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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Surprisingly wonderful. I fully expected to merely like this book, but it had my heart racing most of the time, and the crying I did can only be compared to when I lost my beloved cat to kidney disease. I was choking on my sobs and couldn't be consoled. Since I couldn't stop reading, never felt bored, loved the characters as if they were my own or myself, paused to think about the real-world implications of some of the dilemmas, and experienced such catharsis, I'd have to say that this is a 5-star book, and I never saw it coming.
PG survival fiction and thriller perfect for any adolescent, and, apparently, adult.
PG survival fiction and thriller perfect for any adolescent, and, apparently, adult.
3 stars. The only reason I read this was because it was a state award book nominee for this school year and I like to read as many as I can so I can recommend them to the kiddos. And the only reason it got 3 stars was because it was very well written. However, .
Spoiler
I HATED that the dog died and if I had known that going in I would absolutely not have read this book. I have more to say on deaths in books but I'm going to to end that there because this author is talented and I think this is just my personal preference. Mom and Dad dead? Ok, whatever, sad, I get it. Dog dies? Literally minutes from rescue? It completely ruined the entire book. But I think that's just on me.
in case you didn’t see my story about how this book left me in actual tears last night, i feel compelled to share with you through a, hopefully more concise, review.
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this book does such an amazing job depicting a strong young woman, navigating an unexpected survivalist life. Jess is smart, strong, and thoughtful throughout her experience on her own. I found myself panicking, and clenching my whole body at the way certain moments were described, as it all just felt so real! And of course, her trusty companion, Bo, who is part big dog, part wolf, and part snuggler. this book will leave you reflecting on the little things we take for granted, will evoke feeling about your own family dynamics, and questioning your own strength and will power. a must read if you enjoyed The Great Alone, Into the Wild, or Wild.
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5|5 ✨
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this book does such an amazing job depicting a strong young woman, navigating an unexpected survivalist life. Jess is smart, strong, and thoughtful throughout her experience on her own. I found myself panicking, and clenching my whole body at the way certain moments were described, as it all just felt so real! And of course, her trusty companion, Bo, who is part big dog, part wolf, and part snuggler. this book will leave you reflecting on the little things we take for granted, will evoke feeling about your own family dynamics, and questioning your own strength and will power. a must read if you enjoyed The Great Alone, Into the Wild, or Wild.
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5|5 ✨
Probably one of my favorite books of 2018 so far. So very very good. It took some time to get into it and the protagonist’s flaws at the beginning are a bit insufferable, but Marshall does an excellent job of drawing those together to create a very likable character that the reader WANTS to cheer for. I will definitely reread this one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book!
READ IF YOU ENJOY:
• cold weather survival fiction
• girls discovering their inner badass & seeking revenge
• a dog who is the best boy but doesn't make it
• cold weather survival fiction
• girls discovering their inner badass & seeking revenge
• a dog who is the best boy but doesn't make it
This is a wonderful read! Very much a story of resilience and survival…..and strength of spirit over mind and body! Definitely recommend to all my friends and students!
I picked this book up because of the blurb on the front. Making the bold claim that this was "Hatchet meets the Revenant."
I was sold. Especially since the hero was a heroine.
Hatchet was a favorite novel of mine in middle school, I read all the spin offs and I wish it had been a TV show or the books had been longer. (They were all barely over 100 pages long!) That being said, this novel had a lot to live up to.
It did friends, it did.
Jess was smart. She didn't let her disability get in her way. She used what she had, and she fails. A Lot! I would actually feel my stomach drop when she ran into difficult situations. When she had a success I would feel swift relief. The situations she was in felt so raw and real. At any moment she could be overcome and give up.
That's where the Revenant part of the story kicks in. Jess has a goal: Revenge. The men who killed her father will be back, and she has to live long enough to end them.
So, now for the few things I didn't like. Mostly minor.
1. The style of the first half is a bit much for me. There are flashbacks to before she was stranded, but they are still told in the present because she is writing her own story in a journal. It was just confusing until that part was over. But since the story was so compelling, I got over it eventually.
2. The book skipped time just when it was getting good. after we struggle with Jess to get to sustainable living, it would have been nice to live with her in for a few chapters before the final climax. This may be for me because I love the survival part of Hatchet so much, and Gary Paulsen does the survival part so well.
Finally, I'll leave you with one really compelling teaser to get you to read this.
A Dog named Bo. (heart eyes and hugs)
4.5 stars from me!
I was sold. Especially since the hero was a heroine.
Hatchet was a favorite novel of mine in middle school, I read all the spin offs and I wish it had been a TV show or the books had been longer. (They were all barely over 100 pages long!) That being said, this novel had a lot to live up to.
It did friends, it did.
Jess was smart. She didn't let her disability get in her way. She used what she had, and she fails. A Lot! I would actually feel my stomach drop when she ran into difficult situations. When she had a success I would feel swift relief. The situations she was in felt so raw and real. At any moment she could be overcome and give up.
That's where the Revenant part of the story kicks in. Jess has a goal: Revenge. The men who killed her father will be back, and she has to live long enough to end them.
So, now for the few things I didn't like. Mostly minor.
1. The style of the first half is a bit much for me. There are flashbacks to before she was stranded, but they are still told in the present because she is writing her own story in a journal. It was just confusing until that part was over. But since the story was so compelling, I got over it eventually.
2. The book skipped time just when it was getting good. after we struggle with Jess to get to sustainable living, it would have been nice to live with her in for a few chapters before the final climax. This may be for me because I love the survival part of Hatchet so much, and Gary Paulsen does the survival part so well.
Finally, I'll leave you with one really compelling teaser to get you to read this.
A Dog named Bo. (heart eyes and hugs)
4.5 stars from me!
I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure if it was the genre for me! Very thrilling and well-written otherwise!