I Am The Messenger: The First Ace

     The book I Am the Messenger is a thrilling book where we see Ed, a 19 year old cab driver, bring a robber to justice. Right after this robbery took place, Ed received a poker card in the mail with three addresses. He realized that he needed to go to these addresses, and witness or help out any situation that was to occur. The first address was home to a three person family: a mom and her daughter, as well as a drunk father who raped his wife regularly. The second address was home to an old woman named Milla who is very lonely- she has been since her husband Jimmy died some sixty years ago. The last address was home to a fifteen year old girl named Sophie. She was a dedicated runner who usually ran barefoot, but during races she'd wear spikes, which hindered her performance and confidence.
      In my opinion, I think that so far the book is very interesting, and it keeps the reader attached. I think that Ed shows extreme courage when it comes to going to these addresses in general, and he solves the problems in very creative ways. When it comes to the first address, I did not see the gun coming. It was chilling that Ed had to kill a man, because he didn't know what horrible consequences were to follow if he didn't. Regardless of the plotted murder, I found the second address and Milla's story the saddest. She has been alone for years, and has a very poor memory, so when she sees Ed she immediately calls him Jimmy. She made him read to her, and eat dinner with her. Ed actually enjoyed going over. He felt connected to Milla in the sense that he could relate to her sadness. I felt very bad for both Milla and Ed- Ed had to act as if he understood what Milla was talking about, and it was hard for him to move on to the next address because Milla felt as if her dead husband has come back.
     I related to the third address the most. When Ed followed the runner girl on her runs every day, I kept thinking about summer when I used to do what Sophie did. When Sophie lost her races despite her best efforts, I related to her even more. So, to see Ed be able to help Sophie gain confidence and prove her skill, I felt like Ed was acting like my coach here- he was the one who helped me gain my confidence in running. That was my favorite part of the book so far. I loved their friendship so much as well, and hope they stay close throughout the book.
     So far, I Am the Messenger is a great book. I feel like Ed will help more people throughout the book, and learn more about himself this way too. I can't wait to find out whether or not the alcoholic man of the first address was actually killed, and if Sophie ever ends up winning a race. I hope everything unfolds in the next few parts of the book.