In a private hospital in a remote part of Scotland, there isa ward containing a handful of children with deformities and disabilities sosevere that they’re kept hidden from the rest of society. Because no one knowsthey exist, no one knows what abuse they’re suffering at the hands of theirdoctors and nurses. Eventually they plan to escape, but everything seems topoint to it almost being too late for them.

This book confused me to begin with. First I thought thepeople on the ward were recovering drug addicts. Then I thought the protagonistwas a girl. Then I thought that they were a lot older than they turned out tobe. Details are revealed very slowly, or in some cases not at all. For example,Singleton gives a tantalising hint as to why the children are referred to as‘Geminis’, but it’s never expanded on.

That’s not to say that this isn’t a worthwhile read, though.The way the Geminis have developed their own ways of talking and learning aboutthe world is entertaining, and usually endearing (though sometimes the constantuse of slang gets a bit tiring). Having a second protagonist written in adifferent person is also quite effective, because you get a view of thesituation from a more accessible angle. Also, in many cases Singleton doesn’thave to expand on the hints he drops. The ending is a good example. It finishesquite abruptly, and I was left wondering what happened for a moment. But thenif you think about it, you can tell what happened. You know how it ends withouthim telling you. And if you read the book you might see what I mean when I sayit’s a very powerful way to finish.