Gothic Lolita
by Dakota Lane

    GOTHIC LOLITA by Dakota Lane
    Category:  Mystery/Thriller
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  11/25/08
    Publisher:  Ginee Seo
    Reviewed by:  Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Chelsea lives in Los Angeles with her mother.  Miya lives in Tokyo in a children’s home.  Chelsea’s precious brother
    disappeared three years ago.  Miya lives to protect her brother.  They both have an obsession with the same romantic
    manga.  Both girls are interested in Gothic Lolita.  The girls have never met or talked, but the two are connected in
    more ways than they realize.  

    Finding each other through a girl blogger site years before, each girl posted about their life and happenings.  Each girl
    found an avid reader in the other.  But they never left comments or talked.  Now, three years later, Chelsea has
    stopped blogging completely and is feeling lost and alone without her brother.  Miya lives in fear that someone will
    take her brother away and starts to plan their escape.  

    Now is the time when the girls need each other the most.  Will they break down the barriers, open themselves up to
    who they really are, and help each other?   

    This is a fascinating tale of friendship and love.  Told in alternating voices in short quick chapters, this tale reads like
    poetry.  The story is accompanied by black and white photographs taken by the author that added a sense of mystery
    and beauty to the story.   

    I loved how the author unveiled more and more about each girl and the reader is able to uncover just how their lives
    are connected.  It felt like I was slowly unwrapping a delicious candy bar but I could only have it piece by piece.  This
    is a book to be savored.