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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
The more Lois Duncan I read, the more I really like this author. Her books have a certain wisdom to them. They always start out seeming pretty normal and average, but they always turn out to have a special something that makes them worth reading. The characters are very well done in this book. I like the intricacy of their relationships and the honesty of the book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There are a lot of unanswered questions by the end of this book, but it was interesting and kept my attention once I was about two chapters in. Usually books about kidnappings are from the POV of the people searching for them but this book is from the perspective of the kids who’ve been abducted which makes it a bit different than other such stories I’ve read. Also, it feels a little racist to have the only person of color in the story be the murderous villain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder
An odd "re-release" of the book. Originally written in 1966, the attempt to "update" it with things like cell phones fell flat when the plot hinged on the necessity of things like pay phones, slow news cycle, no answering machines, etc. They should have left it alone and it could be appreciated for the time period in which it was set.
I read this book 20 years ago and forgot about it. It popped up on another app as a recommendation.
I can’t believe I forgot about this book!
Its ok for what it is. I remember reading it years ago and being terrified My bus driver was going to kidnap myself and fellow riders.
I can’t believe I forgot about this book!
Its ok for what it is. I remember reading it years ago and being terrified My bus driver was going to kidnap myself and fellow riders.
fast-paced
I found this book today, after 10 years of it not crossing my mind, and I was instantly transported back to a simpler time when my grandparents would pass off books to me that they weren't interested in. I really loved this book. The minute I looked at the cover, even after all these years, I remembered everything about it. The story had fascinated and scared me at the time, and I feel like I was satisfied by the ending. This makes me want to read it all over again.
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Cute, I love the writing style of this short novel for teens written back in the 60's. "What would Mother say," etc. ha!
It was okay. The book moved a bit slow for me. It was definitely slower than other Duncan books I have read.