Fight Like a Girl

The Beauty of the Moment meets Exit, Pursued by a Bear. Award-winning thriller writer Sheena Kamal delivers a kick-ass debut YA novel that will have fans crying out for more.

In some families, love and violence are inextricably bound together, dysfunctional and poisonous, passed down from generation to generation like eye color or a quirk of smile. Trisha, a slightly built girl of Trinidadian descent, is trying to break this cycle, channeling her violent impulses into Muay Thai kickboxing, an unlikely sport for her. Her father, who comes and goes as he pleases, adds a layer of tension to the Toronto east-end townhouse that Trisha and her mom call home, every punch he lands on her mother carving itself indelibly into Trisha's mind.

Until the night he wanders out drunk in front of the car Trisha is driving, practicing on her learner's permit, her mother in the passenger seat. Her father is killed, and her mother seems strangely at peace, somehow lighter. Trisha doesn't know exactly what happened that night, but she's afraid it's going to happen again. Her mom has a new man in her life, and the patterns are repeating.

Trisha's journey is one of finding strength, resilience, and a way to break free from the cycle of violence that has defined her family. Through her dedication to Muay Thai, she discovers a sense of power and control that she never had before, a means of channeling her emotions in a constructive way. But as she navigates the complexities of her family's past and the uncertainty of the present, she must also confront the lingering questions about her father's death and the role her mother may have played in it.

Sheena Kamal's novel is a gripping and emotional exploration of the impact of domestic violence, the power of self-discovery, and the resilience of the human spirit. With its vivid characters, propulsive plot, and themes that resonate deeply, The Beauty of the Moment meets Exit, Pursued by a Bear is a powerful and unforgettable read that will leave a lasting impression on readers.

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