Reviewed by Bryone Peters for Readers' Favorite

It Starts With Me by Kati Kirsten is set in a terrible place because a sadistic and cruel government called the Guardianship rules America. Amity’s father has been exposed for publishing propaganda against the Guardianship's rule and as a result, Amity’s sister, Emma, was captured. Amity flees and sets off on a journey to rescue her sister. With her obedient wolf-resembling dog, Sarge, devotedly at her side, Amity encounters many deadly ordeals. Along the way, she meets other runaways with whom she ends up traveling. Suddenly, Amity not only has to deal with the emotional baggage of conflict between her feelings of mistrust toward the other runaways and the torment of her experiences but also being caught in a love triangle that clouds her judgment and tests her inner resolve and strength in other ways. Finally, the skeletons in Amity's past showcase the cruel life under the Guardianship's rule and leave the reader grateful for not living in that world.

It Starts With Me by Kati Kirsten has a scary feel to it but I was still curious to see if Amity survived the journey and managed to save Emma. People are disappearing mysteriously and if you do not comply, so will you. This book is nothing less than captivating and gripping from start to finish. Most of the story is set in the wilds where they hide to evade capture. My favorite part was when Amity and Sarge fought a pack of wolves all by themselves. This must-read novel has all the ingredients for a suspense movie in it, especially with shock, terror, drama, romance, and loads of action. I found the plot to be very interesting and well thought through. The themes include friendship, love, and hope in a time of insane tribulations. The unforgettable and vivid imagery displays a well-written story that is easy to follow. I was sitting on tenterhooks and reading impatiently to see how it all ended! Absolutely brilliant.