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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amy McCulloch writes some of my favorite suspense/thriller novels! She’s a master at infusing her plots, settings, and characters with her unique mountaineering and running experiences, creating nailing biting adventures that are impossible to put down.
Runner 13 pulls you into its pages from the very first page, immersing you in the world of ultrarunning. There’s a chilling aura of unease that’s instantly palpable, despite the vivid descriptions of the Saharan Desert’s heat. I loved reading about each runner and learning their “why”, and also the entire concept of pushing people to the very end of their limits. The short chapters, changing POVs, and the podcast interludes made for a fast-paced plot, while the different twists and reveals kept me guessing until the end.
My favorite part about all of McCulloch’s books is how she takes her own lived experiences, ones most people will never have themselves, and makes them accessible. Through her words, I’ve summited Mount Everest, traveled to the bottom of the world, and raced hundreds of miles across a desert. She’s an autobuy author for me and I can’t wait to see where she takes me next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is an incredible heart pounding story of survival. Boones has invited runners to compete in his race. Each runner is promised a special reward that can only be granted if they win. This race will not only test their endurance but will also put their lives at risk. If you love reading about corrupt and evil, revenge driven, along with strong characters then you will differently love this book.
Everything about this book was so interesting including the characters, the plot, and the setting. It was chilling knowing that there was someone targeting the runners but not knowing who or when they would attack next. Just when I thought I had figured out who everyone was and their involvement in the situations of the story, a shocking twist would be revealed that would make me second guess the characters intentions. I had predicted a part of Stella’s secret but when it was all revealed I was surprised by the true extent of her secret.
My favorite character was Adrienne. Her determination and grit for surviving and was what i loved most about her character. I was so worried for her throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Everything about this book was so interesting including the characters, the plot, and the setting. It was chilling knowing that there was someone targeting the runners but not knowing who or when they would attack next. Just when I thought I had figured out who everyone was and their involvement in the situations of the story, a shocking twist would be revealed that would make me second guess the characters intentions. I had predicted a part of Stella’s secret but when it was all revealed I was surprised by the true extent of her secret.
My favorite character was Adrienne. Her determination and grit for surviving and was what i loved most about her character. I was so worried for her throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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:
Yes
I really enjoyed this - thriller about ultramarathons - yes please!
Couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting!
Good number of twists that I wasn’t expecting, but did make sense once they came out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-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:
No
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Runner 13 is a must-read for anyone who loves high-stakes survival stories packed with personal redemption and dark secrets, all set in the intense, unforgiving world of ultrarunning. As someone who’s fascinated by ultrarunners, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one — and it did *not* disappoint. I raced through the pages (pun absolutely intended!), torn between not wanting it to end and needing to know what happens next. This book is an absolute rollercoaster — fast-paced, gripping, and impossible to put down. Trust me, it’s a thriller you’ll want to talk about, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail
As a big fan and follower of ultrarunning, this was honestly a perfect thriller. I raced through it, not wanting it to end but simultaneously wanting to know what happened. Amy has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me. Loved all of the references to famous ultra-races and the parallels to the Barkleys and Jasmin Paris being the first female finisher. An all round, well-paced thriller that I will be highly recommending!