Let's start with the cover:
Now isn't that just the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen? The light is beautiful and the choice to place the words like that is genius. I have to admit: I picked up this book originally because of the cover. I saw it and I thought, "Existentialism." If I'm being honest, this book is not quite at the existential-level of deep. It's not going to make you rethink your philosophy of life, but that doesn't mean it's not going to make you think.
The official synopsis is this:
Sophomore Hallie Calhoun has just endured the most excruciating six months of her life. Once the rumors about her and the preacher's son, Luke, made their way around school, her friends abandoned her, and Hallie has completely withdrawn.
Now, on a hike in the Smoky Mountains with the same people who have relentlessly taunted her, Hallie is pushed to her limit. Then Hallie, outgoing newcomer Rachel, and Jonah—Hallie's former friend—get separated from the rest of the group. As days go by without rescue, their struggle for survival turns deadly. Stranded in the wilderness, the three have no choice but to trust one another in order to stay alive . . . and for Hallie, that means opening up about what really happened that night with Luke.
From the catty atmosphere of high school to the unpredictable terrain of the mountains, this novel is a poignant, raw journey about finding yourself after having been lost for so long.
I bet I know what y'all are thinking right now. "Come on, this is just another teen girl book about rape." And I thought that too. I appreciate these kinds of books when they're done well and can reach people, but the problem with teen fiction is that there are too many horribly done ones that push people away from the quality that could change your life.
But let me reassure you that this book is not about a rape, and Holmes is quick to push that thought from your mind. Hallelujah (which is Hallie's full name) and Rachel are speaking near the beginning of the novel, and she's quite clear to state that Luke did not rape her. It doesn't mean he didn't hurt her in other ways, obviously, since the book is about his horrible comments that ruined her life.
This book deals well with both of its aspects. It addresses the horrible pressure put on teens to be perfect and please their peers and role models, and it addresses the desperation to survive when three non-trained teens are stuck in the wilderness.
This book is set up into seven mini-books, each section starting with a new day. That means for each day the chapters start over, as if they are starting over as well. While not all of their decisions are good decisions (like their inability to follow rule #1: STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND DO NOT MOVE; gosh dang it, I wanted to slap them over and over again for that one), their ability to persevere through injuries, hypothermia, storms, and the occasional bear show how strong these teens' spirits are. Hallie, Rachel, and Jonah must come together to overcome physical obstacles, but they also must address the psychological blocks between them, slowly tearing them down as they go.
This book also hits on the ever-present debate on God, which, since they're on a youth group retreat, seems well-crafted. Not everyone will agree with all the things said throughout the seven days in this book, but I'm pretty sure every teenager who believes in God has hit these rough patches every now and then. The question, "Why me?" is pretty prevalent in our lives, as is the ever fun debate as to what the preacher means when he stands up there asking if you felt God.
So, while this book isn't the absolute deepest book you could buy, it touches on this subjects in a way that won't send skittish readers away. It's a good gateway novel for someone who wants to read books that hit you hard but aren't sure how. I recommend it for anyone who has had a rough go of it now and then (which is, incidentally, everyone).
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