A review by natbookreviews
Denali by Austin Bunn

3.0

Review of “Denali”

By: Austin Bunn, Jack Falahee (Narrator), Jake Lacy (Narrator), Amrit Kaur (Narrator)


How I read: 🎧


⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Rating System Below)


I listened to “Denali” on audio, and while it was an engaging ride in the moment, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. The story follows three friends attempting to summit North America’s tallest peak, blending survival, betrayal, and fragmented memories of the climb. The full cast and immersive sound design really pulled me into the mountain’s brutal atmosphere, which made for a gripping experience — at least while it lasted.


The pacing was fast, and the constant shift between timelines added some intrigue, especially as secrets unraveled. But despite the intense premise, the characters didn’t stick with me, and the emotional weight of their struggles faded almost immediately after I finished. The most memorable part wasn’t the drama or the friendships but a random fact about bodies left behind on mountains, which says a lot about where the story's impact landed.


Overall, “Denali” is a decent listen if you want something tense and atmospheric to fill a few hours, but it might not linger in your mind afterward. It’s got the bones of a solid survival thriller, and the audiobook production adds a nice layer of realism, but the story itself didn’t climb as high as I hoped it would.

Get it at…


📗 - Hard Copy -📗


Indigo - (Not Available at Time of Review)


Amazon Canada - (Not Available at Time of Review)


📱 - Digital - 📱


Kobo - (Not Available at Time of Review)


Kindle - (Not Available at Time of Review)


🎧 - Audio - 🎧


Libro.FM - (Not Available at Time of Review)


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*Star Rating Guide*


⭐ - The writing style didn’t appeal to me. The characters didn’t resonate with me. I pushed myself to the limit to avoid DNF’ing. I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone I’m acquainted with.


⭐⭐ - The book was passable, but it won’t stick in my mind. Although I didn’t abandon the book, my mind wasn’t fully immersed in the story. I discovered that it was easy for me to stop reading it and not feel compelled to continue promptly. When everything was said and done, I was unsure of my immediate opinion on this book.


⭐⭐⭐ - If someone is actively seeking a book in this general premise, I would suggest this. While it was good, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up this book for a second read. If it were part of a series, I’d probably venture into the next book. Reading it was time well-spent.


⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This book was brilliant. I had the urge to keep reading and turn to the next page. The book stayed on my mind for days after I finished it. I highly recommend this book to everyone.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was actively engaged in wanting to finish reading this book. My thoughts are consumed by this book after completing it. I want to have a physical copy as a trophy that I can display on my shelf. I felt a strong connection and investment while reading this book, would definitely recommend.