Book Review: Emerald City by Alicia K Leppert

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sweetwater Books (10 April 2012)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 1599558645
• ISBN-13: 978-1599558646

Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down.

Emerald City is an understated, touching, endearing read. Olivia is living a quiet life, slowly disappearing inside herself while the nightmares torture her nights and her insecurities and social anxiety’s prey on her days. After a particularly bad day Olivia sees no other option open to her, and, just wanting it all to stop, just for a little while, she takes solace in her medicine cabinet.

She is rescued by quiet and strong Jude, who is determined to make sure she realises she has something to live for.

Emerald City is told by both Olivia and Jude and while Olivia’s head is a self-deprecating and anxious place to be in, Jude’s is both strong and sure and equally worried.

The synopsis doesn’t give much away about this book, and I am loathe to do different here. What I will say is it is an edgy and dark read that will take you to difficult places and make you squirm in your seat. But where there is dark there is also light. And even in the deepest shadows, sunshine can still find you.                  

Emerald City holds many surprises. It doesn’t take long before it etches itself on your heart.