upon another. And when the victims of those atrocities are children who haven't even hit puberty, as in the case of Yuna in Daddy's Curse: A Harrowing True Story of an Eight Year Old Girl Human Sex Trafficking and Organized Crime Survivor by Luke G. Dahl, that sadness becomes a kind of despair, as the questions of how to stop such atrocities bring no answers.

Yuna is kidnapped, along with a bunch of other children, off the streets of Mongolia and carted away to become a sex slave as part of a human trafficking ring. What Yuna and her slave-mates endure is vile. No amount of stories now emerging as a result of the #MeToo movement comes close to what one will read in Daddy's Curse. And just why is this book titled "Daddy's Curse"? That is the twist at the end of Yuna's story that truly makes your stomach turn.

This book is a very fast read, but an unforgettable one. It's a story where children's trust is forever misplaced and, after a while, it seems it doesn't even matter to the victims anymore, as survival depends on going along with whatever life is doling out to you. Of course, we all know better: it matters, and how! But until these trafficked children are old enough and can somehow find a way to escape their lives, they put up and shut up while they die a little more inside with every rape and atrocity inflicted on their young bodies.

Daddy's Curse is most definitely not a book for those who want to believe all is good in our world. It most definitely isn't. The world needs books like this to raise awareness and hopefully, in doing so, it will prompt people to come forward and work toward finding some solutions to human trafficking. Thank you, Luke G. Dahl, for bringing us another important book on a dreadful social issue.

***Reviewed By Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Profile Image for sh.
42 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2018
It's not every day that you "meet" an author who decides to write and commit to a book after meeting another fellow human being - to tell her story, instead of his own. For this - he gets 5 stars. For his courage, compassion, and perseverance to go through with this book. That's about the author. As for the book, if you've read as many human trafficking books as I have, you will know that it's not just another story. It's another tragedy that we failed to prevent.
Profile Image for Stephanie H..
116 reviews4 followers
February 22, 2018
I need to start this review by warning readers that this book covers several sensitive issues, including human trafficking, drug use, and rape. These topics need to be discussed in order to bring about change, but I know that it can make some people uncomfortable or even trigger them, so I thought it important to mention this before continuing with my review.

That being said, Dahl has done very well in depicting these issues in Daddy’s Curse. The book is raw and emotional, necessitating several breaks in my reading in order to recover, but Dahl also picks the best scenes to describe, leaving those that are too horrible to bear more for the reader to imagine from vague hints. I grew worried for Yuna and the other girls, hoping that they would regain normal lives while knowing that they probably never would. Aside from the emotional breaks I had to take, Dahl’s writing pulled me right through the story just out of the desire to see Yuna escape from her horrific situation.

Still, don’t expect a happy ending. I can’t say too much because I don’t want to risk giving anything away, but the ending was a mixed-bag for me, bitterly sweet and sad. That’s all I’m going to say on that front.

I did not knock down a star because of the topic or its depiction. In fact, those and the well-rounded characters (obviously real people, as indicated by the title) kept me engaged in the book even as my bleeding heart felt like it couldn’t take any more tragedy. Instead, my rating is at 4 instead of 5 due to pacing and proofreading issues.

The pacing, in the beginning, is appropriate for the subject matter: quick and tense but slows down in the right paces, allowing for the tension to heighten. However, the final third of the book felt a bit rushed. In a way, I was glad that the narrative didn’t slow down because I had a hard time with more descriptive scenes. Regardless, I think that slowing the last third of the book down would allow for better emotional release by the end of the story and make the “big reveal” more satisfying. There are also several proofreading errors throughout the book, mostly grammatical with the occasional wrong word used. Some of these mistakes could be brushed off as a stylistic choice used for conveying a young girl’s voice, but others could not be. Dahl’s writing mostly counteracted these mistakes, but I wish that he had proofread more.

All in all, I think this book is great for those prepared to take the emotional journey. At only 76 pages, it shouldn’t take long to read, but you might need several breaks if you have a hard time with tragic stories. If you want to learn more about human trafficking and the other terrors discussed in this book, the human side of these issues, then you will definitely want to check out Daddy’s Curse.
Profile Image for Sandra Burns.
1,814 reviews45 followers
January 26, 2018
Powerful

This poor child. Parents are supposed to protect you, not sell you. My heart broke for all of them. Sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,839 followers
April 13, 2019
An incredible yet true story

Author Luke Dahl earned his degree in Business/Travel and Tourism from the University in Brisbane, Australia and now has returned to his home in Sweden where he is a Strategy and Corporate accountant for SpaceVR. He has published five books including his triptych True Stories of Child Slavery Survivors, of which this is the initial volume.

By relating this true story in the words of the victim the impact of the book is even stronger. The story opens with a recreation of the events that the 8 year old Mongolian girl Yuna endured – being kidnapped by an organized crime gang, abused and used as a sex slave in one of the most harrowing stories of sex trafficking. The author, using Yuna’s voice, recreates the history from the moment of the kidnapping through the emotional responses of Yuna and the horrific events and forced labor in both sex trafficking and drug trafficking, relating the terror and fear and abuse in a most realistic manner.

Of note, the most memorable aspect of this true story, after the cruelty and agony have been explored, is the mindset of Yuna – struggling for escape until ultimately surviving after being used in Mongolia and Thailand - and it is this aspect of Dahl’s book that remains imprinted on the reader. Sex Trafficking persists and perhaps this book will alert the public and officials of that harsh reality and pledge to end this heinous crime. Recommended reading for all.
Profile Image for Sandy Conley.
226 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2018
I had read articles about kidnapping of children in Mongolia and Thailand so this book caught my eye and I had to read it. I googled the stats on this and found that the number of victims has declined to about about 433 in the area. The children are sold into prostitution both male and female but the females were most sought after. Some children are killed for their organs which are sold and transferred into wealthy people's bodies. The book itself is a good read of the events and methods of some years ago but it has not ceased. Children of visiting family have been taken very recently and have not been found. The book follows the life of several victims and their life of captivity and abuse. One of those children did manage to live and to find those children that had been captured when he with. He had managed to win some freedom of movement and knew how to find those in captivity and was able to find a path to freedom for those who wanted out.
Profile Image for Píaras Cíonnaoíth.
Author 144 books208 followers
February 16, 2018
The darker side of the world...

Human trafficking is thought to be one of the fastest-growing activities of trans-national criminal organizations. It is condemned as a violation of human rights by international agreements. ‘Human trafficking is a crime of such magnitude and atrocity that it cannot be dealt with successfully by any government alone. This global problem requires a global, multi-stakeholder strategy that builds on national efforts throughout the world.’

Daddy's Curse by Luke. G. Dahl is a harrowing true story of an eight-year-old girl, Yuna, who fell victim to human sex trafficking and organized crime, and how she survived. A must read for all concerned citizens of the world.

Profile Image for Kade Gulluscio.
975 reviews62 followers
November 13, 2022
The subject matter of this book is... dark. It's a heartbreaking story. Something that NO child should ever have to go to.

However, the author did NOT do a great job at telling the girl's story. I wish I could put into words why, but I'll just say that this should have been executed so much better.

This book contains many triggers / sensitive topics such as human trafficking, SA, and more. Please keep that in mind before picking this up. But please read this. These types of situations happen WAY too often, children are constantly being hurt in horrifying ways.
Profile Image for LitPick Book Reviews.
1,121 reviews54 followers
September 18, 2019
At 8-years-old, Yuna was kidnapped from her impoverished Mongolian home. She and several other children escaped from the kidnappers, and she was rescued. Unfortunately, she was rescued by Tuya and Xanadu, two people who appeared to be helpful but revealed their real intentions when they reached Chiang Rai, Thailand. Yuna was then sold to a brothel. She and other girls were abused by their customers and employers. Yuna spent two years at the brothel before she was sold to a wealthy Bangkok pimp. In Bangkok, she fights to escape to freedom.

Daddy's Curse is a truly graphic book with various paragraphs that would bring tears to even the hardest of hearts. Yuna described various moments of servicing clients, most of whom are middle-aged or older. She was frequently raped and made to perform numerous sex acts before she was even ten years old. She was given drugs by clients and escaped into them to avoid the pain and shame that surrounded her.

Yuna's transformation from a sweet naive kid to a hardened, cynical young adult unable to trust anyone is among the most heart-breaking. The worst moment that truly broke her was when she finally learned how she was sold in the first place and that she could never go home again.

The ending is open-ended as we learn that Yuna escaped but not much else about where she ended up nor how she passed her story along to Dahl. The important thing is that she did and that her story has been told. This book sheds light on the crime of human trafficking.
1 review
February 27, 2018
Sad and believable story. I gave it 5 stars because it hold my interest to the very end. I would have liked how the author knew this girl. I would recommend this book to anyone who had concerns. for human trafficking.

Sad and believable story. I gave it 5 stars because it held my interest to the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in human trafficking.
Profile Image for Nancy S.
286 reviews19 followers
April 1, 2018
This is a tough one to critique. The story is painful, and brief, written in the voice of a young girl who was kidnapped from a rural area of Mongolia, and forced into prostitution at age 8. Her phrasing is awkward, and the tale has little depth. I think most people's high ratings come from horror at the situation, and not the quality of the book.
85 reviews
August 28, 2018
This is an incredibly sad, unfortunately true to life story. These poor children with no escape to be seen suffer several unthinkable acts by so many deplorable people. The story was fast paced, and I am now reading Book 2.
People in general need to realize these horrible acts continue today around the world, how does one stop it?
Profile Image for Bristol.
20 reviews
October 25, 2018
Grammatical errors abound

This book is disjointed and SO poorly edited. Obviously written by someone whose native language is not English and who didn’t care enough about his craft to spend money on an editor who is a native English speaker. Please don’t waste your money. I’m sorry I did.
21 reviews
December 24, 2019
This book ruined my faith in humanity

This book is the reason people prefer animals over humans. It explains the impossible predicament that these young people are put in and the hopeless outcomes. It also shines a light on how low a parent will go to unload their own flesh and blood. I hope this changes.
Profile Image for Katyak79.
802 reviews5 followers
Read
May 7, 2019
Not going to rate this because it seems unfair to rate someone's life experience, but this book needs some MAJOR editing. I'm not sure how things get published and distributed without someone taking a look at grammar and language, but this really took away from the story.
Profile Image for Kimberly Neibling.
14 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2018
Great expose on a horrifying topic

While hard to read, it's information that every person should be made aware of¡. I wish i knew more about how her life turned out.
1 review
March 29, 2018
Summary

Quite a story, know of this stuff goes on.But it is a shame that young girls are forced into it. Interesting read.
28 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2018
Very interesting

This is a sad book . I have never read on this topic from this part of the world . It is a book that needs to be read to get the story out .
3 reviews
May 7, 2018
A good read

The untold truth of a girl’s fight for freedom and a devastating truth of family life. Loved it, grab some coffee and get comfortable.
Profile Image for Oksana Leslie.
Author 5 books120 followers
August 25, 2018
Dad sold 8 year old daughter?

IT MAKES ME SICK. Dad sold his 8 year old girl to sex slavery. Vivid writing, gripping images. WOW to all survivors of sex trafficking.
24 reviews
December 29, 2019
Magnificent

It is amazing read. I would have never thought that this was as wild spread as it is. Like Dahl is great.
Profile Image for Javkhlan Java Da Bee.
5 reviews85 followers
January 3, 2023
So far one of the shortest, yet the graphic -story telling, on the topic of Human Trafficking.
Most people in my country are aware that this kidnapping and over-all this discreet operation takes place in the dark corners of ghetto districts in Mongolia. But no one ever seems to make a proper investigation, not out of Justice for these innocent victims, even just for the sake of being a decent human being. No one bothers. Why? Well, if you read the book, you will get to know why.
The time frame is not clear, but that only makes it better. It all varies by how you wish to visualize in your mind. But mark my words, it is utterly devastating in terms of blunt-graphic-details - that might scar your mind, if you are not new to UNDERCOVER UNDERGROUND LUCRATIVE DARK MARKET that is so called HUMAN TRAFFICKING. Perhaps the most depressing and disturbing part of these trilogy is that all of these are interconnected. And it is a true story.
Perhaps some exaggerations or some necessary restraints may have been applied.
My bottom line, read the book if you are overly happy and thrilled about the world.
This book will anchor you to Reality.
Profile Image for Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks).
1,673 reviews15 followers
February 20, 2020
This book was really short. Too short. I feel there could have been a little more extensive information at the end that included a conclusion. It pretty much ended without really giving enough of that look into what life would be like after everything Yuna went through. Maybe the next book explains life as a survivor of human trafficking?

Yuna was born in Mongolia and is sold and given to a group of trafficked children. She ends up forced into sex trafficking. This book had a bit graphic information of rape of a child, which I did not appreciate. There are ways to talk about the horrors of sex trafficking without giving graphic details. It is bothersome.
Profile Image for Libby Andrews.
327 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2018
A sad tale of an 8 year old Mongolian girl, Yuna, who is sold into slavery. She escapes her first capture only to be taken by a couple who take her into prostitution in Thailand. This is a short tale of her life at the hands of depraved adults.
Profile Image for Jen.
122 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2024
What a sad story. And to find out the truth at the end was heartbreaking. As uncomfortable as this made me, I think it's necessary to tell these stories. It brings awareness to the horrors that happen every single day to young girls and boys.
Profile Image for Jo.
429 reviews3 followers
June 10, 2019
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Profile Image for Noah McCarthy.
89 reviews2 followers
Read
August 19, 2019
I don’t feel it’s appropriate to rate this book simply because of its nature, but I think it’s a super important read for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews