The Rules of Survival

The Rules of Survival 17-year-old Matthew Walsh has essentially become the guardian and protector of his two younger sisters Cali and Emmy. His mother, Niki, is psychotic, unstable and unpredictable. Her mental and physical torture began when she divorced Matt and Cali's dad, Ben, and the abuse has only grown worse as the years progressed. With no trustworthy adults in their lives, Matt, Cali and Emmy feel totally isolated in the hands of their mother.

Men have often walked in and out of Niki's promiscuous dating life, but one in particular makes a mark on Matt. Murdoch is his name, and his kind and caring nature almost seems to change Niki. However, Niki's true mentality can't be hidden for long, and once it's exposed their relationship is over. What happens in all their lives next makes for a captivating, addicting novel.

Nancy Werlin captured the raw emotion of being caught in a turbulent home perfectly. "The Rules of Survival is probably the darkest novel I have written to date," Nancy says, and dark is the perfect word. Her word choice is powerful, and creates a mood the reader can't help but fall into. When Matt is nervous in the story, the reader will shake too. When his adrenaline rushes, the reader will get goosebumps.

The Rules of Survival addresses an important subject, and makes for brilliant young adult literature while doing so. The quality of this novel has earned it multiple awards. The School Library Journal named it the best young adult book of 2006. It was also a finalist in the National Book Award selection. Each and every acknowledgment this novel received was earned and well deserved. After reading just the first page the reader has been captured, and they won't be let go until they read the last word of the last sentence on the last page.

Latest reviews