Title: Black Ice
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Received by: Purchased
Publisher: Simon &
Schuster
It is my opinion that
Becca Fitzpatrick is one of the best YA writers within the growing genre. She
has a unique way of attacking her story and most important, keeping her readers
glued to her books. Like her prior Hush, Hush series, Black Ice is amazing and
dark, plus so much fun to read. I’ve read comics that feature authors of
fiction as guest authors for their comic book characters, such as Jodi Picoult
writing for the Wonder Woman series. Becca Fitzpatrick is one of those authors
I’d love to see do this for DC or Marvel. I say this because she is marvelous
at writing thrillers. Her Hush, Hush series was cast in the paranormal romance
genre but it is an amazing dark thriller as well.
There are a lot of adults
who read YA and some who are probably thinking about it. I can’t tell you how
many times someone comes into the bookstore I work at requesting an awesome
title they heard of then are surprised when I walk them over to the teen
section. Black Ice is a great stepping-stone into the YA genre. It has a small
group of characters but each gets a solid story of development to keep the
reader involved and most important, guessing and predicting like crazy. The book
also has an insightful message that I did not see coming. It was totally
unexpected and something all people should strive for in an independent
future.
CHECK BELOW FOR MY SONG PICK FOR THIS BOOK
Summary:
Britt Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton
Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every
thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin,
an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting
the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives,
and they take her hostage.
Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain,
and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is
made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of
murders that have taken place there…and in uncovering this, she may become the
killer’s next target...
Brit leaps immediately off
the page. Besides planning her backpacking adventure, she doesn’t have to many
other big goals besides making her boyfriend jealous and proving him and others
wrong about her abilities to conquer Teton Range. But she’s likable for some
reason and I wanted to know more about her story. The flashbacks into her past
with her ex-boyfriend Calvin were most helpful. Some readers may not like Brit
right away, which is what I think Fitzpatrick might have been striving for.
She’s in her own little world but slowly creeps out to see who she wants to be.
Brit is a young girl who seems to tolerate a lot. She tolerates a best friend
that’s a bit spoiled and envious and tolerates doubt of others regarding her
independence. I had a major AHA moment when I realized what Brit had to conquer
as a character. It’s a solid story of perseverance over fear.
So I’m going to mash up
the male characters into a pot because they were all outstanding. Either I
hated, loved or wasn’t all too sure about the men in Black Ice. Brit is in
desolate territory with two suspicious men, it’s a very scary place. One minute
she sees a confidant then in a split second she feels death approaching. For me
Mason’s character was the star of the book. He along with Brit has so much
inner unraveling to offer the reader. It’s great spider webbing on
Fitzpatrick’s part. Calvin is someone who just doesn’t seem to appreciate Brit
and notice what a great person she is, plus he has his own issues with his
father’s expectations.
I would like to state that
I don’t believe romance is the main theme at all in this story and it isn’t
would readers should focus on. I think it’s the message of overcoming the
obstacle of loss. In Black Ice the right people gravitate to one another in
order to help each other, unbeknownst to them of course. There is moment in the
book when Mason and Brit face a bear and it’s very scary. I believe there may
be symbolism in this scene, maybe how the two approach fear. If anyone has read
Black Ice please feel free to comment.
Black Ice is unlike any
book that I’ve read. I was completely immersed into the quiet tension of the
characters. It reminded me of the Shining actually, cold isolate danger of the
unknown. A remarkable read perfect for the cold months ahead. I highly recommend
this wicked moustache twirler to your shelf this winter.
SONG PICK
This is a very short song but when I hear it I think of the entire book, plus it has a nice dark and cold feel.
This is a very short song but when I hear it I think of the entire book, plus it has a nice dark and cold feel.