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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was very enjoyable, easy to get lost in. Definitely didn't know how it would end. Some drawn out part, some ters flowed. I loved it.
Christopher did a really good job of making us experience what Gemma feels. As the story progresses, your views tend to slightly change toward Ty and you can somewhat understand where Gemma is coming from towards the end.
This reminded me of a YA version of The Collector by John Fowles- man sees girl. Man wants girls. Man takes girl for himself. Girl must find a way to survive. Needless to say, The Collector didn’t have a happy ending (is this a happy ending?).
It’s worth noting that this is YA -and YA is something I have not picked up in a loooong time. Had I been a teen when I first read this I would’ve easily given it 5 stars. It has all the elements that I loved then (and still love now) at a level that isn’t as dark as what I read lately.
This reminded me of a YA version of The Collector by John Fowles- man sees girl. Man wants girls. Man takes girl for himself. Girl must find a way to survive. Needless to say, The Collector didn’t have a happy ending (is this a happy ending?).
It’s worth noting that this is YA -and YA is something I have not picked up in a loooong time. Had I been a teen when I first read this I would’ve easily given it 5 stars. It has all the elements that I loved then (and still love now) at a level that isn’t as dark as what I read lately.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think the craziest part is that I felt myself falling in love with Ty. Anyways even though Gemma was in a difficult situation I loved how she was eventually able to see the beauty of what was around her. I think her finding the place more and more beautiful signified how she was falling more and more for Ty.
How can I review this book? Its 8.25pm on a cold December night, three days away from Christmas and all I can think about is the story that Lucy Christopher just shared with me. I feel like I was given this precious gift, a part of her soul really. It’s like this with every book I think, especially the very good ones. But this is different, this is a first for me.
Gemma is only sixteen when she is taken away from her family, from her friends and her entire life into the hands of a horrible monster. She is picked up from an airport and plucked into a hot desert where the land wants to kill you, with the fear of what her captor will do to her.
“How long will you keep me?" I asked.
You shrugged. "Forever, of course.”
There is nothing out there like this story. Nothing. This book captures the true essence of what it’s like to fear somebody and to be scared for your life.
Gemma is a very strong protagonist, she was scared, even ready to die at the hands of her captor but she had hope.
Ty is a troubled man who had a hard life, he’s strong physically but emotionally he’s damaged.
I still can’t believe just how great Gemma’s character was! I can already imagine more than half of the female characters in young adult books now and how they could react in this situation. Gemma was different. She was scared but she willed herself to try and run away. She wanted to escape even if it killed her.
This is a letter from Gemma to her captor; written in detail of everything she experienced and felt throughout her time with Ty and honestly how much can you write about a month or so? How long can you make a letter out of this? I was incredibly sceptical of the format that it was written in, I mean it shows Gemma’s true feelings but how much can really happen in a sunny desert with nobody else around? Apparently a lot, this was a fantastic idea, especially for the beginning and the end of the novel.
My mind couldn’t keep up and my heart never settled on what I thought of Ty, just like Gemma. There was this character who has done wrong but is so hurt and is so delusional that you cannot help but forgive him for his wrong doings.
“and it’s hard to hate someone once you understand them.”
My heart was in my throat until the very last word on the page. What does Gemma think of this and what do I think of this. I was so conflicted because I wanted Gemma to love him. I wanted her to forgive him, to somehow be with him?! I think I was the one suffering through Stockholm syndrome. I was never nervous when Gemma was scared of Ty, I was never scared for her when she was trying to escape him. I always had hope.
Gemma is only sixteen when she is taken away from her family, from her friends and her entire life into the hands of a horrible monster. She is picked up from an airport and plucked into a hot desert where the land wants to kill you, with the fear of what her captor will do to her.
“How long will you keep me?" I asked.
You shrugged. "Forever, of course.”
There is nothing out there like this story. Nothing. This book captures the true essence of what it’s like to fear somebody and to be scared for your life.
Gemma is a very strong protagonist, she was scared, even ready to die at the hands of her captor but she had hope.
Ty is a troubled man who had a hard life, he’s strong physically but emotionally he’s damaged.
I still can’t believe just how great Gemma’s character was! I can already imagine more than half of the female characters in young adult books now and how they could react in this situation. Gemma was different. She was scared but she willed herself to try and run away. She wanted to escape even if it killed her.
This is a letter from Gemma to her captor; written in detail of everything she experienced and felt throughout her time with Ty and honestly how much can you write about a month or so? How long can you make a letter out of this? I was incredibly sceptical of the format that it was written in, I mean it shows Gemma’s true feelings but how much can really happen in a sunny desert with nobody else around? Apparently a lot, this was a fantastic idea, especially for the beginning and the end of the novel.
My mind couldn’t keep up and my heart never settled on what I thought of Ty, just like Gemma. There was this character who has done wrong but is so hurt and is so delusional that you cannot help but forgive him for his wrong doings.
“and it’s hard to hate someone once you understand them.”
My heart was in my throat until the very last word on the page. What does Gemma think of this and what do I think of this. I was so conflicted because I wanted Gemma to love him. I wanted her to forgive him, to somehow be with him?! I think I was the one suffering through Stockholm syndrome. I was never nervous when Gemma was scared of Ty, I was never scared for her when she was trying to escape him. I always had hope.
The writing was good, but I didn't like the characters at all.
2.5/5 stars
Really strong ending piece where the psycological trauma all came together, but this book was at times as barren and empty as the setting it took place in.
Really strong ending piece where the psycological trauma all came together, but this book was at times as barren and empty as the setting it took place in.
I didn't love this book. One of my biggest complaints was that the story was told entirely in second person. The plot was interesting but not enough to feel satisfied at the end. Perhaps the ambiguity of the kidnapper also played a role in how I felt. Christopher did a good job of not writing a "stock" villain. Ultimately, I found this book to be merely an "okay" read.
Where do I start with this? This book is just, wow. It is one of a kind, and I really do hope Lucy Christopher has a lot of recognition for such an incredible book. PLEASE LET SOMEONE MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT IT!
It's been about two years since I've last read it but from such an impact it left on me, I can remember this story the most compared to anything I've ever read.
The first line hooked me straight away. From that line I spent two nights non-stop reading this, and considering it was only two nights, it was worth it. If you read this book, I'm telling you this, every hour, minute, and second you spend will be worth it.
The emotion of hate and sadness. I could feel it as I read. I could feel the hatred from Emma aimed at Ty. The sadness of Ty's childhood, and the loneliness they both had as the story progressed. This book changed something in me, I don't know what, but it did something to me.
The ending left my heart in pieces. I didn't want it to end like that. I really didn't. It took me a while to accept it. I wanted so much out of there Ty and Emma's relationship, but well you guys will find out. The ending is one of the highest points in the book, yet it was so sad. I really did want them to end together but AHHH that didn't happen. -.- However it was one hell of an ending. It's one that I hope to never ever forget.
This book definitely deserves 5 out of 5 stars, maybe even 6 out of 5. If you read it, it'll leave you such an amazing story, and such amazing characters that you'll wish you were there with them just to get that little grasp of experiencing such a journey.
It's been about two years since I've last read it but from such an impact it left on me, I can remember this story the most compared to anything I've ever read.
The first line hooked me straight away. From that line I spent two nights non-stop reading this, and considering it was only two nights, it was worth it. If you read this book, I'm telling you this, every hour, minute, and second you spend will be worth it.
The emotion of hate and sadness. I could feel it as I read. I could feel the hatred from Emma aimed at Ty. The sadness of Ty's childhood, and the loneliness they both had as the story progressed. This book changed something in me, I don't know what, but it did something to me.
The ending left my heart in pieces. I didn't want it to end like that. I really didn't. It took me a while to accept it. I wanted so much out of there Ty and Emma's relationship, but well you guys will find out. The ending is one of the highest points in the book, yet it was so sad. I really did want them to end together but AHHH that didn't happen. -.- However it was one hell of an ending. It's one that I hope to never ever forget.
This book definitely deserves 5 out of 5 stars, maybe even 6 out of 5. If you read it, it'll leave you such an amazing story, and such amazing characters that you'll wish you were there with them just to get that little grasp of experiencing such a journey.