Scan barcode
silverygold9's review against another edition
3.0
This book had Hatchet vibes, but was a bit more adult to it. Because of the multiple viewpoints, it was difficult to really latch onto and fall in love with one character. I just wasn’t able to connect with this book.
labraden's review against another edition
3.0
Santi knows it is a mistake getting into the car with his friend, Eric, but he does it anyway and winds up in Juvie for a crime Eric committed. That is why he is on The Bear Canyon Wilderness Therapy Program trip into the Colorado Rockies. If he can just handle leader, Jerry's nightly therapy sessions and the four other fractured souls on the trip, he will be out of Juvie when he returns home. Things don't go as planned when heavy rains cause a mudslide that kills Jerry and two of the other campers. Victor, Amelia, and Santi are on their own, but Victor has plans that include more than just survival, putting them all at risk.
On the Free is divided into three parts. In the first part of the book, tells Santi's story from his perspective; every other chapter detailing his history prior to the trip. Once the mudslide occurs, the book switches to Victor's perspective and we find out in alternating chapters that he is on this trip in order to get revenge against his stepfather whose cabin lies in these woods. The final section belongs to Amelia and we discover that even though she served as Jerry's assistant, she has emotional issues of her own. On the Free tells the story of these three damaged souls and how their struggle for survival changes them. The ending of the book is a little abrupt leaving the reader feeling like the falling action and resolution at the end of the story are missing, but overall, this is a good story of physical and emotional survival.
On the Free is divided into three parts. In the first part of the book, tells Santi's story from his perspective; every other chapter detailing his history prior to the trip. Once the mudslide occurs, the book switches to Victor's perspective and we find out in alternating chapters that he is on this trip in order to get revenge against his stepfather whose cabin lies in these woods. The final section belongs to Amelia and we discover that even though she served as Jerry's assistant, she has emotional issues of her own. On the Free tells the story of these three damaged souls and how their struggle for survival changes them. The ending of the book is a little abrupt leaving the reader feeling like the falling action and resolution at the end of the story are missing, but overall, this is a good story of physical and emotional survival.
readunderthestars23's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of On the Free from Walker Books Australia to review.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect with this book. The copy I received made me think there was a mountain lion or a bear picking off members of the group because there are claw marks under the dust jacket on the copy I received. But I’m not going to give anything away…
On the Free is told in three POV, Amelia, Santi and Victor. Their stories were told in both the past and present so there were flashback that showed how each character made it to the therapy group.
There was one character I couldn’t connect with. I don’t even know where to start with Victor… Yes, his step-father was an ass but I’m not sure that justified what he was doing. He came across as really smart but was doing something so stupid.
And then there was the ending. If you can even call it an ending? I hate open endings where the reader is left to figure out on their own what may have happened. The ending of On the Free was very open. I would have preferred to know what happened to Amelia, Santi and Victor. But I guess we don’t always get what we want.
Overall I thought the book was okay and it clearly wasn’t the book for me. But I’m sure there are others that will enjoy it. I’m just not one of them. But I do love the cover!
I wasn’t too sure what to expect with this book. The copy I received made me think there was a mountain lion or a bear picking off members of the group because there are claw marks under the dust jacket on the copy I received. But I’m not going to give anything away…
On the Free is told in three POV, Amelia, Santi and Victor. Their stories were told in both the past and present so there were flashback that showed how each character made it to the therapy group.
There was one character I couldn’t connect with. I don’t even know where to start with Victor… Yes, his step-father was an ass but I’m not sure that justified what he was doing. He came across as really smart but was doing something so stupid.
And then there was the ending. If you can even call it an ending? I hate open endings where the reader is left to figure out on their own what may have happened. The ending of On the Free was very open. I would have preferred to know what happened to Amelia, Santi and Victor. But I guess we don’t always get what we want.
Overall I thought the book was okay and it clearly wasn’t the book for me. But I’m sure there are others that will enjoy it. I’m just not one of them. But I do love the cover!
madisonlunde's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 3.75 stars
Likes:
- I loved the story line of the book. I thought it was cool how they had to survive the wilderness with very few resources with dangers all around
- I liked how the author flipped the chapters, with one being the present and the next giving a flashback to background info. I felt I was really able to understand the characters with this information
- I enjoyed reading about everyone's stories of how they came to this moment. I thought it was cool to see what experiences shaped them to come to the program.
- I really enjoyed reading about all the survival parts of this book. All of the times they had to get creative in the wilderness just to fight for survival were really cool.
- I really enjoyed getting the story from three different perspectives. I think it would have been a completely different story if it was just one of them, but with the three of them narrating it really gave new perspective to the story.
Dislikes:
- When the main problem occurred the mudslide that left the three for them stranded, it was hard to understand what was happening. I get that that was probably how the situation appeared to the characters, but I wish I knew what happened sooner.
- I didn't enjoy Victor's character as a whole. I didn't really get his whole story or motives for what he was doing in the mountain. Sometimes he seems smart and intelligent like he knows what he's doing, but other times he was so dumb it just didn't make sense.
- I would have liked an ending that wrapped everything up nicely. If there was just one more chapter that explained what happened to everyone and families I would have been much happier.
I received a free ARC of this book through a goodreads giveaway, but it does not affect my opinion in any way.
Likes:
- I loved the story line of the book. I thought it was cool how they had to survive the wilderness with very few resources with dangers all around
- I liked how the author flipped the chapters, with one being the present and the next giving a flashback to background info. I felt I was really able to understand the characters with this information
- I enjoyed reading about everyone's stories of how they came to this moment. I thought it was cool to see what experiences shaped them to come to the program.
- I really enjoyed reading about all the survival parts of this book. All of the times they had to get creative in the wilderness just to fight for survival were really cool.
- I really enjoyed getting the story from three different perspectives. I think it would have been a completely different story if it was just one of them, but with the three of them narrating it really gave new perspective to the story.
Dislikes:
- When the main problem occurred
- I didn't enjoy Victor's character as a whole. I didn't really get his whole story or motives for what he was doing in the mountain. Sometimes he seems smart and intelligent like he knows what he's doing, but other times he was so dumb it just didn't make sense.
- I would have liked an ending that wrapped everything up nicely. If there was just one more chapter that explained what happened to everyone and families I would have been much happier.
I received a free ARC of this book through a goodreads giveaway, but it does not affect my opinion in any way.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Fans of "Hatchet" and other survival stories will enjoy this tale of 4 young people and two adventure leaders who go camping in the Bear Canyon Wilderness as part of an alternative juvenile detention program. Santi is the main character and he is in the program for car theft. He meets Victor, Rico, and Celeste who are also in the program but he doesn't know what they have done to get there. Jerry and Amelia, the group leaders, round out the cast. They all set off on what should be a 6 day hiking/camping trip through remote Colorado wilderness - but inevitably, disaster strikes. Santi and the others will need to pool their resources and wits to survive.
Lots of action and adventure, one unexpected plot twist (for me), but the ending was too conveniently wrapped up and just felt very pat.
Some underage drinking, violence, and sexual references make this a better fit for mature middle schoolers or for a high school audience.
Lots of action and adventure, one unexpected plot twist (for me), but the ending was too conveniently wrapped up and just felt very pat.
Some underage drinking, violence, and sexual references make this a better fit for mature middle schoolers or for a high school audience.
More...