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emilie_16's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jaydavies's review
1.0
I had major issues with this book. My first real BIG issue was the topic of bullying that was brought up within the first few chapters. It wasn't ridiculing somehow bad hair day. It was a picture of Val while changing. This to me is a super serious issue that never got resolved. I honestly felt like Val was almost suicidal in how she felt her world consisted of her online friend Brittany (I might be wrong there but I'm not going to grab the book to check) and Ash who she does doubt at certain points in the novel (ex. on the bus).
I felt like since the story started with some very heavy bullying. That naturally it would process to getting resolved. NOPE. Apparently Ash and Val find their inner strengths after surviving 4 days in the wilderness to confront Mike the biggest bully. Now Val's version of standing up for herself is just avoidance and saying no. Which everyone knows doesn't stop bullies! It felt weak in that the author is trying to claim Val is more excited for life. Ready to face the world. No she doesn't confront the issue of a picture circulating amongst her peers of her practically naked. No instead she just telling Mike no and pushes him at one point.
Now the real growth technically is Ash who makes himself the but of every joke to avoid confrontation. He's friends with everyone even the bullies and he has never stood up for Val. But after his revelation in the woods he does. Which is a more natural progression of inner strength. I still found his character to be a bit bully like. I mean I felt he pressed Val into thinking online gaming would save her and open doors in the way it did for him. New friends and a sense of community. Except let's remember she was being bullied from all sides online, at school, from both girls and boys ( a girl had to haven't the almost naked photo). There's just so many issues I can't get over him using peer pressure on her.
Now another issue was the adult teachers who apparently can't do anything right. They don't know Mike's a bully, they can't count, they can't properly plan a camping trip. Honestly even the teacher who sends Mike to office at the end when Ash confronts him for bullying Val. The teacher claimed he was almost on watch for a months. Yet only when 2 kids basically go through near death experiences do the teachers become adults.
I'm sorry there was to many problems with this book for me to overlook. I want a novella or a second book where we hear about what happened to the teachers who failed to count properly over the trip. I want to know how Val deals with the bullying and the photo issue. I want to know if because Val joins an online D&D group if suddenly he life is perfect like Ash claims. How about the parents? Who paid the medical bills? Someone must have sued the school? I'm sure the conservation officers didn't want that group back anytime soon. Not with the man hours and resources they used saving those kids. Although the conservation officers proved they're worth in the end. Basically highlighting that this book is a walking ad for why teachers get paid zilch.
End rant.
I felt like since the story started with some very heavy bullying. That naturally it would process to getting resolved. NOPE. Apparently Ash and Val find their inner strengths after surviving 4 days in the wilderness to confront Mike the biggest bully. Now Val's version of standing up for herself is just avoidance and saying no. Which everyone knows doesn't stop bullies! It felt weak in that the author is trying to claim Val is more excited for life. Ready to face the world. No she doesn't confront the issue of a picture circulating amongst her peers of her practically naked. No instead she just telling Mike no and pushes him at one point.
Now the real growth technically is Ash who makes himself the but of every joke to avoid confrontation. He's friends with everyone even the bullies and he has never stood up for Val. But after his revelation in the woods he does. Which is a more natural progression of inner strength. I still found his character to be a bit bully like. I mean I felt he pressed Val into thinking online gaming would save her and open doors in the way it did for him. New friends and a sense of community. Except let's remember she was being bullied from all sides online, at school, from both girls and boys ( a girl had to haven't the almost naked photo). There's just so many issues I can't get over him using peer pressure on her.
Now another issue was the adult teachers who apparently can't do anything right. They don't know Mike's a bully, they can't count, they can't properly plan a camping trip. Honestly even the teacher who sends Mike to office at the end when Ash confronts him for bullying Val. The teacher claimed he was almost on watch for a months. Yet only when 2 kids basically go through near death experiences do the teachers become adults.
I'm sorry there was to many problems with this book for me to overlook. I want a novella or a second book where we hear about what happened to the teachers who failed to count properly over the trip. I want to know how Val deals with the bullying and the photo issue. I want to know if because Val joins an online D&D group if suddenly he life is perfect like Ash claims. How about the parents? Who paid the medical bills? Someone must have sued the school? I'm sure the conservation officers didn't want that group back anytime soon. Not with the man hours and resources they used saving those kids. Although the conservation officers proved they're worth in the end. Basically highlighting that this book is a walking ad for why teachers get paid zilch.
End rant.
emilyinthelibrary's review
5.0
This was a great read (and a fast read)!
The setting in the mountains was so atmospheric and the fast-paced plot really kept things moving. But what I loved best were the two main characters. Their different personalities combined with their friendship (not to mention the predicament they found themselves in) made their interactions feel very real and nuanced. It was such an interesting idea, to look at what would happen if two teens got lost in the mountains.
The setting in the mountains was so atmospheric and the fast-paced plot really kept things moving. But what I loved best were the two main characters. Their different personalities combined with their friendship (not to mention the predicament they found themselves in) made their interactions feel very real and nuanced. It was such an interesting idea, to look at what would happen if two teens got lost in the mountains.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review
4.0
I’ve read a lot of novels on very similar topic, and this one was my least favourite. However, I still thought it was great! I mean, c’mon, who could top Mindy McGinnis? She’ll always be one of my favourite authors. Danika Stone definitely did the storyline justice, I guess I just wished the characters were a little older and more mature.
sarah_grey's review
1.0
An aro-ace main character should be refreshing, but I found this painful. The awkward scenes between her and Ash read like fanfiction tropes. The dialogue meandered aimlessly, complete with ellipsis, dashes, italics, and caps on nearly every page. Each character had essentially one personality trait: being aro-ace for Vale and games for Ash. I wanted more than the surface considering they were together for days and trying to survive.
eharrison's review
3.0
This was an interesting story. It is a survival story. And a bit predictable.
octobertune's review
4.0
I pre-ordered this book immediately when I heard there was going to be an asexual protagonist. Then I kept picking it up and putting it down. This month, I finally read the entirety of this book in less than 24 hours, staying up until 5am to finish it, that's how much I enjoyed it. Vale is asexual and aromantic and honestly, I could relate to her SO MUCH. I loved her as a character and I loved her friendship with Ash. I also loved how there was absolutely NO romance in this book at all. I was afraid Vale and Ash would end up together because of the trauma they went through but they stayed friends and honestly my aroace heart is SINGING.
If you're looking for a thrilling book with great aroace rep, definitely pick up Switchback!
If you're looking for a thrilling book with great aroace rep, definitely pick up Switchback!
kappareads's review
2.0
*I received this ARC in a giveaway from a fellow book blogger. This does not affect my review of it.
I didn't particularly care for it
Edit 5/25/19: Read my full review here
I didn't particularly care for it
Edit 5/25/19: Read my full review here