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On Angels' Wings: My flight from trauma to grace
This extraordinary powerful story of Gloria’s journey from darkness into light is one of hope, resilience and the unrelenting power of the human spirit to survive .It's June 1960 and in middle class suburban NZ, a child was born into sex slavery. For the first sixteen years of her life Gloria suffered horrendous sexual, physical, and psychological abuse at the hands of her father, with no one to protect her. From the underworld of her father's paedophile ring to the groups he trafficked her to, she found an inner strength and a light that shone so brightly, her mind was the one thing that could not be destroyed. Experienced through the eyes of a child, on Angels’ Wings will forever highlight the way we deal with child abuse, shining a light on this darkness, and challenging us not to assume that every child is safe. One voice speaking out is all it takes to save a life.
194 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2021
38 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 9, 2021
Deeply disturbing insights into our own society
I truly don't know how I can write about such a deeply disturbing and soul-wrenching memoir. I read two books a week minimum since I was a teenager and must have read thousands of books, virtually all memoirs relating to historical events in the last 120 years. There are not many books concerning the holocaust or the Armenian Genocide I have not read. Yet, less than a handful of books left me with such a primaeval sense of disgust and anger.
Gloria's book is full of graphic details. However, they are not there to shock the reader. Instead, they are simply a collection of memories spanning 16 years of neglect and wilful exploitation of the worst kind. This is not a story of a land far far away with evil people in strange garbs, that have enslaved the damsel in distress. This is a book about the most brutal betrayal of a young child's trust by the people that should have been there to protect her. The book shows us the evil next door - a suburbia where sexual slavery, prostitution and gang rape are normal parts of after-school activities. It is a story of survival in the truest meaning of the word. If you as a reader take on the challenge to read this book cover to cover, it is guaranteed that your life will never be the same. You are visiting a world of horrors, described through the eyes of a child, which I found very difficult to accept as reality. But the author lived in this world and had to adapt to her "normality". Visiting one of the few extended family members that did not torture and rape her repeatedly, the 12-year old author wants to say "thank you" in the way she considered normal: "During that week, I came up with an even better way to convey my gratitude. I tried to ‘please’ my uncle by touching his penis through his trouser leg and kneeling down to perform oral sex."
At times, I had to read a sentence twice since my brain refused to accept as true, what my eyes had just scanned on the paper.
Normally, if I write a review, I finish it by advising people to get the book and read it. In this case, I want to be careful with my recommendations. Reading Gloria's story might be very traumatic for you as a person and might trigger memories which are difficult for you to understand and deal with. If you want to learn more about this author's story, please check out her interview with me on my show INTO THE LIGHT - A DIFFERENT LIFE STORY, on YouTube and as a podcast.
I truly don't know how I can write about such a deeply disturbing and soul-wrenching memoir. I read two books a week minimum since I was a teenager and must have read thousands of books, virtually all memoirs relating to historical events in the last 120 years. There are not many books concerning the holocaust or the Armenian Genocide I have not read. Yet, less than a handful of books left me with such a primaeval sense of disgust and anger.
Gloria's book is full of graphic details. However, they are not there to shock the reader. Instead, they are simply a collection of memories spanning 16 years of neglect and wilful exploitation of the worst kind. This is not a story of a land far far away with evil people in strange garbs, that have enslaved the damsel in distress. This is a book about the most brutal betrayal of a young child's trust by the people that should have been there to protect her. The book shows us the evil next door - a suburbia where sexual slavery, prostitution and gang rape are normal parts of after-school activities. It is a story of survival in the truest meaning of the word. If you as a reader take on the challenge to read this book cover to cover, it is guaranteed that your life will never be the same. You are visiting a world of horrors, described through the eyes of a child, which I found very difficult to accept as reality. But the author lived in this world and had to adapt to her "normality". Visiting one of the few extended family members that did not torture and rape her repeatedly, the 12-year old author wants to say "thank you" in the way she considered normal: "During that week, I came up with an even better way to convey my gratitude. I tried to ‘please’ my uncle by touching his penis through his trouser leg and kneeling down to perform oral sex."
At times, I had to read a sentence twice since my brain refused to accept as true, what my eyes had just scanned on the paper.
Normally, if I write a review, I finish it by advising people to get the book and read it. In this case, I want to be careful with my recommendations. Reading Gloria's story might be very traumatic for you as a person and might trigger memories which are difficult for you to understand and deal with. If you want to learn more about this author's story, please check out her interview with me on my show INTO THE LIGHT - A DIFFERENT LIFE STORY, on YouTube and as a podcast.
April 24, 2022
This is not an easy book to read at all! For the first sixteen years of her life Gloria suffered horrendous sexual, physical, and psychological abuse at the hands of her father, with no one to protect her. Her father abused her and sold her as a sex slave. I wanted to dive into the pages and rescue the young Gloria. She is so resilient and somehow managed to find the strength to heal and find joy and love later on in her life. As a young child she found many ways to detach from what was happening and became aware that she had angels by her side who protected her.
Truly shocking but powerful too and she now speaks out to end the shame for others and light up the way for them and their healing
“I couldn’t continue knocking at a door she would never open, so in the end I chose truth and light over lies and darkness”
Truly shocking but powerful too and she now speaks out to end the shame for others and light up the way for them and their healing
“I couldn’t continue knocking at a door she would never open, so in the end I chose truth and light over lies and darkness”
May 8, 2023
The hardest book I’ve ever read. Couldn’t put it down, and couldn’t believe a single person lived through what she did. There aren’t words in any language to describe this level of suffering.
March 7, 2025
This was a difficult read. Mind blowing that this happened and in NZ too. A strong, brave Wahine!
April 5, 2023
This book…not sure how to review it, but it needs to be done.
From a writing standpoint, it needed some editing. However, the rawness made it very powerful. So, I looked past that.
The content…yikes. I agree with an earlier reviewer when she said that her brain was having trouble wrapping around some of the terrifying treatment this woman received in a “next door”, suburban community. I kept thinking, “How on earth could this be happening!!” But, it did.
This book had a traumatic effect on me. I didn’t sleep all the night after reading it. I kept thinking about myself…at what point I would have completely broken? Nobody is meant to go through this. I believe angels were there to help her when she was, but God was most definitely weeping.
One of my takeaways was to be aware of situations around you. If you think something is off but you decide to stay out of someone else’s business, deeply reconsider. Ask some questions. The number of times this girl could and should have been saved was ridiculous!
I won’t spoil anything, but my viewpoint on some “hot button” issues of the day were also forced to be re-examined.
Gloria, that was the stuff of nightmares. Any one of those situations would cause trauma. All of them happening to one person is nearly inconceivable. It is hard to imagine just one of these monsters, yet they were lurking around every corner. I was disappointed, angry, terrified for you, and helpless all at the same time.
If you are a woman, this is a very tough read. My husband told me to stop reading this type of book (I have read two similarly difficult books back-to-back). I told him about it, and he said he would have just stopped reading. As a woman, I felt like I couldn’t put it down. I wanted justice. Intervention. Something!!
The author shared a deeply personal, incredibly disturbing true account of her early life. Worth the read if you are willing to explore some dark places.
From a writing standpoint, it needed some editing. However, the rawness made it very powerful. So, I looked past that.
The content…yikes. I agree with an earlier reviewer when she said that her brain was having trouble wrapping around some of the terrifying treatment this woman received in a “next door”, suburban community. I kept thinking, “How on earth could this be happening!!” But, it did.
This book had a traumatic effect on me. I didn’t sleep all the night after reading it. I kept thinking about myself…at what point I would have completely broken? Nobody is meant to go through this. I believe angels were there to help her when she was, but God was most definitely weeping.
One of my takeaways was to be aware of situations around you. If you think something is off but you decide to stay out of someone else’s business, deeply reconsider. Ask some questions. The number of times this girl could and should have been saved was ridiculous!
I won’t spoil anything, but my viewpoint on some “hot button” issues of the day were also forced to be re-examined.
Gloria, that was the stuff of nightmares. Any one of those situations would cause trauma. All of them happening to one person is nearly inconceivable. It is hard to imagine just one of these monsters, yet they were lurking around every corner. I was disappointed, angry, terrified for you, and helpless all at the same time.
If you are a woman, this is a very tough read. My husband told me to stop reading this type of book (I have read two similarly difficult books back-to-back). I told him about it, and he said he would have just stopped reading. As a woman, I felt like I couldn’t put it down. I wanted justice. Intervention. Something!!
The author shared a deeply personal, incredibly disturbing true account of her early life. Worth the read if you are willing to explore some dark places.
January 29, 2025
A woman warrior
Gloria Masters, the author of this book, is one of the strongest women I know! On Angels wings, is the only way this little girl could have survived her horrendous treatment. Treatment no child or other living being should ever be subjected to.
Sex trafficked by her own father and grandmother; years of horrendous abuse of every kind, she never stood a chance of getting help. You will be amazed at the strength of this woman, resilience of this young child, and overwhelmed by how so many people could miss all the signs of abuse, this little girl suffered.
A true story of survival and resilience!
Gloria Masters, the author of this book, is one of the strongest women I know! On Angels wings, is the only way this little girl could have survived her horrendous treatment. Treatment no child or other living being should ever be subjected to.
Sex trafficked by her own father and grandmother; years of horrendous abuse of every kind, she never stood a chance of getting help. You will be amazed at the strength of this woman, resilience of this young child, and overwhelmed by how so many people could miss all the signs of abuse, this little girl suffered.
A true story of survival and resilience!
July 14, 2023
wow
This was heartbreaking to read. As a teacher fee like I am always hyper vigilant looking for signs of abuse, but what if they are missed? I am so, so sorry none was there. You are absolutely loved and accepted by me after reading your story. God sent those angels knowing how important your life would be to others. Satan rules this world but God has His angels working overtime to help those who suffer at the hands of those demons.
This was heartbreaking to read. As a teacher fee like I am always hyper vigilant looking for signs of abuse, but what if they are missed? I am so, so sorry none was there. You are absolutely loved and accepted by me after reading your story. God sent those angels knowing how important your life would be to others. Satan rules this world but God has His angels working overtime to help those who suffer at the hands of those demons.
April 22, 2024
The events described in this book are horrifying and appalling, and that is what makes is so extraordinarily powerful. We must not turn away from reading about the evil that was perpetrated against the author, even while the truth is uncomfortable and devastating to contemplate. We must instead transmute the horror depicted in this book, into hope and use it to shine a light and therefore to be cognizant of what happens when people choose their own comfort in preference to truth.
March 30, 2025
Heartbreaking to inspirational
To get through this book you must read many uncomfortable things regarding sex, physical, and mental abuse. But it is important to know that their are truly evil men and woman out there that look at children as nothing more then an object they can sell over and over again. Hard and sad read. Felt many emotions while reading this book. Mostly sadness and anger.
To get through this book you must read many uncomfortable things regarding sex, physical, and mental abuse. But it is important to know that their are truly evil men and woman out there that look at children as nothing more then an object they can sell over and over again. Hard and sad read. Felt many emotions while reading this book. Mostly sadness and anger.
March 27, 2025
Difficult to believe that evil people are still in this world, doing such evil deeds to innocent little children. Family is supposed to be your safe haven not abusive self serving demons. The author has such a strong character. May God and the angels continue to bless you and protect you. Truly a story of strong resilience.
March 6, 2025
How this woman survived her childhood trauma is mind-blowing. Such a heart wrenching true story of an Auckland based woman, who endured sexual abuse, child prostitution, sadistic rituals and gang abuse from age 3-16years during the 1960-70s. Gloria Masters is a true inspiration.
March 9, 2025
This has to be the most horrific story I have ever heard. Beautifully written but completely heart breaking
May 10, 2025
That has to be the saddest story I’ve ever heard. She is strong as fuck wow
July 30, 2025
Trauma
April 10, 2025
Thank you Gloria masters for writing this book. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in only 3 days.
Masters details of her childhood are truely devastating but necessary to understand how sex slavery is still alive and how it’s able to exist in a modern, first world society.
Furthermore examples why it is so important to listen to and take seriously children and the importance of them having a safe environment to be truthful.
Will make victims seen and feel less alone with the injustice master faced when dealing with law enforcement.
Great read.
Masters details of her childhood are truely devastating but necessary to understand how sex slavery is still alive and how it’s able to exist in a modern, first world society.
Furthermore examples why it is so important to listen to and take seriously children and the importance of them having a safe environment to be truthful.
Will make victims seen and feel less alone with the injustice master faced when dealing with law enforcement.
Great read.
March 26, 2025
This was the most comprehensive and detailed account of a child who experienced CSA I have ever read.
The only comparable book, in my opinion, is Pelzer's "A Child Called It".
It was difficult to keep going at times, but I listened to the book and Gloria narrates her own story. The reader feels obliged to accompany her on her long, horrible, lonely journey until she is finally freed of her father's abuse.
There is a lot of talk about this topic these days but I am convicted Masters is telling us 100% exactly what happens in these dark corners of normal suburban lives. She points out what we should actually watch for, and emphasizes the importance of asking questions to protect the children around you.
Her voice is calm and clear through the narration and at the end of the book I felt proud of and grateful toward Masters for her bravery.
The only comparable book, in my opinion, is Pelzer's "A Child Called It".
It was difficult to keep going at times, but I listened to the book and Gloria narrates her own story. The reader feels obliged to accompany her on her long, horrible, lonely journey until she is finally freed of her father's abuse.
There is a lot of talk about this topic these days but I am convicted Masters is telling us 100% exactly what happens in these dark corners of normal suburban lives. She points out what we should actually watch for, and emphasizes the importance of asking questions to protect the children around you.
Her voice is calm and clear through the narration and at the end of the book I felt proud of and grateful toward Masters for her bravery.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews