Danger "Danny" Danielle Warren is no stranger to falling. After losing an eye in a childhood accident, she had to relearn her perception of movement and space. Now Danny keeps her head down, studies hard, and works to fulfill everyone else's needs. She's certain that her mom's bitterness and her TV star father's absence are her fault. If only she were more―more athletic, charismatic, attractive―life would be perfect.
When her dad calls with an offer to join him to film the next episode of his popular survivalist show, Danny jumps at the chance to prove she's not the disappointment he left behind. Being on set with the hottest teen movie idol of the moment, Gus Price, should be the cherry on top. But when their small plane crashes in the Amazon, and a terrible secret is revealed, Danny must face the truth about the parent she worships and falling for Gus, and find her own inner strength and worth to light the way home.
If I landed in a deserted island or rainforest or anywhere away from civilisation, I wouldn't survive a day. I am simply not the survivey type. Still, I really enjoy reading survival books and stories of survival against the odds and watching survival documentaries. So this book was right up my alley.
I actually for the most part thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and the stakes were really high so I was gripped throughout all of the action. I could totally imagine all of the action in my mind's eye and this book was pretty un-put-down-able.
That being said, whilst the plot and the action was high stakes and gripping, I have some issues with the characterisation. Danny is a real to life character in so many ways - just constantly battling with a need to be seen - by her Dad, by Gus, by the people in her life - but it did step into areas of overly needy. The other thing is that Danny has a slight disability - she is half-blind - but I felt that the overlying aim of the story was for her to 'beat' the disability, not to come to terms with it. it's a fine line, but I think the author just crossed it. It's written as something that she needs to beat - like something that can only hold her back - not something that she just needs to make her own.
I hated Cougar - Danny's dad - he was selfish and didn't take time to think about his daughter and the only moments of love he had for her come just to late for me to care. I think Danny was used by everyone in the story and whilst I get that the author was trying to make it look like Danny had to learn to be her own support, it just seamed like the poor girl got abused and used left, right and center.
Still, as I said, I really did enjoy this book and it really was a page turner. I think the issues that I stated are preference more than poor writing and planning, so I can't really judge it too much for that. If I hadn't just finished 'Be Not Far From Me' by Mindy McGinnis - another survival YA book which blew me away - I might rate this half a score higher, but in comparison this one just pales a teeny bit, so that is why the rating reflects that.
Book released 1st October 2018 by Inkyard Press
Book received from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
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