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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Have just finished this book and was quite surprised. It started off quite meh, I thought I was going to detest the characters and it would be quite cliche and your general survivor story.
However, I warmed to the characters quite a lot and I didn’t feel it was too far fetched considering the story. It had a good pace and the characters actually grew on me throughout the story.
Issues I had were, at times it felt more like a novel desperate to be a movie, felt like it was written more as a screenplay and didn’t have the depth other novels have, but overall a pretty decent read ✨
However, I warmed to the characters quite a lot and I didn’t feel it was too far fetched considering the story. It had a good pace and the characters actually grew on me throughout the story.
Issues I had were, at times it felt more like a novel desperate to be a movie, felt like it was written more as a screenplay and didn’t have the depth other novels have, but overall a pretty decent read ✨
I wasn't really impressed with McKinty's "The Chain," so I don't know why I thought this book would be any different. I normally read book by book, not necessarily author by author; so when the synopsis piqued my interest, I thought I'd give McKinty another try. This book made "The Chain" look pretty good by comparison.
The whole time, I didn't really care what happened to the characters (except for Olivia and side character/girlboss Petra), which isn't really what you want when the premise of your book is survival on a semi-remote island. It got to the point that I'd rather they all not make it, at least that would have been more interesting than what we got. The book was supposed to read "dire situation," not "can we get on with it?"
And Heather, our main protagonist? She's only a 24 year-old massage therapist but can handle a rifle like she was in the military in the Middle East, not her dad. Everybody knows that those skills are hereditary! Her dad taking her hunting when she was younger is NOT the same thing! Heather is a trash protagonist; very flat with traces of ✨dIfFeReNt✨
The audiobook has sound effects (e.g. gunshots, water running, etc.), which was a nice touch.
The whole time, I didn't really care what happened to the characters (except for Olivia and side character/girlboss Petra), which isn't really what you want when the premise of your book is survival on a semi-remote island. It got to the point that I'd rather they all not make it, at least that would have been more interesting than what we got. The book was supposed to read "dire situation," not "can we get on with it?"
And Heather, our main protagonist? She's only a 24 year-old massage therapist but can handle a rifle like she was in the military in the Middle East, not her dad. Everybody knows that those skills are hereditary! Her dad taking her hunting when she was younger is NOT the same thing! Heather is a trash protagonist; very flat with traces of ✨dIfFeReNt✨
The audiobook has sound effects (e.g. gunshots, water running, etc.), which was a nice touch.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
WOW. This book had me so hooked & I couldn’t put it down. The situations were so bizarre & eerie but that’s what made it so fun. The author did a good job of building Tom up to be a crappy guy, but I found it a little unbelievable/unsatisfying that his kids would turn on him so easily. I also wish there had been more about Heather’s backstory or a better lead up to how she just seemingly knows how to do all these things to survive. I did like how Heather & the kids end up getting close & trusting each other.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Taking breaks from & putting down this book was difficult— couldn’t stop! What a fun, wild ride!
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
This was so addictive and anxiety-inducing. I was hooked and needed to know what would happen to them. I really enjoyed how Heather's relationship with the kids changes. It is a bit hard to believe a woman could do all this against a family on their own island, but hey, it was a great read and I was rooting for them the whole way.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was a middle of the road thriller for me. Full of unlikeable characters (including the FMC and the kids. Let’s not even mention the dad!!! I didn’t like any of them to be honest! )
Heather was such an unbelievable character to me on top of that! She went from being a young massage therapist with military parents to someone who knew how to operate every weapon, had top sniper skills and never cracked under pressure .
I don’t know. I just find it hard to believe and I want to believe and root for the people I’m reading about.
It seemed like just about every thriller movie I’ve watched set in Australia.
The fact that it was fast paced and I listened to this via audio saved this one from being a DNF.
Although it’s only “just another book I’ve read” I’m glad I did as it’s another one off my physical TBR.