Book Review: Wayward by Blake Crouch

Title: Wayward

Series: Wayward Pines #2

Author: Blake Crouch

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

About the Book: Welcome to Wayward Pines, population 461. Nestled amidst picture-perfect mountains, the idyllic town is a modern-day Eden...except for the electrified fence and razor wire, snipers scoping everything 24/7, and the relentless surveillance tracking each word and gesture.
None of the residents know how they got here. They are told where to work, how to live, and who to marry. Some believe they are dead. Others think they’re trapped in an unfathomable experiment. Everyone secretly dreams of leaving, but those who dare face a terrifying surprise.

Ethan Burke has seen the world beyond. He’s sheriff, and one of the few who knows the truth—Wayward Pines isn’t just a town. And what lies on the other side of the fence is a nightmare beyond anyone’s imagining. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I loved this book - even better than the first.  I am really happy that I started this series.  My husband and I are watching it on Hulu and even though it is different from the book, I am enjoying it as well.  Wayward Pines is built on an interesting premise and is a new take on a dystopian book.  I don't want to tell you much about the town, because if you haven't read book 1 you must go back and read it now.  I would highly recommend this series if you like science fiction or thrillers!  

Book Review: Pines by Blake Crouch

 

Title: Pines (Wayward Pines #1)

Author: Blake Crouch

Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller

About the book: Wayward Pines, Idaho, is quintessential small-town America--or so it seems. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in search of two missing federal agents, yet soon is facing much more than he bargained for. After a violent accident lands him in the hospital, Ethan comes to with no ID and no cell phone. The medical staff seems friendly enough but sometimes feels...off. As days pass, Ethan's investigation into his colleagues' disappearance turns up more questions than answers

Why can't he make contact with his family in the outside world? Why doesn't anyone believe he is who he says he is? And what's the purpose of the electrified fences encircling the town?  Are they keeping the residents in? Or something else out?

Each step toward the truth takes Ethan further from the world he knows until he must face a horrifying fact—he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive..... (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: While the premise of this book was right up my alley, I will admit that when I started it, I really didn't like it. The writing seemed a little disjointed and I felt like there was something missing.  However, I still liked the storyline so I kept reading.  I ended up finishing it really quickly and after reading the Afterword by the author at the end of the book it began to gel for me.  The author stated that one of his inspirations for this series was Twin Peaks.  And I thought - yes - the way it was written did give me a little bit of a Twin Peaks vibe.  That was the disjointedness - that on the surface everything seemed perfect - just don't look beneath the surface.  I then saw that this was a series on Hulu called Wayward Pines and my husband and I are now three episodes in.  I have also started the second book and am enjoying it more than the first.

Friday Finds: 6-19-2009

Here are my finds this week!

Roadside Crosses by Jeffrey Deaver

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

About the book: On the heels of Jeffery Deaver's bestseller, The Sleeping Doll, comes a twisted new case for body language expert Kathryn Dance. Someone is leaving roadside crosses beside Monterey highways. . .not as memorials, but as announcements of intent to kill.

Aided by Deputy Michael O'Neil, Kathryn follows leads to Travis Brigham, a troubled teen who has been attacked in a popular blog for his part in a car accident that killed two high school girls. Is Travis bent on revenge against the cyberbullies and the blogger whom he believes has destroyed his life? Kathryn isn't convinced. . .a doubt that will put her career on the line as she goes up against politicians, paranoid parents and an Internet culture as insidious and vicious as the killer himself. (from Bookspan/BOMC newsletter)

About the author: Wisely taking the advice given to him by legendary mystery writer Mickey Spillane -- "People don't read books to get to the middle. They read to get to the end" -- Jeffery Deaver has earned a reputation for prodigious pacing and slick suspense with his string of bestselling Lincoln Rhyme thrillers.

Abandon by Blake Crouch

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

About the book: December 28, 1893: a mule skinner resides into the mining town of Abandon, Colorado. Instead of the usual hustle and bustle, he finds the place deserted - with meals left to freeze and belongings forsaken. No trace of foul play . . . or of the gold from the mine. Now, 116 years later, journalist Abigail Foster joins her estranged father, Laurence, a renowned history professor, on a trek to the mysterious ghost town. With them are two backcountry guides, a psychic and a paranormal photographer.
They're not the first to undertake this journey. Years back, another group set out to investigate Abandon - but they haven't been seen since. Will Abigail and her father fall prey to the same fate? (from BOMC newsletter/Bookspan)

About the author: Blake Crouch attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with degrees in English and Creative Writing. 2004 and 2005 saw the publications of his first two novels, DESERT PLACES and LOCKED DOORS. Blake lives with his family in southwest Colorado, where he is at work on a new book. (from Barnes and Noble website)

What great books did you find this week?? Stop over at Should Be Reading and share yours!

Roadside Crosses
Publisher/Publication Date: Simon & Schuster, June 2009
ISBN: 9781416549994
416 pages

Abandon
Publisher/Publication Date: St. Martin's Press, July 2009
ISBN: 9780312537401
416 pages