By Emily Pattullo. Published by New Age Publishers, 2014. Reviewed by Claire McGivern 

Emily Pattullo’s young adult novel confronts the issue of child trafficking in London. With strong teenage protagonists it is sure to appeal to young adults who will enjoy the fast-paced almost-thriller style.

Rosie, an inquisitive teenager with a troubled past, is kidnapped by human traffickers and finds herself facing prostitution along with other helpless teens and young children. While she realises that her own curiosity and hunger for adventure led to her plight she is horrified by the stories of the other victims. Children who have been accused of witchcraft, and would face certain death in Nigeria, are offered an escape to a new life. Desperate parents with too many children to feed succumb to the offer of money for one or more of their family. The promised new life turns out to include imprisonment, hunger, physical abuse, drugging and often prolonged and repeated sexual assault.

Rosie’s brother Ted, and Martha, a student journalist, are determined to find Rosie and to bring some light to bear on trafficking which is the second largest source of illegal income worldwide — exceeded only by drugs. Given the target audience, the author is careful not to describe the sexual content but rather to suggest the abuse and violence that occurs. The traumatising effects of the abuse are obvious in the lack of fight or will to escape in the characters who have been worn down by the continued degradation meted out to them. The book highlights how we take so many of our freedoms for granted with scant thought for those whose choices in life are virtually non-existent.

A self-published work which was initially released as an e-book, Ring Around Rosie was a finalist in the 2014 Best Kindle Book Awards. This novel draws the reader’s attention to a challenging issue which it is easy to overlook. However, the convenient and often far-fetched coincidences that are woven through the plot, left this reader disappointed that the author had not taken more time to develop the plot and the characters further.

Published in Tui Motu Magazine Issue 212 Feb 2017:11.