Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
The Raft by S.A. Bodeen
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft.
And then . . . she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way. (Goodreads)
I love survival stories. I love seeing how people react to life threatening situations and defeat the odds; and how they work through mental and physical challenges. I think it’s amazing what people are able to do when they have to, to survive. So when I heard about The Raft, it immediately became a must read for me!
The Raft is about Robie, a girl that survives a plane crash in the middle of the ocean. She only survived the crash because of Max, the co-pilot, who pushed her out of the plane. When the plane was going down, Robie froze in fear and shock, and wasn’t even able to put on her life jacket. I was fascinated by how Robie and Max reacted so differently. Though I’d like to think I’d be calm and able to think rationally, you just don’t know how you’re going to react until you’re in the situation.
The Raft is a short quick read, and I flew through it because I had to know what happened. The crash, and the days after were intense, and I felt like I was on the raft with Robie. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect with her as much as I would have liked… I didn’t feel emotionally tied to Robie, but I rooted for her as she met and overcame each obstacle. I appreciated how the author tied in the issue of plastic debris in our oceans, and its impact on marine life into the story.
If you’re a fan of fast-paced survival stories, you should definitely read The Raft!
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Oooh! I have this book on my TBR list and have been wanting to get to it for a while now. I’ve been hearing some really good things about it, so I should probably start it soon. Thanks for your awesome review on it, I’ll have to move it towards the top of the pile!
Jade recently posted..All Fall Down by Megan Hart Review
This was a fast read! And I’m like you — I really didn’t feel emotionally connected to Robie, either.
Great review, Jen!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge (6)
Oh I really wanted to read this when I heard about it, I haven’t heard what people thought about it though. I’m like you, I love the survival stories, because they make you think about what you would do in that situation. Great review, I’m definitely interested in this story despite the fact that you were not being able to connect with the MC.
Andrea recently posted..Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
I just discovered this one today, and yours is the first review I’ve read for it. It does sound like a good one, and I’ve never read a survival book before. I think your mention of the author sneaking in some pollution issues has really convinced me to read this one though. 😉
Angie @ Pinkindle recently posted..[Review] Florence by Ciye Cho
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
It has been a long time since I’ve read a survival story. I may have to check this out the next time I’m in the mood. I’m sorry you weren’t able to connect with Robie after you were really excited for this book.
fakesteph recently posted..Weekend Hops – September 21
Twitter: nightowlreads
says:
WOW! That is interesting. I am curious as to how this played out.
Nickle Love recently posted..Review – The Archived (Sneak Peek)