Book Shelf: The V Girl by Mya Robarts

In post-apocalyptic North America, rape and sexual slavery are legal. Lila Velez, desperately wants to lose her virginity before the troops visit her town and can take it away by force. She makes plans to seduce her only friend, Rey, the most attractive man in her town. Lila does not love him but he is the only man who has shown her true affection, an affection she is willing to take as a substitute of love.

Lila’s coping mechanism to her mother’s rape and kidnapping is her secret. A secret that will bring her closer to Aleksey, a foreign, broody man. Lila does not trust him because his links to the troops and his rough, yet irresistible appearance. Aleksey offers Lila an alternative to her plans, a possibility that terrifies her…and tempts her in spite of herself.

All the while Lila will have to find a way to live in the constant company of death, slavery, starvation, sexual abuse and the danger of losing the people she loves the most.

Due to mature content, this book is intended for +18 readers.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The V Girl by Mya Robarts is a riveting debut that explores a unique and at times difficult concept in an entertaining and fast paced read that will tug a your emotions and leave you wanting the next chapter as soon as possible.

Set in post apocalyptic America, The V Girl depicts a society where rape and sexual assault are not only legal, but excepted. Following eighteen year old Lila, and detailing a world with the two sides of the country at war with each other, the soldiers are expected to participate in the rape of those younger and weaker than them at something known as the Recruitment Ceremony. Those who live in the small villages that dot the state are at the mercy of those stronger and more powerful than them and who are quite happy to take what they want by force despite consent not always being present.

To be honest, The V Girl is quite a difficult book to read, and not necessarily because it’s graphic. Physical scenes of rape isn’t something that we ever see and it isn’t overly described, but rather the knowledge of what the people go through and what they have done to them at the hands of people who should be protecting them is what I found it hard to wrap my head around in the story. Laws passed years ago comparing soldiers to animals have given soldiers the right to force themselves upon both men and women. They are legally allowed to act upon their basic instincts in non-consensual situations without any consequences to them.

The V Girl is actually a quick read; I easily read it in one afternoon, and despite its dark concept and complex background, is quite entertaining. The V Girl follows Lila, a sweet and simple village girl who is on a race against the clock to loose her virginity before the nations troops come through her village and she is forced to give it up without her consent in what is sure to be a violent and humiliating experience. Hoping that no longer being a virgin will make her not quite as desirable as remaining untouched would leave her, Lila is hoping to give herself to her best friend, but instead finds losing her V is harder than she ever expected.

Lila is a very interesting character. I liked being inside her head and thought she was awesome to follow during this story. I don’t think I’ve ever read about someone like Lila. She is actually very complex and is not exactly as innocent as I expected, although her untouched state may indicate otherwise. Though she’s never been sexually active, nor has she come close prior to her attempts at loosing her virginity, Lila likes watching people, and is actually a voyeur, something I found at odds with the sexual inexperience she has. Then again, curiosity is something people often give in to.

Throughout The V Girl, as Lila makes a number of attempts to loose her virginity, something I found funny and awkward at times, there are also a lot of other things going on within the story. The never ending threat of the approaching soldiers looms, as does the dangers of war that see some characters loose their homes.

Lila’s world is also altered drastically by an ex-solider who both temps and teases her, and yet, for obvious reasons should be the last person she wants. And yet, as he continues to treat her with nothing but kindness and care, even when those around her don’t, Lila struggles to deny the growing attraction she feels for a man who should be her enemy and yet….isn’t.

Personally, I loved Aleksey—he was sexy and adorable and a lovely surprise. I loved that in a world where no many men are cruel and nasty, especially soldiers, Robart’s has penned a love interest that goes against all this. And….I happen to think he and Lila have a great chemistry!

While The V Girl doesn’t end on a cliffhanger per say, it certainly ends much too soon for my liking; just when things were starting to get juicy and I least wanted it to come to an end, Maya Robart’s concludes this chapter in Lila’s story. Unique, dark and deliciously addictive, The V Girl will have you raring for more!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Mya!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU
My Recommendation: I doubt this book will be for everyone, but if you're looking for a different kind of dystopian, this may be it!
Cover: I think the cover is very pretty. It's girly and sensual
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes. The ending....such a tease!