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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Really wanted to like this, but just couldn't get into it
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rachael is a glaciologist on an expedition to Antarctica. She is alone at the remote camp with the team leader, who has been sent back due to illness, and she is unable to contact Station Z, their base station, for the duration of their stay.
And the only contact she has with the world is the BBC World Service reporting a Nuclear Bomb has dropped Rachael thinks no matter what happens she might be the only person left in the world until her tent explodes in fire and she is forced to try to walk to base camp. And her death is inevitable whether it's the cold or starvation.
I loved the way we slowly learnt what was happening in the present with the nuclear bomb dropping in the UK, and the past where America has decided to focus on themselves and Rachael was down in Antarctica to discover data to stop America from drilling for Oil.
The only issue I had was the author has dialogue from more than one person per line sometimes with no indication of who is speaking. I was able to work out who was speaking but I can see that some people could have an issue with the way it is written.
The book's premise had me interested and the thought of Rachael surviving to find out what happened to her family was intriguing and kept me reading. I did not imagine how the book would end up, whilst it was not a great book I would have it three stars but since I wanted to see how it ended and it kept me guessing I gave it four stars in the end.
And the only contact she has with the world is the BBC World Service reporting a Nuclear Bomb has dropped Rachael thinks no matter what happens she might be the only person left in the world until her tent explodes in fire and she is forced to try to walk to base camp. And her death is inevitable whether it's the cold or starvation.
I loved the way we slowly learnt what was happening in the present with the nuclear bomb dropping in the UK, and the past where America has decided to focus on themselves and Rachael was down in Antarctica to discover data to stop America from drilling for Oil.
The only issue I had was the author has dialogue from more than one person per line sometimes with no indication of who is speaking. I was able to work out who was speaking but I can see that some people could have an issue with the way it is written.
The book's premise had me interested and the thought of Rachael surviving to find out what happened to her family was intriguing and kept me reading. I did not imagine how the book would end up, whilst it was not a great book I would have it three stars but since I wanted to see how it ended and it kept me guessing I gave it four stars in the end.
emotional
mysterious
tense
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rachael Beckett, a dedicated glaciologist, embarks on what is supposed to be a routine research trip to Antarctica leaving behind her husband, Adam, and their young daughter, Izzy. Despite her husband's warnings about the psychological toll of isolation, Rachael is determined to complete her study. But when communication is suddenly severed, and a chilling BBC emergency broadcast reports nuclear devastation across the world, she finds herself stranded, possibly the last survivor of a dying planet. "This is a place that was simply not designed for humans to exist in," she muses— a thought that becomes increasingly ominous as her situation deteriorates.
Burnett’s novel excels in its depiction of the raw, inhospitable environment of Antarctica. The action sequences, in particular, are gripping and filled with tension. The descriptions of the icy wasteland feel immersive, and the novel successfully conveys the sheer hostility of the landscape. However, while the physical stakes are tangible, the emotional core of the novel struggles to hold the same weight.
One of the novel’s biggest weaknesses is its characterization. Rachael’s motivations especially are frustratingly shallow; despite flashbacks attempting to flesh out her personal life, her relationships feel extremely underdeveloped. The novel leans heavily on telling rather than showing— readers are repeatedly reminded of her guilt over leaving her daughter, yet her reflections lack the depth needed to make this conflict compelling. Her entanglement with a significantly older colleague adds an uncomfortable layer that is never fully explored, leaving an odd dynamic that feels underwritten rather than intentional.
The pacing is also very inconsistent. The novel begins with a strong sense of urgency, but the tension dissipates as frequent flashbacks interrupt the Antarctic sequences. These glimpses into Rachael’s past could have added necessary emotional depth but instead often feel like distractions, slowing the momentum of her survival story.
Ultimately, Whiteout is a mixed experience. It delivers high-intensity survival moments and an evocative sense of place but falters in character development and narrative cohesion. For those looking for a thriller who are good at not thinking too deeply about the what and the why, Burnett provides an engaging and ambiant (if occasionally frustrating) read. However, those seeking a more emotional or scientifically grounded survival story may find themselves... left out in the cold. B)
Burnett’s novel excels in its depiction of the raw, inhospitable environment of Antarctica. The action sequences, in particular, are gripping and filled with tension. The descriptions of the icy wasteland feel immersive, and the novel successfully conveys the sheer hostility of the landscape. However, while the physical stakes are tangible, the emotional core of the novel struggles to hold the same weight.
One of the novel’s biggest weaknesses is its characterization. Rachael’s motivations especially are frustratingly shallow; despite flashbacks attempting to flesh out her personal life, her relationships feel extremely underdeveloped. The novel leans heavily on telling rather than showing— readers are repeatedly reminded of her guilt over leaving her daughter, yet her reflections lack the depth needed to make this conflict compelling. Her entanglement with a significantly older colleague adds an uncomfortable layer that is never fully explored, leaving an odd dynamic that feels underwritten rather than intentional.
The pacing is also very inconsistent. The novel begins with a strong sense of urgency, but the tension dissipates as frequent flashbacks interrupt the Antarctic sequences. These glimpses into Rachael’s past could have added necessary emotional depth but instead often feel like distractions, slowing the momentum of her survival story.
Ultimately, Whiteout is a mixed experience. It delivers high-intensity survival moments and an evocative sense of place but falters in character development and narrative cohesion. For those looking for a thriller who are good at not thinking too deeply about the what and the why, Burnett provides an engaging and ambiant (if occasionally frustrating) read. However, those seeking a more emotional or scientifically grounded survival story may find themselves... left out in the cold. B)