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sarahjackman's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
colleenaf's review against another edition
3.0
I read this in 6th grade and I remembered two main things about it a) i had read it in one sitting and found it super compelling and action packed b) the main boy was totally naked about it, which aa) gave 6th grade Colleen the giggles and bb) I blame this book and my overactive imagination for me becoming boy crazy. Rereading this as an adult (a no longer boy crazy one) I find it hysterical that my first literary crush was so bland and stuck in such a 'meh' book. Sure it had it's moments but I was rather bored through most of it, which is odd considering it's a book about a man hunting a teenage boy in the dessert and how he survives. Probably won't be re-re-reading this anytime soon.
kricketland's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one years ago in school and re-read it again in the 90's. I still look back at it as a book I enjoyed and would re-read it again.
will_cherico's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
taque's review against another edition
1.0
I can't believe this is the kind of book they have middle schoolers read. And yet, it's so typical of the books they make middle schoolers read...
booksnbones13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
bookarian's review against another edition
4.0
Very dramatic survival story, a teen guide in the Utah dessert is left to die by a murderer, and if nature doesn't do it the murderer will! Almost unbelievable action, but while you're reading it the rush makes you totally believe. Great for reluctant readers because the page count isn't high and the action never stops.
tigermomnc's review against another edition
1.0
This is quite possibly my least favorite book ever! I have this thing about finishing books; quitting sets a bad example for my son. I always read at least 100 pages in case it is slow getting started and this book was short enough that after reaching 100 pages it just felt wrong to stop...but oh how I wanted to!!! I can't think of a single aspect of this book that I enjoyed. It was set up as a suspense/action story, but there was very little of either. The book jacket says a mistake "very nearly" cost Ben his life, so the reader knows Ben doesn't die thus removing the suspense. There is very little action and what little there is reads in a bland manner so that you barely even care that it is happening. Just a major let down!
embingham's review against another edition
2.0
The action portion of this book was definitely very interesting and captivating, but I had a really hard time believing the characters. The way the characters responded to various situations seemed so foreign to me, and the ending was a big disappointment.