Grace doesn’t know what Crystal writes in her diary. She wants to know what its really like to be a teenage mum, but Crystal can’t tell her the truth. Her sister Shardonnay wants to be a popstar, and Grace just wants to be a rebel go out clubbing, but Crystal’s stuck at home ironing shirts and looking after baby Ricardo, so it’s no wonder she takes it out on him – right?

This is South Africa, one of the most turbulent places in the world. AIDS, violence, drugs – its not easy to make a future for yourself, and for Crystal it seems impossible.

Stained is well paced and builds to a horrifying climax. It is a harrowing, emotionally engaging story, and the prose is both well crafted and accessible. Whether you’re a teenager or adult, someone who struggles to read or finds it easy, Stained is an extremely satisfying read. I didn’t want to put it down even when I had read the last page, and came away feeling like I’d been on a rollercoaster!

Stained is gritty and down to earth. If you’re looking for a real-world story to feel passionate about, I thoroughly recommend this book.