Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Ember (2015), Edition: Reprint, 336 pages
Description
After an earthquake destroys California and a tsunami wrecks the luxury cruise ship where he is a summer employee, high schooler Shy confronts another deadly surprise.
User reviews
LibraryThing member scbookcrew
The Living by Matt de la Pena, was surprisingly one of the best adventure novels I’ve ever read. Most adventure novels are just adrenaline and action but The Living was more than that. The story deals with social barriers, unreturned love and corruption while still providing suspense and
Shy is a character that starts out looking normal and kind of bland but as the story goes on, and his life is destroyed, Shy shows that he’s a survivor at heart.
The plotline of The Living starts off a little slow but as the story progresses it gets deeper and reveals the darker sides of people. Once I got into The Living I just couldn’t put it down! The witness of a suicide pulls you in and I loved how de la Pena unfolds each disaster in a totally new way. He makes you think the worst is over when there’s more to come. One of my favorite parts of the book dealt with Shy’s crush, Carmen. He really likes her but she doesn’t know it. She’s engaged to be married but it’s clear that she and Shy share a deep connection. What I like most though, is the fact that their relationship isn’t the focus of the story. The Living is mostly about Shy’s story with Carmen as a side character. However, I’m not saying that I wouldn’t like to see more of Carmen in the next book! It’ll be cool to see how their world and relationship unfolds in the sequel!
If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games and other mysterious thrillers, The Living is the book for you!
Ryan W., SC Teen Book Crew
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excitement.Shy is a character that starts out looking normal and kind of bland but as the story goes on, and his life is destroyed, Shy shows that he’s a survivor at heart.
The plotline of The Living starts off a little slow but as the story progresses it gets deeper and reveals the darker sides of people. Once I got into The Living I just couldn’t put it down! The witness of a suicide pulls you in and I loved how de la Pena unfolds each disaster in a totally new way. He makes you think the worst is over when there’s more to come. One of my favorite parts of the book dealt with Shy’s crush, Carmen. He really likes her but she doesn’t know it. She’s engaged to be married but it’s clear that she and Shy share a deep connection. What I like most though, is the fact that their relationship isn’t the focus of the story. The Living is mostly about Shy’s story with Carmen as a side character. However, I’m not saying that I wouldn’t like to see more of Carmen in the next book! It’ll be cool to see how their world and relationship unfolds in the sequel!
If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games and other mysterious thrillers, The Living is the book for you!
Ryan W., SC Teen Book Crew
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LibraryThing member mjspear
Shy, a hard-working Mexican-American kid, gets a gig on a cruise ship. On his maiden voyage, he witnesses a passenger's suicide (he tried to prevent him from going overboard but failed). On this trip, he finds himself being followed on board by a mysterious man, as well as the subject of interest
Pena should have trusted his characters, Shy and Carmen and even the haughty Valley Girl Addie to carry the book. Their voices and lives are interesting enough without dragging in all of these convoluted plot twists. The undiscerning teen reader may not notice, in fact, may even like, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink narrative. This reader mourns the short shrift given to these characters. Ah, what might have been!
Pena's BALL DON'T LIE is an infinitely better read.
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of several well-heeled tourists. Meanwhile, he's falling in love with a fellow staff member, the beautiful -- but engaged -- Carmen. As if this all weren't enough, a storm, a giant tidal wave (triggered by a massive earthquake that has level the CA coastline) and the sinking of the ship puts Shy's very existence in question. (And, oh yes, a dangerous malady "Romero" has killed his grandmother and is threatening his nephew). Whew!Pena should have trusted his characters, Shy and Carmen and even the haughty Valley Girl Addie to carry the book. Their voices and lives are interesting enough without dragging in all of these convoluted plot twists. The undiscerning teen reader may not notice, in fact, may even like, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink narrative. This reader mourns the short shrift given to these characters. Ah, what might have been!
Pena's BALL DON'T LIE is an infinitely better read.
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LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
After an earthquake destroys California and a tsunami wrecks the luxury cruise ship where he is a summer employee, high schooler Shy confronts another deadly surprise.
LibraryThing member LaneLiterati
If you like books about disasters this one's for you. Suicides, earthquakes, tsunamis, cruise ship sinking, shark attacks, mass murders, epidemic spread of a deadly disease, can all be found in this "upbeat" book. Yes, I am being sarcastic. Add to this the darn book leaves you hanging for the
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sequel, and it all adds up to a pretty frustrating read. Show Less
LibraryThing member stefferoo
This book first caught my attention because I noticed a blurb likening it to a Young Adult version of LOST - which was actually a show I really liked before it turned all WTFery bizarre . The result however, was not quite what I expected. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, though; The Living wasn't a
I'm also not surprised to see that opinions are all over the place for this one. It is a book made up of several different sections that feel completely dissimilar from each other in terms atmosphere, setting, pacing. It is part disaster story and survivor narrative with some hints of apocalyptic fiction and mystery. Try and imagine the movie 2012 meets Castaway, then maybe throw in a bit of 28 Days Later.
We start the story on a luxury cruise ship, which I thought was a rather unique and exciting setting. The international crew and passengers make for a very diverse cast, with characters hailing from all over the world. The protagonist himself, Shy, is a Mexican-American teenager whose home town is near the border, an area ravaged by a new illness termed Romero disease. Ever since the disease claimed his grandmother, Shy has been working for the cruise line in order to earn money to support his family.
Shy is on board a ship and near Hawaii when "The Big One" hits, a megathrust earthquake that completely destroys the west coast of North America. The resulting tsunami sinks the ship, and while most perish, Shy manages to survive.
One more movie reference and I promise I'm done, but The Living ruined cruises for me by traumatizing me the same way Final Destination did with flying on planes. The scenes leading up to, during, and after the sinking were gripping and terrifying. Which was why it felt so incongruous when they are followed up with days of drifting on the open water as Shy is marooned on a lifeboat. This section had its moments too, but it had nowhere near the heart-pounding force or intensity.
I was also slightly disappointed when I got to the end and found a wide-open ending and what was a very obvious lead-in to a series. I'd hoped that this would be a stand alone, though I'd had my doubts even before I started when I saw the slimness of the volume. As I got closer and closer to the last page I already suspected the author wasn't going to be able to wrap everything up.
In fact, as a first book The Living actually has the feel of very long introduction, but for all that, I still can't deny it has me hooked -- Matt de la Pena did a good job setting up an intriguing story and a lot of interesting relationships between the characters. I'll most likely pick up the sequel when it releases.
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bad book, just different.I'm also not surprised to see that opinions are all over the place for this one. It is a book made up of several different sections that feel completely dissimilar from each other in terms atmosphere, setting, pacing. It is part disaster story and survivor narrative with some hints of apocalyptic fiction and mystery. Try and imagine the movie 2012 meets Castaway, then maybe throw in a bit of 28 Days Later.
We start the story on a luxury cruise ship, which I thought was a rather unique and exciting setting. The international crew and passengers make for a very diverse cast, with characters hailing from all over the world. The protagonist himself, Shy, is a Mexican-American teenager whose home town is near the border, an area ravaged by a new illness termed Romero disease. Ever since the disease claimed his grandmother, Shy has been working for the cruise line in order to earn money to support his family.
Shy is on board a ship and near Hawaii when "The Big One" hits, a megathrust earthquake that completely destroys the west coast of North America. The resulting tsunami sinks the ship, and while most perish, Shy manages to survive.
One more movie reference and I promise I'm done, but The Living ruined cruises for me by traumatizing me the same way Final Destination did with flying on planes. The scenes leading up to, during, and after the sinking were gripping and terrifying. Which was why it felt so incongruous when they are followed up with days of drifting on the open water as Shy is marooned on a lifeboat. This section had its moments too, but it had nowhere near the heart-pounding force or intensity.
I was also slightly disappointed when I got to the end and found a wide-open ending and what was a very obvious lead-in to a series. I'd hoped that this would be a stand alone, though I'd had my doubts even before I started when I saw the slimness of the volume. As I got closer and closer to the last page I already suspected the author wasn't going to be able to wrap everything up.
In fact, as a first book The Living actually has the feel of very long introduction, but for all that, I still can't deny it has me hooked -- Matt de la Pena did a good job setting up an intriguing story and a lot of interesting relationships between the characters. I'll most likely pick up the sequel when it releases.
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LibraryThing member BornBookish
Mini Review: My thoughts in 5 bullets or less…
Well Developed Characters
This is the second book by author, Matt de La Pena, that I have read and I’ve gotta say he writes some of the most realistic characters I’ve ever read. Each character is so fully developed I feel I actually know them,
Male Point-of-View
The problem with an extremely realistic male character is we have to hear everytime he gets distracted by a girls long legs or catches himself looking at her butt (eye roll). However, I guess that’s the same as a girl main character who is constantly oogling a guys abs or whatenot, so I really have no right to complain.
Pacing
The story took some time to get rolling but once the tsunami hit the real adventure began. Shy is soon battling for his life in the most dire circumstances. I kept thinking to myself can’t the poor kid catch a break? as bad thing after bad thing kept happening.
Overall
This book had it pros and cons but the postivie outweighed the negative and I’ll definiltey be checking out the sequel to see what happens next in Shy’s journey.
Well Developed Characters
This is the second book by author, Matt de La Pena, that I have read and I’ve gotta say he writes some of the most realistic characters I’ve ever read. Each character is so fully developed I feel I actually know them,
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like in real life. They’re almost too realistic if that makes any sense. Male Point-of-View
The problem with an extremely realistic male character is we have to hear everytime he gets distracted by a girls long legs or catches himself looking at her butt (eye roll). However, I guess that’s the same as a girl main character who is constantly oogling a guys abs or whatenot, so I really have no right to complain.
Pacing
The story took some time to get rolling but once the tsunami hit the real adventure began. Shy is soon battling for his life in the most dire circumstances. I kept thinking to myself can’t the poor kid catch a break? as bad thing after bad thing kept happening.
Overall
This book had it pros and cons but the postivie outweighed the negative and I’ll definiltey be checking out the sequel to see what happens next in Shy’s journey.
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LibraryThing member amydelpo
Ridiculous and numerous plot lines -- but fast-paced -- good for action junkies -- nicely drawn characters -- sweet family stuff -- some sex and drinking -- probably okay for 9th grade and up.
LibraryThing member Mothwing
There none of the two female characters pass the sexy lamp test. Some of the things that happen are also a tad too convenient and the book Finisheds as though it really wants to be an action movie. Still, I Finished it while wandering around in Munich, and it works. I am looking forward to the
It's really refreshing to see a main character who is not white and whose background informs his character and many of his decisions without the entire story being about his race. He's also not the only PoC in the novel, there are a diverse cast.
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sequel, hoping that the female characters in the book will also get their chance to shine. It's really refreshing to see a main character who is not white and whose background informs his character and many of his decisions without the entire story being about his race. He's also not the only PoC in the novel, there are a diverse cast.
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LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: The plot seems a bit thin, but the premise is scarily plausible. However, the main character, Sly, is infinitely likeable, and you read along routing for him. The short chapters enhance the page-turner quality. The age and romantic feelings make this book YA although nothing explicit happens
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or is alluded to. Apparently this is the start of a series. Show Less
LibraryThing member kell1732
I consider this book as a sort of summertime blockbuster movie hit. Once the actions started, it kept going until the very end. Almost to the point that the plot suffers. Just like a summertime blockbuster.
The beginning starts out with a dramatic scene that would probably traumatize anyone else
Naturally, the main character gets stranded at sea with a rich passenger he doesn't like. Obviously. Then it gets slow for a while, than it picks up again and by the end we are left rather confused and questioning the intelligence of scientists.
Despite the fact that I believe there are way too many plots going on in this book as well as gaping plot holes that annoy me I still didn't hate the book. I thought what Matt de la Peña was doing with the book, especially toward the end, was interesting, and I hope that he fleshes it out more in his second book. Yes, this is a series. There were a few things that he touched on that I felt he should have expanded one, like the differences between classes and how people in these classes view each other. I felt this was a theme that could have been more present, however there were some great scenes that touched on the issues of not just class but of ethnicity as well, and the assumptions that are often made based on these. It was also great to read a book with a Mexican-American protagonists. There isn't enough diversity in YA lit, so it's good see it when it happens.
Overall, I think that this could make an interesting movie, and while I didn't much care for it, (mostly cause it's just not my style) I still think that it is an important YA book that deserves the attention it gets since it touches on such important social issues that teens really do care about even though we tend to think they don't. Peña has managed to start a very important conversation with this book. One that shouldn't be ignored but is sometimes difficult to start, and for that I applaud him. *claps*
The beginning starts out with a dramatic scene that would probably traumatize anyone else
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involve except apparently this main character. While he doesn't sometimes think back on what happened and occasionally has nightmares, he doesn't seem nearly as shaken about it as one would expect. On top of this, the action slows way down for a while that is probably longer than it should be, then all of sudden WHAM! California gets hit with The Big One. You know, the big earthquake tsunami couple that the West Coast it dreading. Except this Big One is much bigger than the one we are actually waiting for. It seems so overdone that sounds more like the end of the world.Naturally, the main character gets stranded at sea with a rich passenger he doesn't like. Obviously. Then it gets slow for a while, than it picks up again and by the end we are left rather confused and questioning the intelligence of scientists.
Despite the fact that I believe there are way too many plots going on in this book as well as gaping plot holes that annoy me I still didn't hate the book. I thought what Matt de la Peña was doing with the book, especially toward the end, was interesting, and I hope that he fleshes it out more in his second book. Yes, this is a series. There were a few things that he touched on that I felt he should have expanded one, like the differences between classes and how people in these classes view each other. I felt this was a theme that could have been more present, however there were some great scenes that touched on the issues of not just class but of ethnicity as well, and the assumptions that are often made based on these. It was also great to read a book with a Mexican-American protagonists. There isn't enough diversity in YA lit, so it's good see it when it happens.
Overall, I think that this could make an interesting movie, and while I didn't much care for it, (mostly cause it's just not my style) I still think that it is an important YA book that deserves the attention it gets since it touches on such important social issues that teens really do care about even though we tend to think they don't. Peña has managed to start a very important conversation with this book. One that shouldn't be ignored but is sometimes difficult to start, and for that I applaud him. *claps*
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
Whoa! This book took some twists and turns. Shy is working on a cruise ship for the summer to help out his family who is still reeling from the death of his grandmother from a new disease, Romero's disease. On his first voyage, a drunk and tormented man commits suicide and Shy tries to save him.
On
The characters are compelling and the action of story kept me interested.
Who is the mysterious Shoeshine? What happened to Addy? Is there anything left of the US? Ah, just found out there is a sequel, so I'm sure some of these questions will be revealed.
On
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his second voyage, someone is on board investigating and asking lots of questions to find out what the man said to Shy before killing himself. That seemed at the heart of the story, until the storms came. Then the story morphs into survival mode with Shy trying to survive all manners of obstacles. And another twists alters the course of the narrative further. The characters are compelling and the action of story kept me interested.
Who is the mysterious Shoeshine? What happened to Addy? Is there anything left of the US? Ah, just found out there is a sequel, so I'm sure some of these questions will be revealed.
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LibraryThing member 4sarad
This was a really weird book. I had a hard time getting into it and was about to give up on it completely when it finally hooked me. The beginning is a little like the beginning of the movie Titanic... It gets kind of long and you just want the ship to sink already. Once the action starts, though,
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wow! It never did let up. I told my husband that this book seemed like it was written by someone with ADHD. It had SO much going on. How many disasters can one novel hold?? I was disappointed to find that this wasn't a stand-alone book and you'd have to wait for the sequel to find out more, but it wasn't such a cliff-hanger that it made me mad either. It wrapped up pretty nicely and I feel pretty good about leaving it as it is. It wasn't good enough to pick up a sequel someday, but it was worth the read. I think a lot of my teens will enjoy it if I can just get them past the first 75 pages. Show Less
LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This was a quick and interesting read. I suggest maybe not starting this book unless you have quick access to the second in the series.
LibraryThing member mjspear
Shy, a hard-working Mexican-American kid, gets a gig on a cruise ship. On his maiden voyage, he witnesses a passenger's suicide (he tried to prevent him from going overboard but failed). On this trip, he finds himself being followed on board by a mysterious man, as well as the subject of interest
Pena should have trusted his characters, Shy and Carmen and even the haughty Valley Girl Addie to carry the book. Their voices and lives are interesting enough without dragging in all of these convoluted plot twists. The undiscerning teen reader may not notice, in fact, may even like, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink narrative. This reader mourns the short shrift given to these characters. Ah, what might have been!
Pena's BALL DON'T LIE is an infinitely better read.
Show More
of several well-heeled tourists. Meanwhile, he's falling in love with a fellow staff member, the beautiful -- but engaged -- Carmen. As if this all weren't enough, a storm, a giant tidal wave (triggered by a massive earthquake that has level the CA coastline) and the sinking of the ship puts Shy's very existence in question. (And, oh yes, a dangerous malady "Romero" has killed his grandmother and is threatening his nephew). Whew!Pena should have trusted his characters, Shy and Carmen and even the haughty Valley Girl Addie to carry the book. Their voices and lives are interesting enough without dragging in all of these convoluted plot twists. The undiscerning teen reader may not notice, in fact, may even like, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink narrative. This reader mourns the short shrift given to these characters. Ah, what might have been!
Pena's BALL DON'T LIE is an infinitely better read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
A little slow to start but endlessly absorbing once you get into it! Shy thought it would be an easy summer working on a cruise ship, anything to get his mind of his grandmother who recently passed away from Romero's disease, but things are about to get a lot more complicated. Things are all fun
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and games on the ship, until they're not. When a huge earthquake takes out the west coast, massive tsunamis are headed towards the cruise liner and Shy is in for the ride of his life. He's worried about his safety, his crush Carmen, and of course the safety of his crew mates and the passengers, it's going to take everything in him to survive. It's an emotional roller coaster and an excellent survival story. There are also political and ethical quandaries for teens to ponder. An excellent read, I can't wait for the next in the series. For fans of Ashfall and other natural disaster survival books! Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
Henry Leyva did a good job with the narration. However, only the adolescent audience at which this thriller was aimed might find the big reveal to be a surprise; I found the plot to be predictable on all points. Not bad but not good enough to tempt me to read further books...
LibraryThing member rgruberhighschool
RGG: The plot seems a bit thin, but the premise is scarily plausible. However, the main character, Sly, is infinitely likeable, and you read along routing for him. The short chapters enhance the page-turner quality. The age and romantic feelings make this book YA although nothing explicit happens
Show More
or is alluded to. Apparently this is the start of a series. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
Not a big fan of natural disaster novels, especially lost at sea ones, but this has some great parts that do not involve being lost at sea. I am curious to see where this goes in the next installment.
LibraryThing member cassie.peters1
I read this series backwards. I wish I had read this book first. I enjoyed reading it though I just knew some things from the second book that I felt ruined the feelings for the first one.
LibraryThing member cassie.peters1
I read this series backwards. I wish I had read this book first. I enjoyed reading it though I just knew some things from the second book that I felt ruined the feelings for the first one.
LibraryThing member jothebookgirl
The Living by Matt De La Peña is a fast paced thriller and mystery. It's a high stakes survival drama. There are also teen interactions that include racial and socioeconomic conflicts.
The Living is told from the perspective of Shy, a half Mexican teen from a small California town near the border
As his next 8-day voyage begins, everything becomes complicated as Shy learns that a mysterious man in a black suit is asking questions about him. He also gets worrying news from his family at home. And he's confused by his interactions with beautiful and slightly older fellow staff member Carmen, who has a fiancée. When a catastrophic natural disaster strikes, suddenly Shy is fighting for his life.
The Living is told from the perspective of Shy, a half Mexican teen from a small California town near the border
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of Mexico. Shy is spending the summer before his senior year working on a luxury cruise ship (setting out deck chairs, handing out towels, etc.). Shy is in mourning for his Grandma, who died recently and suddenly from an illness called Romero's Disease. On Ashly's first voyage he becomes in an unsuccessful attempt to stop a passenger from jumping overboard to commit suicide. As his next 8-day voyage begins, everything becomes complicated as Shy learns that a mysterious man in a black suit is asking questions about him. He also gets worrying news from his family at home. And he's confused by his interactions with beautiful and slightly older fellow staff member Carmen, who has a fiancée. When a catastrophic natural disaster strikes, suddenly Shy is fighting for his life.
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LibraryThing member Mirandalg14
Do not start reading this just before bed. You will be very tired the next day.
This was a great post-apocalyptic story, although you don't actually get to the disaster part until about half-way through. But that's not all it is. It's also a fantastic medical thriller. I was not expecting that to be
I read this thinking it was a standalone disaster book, but now I am anxiously awaiting the next installment. And definitely rethinking my urge to go on a cruise.
This was a great post-apocalyptic story, although you don't actually get to the disaster part until about half-way through. But that's not all it is. It's also a fantastic medical thriller. I was not expecting that to be
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part of the story, but it was a perfect fit. I really like a good mix with a pharmacutical twist.I read this thinking it was a standalone disaster book, but now I am anxiously awaiting the next installment. And definitely rethinking my urge to go on a cruise.
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LibraryThing member ssperson
Really good book that frustrated me at the end. But, it's part of a series, of course, so it had to have a cliffhanger.
The story itself -- both that of the storm/tsunami and the mystery -- was good. I found myself holding my breath with Shy when he was trying escape the sinking ship. The
I figured out the mystery by the time Shy and Addi were on the boat and talking to each other. The rest of the book was just a confirmation of that.
I listened to the audiobook version of this, and the narrator was very good.
The story itself -- both that of the storm/tsunami and the mystery -- was good. I found myself holding my breath with Shy when he was trying escape the sinking ship. The
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descriptions of the fight for survival were evocative. I figured out the mystery by the time Shy and Addi were on the boat and talking to each other. The rest of the book was just a confirmation of that.
I listened to the audiobook version of this, and the narrator was very good.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
2.5* for this audiobook edition.
Henry Leyva did a good job with the narration. However, only the adolescent audience at which this thriller was aimed might find the big reveal to be a surprise; I found the plot to be predictable on all points. Not bad but not good enough to tempt me to read further
Henry Leyva did a good job with the narration. However, only the adolescent audience at which this thriller was aimed might find the big reveal to be a surprise; I found the plot to be predictable on all points. Not bad but not good enough to tempt me to read further
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books... Show Less
Awards
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2016)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2016)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2015)
Green Mountain Book Award (Nominee — 2016)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2016)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Teen — 2016)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2016)
Florida Teens Read Award (Nominee — 2015)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2015)
CYBILS Awards (Winner — Young Adult Speculative Fiction — 2014)
Pura Belpré Award (Honor Book — 2014)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
336 p.; 5.56 inches
ISBN
0385741219 / 9780385741217