This is a story about the consequences of having an on-line presence. When 15 year old Xixi Kwok photographs and posts a picture of a woman she believes needs help, she finds herself the target of criminals. This is, in large part, a cautionary tale: Xixi and her parents think she is safe in her room, but she is not only in the physical space of home, but also in cyberspace where her parents can't protect her.

This is also the story of family ties. Mom and Dad aren't getting along; older sister is away at university and Xixi has only her beloved amah (Gloria) to confide in. The only sour note for me is that Xixi doesn't seem like a 15 year old -- she seems much younger to me.

That said, the author has done an amazing job of bringing depth to his characters, and in structuring this book. The middle section consists of text messages, tweets, video transcripts: the reader only experiences Xixi's on-line presence. This shows so vividly how Xixi really has no control over her cyber image. Fascinating. ( )

Foran has created an interesting plot around his teenage protagonist Xixi Kwok. While camping on a beach outside Hong Kong, she and her parents witness a group of strange women washing ashore. Xixi tries to friend one of them (whom she refers as Mary) and photographs her with her cell phone. Later on Xixi tries to find Mary online - thinking she needs help - and gets herself in trouble.

http://wp.me/p46Ewj-KU ( )