I decided to read this one to see how sensitively the topic of human trafficking (trigger warning!) was depicted. I do think the author was successful and tactful in addressing this tough topic, how impactful and emotional it is, but also without going into extreme detail of Devi’s encounters. It did feel to me for the first 70% of the book that it was two separate stories that she was trying to mesh together, it just didn’t really flesh out till the end. I am also not very confident the author has spent much time around teenagers as the way they spoke and their actions towards each other were overly immature. Even if a character had some immature qualities in their growth, this was every single teen character. Again though, the emotion of both Devi and Mel’s characters were well done, and readers can see a glimpse into their individual experiences. It should be noted that this is set in Australia and features a trip to Indonesia. I enjoyed reading about some of the cultural aspects of Mel’s time in Indonesia. Overall if you’re looking for a book that discusses trafficking at a pretty surface level but also provides emotional characters then this one would work for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Walker Books Australia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Louise Bassett’s “The Hidden Girl” is a fast-paced, compelling YA thriller that drops you into the dark realities of human trafficking while balancing the turmoil of teenage life. It’s a gripping read that boldly pushes beyond the usual boundaries of young adult fiction, though it may not be for every teen due to the weight of its subject matter.

At the heart of the story is Melati, a bright but troubled Year 11 student at a private girls’ school in Melbourne. Having kept her head down after past mistakes, Melati’s attempts to stay out of trouble come crashing down when she stands up to Libby Hartnett who is the school’s resident bully and daughter of a powerful benefactor. A spontaneous act of defending another student catapults Melati back into chaos, and soon she stumbles across a hidden diary in Libby’s school file.

Written in Indonesian, the diary reveals the desperate story of Devi, a young girl trapped in sex trafficking and forced into prostitution. Horrified, Melati becomes determined to help Devi, even as her actions threaten her own future at school. Her search for the truth follows her to Indonesia on a school trip, where she breaks more rules, forms new alliances, including a potential romance with Michael, a Melbourne boy, and risks everything to save a girl she’s never met.

Bassett shines in creating a story full of twists and tension, crafting a mystery where the stakes feel frighteningly real. The writing is clear, accessible, and firmly rooted in the YA genre, making it easy for teens to follow, I did feel that certain characters’ reactions, especially Melati’s parents, are too casual considering the dangers involved.

The book excels in avoiding clichés. This isn’t a fluffy “girl-turns-her-life-around” story; instead, it grapples with serious issues like bullying, privilege, the failures of authority figures, and the frightening reality of child trafficking between Indonesia and Australia. The segments set in Indonesia and inner-city Melbourne are vividly drawn, offering a strong sense of place that heightens the urgency of Melati’s mission.

Despite the weighty themes, Bassett handles the subject of trafficking carefully, keeping the most graphic details implicit rather than explicit. This makes the book intense but generally appropriate for more mature teen readers. The tone did occasionally veer into immaturity, given the gravity of the topics at hand, and noted moments when Melati seems distracted from her self-imposed mission.

Overall, “The Hidden Girl” succeeds as a page-turner, carrying you along on an emotional journey full of moral dilemmas and high stakes. It’s not a story where everyone lives happily ever after, but rather one that forces readers and especially teens to confront the complexities of doing what’s right in a messy, unjust world. For those looking for a YA mystery that tackles social issues outside the norm, “The Hidden Girl” is a powerful, thought-provoking choice. Just be prepared: it’s a book that demands discussion, making it an ideal read for teens and adults to explore together.