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lydiagrace1999's review
3.0
After being gifted this book a few months ago, I was a bit dubious to read it. It certainly isn’t a genre I’m familiar with, and the Antarctic setting is not one I thought a solid narrative could be based. Of course, Turner did end up doing this, but everything just felt too... far-fetched. It’s certainly not like a book I’ve ever read before, but I doubt in the next few months I will particularly remember it or what happens. Also, I found Laura, the protagonist, unlikeable. To me, she was a boisterous woman who didn’t like doing what /anyone/ told her, and despite being 39 years old in this book, her taste in men was either those who were 10 years older or younger than her. Very strange. She was too trusting in characters she’d only just met, and it seemed she only realised this when on her own. It came across to me that others’ opinions of her, especially of men, were what mattered to her most rather than how she valued herself. Overall, an easy read but nothing out of the extraordinary, 3/5.
hope_lenzen's review against another edition
4.0
I was enthralled by this book and the writing. I loved the Antarctic setting and all the details and I quickly got caught up in the petty politics of Alliance. Found it to be just the right amount of excitement as we got further and further into the story and while the ending was delivered well I wasn’t too happy with it...
tennilles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia
kaydee's review against another edition
2.0
A mediocre thriller with a distasteful twist, saved somewhat by the Antarctic setting.
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings: stillbirth, death of a child (in the past), graphic descriptions of whaling, death of a friend,
I'm a sucker for a decent thriller, and the fact that this one is set in Antarctica immediately tipped me over the edge into picking it up.
The beginning, I'll admit, is definitely a little on the slow side. There's a lot of description of Antarctic wildlife and historic villages and who even knows what else. But things gradually get creepier and creepier, and twists and turns start appearing all over the place.
Basically, it kept me guessing until the end, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Spoiler
human traffickingI'm a sucker for a decent thriller, and the fact that this one is set in Antarctica immediately tipped me over the edge into picking it up.
The beginning, I'll admit, is definitely a little on the slow side. There's a lot of description of Antarctic wildlife and historic villages and who even knows what else. But things gradually get creepier and creepier, and twists and turns start appearing all over the place.
Basically, it kept me guessing until the end, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
see_sadie_read's review against another edition
2.0
Spoiler alert
Let me say early on that my low rating is a reflection of the fact that I did not like the book, not necessarily that it's a poorly written book. I suppose you could say that it's a subjective, rather than objecting rating.
The issue was largely that, despite the stunning descriptions of nature, the book didn't hold my attention. I was bored a lot of the time and I found Laura's thoughts repetitive. Then, with about 100 pages to go, I set the book aside and read three other ones before forcing myself back to finish it. The problem was that in addition to the things I listed above, it became obvious that the hinted mystery was going to be a pedophilia ring and I both didn't want to face reading it and felt horribly disappointed that Turner chose such an over-used, tritely salacious climax. All in all, I'm just glad to be finished with it.
Let me say early on that my low rating is a reflection of the fact that I did not like the book, not necessarily that it's a poorly written book. I suppose you could say that it's a subjective, rather than objecting rating.
The issue was largely that, despite the stunning descriptions of nature, the book didn't hold my attention. I was bored a lot of the time and I found Laura's thoughts repetitive. Then, with about 100 pages to go, I set the book aside and read three other ones before forcing myself back to finish it. The problem was that in addition to the things I listed above, it became obvious that the hinted mystery was going to be a pedophilia ring and I both didn't want to face reading it and felt horribly disappointed that Turner chose such an over-used, tritely salacious climax. All in all, I'm just glad to be finished with it.
charf47's review against another edition
4.0
An exciting mystery in a fascinatingly beautiful setting.
hope_lenzen's review
4.0
I was enthralled by this book and the writing. I loved the Antarctic setting and all the details and I quickly got caught up in the petty politics of Alliance. Found it to be just the right amount of excitement as we got further and further into the story and while the ending was delivered well I wasn’t too happy with it...
kathryn08's review
5.0
I was caught up in this one from the very beginning. I loved that it was so fast-paced, but with great descriptions of Antarctica, the penguins, the seals, the blizzards, the ice - I almost felt like I was there! I haven’t read many books set in Antarctica, but it does interest me, although not enough to go there myself, so I will have to make do with reading about it! And it was a clever idea for a story - as I read page after page, I was questioning who was trustworthy and what was really happening at Fredelighavn and at Alliance station.
melsbookshelf's review
5.0
4.5 Stars
What a great read! I saw this at Big W the other day in the top 10 section and it reminded me that I had it on my kindle ready to go! I have been so swamped with books to review lately, and this was one of the ones I was most looking forward to reading. But with other deadlines and tours I haven't had a chance to read it before now. Good things come to those who wait!
Laura is an environmental scientist. She is sent to an old whaling station on a remote island in Antarctica to study the wildlife in the area, and decide if the station should be made open for tourists. When she arrives at the base she is treated extremely strangely by the staff, and then some odd and eerie things begin to happen. What is going on at the old whaling station? Who is trespassing and trying to scare her? And who can she trust?
This was an absolutely gripping, atmospheric piece of writing by Ann Turner. She has captured the isolation of the ice and the horror of the old whaling station perfectly.
Laura is an excellent character. I love how she was damaged but had a great inner strength and passion for the animals at the whaling station. I loved how at times you didn't know if what she was experiencing was real or not.
I must admit I was unprepared for where this book ended up! I wasn't expecting it and it was almost an abrupt change from where I assumed it was going. This wasn't a bad thing at all, it was just surprising! The ending was good, and there were plenty of twists and turns.
I just LOVED the downright creepiness that dominated a lot of the book! I thought it was fantastic!
Would I recommend Out of the Ice?
Yes! Anyone who likes a little suspense, intrigue and ice will enjoy this one!
Many thanks to Simon and Schauster and author Ann Turner via NetGalley for a copy of Out of the Ice in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews check out my BLOG or
Twitter or
Facebook
What a great read! I saw this at Big W the other day in the top 10 section and it reminded me that I had it on my kindle ready to go! I have been so swamped with books to review lately, and this was one of the ones I was most looking forward to reading. But with other deadlines and tours I haven't had a chance to read it before now. Good things come to those who wait!
Laura is an environmental scientist. She is sent to an old whaling station on a remote island in Antarctica to study the wildlife in the area, and decide if the station should be made open for tourists. When she arrives at the base she is treated extremely strangely by the staff, and then some odd and eerie things begin to happen. What is going on at the old whaling station? Who is trespassing and trying to scare her? And who can she trust?
This was an absolutely gripping, atmospheric piece of writing by Ann Turner. She has captured the isolation of the ice and the horror of the old whaling station perfectly.
Laura is an excellent character. I love how she was damaged but had a great inner strength and passion for the animals at the whaling station. I loved how at times you didn't know if what she was experiencing was real or not.
I must admit I was unprepared for where this book ended up! I wasn't expecting it and it was almost an abrupt change from where I assumed it was going. This wasn't a bad thing at all, it was just surprising! The ending was good, and there were plenty of twists and turns.
I just LOVED the downright creepiness that dominated a lot of the book! I thought it was fantastic!
Would I recommend Out of the Ice?
Yes! Anyone who likes a little suspense, intrigue and ice will enjoy this one!
Many thanks to Simon and Schauster and author Ann Turner via NetGalley for a copy of Out of the Ice in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews check out my BLOG or
Twitter or