jbaustian1987's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hopefully_jamie's review against another edition
Don’t have the first book, maybe I should’ve read that first. I might come back to it later
kleedc73's review against another edition
4.0
A vicious killer preys on powerless women, typically those who frequent rest stops along faceless Midwestern highways. When two young girls go missing while on an impulsive Thanksgiving trip, a rogue cop on the verge of implosion and his green young partner begin investigating and scratch the surface of a situation they never imagined. The story unfolds at lightning speed with great pacing and non-stop action. The fact that Detective Hoyt is, at best, a tarnished hero makes the story more gritty and compelling. His partner, Cassie Dewell, is endearing in her dogged determination to do the right thing. This is the first C.J. Box novel I have read but it certainly won't be the last.
readwithdes's review against another edition
3.0
The Highway was overall a good book, the only thing I wasn't a fan of was how the women in the book were described or the qualities they possessed. It was obvious they were written by a man which I don’t
love. The main character, Cassie Dewell, was portrayed as African American, heavy-set, and lacking self-esteem. Every chance the author got, he mentioned how insecure she was about her weight although it had little to do with the story line of the book. It also had a little bit of a political aspect to it as far as certain descriptions or comments made, which at times I found to be unnecessary. Although Cassie is an African American woman, the reader could easily depict that she was written by a Caucasian man.
As far as imagery goes, I was able to vividly imagine the scene because they were written and described really well. There are definitely shocking twists and turns throughout the book, and at one point I had to stop reading and take a second because I was appalled at what I thought to be the biggest plot twist in the book. Some of the characters were completely disgusting inside and out, but overall it is a good read.
love. The main character, Cassie Dewell, was portrayed as African American, heavy-set, and lacking self-esteem. Every chance the author got, he mentioned how insecure she was about her weight although it had little to do with the story line of the book. It also had a little bit of a political aspect to it as far as certain descriptions or comments made, which at times I found to be unnecessary. Although Cassie is an African American woman, the reader could easily depict that she was written by a Caucasian man.
As far as imagery goes, I was able to vividly imagine the scene because they were written and described really well. There are definitely shocking twists and turns throughout the book, and at one point I had to stop reading and take a second because I was appalled at what I thought to be the biggest plot twist in the book. Some of the characters were completely disgusting inside and out, but overall it is a good read.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. C.J. Box’s newest release, The Highway, is a chilling mystery that is full of unexpected (and stunning) twists and turns. Realistic and gritty, this second novel starring Cody Hoyt is quite riveting and impossible to put down. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety.
mishedme's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really have any specific feelings towards this book to be honest. It was just fine I guess. A bit slow but also not? Could've easily done without all the comments about Cassie's weight/figure. Like c'mon.
The ending was good though! Not what I expected from a detective novel per se. A refreshing end.
The ending was good though! Not what I expected from a detective novel per se. A refreshing end.
fresca5467's review against another edition
2.0
Left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
It's hard to put my finger on what I disliked so much about this book. It was gruesome without many redeeming qualities. I did not have the same issue with other books in the same genre with similar plots (serial rapist/killer truck driver, etc). Somehow the writing left me with the subtle feeling that the author agreed (to a limited degree) with how the bad guys viewed their female victims - as less than full people. All the women and girls in the book felt underdeveloped to be used as cheap plot points.
I did not read the first book in this series. It was not necessary to have read the first book, some characters kept making such overt reference to the events from that book that it felt very in-your-face and strange - like a frequent reminder that you're reading a book instead of being immersed in the story.
I agree with other reviews that described this book as having a subtle misogynistic message / vibe.
It's hard to put my finger on what I disliked so much about this book. It was gruesome without many redeeming qualities. I did not have the same issue with other books in the same genre with similar plots (serial rapist/killer truck driver, etc). Somehow the writing left me with the subtle feeling that the author agreed (to a limited degree) with how the bad guys viewed their female victims - as less than full people. All the women and girls in the book felt underdeveloped to be used as cheap plot points.
I did not read the first book in this series. It was not necessary to have read the first book, some characters kept making such overt reference to the events from that book that it felt very in-your-face and strange - like a frequent reminder that you're reading a book instead of being immersed in the story.
I agree with other reviews that described this book as having a subtle misogynistic message / vibe.
wombat_88's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mojoshivers's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated this executed an idea I had long ago where you set up one hero to be the main character, only to kill him off and have it turn out to be his partner or associate be really the main character. Since then I've seen properties like Game of Thrones and Executive Decision do this, but never to this effect.
If you have seen the show Big Sky that is based on this novel, then you know this book took that idea to the extreme and had the big hero from the initial installment in the Highway series, Back of the Beyond, be killed here. It's a bold move since we followed Cody all through that back and--I don't know--grow to like him as an individual. He was a brash and often reckless protagonist, but in the end he ended up saving his son and the rest of the party. It was inevitable you would think he would do the same in the second book of The Highway.
However, the way it was executed is perfect. Cassie is another investigator to root for and to have her be at odds with her wayward partner is a perfect way to introduce her. Instantly, the reader forms an idea in his mind that she's going to be a foil for Cody and starts picking up on her nascent qualities of intelligence, focus, and even stubbornness as indicators she's going to provide good conflict with Cody. Then, when he's killed, the reader can instantly see how those same qualities are perfect for picking up where he left and assuming the mantle of being the driving force from then on of the rest of the book and even series.
The rest of the story takes care of itself. The Lizard King, Legarski, and Jimmy prove vile creatures of evil but the conclusion of the book shows who the real evil prince among them is. I'm glad to see the book takes a darker worldview than the television show as the show comes off as treating the subject matter with kid gloves. When the subject is kidnapping, torture, and human trafficking, it shouldn't be sanitized for one's protection. All involved should know how dire the stakes are. Indeed, it is this moment of discovery that sometimes you have to become a part of the murkiness to fight the murkiness that is at the heart of Cassie's journey.
All in all, a good continuation of the first novel in The Highway Quartet and a superb introduction of the character of Cassie Dewell. The fact the Lizard King is still out there somewhere at the book's end bodes well for installment three.
If you have seen the show Big Sky that is based on this novel, then you know this book took that idea to the extreme and had the big hero from the initial installment in the Highway series, Back of the Beyond, be killed here. It's a bold move since we followed Cody all through that back and--I don't know--grow to like him as an individual. He was a brash and often reckless protagonist, but in the end he ended up saving his son and the rest of the party. It was inevitable you would think he would do the same in the second book of The Highway.
However, the way it was executed is perfect. Cassie is another investigator to root for and to have her be at odds with her wayward partner is a perfect way to introduce her. Instantly, the reader forms an idea in his mind that she's going to be a foil for Cody and starts picking up on her nascent qualities of intelligence, focus, and even stubbornness as indicators she's going to provide good conflict with Cody. Then, when he's killed, the reader can instantly see how those same qualities are perfect for picking up where he left and assuming the mantle of being the driving force from then on of the rest of the book and even series.
The rest of the story takes care of itself. The Lizard King, Legarski, and Jimmy prove vile creatures of evil but the conclusion of the book shows who the real evil prince among them is. I'm glad to see the book takes a darker worldview than the television show as the show comes off as treating the subject matter with kid gloves. When the subject is kidnapping, torture, and human trafficking, it shouldn't be sanitized for one's protection. All involved should know how dire the stakes are. Indeed, it is this moment of discovery that sometimes you have to become a part of the murkiness to fight the murkiness that is at the heart of Cassie's journey.
All in all, a good continuation of the first novel in The Highway Quartet and a superb introduction of the character of Cassie Dewell. The fact the Lizard King is still out there somewhere at the book's end bodes well for installment three.