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A review by kba76
The Unfortunates by Kim Liggett
4.0
Seventeen year old Grant Tavish the fifth is, as the Senator’s son, used to getting what he wants. However, at the stage we meet him he is a mess. Subject to compulsory drug testing after his involvement in a horrific crash, Grant is close to getting away with murder - it’s amazing what money can buy!
While he’s due in court for the final hearing which is likely to acquit him of any charges, Grant has other plans.
Heading off to the Appalachian trail for a traditional Tavish excursion, to survive on his own for days, Grant is preparing to sever his ties with everyone and not return. But then things go horribly wrong.
A rockfall places Grant in a precarious situation. He’s close to giving up and cutting the rope to fall to his death, when he hears the voices of four others also caught in the slide. Grant is resolved not to let anyone else suffer for his sake so determines to do whatever is necessary to get Shay, Kit, Darryl and Maria to safety.
As the teens make their way through the extensive cave system they talk and share experiences. Things are tough but they have each other. Grant, slowly, starts to realise that running away from his problems will help nobody and he has to take responsibility for his behaviours, even if the consequences are bad.
While this is a cathartic experience in some ways, Liggett pulls no punches in describing the experience of being trapped in the cave. The vividness of these moments is pretty scary, and when strange noises take a sinister turn it seems that someone or something else may be down in the caves with them.
We quickly start to realise this is not just a story about a risky moment, but a terrifying life or death experience. The fear felt by the characters is palpable. Grant may not have started as the most likeable character but by the end of the story you can’t help but feel some sympathy for him.
Without giving any spoilers away, this is a deceptive read. It’s a fast-paced, tension-fuelled experience, but only when we get to the end do we see this is a little cleverer than it might first appear.
While he’s due in court for the final hearing which is likely to acquit him of any charges, Grant has other plans.
Heading off to the Appalachian trail for a traditional Tavish excursion, to survive on his own for days, Grant is preparing to sever his ties with everyone and not return. But then things go horribly wrong.
A rockfall places Grant in a precarious situation. He’s close to giving up and cutting the rope to fall to his death, when he hears the voices of four others also caught in the slide. Grant is resolved not to let anyone else suffer for his sake so determines to do whatever is necessary to get Shay, Kit, Darryl and Maria to safety.
As the teens make their way through the extensive cave system they talk and share experiences. Things are tough but they have each other. Grant, slowly, starts to realise that running away from his problems will help nobody and he has to take responsibility for his behaviours, even if the consequences are bad.
While this is a cathartic experience in some ways, Liggett pulls no punches in describing the experience of being trapped in the cave. The vividness of these moments is pretty scary, and when strange noises take a sinister turn it seems that someone or something else may be down in the caves with them.
We quickly start to realise this is not just a story about a risky moment, but a terrifying life or death experience. The fear felt by the characters is palpable. Grant may not have started as the most likeable character but by the end of the story you can’t help but feel some sympathy for him.
Without giving any spoilers away, this is a deceptive read. It’s a fast-paced, tension-fuelled experience, but only when we get to the end do we see this is a little cleverer than it might first appear.