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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this one! It was definitely different to the thrillers I'm used to, but it still packed the suspense and tension that I love.
I was invested in the story straight away. Whilst the author is a bit slow to get to the action, she had a good way of setting up the story and preparing the reader for the emotional impact of the rest of the story. She just set the scene well, and we got to know the characters good enough to actually care for them and emotionally connect with them. This was such a great way to start the book. The characters didn't necessarily have any depth or growth, but because of the circumstances you felt for them and became so invested in a good outcome.
The writing was pretty outstanding. It was descriptive, but also captured the atmosphere and environment so beautifully. The tense environment mimicked the emotions of the characters and forced the reader to be impacted with the emotions and tense atmosphere as well. I really enjoyed how she also included the perspective of the perpetrator, which was something completely different and unusual. But, she did it so well! It made you truly question yourself and your morals when you would feel bad for him, and at the same time it also angered you to no end that he could do something like this to children. It was very conflicting reading his pov, but I enjoyed the way it challenged my beliefs and emotions. It also heightened the emotional impact of the novel, where you felt the full range of feelings in such a short amount of time. I also think the author did a great job at being able to write different characters perspectives and making them distinct and original. The perspective of the child didn't feel too childish or like the author was writing how she thought a child would. It felt authentic and real, and I never once questioned the perspectives. For the adults, she captured the concerns and emotions of them so well that I could see many people being able to relate to. The common themes of the kids being scared, bit also brave and strong were amazing to read. Her pacing was also very strong, and you knew exactly when things would start to pick up due to the little hints. She had the tense and suspenseful atmosphere down pact.
I was worried going into this, as I'm more of a psychological thriller girl with twists and turns, but I actually really enjoyed it. Yes, it was predictable and you basically knew what you were going to get from the start, but the author wrote in a way that captured your attention and you couldn't look away. I think it was due to the fact that she used little kids as characters which would tug on the heart strings of most people. It was predictable, but had a satisfying end that tied everything up really nicely.
In saying that though, my only little disappointments was the character of the school bus driver and that there could have been something more happening in the plot. The bus driver character felt a bit flat, in the fact that I didn't understand her or why she wouldn't help the kids out. She was so reluctant to find a way out, and relied on a 12 year old to do it for her. I feel any responsible and mature adult would figure it out herself and not put a child in more danger! And lastly, even though I liked the ending and the story as a whole, I felt there was an opportunity missed to have some sort of little twist to provide the shock-factor for the reader. It could have helped the reader become slightly more invested and interested in the ending.
Overall, this was a really solid thriller that definitely surprised me, but I'm keen to read more of this author's works in the future!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was invested in the story straight away. Whilst the author is a bit slow to get to the action, she had a good way of setting up the story and preparing the reader for the emotional impact of the rest of the story. She just set the scene well, and we got to know the characters good enough to actually care for them and emotionally connect with them. This was such a great way to start the book. The characters didn't necessarily have any depth or growth, but because of the circumstances you felt for them and became so invested in a good outcome.
The writing was pretty outstanding. It was descriptive, but also captured the atmosphere and environment so beautifully. The tense environment mimicked the emotions of the characters and forced the reader to be impacted with the emotions and tense atmosphere as well. I really enjoyed how she also included the perspective of the perpetrator, which was something completely different and unusual. But, she did it so well! It made you truly question yourself and your morals when you would feel bad for him, and at the same time it also angered you to no end that he could do something like this to children. It was very conflicting reading his pov, but I enjoyed the way it challenged my beliefs and emotions. It also heightened the emotional impact of the novel, where you felt the full range of feelings in such a short amount of time. I also think the author did a great job at being able to write different characters perspectives and making them distinct and original. The perspective of the child didn't feel too childish or like the author was writing how she thought a child would. It felt authentic and real, and I never once questioned the perspectives. For the adults, she captured the concerns and emotions of them so well that I could see many people being able to relate to. The common themes of the kids being scared, bit also brave and strong were amazing to read. Her pacing was also very strong, and you knew exactly when things would start to pick up due to the little hints. She had the tense and suspenseful atmosphere down pact.
I was worried going into this, as I'm more of a psychological thriller girl with twists and turns, but I actually really enjoyed it. Yes, it was predictable and you basically knew what you were going to get from the start, but the author wrote in a way that captured your attention and you couldn't look away. I think it was due to the fact that she used little kids as characters which would tug on the heart strings of most people. It was predictable, but had a satisfying end that tied everything up really nicely.
In saying that though, my only little disappointments was the character of the school bus driver and that there could have been something more happening in the plot. The bus driver character felt a bit flat, in the fact that I didn't understand her or why she wouldn't help the kids out. She was so reluctant to find a way out, and relied on a 12 year old to do it for her. I feel any responsible and mature adult would figure it out herself and not put a child in more danger! And lastly, even though I liked the ending and the story as a whole, I felt there was an opportunity missed to have some sort of little twist to provide the shock-factor for the reader. It could have helped the reader become slightly more invested and interested in the ending.
Overall, this was a really solid thriller that definitely surprised me, but I'm keen to read more of this author's works in the future!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Somehow I missed that this was based on a true story, only realizing it at the very end. WOW!! This was a GREAT read. I love the way the author used multiple perspectives to tell the story. I feel it really added to the suspense and addictive nature of this page-turner. Admittedly, I was filled with anxiety tonight the book, as I constantly anticipated something very horrible happening to those children. My heart was shattered for Jessa, as she had endured so much, only to be faced with another life-threatening situation that could’ve taken her away from her daughter permanently. I truly hope her conviction can be overturned, as it was clearly self-defense and she had poor legal advice. Sage… dear Sage… OMG! What a little fighter she turned out to be. Sadly, at her young age she was burned with the weight of saving herself, her baby sister, bus driver, and 8 other children. But, she did what needed to be done and had me feeling so proud of her! It was heartwarming to see now this experience lead to a closer relationship with her sister. I really felt for the mother, Sheena, as she was faced with impossible tasks of keeping it all together, protecting her father, and trying to save all the children. Her quick thinking with the watch absolutely blew me away, as it hadn’t been revealed that it had GPS capability. It was also very satisfying they both kidnappers were caught. Overall, this was an extremely well-written story that has me wanting to read more from this author. I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this book!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Gets me everytime
I remember watching a Kendall Rae deep dive on the real case that this book is based on. That story was heartbreaking but admirable for the sheer will to live. This took it up a notch because of Sage. Sage is a true hero, and for her to be 12, omg. Makes me think about the times I've thought things were hopeless. This book elicited many emotions.
I remember watching a Kendall Rae deep dive on the real case that this book is based on. That story was heartbreaking but admirable for the sheer will to live. This took it up a notch because of Sage. Sage is a true hero, and for her to be 12, omg. Makes me think about the times I've thought things were hopeless. This book elicited many emotions.