Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Summary from Goodreads:
In this heart-stopping suspense thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong proves herself to be a master of terror and suspense.
In this heart-stopping suspense thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong proves herself to be a master of terror and suspense.
Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for.
Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn’t dare reveal.
The last thing either of them wants is to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp alongside five other teens with “issues.” But that’s exactly where they are when three masked men burst in to take the group hostage.
The building has no windows. The exits are sealed shut. Their phones are gone. And their captors are on a killing spree.
Riley and Max know that if they can’t get out, they’ll be next—but they’re about to discover that even escape doesn’t equal freedom.
Review
This book was bloody brilliant. WOW. I could not read fast enough nor put it down. And my mind is still reeling from what happened. It was amazing and I loved it and everyone needs to read it.
Armstrong doesn't waste any time before kicking this story into high gear. The masked men show up on page 21 and it's all suspense, anxiety, uncertainty, anticipation, and other thriller-y goodness from then on out. Shit hits the fan around page 56 and that's when Riley and Max team up and begin looking for a way to escape. But even after they escape (it's in the synopsis so I didn't spoil anything!), they aren't safe and that was one of the things I loved most about this book. The last third or so was perhaps the most exciting as Riley and Max (and readers) try to figure out what the hell is going on. At this point, I really couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was so curious and really had no idea what was to come.
I LOVED the incorporation of mental illness into the story. I think that is a large part of what makes this book so brilliant and why Armstrong deserves a HUGE pat on the back. Not only does having unreliable narrators add to the suspense - at times I questioned everything and found myself preparing for reality to turn on its head - but Armstrong simultaneously highlighted some very prevalent stereotypes and prejudices. It was so incredibly well done and relevant and eye-opening - seeing what individuals with these conditions might go through and how the world might react to them. Everyone can learn something from this book.
And Riley and Max... these two were incredible. Just good human beings through and through. I was so easily pulled into their struggles - their voices rang so true - and amazed at how they approached and dealt with their situations. And together - they just melted my heart. I wouldn't say there is romance in this book, not really, but a relationship built on trust and understanding and desire does develop and it is so freaking beautiful. They are definitely going to stay with me for a while. I love them.
This book is perfection. On the surface, it was a very well-executed thriller with ample amounts of action, mystery and suspense. But then there were the layers and layers of depth that gave readers a very real glimpse into mental illness, human nature and choices. I'd have to agree with Danielle @ Love at First Page and say that this might be one of the best books I've ever read, especially in this genre. It easily deserves every one of those 5 stars. I'll leave it at that.
Armstrong doesn't waste any time before kicking this story into high gear. The masked men show up on page 21 and it's all suspense, anxiety, uncertainty, anticipation, and other thriller-y goodness from then on out. Shit hits the fan around page 56 and that's when Riley and Max team up and begin looking for a way to escape. But even after they escape (it's in the synopsis so I didn't spoil anything!), they aren't safe and that was one of the things I loved most about this book. The last third or so was perhaps the most exciting as Riley and Max (and readers) try to figure out what the hell is going on. At this point, I really couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was so curious and really had no idea what was to come.
I LOVED the incorporation of mental illness into the story. I think that is a large part of what makes this book so brilliant and why Armstrong deserves a HUGE pat on the back. Not only does having unreliable narrators add to the suspense - at times I questioned everything and found myself preparing for reality to turn on its head - but Armstrong simultaneously highlighted some very prevalent stereotypes and prejudices. It was so incredibly well done and relevant and eye-opening - seeing what individuals with these conditions might go through and how the world might react to them. Everyone can learn something from this book.
And Riley and Max... these two were incredible. Just good human beings through and through. I was so easily pulled into their struggles - their voices rang so true - and amazed at how they approached and dealt with their situations. And together - they just melted my heart. I wouldn't say there is romance in this book, not really, but a relationship built on trust and understanding and desire does develop and it is so freaking beautiful. They are definitely going to stay with me for a while. I love them.
This book is perfection. On the surface, it was a very well-executed thriller with ample amounts of action, mystery and suspense. But then there were the layers and layers of depth that gave readers a very real glimpse into mental illness, human nature and choices. I'd have to agree with Danielle @ Love at First Page and say that this might be one of the best books I've ever read, especially in this genre. It easily deserves every one of those 5 stars. I'll leave it at that.
