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chloebear21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
themysterymaven's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes, the villains make the book. They are just too good…too evil…and you get wrapped up in them just as much as the heroes.
Here, we have a boy, witness to murder, hiding in the wilderness of Montana and tucked deep into a survivalist group for troubled teens. The suspense of the story amidst forest fires, harrowing hikes into the high peaks, and the vivid imagery drawn of both the setting and the surrounding characters flow into this brilliant book that harkens the likes of John Grisham’s The Client.
But it’s the bad guys who really draw you in and creep you out: calm, collected, eloquent in conversation…their patient, matter-of-fact personalities that belie their savagery and penchant for torture when their prey is found.
While reading, I couldn’t help but picture Paul Bettany as both brothers, imagining looks from his various movies…the bright, almost white blonde hair and icy blue eyes.
Author Michael Koryta keeps stunning me with his stories, and this one is a five-star for me. At one point in the plot my jaw totally dropped, stomach plummeted to my toes. I think a movie was made of this book that didn’t fare very well, which is unfortunate because it deserves better. Highly recommend this one.
Here, we have a boy, witness to murder, hiding in the wilderness of Montana and tucked deep into a survivalist group for troubled teens. The suspense of the story amidst forest fires, harrowing hikes into the high peaks, and the vivid imagery drawn of both the setting and the surrounding characters flow into this brilliant book that harkens the likes of John Grisham’s The Client.
But it’s the bad guys who really draw you in and creep you out: calm, collected, eloquent in conversation…their patient, matter-of-fact personalities that belie their savagery and penchant for torture when their prey is found.
While reading, I couldn’t help but picture Paul Bettany as both brothers, imagining looks from his various movies…the bright, almost white blonde hair and icy blue eyes.
Author Michael Koryta keeps stunning me with his stories, and this one is a five-star for me. At one point in the plot my jaw totally dropped, stomach plummeted to my toes. I think a movie was made of this book that didn’t fare very well, which is unfortunate because it deserves better. Highly recommend this one.
bek67's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not a bad thriller if you are looking for a quick read or listen in my case. Narrator was pretty good. I was intrigued by the storyline-teenager, Jace, needing to be shuttled away for witness protection. I wanted more info on Allison and her sensitivities/predictions etc.. so a bit disappointed we didn't get that. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the utter weirdness of Jack and Patrick Blackwell. Totally loved that aspect. There was definitely a twist that I did not see coming. All and all a solid 3 stars.
megandee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jmarchek's review against another edition
3.0
A cross between a survival book and a thriller. A teen witnesses a murder and instead of being put in traditional witness protection he's put into a teen wilderness survival program in Montana. The bad guys in this novel are really creepy and of course they come after our hero, who must survive on the mountain (with a little help) while avoiding a forest fire. There's a little twist at the end and I felt I learned a little. Nice way to pass the commute time.
crouchsara's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the perfect blend of suspense and thriller. There is a major theme of being pressed for time, for various reasons, and as a reader you even feel that. I really appreciated the endless survivalist / wilderness details that went into this story. You felt like you were right there in the woods with them without being too bogged down by descriptions. I’m always a sucker for a good twist in the end and this book did not disappoint. I’m interested to check out some other books by Michael Koryta.
amengelking's review against another edition
4.0
The plot is a bit preposterous, but setting that aside, it was suspenseful, exciting and fun. Seriously though, did anyone think putting a child witness in the middle of the woods was a good idea?
lazylou21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
k15mb03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5