Unfortunately, I found this book rather disappointing. After reading " Ultimatum" I immediately put this book and " Cacked" in my Amazon cart. I was beyond thrilled when I happened to find this at a local thriftstore before placing my order. I immediately cracked it open and started reading it in the vehicle ( hubby driving). * minor spoilers below*

Its not completely awful......its just not great. I get what Walton was going for here, but I feel that may have been better accomplished if the main female protagonist, Dell, was more relatable. She is unlikable, weak, lazy and selfish. The vast majority of everything she experiences is self imposed. She brings most of it on herself. I was constantly annoyed with her and found myself speed reading or skimming over parts, trying to reach the part where she finally stops being spineless and gets a backbone....that never happened. I hated the ending, it felt so unsatisfactory and abrupt.

Maybe this would be better for someone who resonates with the character more, someone who struggles with and can relate to the same issues, and/or has the same personality type. For me....its a no go. ( )

I'm unsure of my rating as of right now. I think this book was a great read until the last few pages. I had hoped for a different outcome for Dell. I think the ending was a cop out, and it should have ended with a different option. I am not sure I will let my daughter read this one, as I don't want her to think Dell's final decision is an acceptable one in any way. I cried because my heart broke for the little girl, and her feelings of aloneness. I just don't know what to think about this novel at this point. Its a good thing I read Cracked first instead of this one, otherwise I probably wouldn't have picked it up.

This book is advertised as young adult, but I think it is more appropriate for older audiences. The book definitely needs all kinds of trigger warnings, so keep that in mind before reading. ( )

I read this in one sitting, it was a fast read. I thought it was well written and really shows how
someone a little bigger might feel. It shows how mean kids/people can be. It was an abrupt end and I felt bad for Dell- no one ever truly knows the home life of someone and people often judge on looking at what they see in front of them instead of getting the whole picture or background first. ( )

I read this book through PulseIt. Anyone who thinks YA books are unrealistically sugar-coated will have a rude awakening with K.M. Walton's Empty. Life is bleak for high schooler Dell (Adele). Her father ran off with a bimbo, leaving the family (including a new baby) struggling in a small apartment. Her mother takes refuge in prescription pills and Dell turns to food, gaining 70 pounds in a short time. The weight pervades her life, affecting her position on the softball team, where she was the star hitter. She puts on a game face, joining in self-deprecatingly when the other kids MOOOO, but is aching inside. Her longtime best friend is still somewhat there for her, but seems likely to run off with a more popular crowd. There are very mean girls, awful boys, oblivious teachers, no support system at all. Her singing talent could blow them all away at the school talent show, but... I won't spoil, but it's not a fairytale ending. ( )