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Stranded by Nathan Huffaker
Kazakhstan is on the brink of civil war, and Elders Schofield and Johnson need to get out ASAP. But when their train explodes, all the evidence points to the missionaries! With terrorists on their trail and the whole country against them, the elders’ only refuge is the US Embassy in Astana—800 miles away. Fans of The Saratov Approach will love this jaw-dropping thriller.
Mass Market Paperback
First published April 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 2, 2015
(4.5 stars) This book is intense! The call comes to evacuate all missionaries from Kazakhstan immediately. As two missionaries board their train, one of them left something important behind. They rush off the train but before they can board again, it explodes and it appears that they are the terrorists. They start running for their lives. They find people along the way willing to help them and others who want to make sure they take the blame.
We follow a few different people in this book, including the missionaries (Elders Schofield and Johnson), their mission president who is determined not to leave them behind (President Howard Russell) and the chief detective of the anti-terror task force (Michael Ivanov). The missionaries met Michael the night before at a member's house and he was more interested in learning about them personally than in the message they had to share. As events unfold, Michael needs to determine if the missionaries are involved in the terrorist attacks or if they are innocent.
None of them are completely safe and it was hard at times to know who to trust. There is talk of religion as the missionaries continue to teach and discuss their faith while they're on the run. There are lots of moving parts and I enjoyed how everything came together in the end. I personally would have liked a little more at the end or maybe an epilogue, but overall the ending is satisfying. This is a fast-paced novel that is hard to put down and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
We follow a few different people in this book, including the missionaries (Elders Schofield and Johnson), their mission president who is determined not to leave them behind (President Howard Russell) and the chief detective of the anti-terror task force (Michael Ivanov). The missionaries met Michael the night before at a member's house and he was more interested in learning about them personally than in the message they had to share. As events unfold, Michael needs to determine if the missionaries are involved in the terrorist attacks or if they are innocent.
None of them are completely safe and it was hard at times to know who to trust. There is talk of religion as the missionaries continue to teach and discuss their faith while they're on the run. There are lots of moving parts and I enjoyed how everything came together in the end. I personally would have liked a little more at the end or maybe an epilogue, but overall the ending is satisfying. This is a fast-paced novel that is hard to put down and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
May 6, 2015
It surprised me that this is a debut novel for Nathan Huffaker. The book is polished for a debut.
I found myself liking the missionaries from the beginning. Their relationship of a new missionary and a trainer caught my interest. Maybe it's because I have a son serving a mission right now? I don't know.
The book takes off from the very beginning. The Mission President receives a call in the middle of the night telling him to evacuate the missionaries. It was impressive to think of the network set up to handle emergencies in the mission field. The chain of information and the help that they receive was great to be reminded of.
It's not a spoiler to reveal that the train two of the missionaries are to travel on explodes just after the leave for an emergency situation. The missionaries were already being watched as possible spies/terrorists. This didn't help them at all, but it did save their lives.
I enjoyed the writing. Nathan Huffaker did a great job at description and the portrayal of the story. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
This book contains some violence. It is written to the LDS market.
I found myself liking the missionaries from the beginning. Their relationship of a new missionary and a trainer caught my interest. Maybe it's because I have a son serving a mission right now? I don't know.
The book takes off from the very beginning. The Mission President receives a call in the middle of the night telling him to evacuate the missionaries. It was impressive to think of the network set up to handle emergencies in the mission field. The chain of information and the help that they receive was great to be reminded of.
It's not a spoiler to reveal that the train two of the missionaries are to travel on explodes just after the leave for an emergency situation. The missionaries were already being watched as possible spies/terrorists. This didn't help them at all, but it did save their lives.
I enjoyed the writing. Nathan Huffaker did a great job at description and the portrayal of the story. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
This book contains some violence. It is written to the LDS market.
May 12, 2015
What an amazing surprise. This is the first book I’ve read by Nathan Huffaker, and I don’t often read LDS fiction. But I gave this book a chance. I didn’t regret it. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and desperately turning pages. Stranded is the story of two missionaries caught up in a war torn country. Hunted by terrorists and law enforcement alike, they miraculously remain one step ahead of them dodging bullets and explosions meant to take their lives. They don’t emerge completely unscathed, but with the Lord’s help, they find the strength to press on. It’s amazing how the author can create such a suspenseful book, and at the same time weave in gospel messages of love and hope. The missionaries may be running for their lives, but they never forget who they are and why they’re there in the first place. I highly recommend this book to all LDS readers and lovers of suspense! I look forward to more adventures from Nathan Huffaker!
April 24, 2015
I went into this not knowing much, but found the storyline fairly gripping. However, I feel that those not familiar with the LDS missionary culture may not understand many points, or might feel that this is a little preachy. For the target audience, this piece of LDS fiction is one of the best I've read in a while.
April 14, 2015
Stranded was a great read. If you like LDS fiction, but not the 'cheese' sometimes associated with it, this book is definitely for you. It's full of action and suspense and keeps you turning pages until the end.
November 12, 2020
Adventure with a happy ending
I'm not a Mormon, but I know the Lord works out miracles just as in this book. Just as in the story of those reading the Book of Mormon, this story kept me wanting to read more.
I'm not a Mormon, but I know the Lord works out miracles just as in this book. Just as in the story of those reading the Book of Mormon, this story kept me wanting to read more.
May 4, 2015
5 STARS
This is a good LDS action, suspense novel. It definitely preaches LDS beliefs but it is just part of the story. The main characters are two missionaries in Kazakhstan. Another character is the Mission President of Kazakhstan.
President Howard Russell of the Kazakhstan Astana Mission received a call in the middle of night telling him to get his missionaries out of the country they were in danger. He started making calls right then.
Elder Johnson was from Texas his Russian was coming along with a strong accent. He was really positive.
Elder Schofield was at the end of his mission. He was good in talking Russian
Elder Johnson and Schofield had to get off the train because of left behind passport and their train blew up. President Russell thought they were dead.
The Elders were suspected by the Police as the terrorists who blew the train. The Mafia wanted them dead because they could finger the bomber. The Elders could not get ahold of anyone with there phone and bags blown up on the train. They needed to get to the US Embassy in Astana before it closed in a few days.
This is exciting with the two missionaries trying to get help but every time someone is blowing things up. Elder Johnson never stops trying to teach the gospel along the journey to those he comes in contact with. Elder Schofield keeps growing his faith along the way.
There is a lot of people willing to help the Elders along the way. I don't know if I would help two young men that the police wanted as bombers. It would be scary with bombs going off all over and the army taking over the country.
One of the policeman that works on catching terrorists Michael had met the missionaries the day before the bombing and was given the Book of Mormon. He just wanted to learn about their beliefs to see if they were a danger or not.
I did not put the book down until I had finished the story. I would read more from Nathan Huffaker in the future.
I was given Stranded by Cedar Fort so that I could give a honest book review and be part of Stranded blog tour.
This is a good LDS action, suspense novel. It definitely preaches LDS beliefs but it is just part of the story. The main characters are two missionaries in Kazakhstan. Another character is the Mission President of Kazakhstan.
President Howard Russell of the Kazakhstan Astana Mission received a call in the middle of night telling him to get his missionaries out of the country they were in danger. He started making calls right then.
Elder Johnson was from Texas his Russian was coming along with a strong accent. He was really positive.
Elder Schofield was at the end of his mission. He was good in talking Russian
Elder Johnson and Schofield had to get off the train because of left behind passport and their train blew up. President Russell thought they were dead.
The Elders were suspected by the Police as the terrorists who blew the train. The Mafia wanted them dead because they could finger the bomber. The Elders could not get ahold of anyone with there phone and bags blown up on the train. They needed to get to the US Embassy in Astana before it closed in a few days.
This is exciting with the two missionaries trying to get help but every time someone is blowing things up. Elder Johnson never stops trying to teach the gospel along the journey to those he comes in contact with. Elder Schofield keeps growing his faith along the way.
There is a lot of people willing to help the Elders along the way. I don't know if I would help two young men that the police wanted as bombers. It would be scary with bombs going off all over and the army taking over the country.
One of the policeman that works on catching terrorists Michael had met the missionaries the day before the bombing and was given the Book of Mormon. He just wanted to learn about their beliefs to see if they were a danger or not.
I did not put the book down until I had finished the story. I would read more from Nathan Huffaker in the future.
I was given Stranded by Cedar Fort so that I could give a honest book review and be part of Stranded blog tour.
May 5, 2015
One phone call in the night changes everything. Kazakhstan is on the brink of civil war and when a call comes telling that the missionaries must evacuate the country, everything begins to unravel. When two missionaries have a unfortunate chance encounter and then barely escape an exploding train, it leads everyone to suspect the missionaries in the bombing. Now being chased by terrorists, the country suspecting them and on the brink of civil war, these two young men must try and make a desperate run to the embassy over 800 miles away.
This was definitely a page-turning thriller. The action continued to unfold page after page. At times a bit predictable, but with a lot of refreshing and surprising twists too. It definitely had the feel of a big action movie where the good guys just keep barely escaping. The characters were well developed and helped draw you into the story more.
This is definitely a LDS fiction book, in that the characters, who they are, the sub-plots have a strong LDS theme and even spiritual undertone throughout the book. The target audience would definitely love this, and I think those not of the LDS faith would enjoy the action and the overall story.
This was definitely a page-turning thriller. The action continued to unfold page after page. At times a bit predictable, but with a lot of refreshing and surprising twists too. It definitely had the feel of a big action movie where the good guys just keep barely escaping. The characters were well developed and helped draw you into the story more.
This is definitely a LDS fiction book, in that the characters, who they are, the sub-plots have a strong LDS theme and even spiritual undertone throughout the book. The target audience would definitely love this, and I think those not of the LDS faith would enjoy the action and the overall story.
April 24, 2015
If you LOVE suspense thrillers like I do -
You will LOVE this book!
Civil unrest has escalated and the LDS missionaries have been called to leave the city.
While boarding the train one of the Elders realizes he has left something very important behind.
He is only trying desperately to get it before the train leaves, but all anyone sees is two American Elders fleeing the train right before the bomb goes off.
And to make matters worse one of the Elders can ID the man who is responsible.
Now the Elders have been labeled as marked men--seen as terrorist--
"Wanted by the police for questioning and wanted dead by the Mafia and sometimes both were the same thing."
While all around them is falling apart these two Elder have to make it on their own to the US Embassy.
"A terrorist attack leaves two missionaries
RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES"
See how it all plays out in this PHENOMENAL thriller!
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!
AMAZING story! AMAZING writing!
It will captivate you from the very first page and hold your attention to the very end!
You will LOVE this book!
Civil unrest has escalated and the LDS missionaries have been called to leave the city.
While boarding the train one of the Elders realizes he has left something very important behind.
He is only trying desperately to get it before the train leaves, but all anyone sees is two American Elders fleeing the train right before the bomb goes off.
And to make matters worse one of the Elders can ID the man who is responsible.
Now the Elders have been labeled as marked men--seen as terrorist--
"Wanted by the police for questioning and wanted dead by the Mafia and sometimes both were the same thing."
While all around them is falling apart these two Elder have to make it on their own to the US Embassy.
"A terrorist attack leaves two missionaries
RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES"
See how it all plays out in this PHENOMENAL thriller!
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!
AMAZING story! AMAZING writing!
It will captivate you from the very first page and hold your attention to the very end!
April 10, 2015
Two missionaries stranded in a country exploding in civil war and their mission president searching for them? Now that’s a plot that pulled me in and wouldn't let me quit reading until long past my usual bedtime. I expected predictable, some of it was, but many of the twists and turns that led to a nail-biting conclusion took me by surprise. The writing is good, but the author might consider using a thesaurus. Some words ("slowly", "quickly", “softly”) are used too often and could be cut or replaced with other choices. In spite of that annoyance, I enjoyed the book and hope that Nathan Huffaker has more stories to tell.
April 25, 2015
Oh, me, what a Thriller! Two missionaries running for their lives, encounter Terrorists, and are on the run for their lives. Fast paced, action packed tale of terror, terrorists, civil war, seeking refuge on the run and intense, emotional turmoil.
Fans of Thrillers, and reading material published by the Latter Day Saints, will enjoy this action thrill ride. Well written.
An enjoyable read!
*Received for an honest review from the publisher*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction and More**
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Fans of Thrillers, and reading material published by the Latter Day Saints, will enjoy this action thrill ride. Well written.
An enjoyable read!
*Received for an honest review from the publisher*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction and More**
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
May 1, 2015
I feel that this is a strong initial offering from Nathan Huffaker. The story is solid, and had me reluctant to put it down at times. Plenty of action, and enough detail that I found the story easy to follow. You don't always get that from a first time author. I'd recommend this one to friends as a good read.
August 3, 2016
It was about what you can expect from an lds fiction author unfortunately. I would normally rate it a 3, mediocre, but I'm mad it's so highly rated. The writing was stilted and the characters were so predictable I felt like I'd already read about them before. The best I can say is that it's not the worst I've read.
October 16, 2015
Loved it! Such a page turner, I couldn't put it down!
September 24, 2015
I really liked it. It had a really good story.
February 24, 2016
An enjoyable book, but a little unbelievable.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews