"Fifteen-year-old Azael Arevalo lives on the mean streets of Houston. Son of illegal Salvadoran immigrants, his mother dead and his father deported, Azael and his older brother, Eddie, join the MS-13 gang as their adopted family. Between rumbles with rival gangs, Azael paints murals on whatever large surfaces he can find, such as walls, buildings, or railroad cars--inspired masterpieces that are quickly erased by rival gangs. His only real attachment is to his girlfriend, Becca, whom he consistently disappoints with his stealing, violence, and troubles with police. The novel begins with Azael in lockup following a bloody gang fight he can only partially remember. Weeks pass while Azael is made to observe Lexi, also in lockup, during her group therapy sessions. Azael cannot understand the system--no phone calls, no lawyers, no contacts from anyone outside--but knows his time there is limited and moving toward some conclusion. Meanwhile, Lexi, who is even more hostile and rebellious than Azael, seems to know his name although they are strangers.

A second novel by bi-lingual author Perez, The Knife and the Butterfly is a bleak, disgusting, and poignant portrait of gang life among youths of color in Houston. Language (often peppered with Spanish words) and sexual depictions, while offensive, are appropriate for the characters, who are really children trapped in desperate circumstances. Based on a true incident, this work of fiction is gritty, sad, and not for the faint-hearted." --VOYA.