This debut novel is about abuse, power and one woman’s desire to protect her little sister while finding the courage and strength to move on and build a life for herself.

Sarah Sultoon chose a harsh topic for her debut novel, looking at child abuse and the people behind grooming and tormenting these children. She managed to create a story that was a lot easier to read than I would have believed possible. Telling the story from two perspectives, Carly’s and Marie’s while shifting between 1996 and 2006 along the way. The Source was gripping and heart-breaking at the same time. Keeping you glued to the pages as your need to discover the truth almost overwhelms you.

1996 – Carly, only a child herself needs to look after her baby sister Kayleigh, her mother, forever in a drunken stupor can barely stand let alone look after Kayleigh’s basic needs. With the support of her best friend, Rachel, and her brother Jason’s new interest in helping, life becomes a little more bearable until Carly discovers that Kayleigh is at risk and it is up to her to protect the sister that seems to be the only real good thing in her life.

2006 – Marie has worked her way to a promising career as a junior TV newsroom journalist. About to break a story that will expose a sex trafficking gang, when New Scotland Yard announces that they will be opening a decade-old case of sex abuse at an army base. The hunt for the truth and justice brings these two characters lives together revealing disturbing events.

I think perhaps I have been spending a little too much time hiding away in a fictional world. The second day reading this book, I forced myself to put it down and get some sleep since I had an early morning ahead of me. Well, I should have just kept reading. Instead of sleeping, I found myself tossing and turning the entire night, worried about Kayleigh. I could not get this little girl out of my mind – it felt like she was real and in actual danger. I do not think I have ever been so invested in a character that they cause a lack of sleep for me. (In case you are wondering – I never have problems sleeping – usually, I am lights out the minute my head hits the pillow.)

The author did a remarkable job with the characters in this book. Carly stole my heart, from the very beginning I felt a need to help her. She was just a little girl herself, trying so hard to look after her baby sister when she could not even look after herself. Carly’s story just broke my heart. At the same time, Carly’s mother, only ever referred to as ‘Ma’, left my blood boiling. The thought of a mother being so drunk she is not capable of feeding or changing her baby is more than I could bear. Reading this book left me thinking of children that live like this, left to fend for themselves while their parents simply could not be bothered.

The Source is a hard read, it stirs emotions deep inside you as you turn the pages, leaving you angry and feeling disgusted that society can be so blind to children in trouble. Yes, I know, this was a work of fiction. However, the author created a story that touched me deeply. This book was emotional, sad, and deeply moving leaving you drained and then at the end manages to bring hope and a smile to your face.

The Source is a five-star read that stirs up emotion in a way you would not believe possible!

This book is brilliant! I have no doubt The Source will be getting a lot of attention, do not be left out, make sure you get yourself a copy and be ready for an emotional read.