Scan barcode
jedore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"It's hard to hate someone once you understand them.”
This is a gripping tale of survival and resilience. Gemma, a teenage girl, is abducted from the Bangkok international airport and held captive in the unforgiving Australian outback. The novel explores themes of isolation, fear, and the human spirit.
I seriously struggled with the developing romantic dynamic between Gemma and her captor, Ty. The author's choice to romanticize their relationship rather than addressing it as a complex and harmful psychological response to trauma was very unsettling. This portrayal can be misleading, particularly for younger readers leading to the glamorization of "trauma bonding."
That said, I was relieved that Christopher did not have Gemma become entirely submissive. Her unwavering determination to escape kept me engaged and hopeful.
While the subject matter is undoubtedly heavy and a bit contentious, it's refreshing to see authors of young adult fiction exploring complex issues with depth.
This is a provocative and thought-provoking read. While the romanticization of the captor-victim relationship is a significant flaw in my opinion, the novel's exploration of survival, resilience, and the human psyche is commendable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Self harm, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
kaylalaren's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Kidnapping
princess_marie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, and Stalking
brookey8888's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was an interesting read. It wasn’t as thrilling as I thought it was going to be. It’s more character driven then I was expecting. Gemma gets kidnapped so you and her are starting to feel for the kidnapper and it’s just interesting to read. I didn’t love how this was written, it makes sense, but I just didn’t vibe with it. This was good, but it’s honestly nothing special. It reminded me of the good girl by Mary kubica but young adult. The setting was maybe my favorite part of this, learning about the Australian Outback was interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
abbyycadabbyy's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Alright, so this book... We can tell I didn't like it due to the rating. This whole book I was bored and wasn't wanting to read it.
The only thing that I really liked is how it was told in her letters to him. I thought it made for an interesting book. I wanted to know how it ended but if it wasn't for the fact that I was doing a buddy read I don't know that I would have finished this book.
Now for all the stuff I didn't like... we might be here for a while. The main thing that I didn't like was all the cracks in the plot. Just the fact he was able to take her from a crowded airport and nobody noticed, or the fact that she went from hating him to then falling in love with him or the fact that he was able to keep all the materials at a mine site where a bunch of people worked, even if he got them at night all the people had to sleep at the mine site because they were in the middle of nowhere .
He was extremely odd, I am not going to say that I thought he was going to be normal because he did kidnap her but, I didn't think he was going to be so weird. I thought all the painting was super odd. I don't know, I really just didn't like Ty at all. There were a few times where you could say he was caring but, with a story written like this he is going to look like a good guy because she falls in love with him . That is one downside to the way it was written, in her letters to him.
I really didn't like her that much either because the whole time I was just thinking "oh god she is going to fall in love with him." I don't feel like this book should be marked as a romance because it really isn't. the romance is only really there in the last like 40 pages.
I could probably go on and on all day about why this book just wasn't it for me, but I won't. I really wouldn't recommend, there is so many other, better books out there.
The only thing that I really liked is how it was told in her letters to him. I thought it made for an interesting book. I wanted to know how it ended but if it wasn't for the fact that I was doing a buddy read I don't know that I would have finished this book.
Now for all the stuff I didn't like... we might be here for a while. The main thing that I didn't like was all the cracks in the plot. Just the fact he was able to take her from a crowded airport and nobody noticed, or the fact that she
He was extremely odd, I am not going to say that I thought he was going to be normal because he did kidnap her but, I didn't think he was going to be so weird. I thought all the painting was super odd. I don't know, I really just didn't like Ty at all. There were a few times where you could say he was caring but, with a story written like this he is going to look like a good guy because
I really didn't like her that much either because the whole time I was just thinking "oh god she is going to fall in love with him." I don't feel like this book should be marked as a romance because it really isn't. the romance is only really there in the last like 40 pages.
I could probably go on and on all day about why this book just wasn't it for me, but I won't. I really wouldn't recommend, there is so many other, better books out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Minor: Mental illness and Alcohol
abbyhough's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, and Suicide attempt
zahliajayne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book broke me emotionally. i don’t know what i should be feeling at all or what i should be thinking by the end of this book.
after being in denial of finishing this magnificent master piece for the last 2 hours, i was contemplating everything.
i feel lost, claustrophobic, alone, and eager. i must read the next book ASAP.
it’s amazing how the author was really able to capture what it’s like to have stockholm syndrome. because i love ty but i know i shouldn’t. he is erratic, a kidnapper, seemingly narcissistic. but he can also be kind, artistic, caring. but too caring, which can be both great and bad.
i was captured into the hole of also having stockholm syndrome, because by the end the story felt like it was between me and ty, not gemma and ty.
it’s just so personal and i am now lost and waiting for my copy of release to get here :))
after being in denial of finishing this magnificent master piece for the last 2 hours, i was contemplating everything.
i feel lost, claustrophobic, alone, and eager. i must read the next book ASAP.
it’s amazing how the author was really able to capture what it’s like to have stockholm syndrome. because i love ty but i know i shouldn’t. he is erratic, a kidnapper, seemingly narcissistic. but he can also be kind, artistic, caring. but too caring, which can be both great and bad.
i was captured into the hole of also having stockholm syndrome, because by the end the story felt like it was between me and ty, not gemma and ty.
it’s just so personal and i am now lost and waiting for my copy of release to get here :))
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment
plaingirl21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Murder
lilawsahar's review against another edition
Slow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt