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Primal
This thriller story, originally purchased by one of America's most popular storytellers, James Cameron, is now a novel!
What if the worst happens and you're not a policemen, or a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart. What if you're a schoolteacher - a mother? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must kill or watch her family die. And then, things gets worse.
What if the worst happens and you're not a policemen, or a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart. What if you're a schoolteacher - a mother? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must kill or watch her family die. And then, things gets worse.
222 pages, Nook
First published January 1, 2012
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 14, 2013
4.5 stars
The reason I decided to pick up this book was because it mentioned heavy psychological content and you know how I feel about psychology (being a Clinical Psychologist), so I grabbed at the opportunity. Did the book live upto my expectations of the psychological content? Well, diving into the book without reading a blurb, I wasn’t really expecting something of a particular kind. However, I do remember postponing reading this book in favor of more catchy titled books.
What’s my impression after reading the book? I wish it had a different title. Not that there’s anything wrong with the current one but somehow it didn’t appeal to me as much as the book did.
Pick up this book at your own peril because it will hook you right in and you will feel like devouring it in a one sitting read which is not very easy since it’s a 224 page book (unless of course, you take a day off, hire a babysitter, refuse to open the door and have ready-to-eat meals by your side). Anyway, I finished the book in 2 days amongst chaos and craziness that has enveloped my personal and professional life so that should give you a hint of what the book does to the reader.
One important thing that I wanted to mention was that since I do most of my reading during my to and fro commuting by the metro (tube), it was really difficult to read this book and yet get down at my stop or change metros. Yeah, as soon as I opened my Kindle, my eyes were hooked, my brain even more so, my ears turned into sound-proof doors, my comfort/discomfort of standing, being pushed by strangers, being jostled by the crowd ceased to effect me and I had to put this alarm in my head to listen after an appropriate amount of time if my station was coming yet. Wow! Seriously I loved this book, never have I been so engrossed in a book as to keep out the noisy, irritating chatter of other passengers. And I read every single day on the metro!
It was just amazing – the plot, mind-blowing; the characters, everyday people you meet and some we don’t meet (and wouldn’t like to), interesting nevertheless and real (a very important thing) and the pace – ah!mazing (especially the first 50%).
The book is so good as a thriller that I waited with bated breath at times wondering what would happen next, crying and praying for the characters. Just wow!
Although I might say the second half of the book could do with some editing but then perhaps not. It required that kind of build-up to seem entirely realistic. It’s just my impatience regarding ‘when is that going to happen?!!’ that’s speaking.
Overall, a great book. Especially recommended for people who love thrillers and crime books. Go get it now!
The reason I decided to pick up this book was because it mentioned heavy psychological content and you know how I feel about psychology (being a Clinical Psychologist), so I grabbed at the opportunity. Did the book live upto my expectations of the psychological content? Well, diving into the book without reading a blurb, I wasn’t really expecting something of a particular kind. However, I do remember postponing reading this book in favor of more catchy titled books.
What’s my impression after reading the book? I wish it had a different title. Not that there’s anything wrong with the current one but somehow it didn’t appeal to me as much as the book did.
Pick up this book at your own peril because it will hook you right in and you will feel like devouring it in a one sitting read which is not very easy since it’s a 224 page book (unless of course, you take a day off, hire a babysitter, refuse to open the door and have ready-to-eat meals by your side). Anyway, I finished the book in 2 days amongst chaos and craziness that has enveloped my personal and professional life so that should give you a hint of what the book does to the reader.
One important thing that I wanted to mention was that since I do most of my reading during my to and fro commuting by the metro (tube), it was really difficult to read this book and yet get down at my stop or change metros. Yeah, as soon as I opened my Kindle, my eyes were hooked, my brain even more so, my ears turned into sound-proof doors, my comfort/discomfort of standing, being pushed by strangers, being jostled by the crowd ceased to effect me and I had to put this alarm in my head to listen after an appropriate amount of time if my station was coming yet. Wow! Seriously I loved this book, never have I been so engrossed in a book as to keep out the noisy, irritating chatter of other passengers. And I read every single day on the metro!
It was just amazing – the plot, mind-blowing; the characters, everyday people you meet and some we don’t meet (and wouldn’t like to), interesting nevertheless and real (a very important thing) and the pace – ah!mazing (especially the first 50%).
The book is so good as a thriller that I waited with bated breath at times wondering what would happen next, crying and praying for the characters. Just wow!
Although I might say the second half of the book could do with some editing but then perhaps not. It required that kind of build-up to seem entirely realistic. It’s just my impatience regarding ‘when is that going to happen?!!’ that’s speaking.
Overall, a great book. Especially recommended for people who love thrillers and crime books. Go get it now!
October 3, 2012
What a great book! It’s scary, suspensfull and very thought provoking. It will keep you grab you and not let you go, even after you’ve read the last word.
This book is about something that every mother fears…her child in danger. It shows what lengths you would go to, to make sure your child is safe.
Much happens in this book and if you decide to read it, make sure you have first the time, and second won’t be interrupted. It’s hard to put down.
This book is about something that every mother fears…her child in danger. It shows what lengths you would go to, to make sure your child is safe.
Much happens in this book and if you decide to read it, make sure you have first the time, and second won’t be interrupted. It’s hard to put down.
October 3, 2012
What a fantastic story, this had it all while keeping me on the edge of my seat. At only 222 pages this seriously left a thrilling impression on me. A mothers instinct will take priority over everything when it means protecting her child from life or death.
Primal was so much more than I expected, great characters, intense situations, the flow and energy, dialogue, plot and overall I found it came together and was believable.
Alison and her husband Hank decide to take their 8 year old son on his choice of vacation. They were expecting Disney but he chose a fishing trip. The petite put together mom does not have the ruffing it out look but she will not let her family down even though she could have got out of it.
We have the Bourne brothers whose mom's parental upbringing was loving to them but not trusting to the world which created monsters with her unorthodox psychotic way of thinking. I enjoyed the similar spark of the moms love for their families. The metaphors used throughout the story were very well done.
When these families come together by accident it is non stop action, hold onto your seats, you will not want to stop reading, completely engaged, you will get wrapped up and lost in this adventure. Some hardcore kick ass scenes, makes you say whoa. I was thinking, we are not even 50% in the story where would DA Serra go next.
The middle of the story is about dealing with the tragedies, the critical incidents that happened on the fishing vacation that was a matter of life and death. Alison has post traumatic stress and you then start wondering is she going crazy, how much help does she need or are her thoughts real. This part of the story was emotional and heartbreaking but Alison is an amazing strong female character.
Hank was such a supportive loving husband that was dealing with his own emotions and guilt to assist her. Finally he had to make some tough love choices which was like a slap in her face. This takes us towards the ending.
What a great wrap up ending, even if you figure it out it is still shocking, very well executed. I was thoroughly impressed and entertained throughout. I thought this can cross over to many genre fans appreciating it but it is a Thriller. You get Suspense, Romance, Adult Fiction, Crime all wrapped up to create a memorable story. Another read for the men in your life, they will appreciate as much as females.
Primal was so much more than I expected, great characters, intense situations, the flow and energy, dialogue, plot and overall I found it came together and was believable.
Alison and her husband Hank decide to take their 8 year old son on his choice of vacation. They were expecting Disney but he chose a fishing trip. The petite put together mom does not have the ruffing it out look but she will not let her family down even though she could have got out of it.
We have the Bourne brothers whose mom's parental upbringing was loving to them but not trusting to the world which created monsters with her unorthodox psychotic way of thinking. I enjoyed the similar spark of the moms love for their families. The metaphors used throughout the story were very well done.
When these families come together by accident it is non stop action, hold onto your seats, you will not want to stop reading, completely engaged, you will get wrapped up and lost in this adventure. Some hardcore kick ass scenes, makes you say whoa. I was thinking, we are not even 50% in the story where would DA Serra go next.
The middle of the story is about dealing with the tragedies, the critical incidents that happened on the fishing vacation that was a matter of life and death. Alison has post traumatic stress and you then start wondering is she going crazy, how much help does she need or are her thoughts real. This part of the story was emotional and heartbreaking but Alison is an amazing strong female character.
Hank was such a supportive loving husband that was dealing with his own emotions and guilt to assist her. Finally he had to make some tough love choices which was like a slap in her face. This takes us towards the ending.
What a great wrap up ending, even if you figure it out it is still shocking, very well executed. I was thoroughly impressed and entertained throughout. I thought this can cross over to many genre fans appreciating it but it is a Thriller. You get Suspense, Romance, Adult Fiction, Crime all wrapped up to create a memorable story. Another read for the men in your life, they will appreciate as much as females.
February 7, 2013
Primal is One of those stories that grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let go. A happy family who ask their son what he most wants to do for his birthday..he says he wants to go camping. Alison, Hank and Jimmy set off on their camping trip and arrive at the camp which consists of some old cabins and a lodge on an island. They have to get there by boat and there is no cell phone coverage. A parallel story is about three brothers who break their fourth brother out of prison and head to Canada. The motor on their boat stops and they find themselves on the same island as the happy campers. From that point on there are no more happy people. Instead they have to fend for their lives against these evil men.
Alison is the only one who was not in the lodge when the brothers enter. She sees what happens in the lodge and must use her wits and cunning to save her husband and child and the other campers.
This book is a very well written, scary story of a when a mother's fierce instincts take over, like a mother bear, she will not stop until her cub is safe. I love a good scary story with a strong female character and I was not disappointed.
Alison is the only one who was not in the lodge when the brothers enter. She sees what happens in the lodge and must use her wits and cunning to save her husband and child and the other campers.
This book is a very well written, scary story of a when a mother's fierce instincts take over, like a mother bear, she will not stop until her cub is safe. I love a good scary story with a strong female character and I was not disappointed.
August 6, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/mini-rev...
Primal is dark, gritty and suspenseful. When a camping trip goes wrong, it’s up to one mother to save her family when four armed men invade their holiday home. Will she kill them, or watch her family die? The story was intense, and the characters were great, especially Alison.
Primal is dark, gritty and suspenseful. When a camping trip goes wrong, it’s up to one mother to save her family when four armed men invade their holiday home. Will she kill them, or watch her family die? The story was intense, and the characters were great, especially Alison.
February 12, 2013
We were given a copy of this book by Virtual Author Book Tours for our fair and honest review.
*Giveaway* of PRIMAL going on at
http://awalkonwords.blogspot.com/2013...
Enter to win! Open International and you must be 13 years or older
Dani’s rating: 5 stars
Steph’s rating: 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars
This review can also be found at:
http://awalkonwords.blogspot.com/
Dani’s Review:
When Alison Kraft's son Jimmy asks to go to a fishing camp far, far away from civilization for his birthday, the Kraft family's world is thrown into pandemonium...
Primal is truly a staggering crime and psychological thriller. The fact that it is D. A. Serra’s debut novel makes it all the more stupefying, and readers will be left eagerly anticipating more works from this promising new author. Readers will find themselves holding their breaths as they read about the fatal fishing trip that changes Alison, once a rather quiet and shy schoolteacher, into a primal “animal” who will do whatever it takes to save her family. D.A. Serra’s writing style completely submerges the reader in the story and renders the entire plotline believable and utterly real.
What really made this book amazing is D.A Serra's writing. She carefully manipulated simple words to convey each character’s emotions. She is a MASTER of words, making each individual scene blossom vividly in my mind. I am in awe of this amazing lady! Primal would make an AWESOME movie, especially since James Cameron would be directing it! Ms. Serra changed the point of view between both major and minor characters so I could really understand each character’s different yet somehow connected lives. A prison warden who guards a dangerous murderer unknowingly is the catalyst for the Kraft family’s unfortunate “vacation to hell”. Somehow Ms. Serra tied all her characters together even though some had never met each other! Flawless writing.
Primal could almost be classified as a psychological thriller because of the emotions of the characters. It was really interesting to get inside the killer’s mind and find out how they think--how they could quell the lives of innocents without any qualms. The Kraft family, especially Alison had to recover from their trip and return to their normal lives. Alison battles her tumultuous emotions and attempts to go against her instincts. She thinks that the killer is hunting her and her family. But, when she tries to take controversial precautions including buying two HUGE guns, she is ostracized by her closest allies, her family. No one believes her. The entire community thinks she’s crazy.
The vivid descriptions in Primal are a lot like movie scenes. Let me show you a passage from Primal to show you what I mean...
Dan says to Hank,"Maybe you should have left her at the spa."
Hank defends, "Hey, she's a trooper. She came along and it--"
The front door bursts open! Violent winds and sheeting rain blast into the room along with the four Burne brothers. Around the dinner table, mouths drop open and eyes widen.
The theme of the word "primal" appears often in this book. Well, it is called Primal. This book involves how people can revert to their primal instincts when circumstances call for them to emerge. When Alison's son Jimmy is threatened, she is willing to sacrifice herself to save him. This is only the beginning of her newfound intuition.
My words do not give justice to how good Primal is. Even if you don't like thrillers very much, I advise you to still read Primal! Before reading Primal, I didn't like thrillers very much because they are often not realistic, but Primal has changed my mindset. Okay, so a part of Primal's plot may not seem very realistic, but Ms. Serra sucked me into the plot and her writing made the entire thing seem believable! So get your hands on a copy of Primal now! Or...Enter our giveaway tomorrow for a PDF of PRIMAL! Also, there will be an interview with Mrs. Serra tomorrow.
Steph's Thoughts:
Like Dani stated, reading Primal is almost like watching a movie. Every scene, every action, and every thought in Primal is described in such thorough detail, almost as if an image is being directly painted into your mind. A lot of the times, readers will want a book to "get to the point" because lots of description can really drag on, but D.A. Serra manages to weave her words together in a way that gives you lots of information, while still keeping you completely engrossed in the book. It is truly one of a kind.
Because of all these descriptions, you are able to connect to the main characters to what feels like molecular level. I know I did. All of the suspense and tension Serra creates throughout really builds up to an absolutely explosive climactic point that I actually wasn't expecting. I felt scared for Alison, and somehow I felt scared for myself too. Reading Primal just leaves you with a completely indescribable feeling, because you know that the events in it could really happen to anyone--including yourself. This work is very original, and is like a good dose of reality especially to a paranormal fiction reader (i.e. me).
I recommend this to everyone! You will be amazed by Primal's story and D.A. Serra's writing style, and you will be left with an unforgettable feeling!
*Giveaway* of PRIMAL going on at
http://awalkonwords.blogspot.com/2013...
Enter to win! Open International and you must be 13 years or older
Dani’s rating: 5 stars
Steph’s rating: 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars
This review can also be found at:
http://awalkonwords.blogspot.com/
Dani’s Review:
When Alison Kraft's son Jimmy asks to go to a fishing camp far, far away from civilization for his birthday, the Kraft family's world is thrown into pandemonium...
Primal is truly a staggering crime and psychological thriller. The fact that it is D. A. Serra’s debut novel makes it all the more stupefying, and readers will be left eagerly anticipating more works from this promising new author. Readers will find themselves holding their breaths as they read about the fatal fishing trip that changes Alison, once a rather quiet and shy schoolteacher, into a primal “animal” who will do whatever it takes to save her family. D.A. Serra’s writing style completely submerges the reader in the story and renders the entire plotline believable and utterly real.
What really made this book amazing is D.A Serra's writing. She carefully manipulated simple words to convey each character’s emotions. She is a MASTER of words, making each individual scene blossom vividly in my mind. I am in awe of this amazing lady! Primal would make an AWESOME movie, especially since James Cameron would be directing it! Ms. Serra changed the point of view between both major and minor characters so I could really understand each character’s different yet somehow connected lives. A prison warden who guards a dangerous murderer unknowingly is the catalyst for the Kraft family’s unfortunate “vacation to hell”. Somehow Ms. Serra tied all her characters together even though some had never met each other! Flawless writing.
Primal could almost be classified as a psychological thriller because of the emotions of the characters. It was really interesting to get inside the killer’s mind and find out how they think--how they could quell the lives of innocents without any qualms. The Kraft family, especially Alison had to recover from their trip and return to their normal lives. Alison battles her tumultuous emotions and attempts to go against her instincts. She thinks that the killer is hunting her and her family. But, when she tries to take controversial precautions including buying two HUGE guns, she is ostracized by her closest allies, her family. No one believes her. The entire community thinks she’s crazy.
The vivid descriptions in Primal are a lot like movie scenes. Let me show you a passage from Primal to show you what I mean...
Dan says to Hank,"Maybe you should have left her at the spa."
Hank defends, "Hey, she's a trooper. She came along and it--"
The front door bursts open! Violent winds and sheeting rain blast into the room along with the four Burne brothers. Around the dinner table, mouths drop open and eyes widen.
The theme of the word "primal" appears often in this book. Well, it is called Primal. This book involves how people can revert to their primal instincts when circumstances call for them to emerge. When Alison's son Jimmy is threatened, she is willing to sacrifice herself to save him. This is only the beginning of her newfound intuition.
My words do not give justice to how good Primal is. Even if you don't like thrillers very much, I advise you to still read Primal! Before reading Primal, I didn't like thrillers very much because they are often not realistic, but Primal has changed my mindset. Okay, so a part of Primal's plot may not seem very realistic, but Ms. Serra sucked me into the plot and her writing made the entire thing seem believable! So get your hands on a copy of Primal now! Or...Enter our giveaway tomorrow for a PDF of PRIMAL! Also, there will be an interview with Mrs. Serra tomorrow.
Steph's Thoughts:
Like Dani stated, reading Primal is almost like watching a movie. Every scene, every action, and every thought in Primal is described in such thorough detail, almost as if an image is being directly painted into your mind. A lot of the times, readers will want a book to "get to the point" because lots of description can really drag on, but D.A. Serra manages to weave her words together in a way that gives you lots of information, while still keeping you completely engrossed in the book. It is truly one of a kind.
Because of all these descriptions, you are able to connect to the main characters to what feels like molecular level. I know I did. All of the suspense and tension Serra creates throughout really builds up to an absolutely explosive climactic point that I actually wasn't expecting. I felt scared for Alison, and somehow I felt scared for myself too. Reading Primal just leaves you with a completely indescribable feeling, because you know that the events in it could really happen to anyone--including yourself. This work is very original, and is like a good dose of reality especially to a paranormal fiction reader (i.e. me).
I recommend this to everyone! You will be amazed by Primal's story and D.A. Serra's writing style, and you will be left with an unforgettable feeling!
May 23, 2021
Just loved it!
August 19, 2021
“The Most Dangerous Place On Earth Is Between A Mother And Her Child”
Primal by name and Primal by nature, just about sums up this skillfully written, high octane and intensely powerful psychological thriller.
Primal love, longing, fear, hatred, loathing, violence, survival, retribution … the adjectives just keep coming to mind, to evoke the descriptive power, intensity and sheer strength of the writing, which held me mesmerised and in thrall, from the very first, to the very last word and beyond.
This is a perfectly plotted and plausible illustration, of just how one single moment in time, as an innocent bystander, can set in motion a chain of actions, which can change lives forever, damage the very fabric of a family with events which are so ferocious and stir up such raw and fierce emotions, that the consequences can chill to the bone.
An intriguing, well drawn, totally believable and unforgettable cast of characters, wove a plot and dialogue so full of realism and intensity, that I was constantly on the edge of my seat and engrossed, with the adrenaline pumping, as I tried to anticipate their next move.
Sitting on the outside looking in, I could almost feel the tension and intensity of the moment when Alison realises that Hank and Jimmy are in terrible danger, with the threat of their deaths being dangled as bait, in an attempt to make her capitulate and give herself up to her fate, along with her family and their camping companions.
However, this disparate, desperate and dysfunctional family gang of four brothers, completely loyal to each other in an almost unrestricted, cruel and lawless way, totally underestimates just what lengths Alison will go to, to protect and save the ones she loves. Using new found skills and a strength that she doesn’t know she possesses, her retribution and vengeance, against these would be assassins knows no bounds or limits in its violence and finality … Alison is not about to take prisoners!
Having been an only child, Alison, a normally mild mannered and quiet teacher, lives in her insular world, shying away from even her husbands large and boisterous family and the emotional demands that makes on her. However, not even the power of family connection can prepare any of them for the intensity of the reactions which Alison exhibits in the aftermath of that fateful day. Even though physically her body has healed, her personality seems changed almost beyond recognition and her mind is honed into a constantly alert and defensive state, her senses more acute, focused and single-minded in her belief that the family’s ordeal is not yet over.
Despite Deborah introducing a couple of stabilising and calming characters to the mix, who mediate between the couple and try to reassure Alison that her constant fears are unsubstantiated, to husband Hank, it begins to look as though Alison has completely forgotten that both he and Jimmy are also constantly re-living the terrible events, of what started out out as quality family bonding time together and resulted in them all seeing things which will be indelibly etched on their consciousness forever. Just when it seems that the family are destined to separate and be irrevocably ripped apart at this crucial time in their recovery, Alison discovers that her female intuition, or mothers survival instinct, call it what you will, has not left her and that all her fears culminate in one last and very final chapter in the story, when her resolve and energy reserves will be put to the ultimate test, before she can relax and allow her mind and body to recover, as she refocuses on her family, safe in the knowledge that she has done her duty and been prepared to lay down her own life to protect the ones she loves and holds most dear.
Deborah has seamlessly adapted her screenwriting skills into writing a novel replete in observational details, full of mature and thoughtful dialogue, deep and emotional thought and containing excellent storytelling techniques in short and ‘punchy’ chapters, very reminiscent of the scenes in a film.
I can definitely see why ‘Primal’ might have started life as a screenplay and personally I think, that with the right cast, it has the makings of an excellent film.
Primal by name and Primal by nature, just about sums up this skillfully written, high octane and intensely powerful psychological thriller.
Primal love, longing, fear, hatred, loathing, violence, survival, retribution … the adjectives just keep coming to mind, to evoke the descriptive power, intensity and sheer strength of the writing, which held me mesmerised and in thrall, from the very first, to the very last word and beyond.
This is a perfectly plotted and plausible illustration, of just how one single moment in time, as an innocent bystander, can set in motion a chain of actions, which can change lives forever, damage the very fabric of a family with events which are so ferocious and stir up such raw and fierce emotions, that the consequences can chill to the bone.
An intriguing, well drawn, totally believable and unforgettable cast of characters, wove a plot and dialogue so full of realism and intensity, that I was constantly on the edge of my seat and engrossed, with the adrenaline pumping, as I tried to anticipate their next move.
Sitting on the outside looking in, I could almost feel the tension and intensity of the moment when Alison realises that Hank and Jimmy are in terrible danger, with the threat of their deaths being dangled as bait, in an attempt to make her capitulate and give herself up to her fate, along with her family and their camping companions.
However, this disparate, desperate and dysfunctional family gang of four brothers, completely loyal to each other in an almost unrestricted, cruel and lawless way, totally underestimates just what lengths Alison will go to, to protect and save the ones she loves. Using new found skills and a strength that she doesn’t know she possesses, her retribution and vengeance, against these would be assassins knows no bounds or limits in its violence and finality … Alison is not about to take prisoners!
Having been an only child, Alison, a normally mild mannered and quiet teacher, lives in her insular world, shying away from even her husbands large and boisterous family and the emotional demands that makes on her. However, not even the power of family connection can prepare any of them for the intensity of the reactions which Alison exhibits in the aftermath of that fateful day. Even though physically her body has healed, her personality seems changed almost beyond recognition and her mind is honed into a constantly alert and defensive state, her senses more acute, focused and single-minded in her belief that the family’s ordeal is not yet over.
Despite Deborah introducing a couple of stabilising and calming characters to the mix, who mediate between the couple and try to reassure Alison that her constant fears are unsubstantiated, to husband Hank, it begins to look as though Alison has completely forgotten that both he and Jimmy are also constantly re-living the terrible events, of what started out out as quality family bonding time together and resulted in them all seeing things which will be indelibly etched on their consciousness forever. Just when it seems that the family are destined to separate and be irrevocably ripped apart at this crucial time in their recovery, Alison discovers that her female intuition, or mothers survival instinct, call it what you will, has not left her and that all her fears culminate in one last and very final chapter in the story, when her resolve and energy reserves will be put to the ultimate test, before she can relax and allow her mind and body to recover, as she refocuses on her family, safe in the knowledge that she has done her duty and been prepared to lay down her own life to protect the ones she loves and holds most dear.
Deborah has seamlessly adapted her screenwriting skills into writing a novel replete in observational details, full of mature and thoughtful dialogue, deep and emotional thought and containing excellent storytelling techniques in short and ‘punchy’ chapters, very reminiscent of the scenes in a film.
I can definitely see why ‘Primal’ might have started life as a screenplay and personally I think, that with the right cast, it has the makings of an excellent film.
October 7, 2012
Original post here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/10/primal-blog-tour-review-giveaway-primal.html
Brilliant! That is really the only word I have to describe this book. Primal just takes you to a place that is fast paced, aggressive, emotional, and well...primal (couldn't help it). This is a story I will be telling everyone to read because I think it is essential for people to. This may not be based on a real story, but it felt that way. You get an instant connection these characters and the situation that has been forced on to them. One of my favorite reads this year and I can guarantee that it will most likely be one of yours as well.
I love our characters. It feels so real. I couldn't help but just imagine myself and people I know as these characters. It is hard not to place yourself in this book. Our main character Alison is a school teacher, a wife, and a mother. She is a sweet and loving woman who likes to bury herself in books. To treat her son for his birthday, they go on a fishing trip at an old cabin. Sadly, they were not aware of the prisoner (who is on death row) who escaped with his equally psychotic brothers heading at the same lodge. Alison finds herself outside looking in while her son and husband are trapped inside with the murderers. Alison starts off scared, but something quickly takes over her and she will fight to the death to save her family. And all of this happens in the first half of the book. There is not just one climax and then it is over. There is so much more.
I love how we dive into her family and how their lives are after what happened as well. Her husband Hank loves her so much and like at the lodge, he feels helpless to help Alison. There is so much disconnect between them. Hank was a great supporting husband and seeing him struggle with himself and with trying to connect with his wife was heartbreaking. I was most proud of their son Jimmy. Being a kid, he is able to look at the situation in a different way. The more he shares it with his friends, the more he feels like he was part of a game and it doesn't scare him. Then we have Ben, the main criminal. He was nothing like his brothers, he knew the right things to say, how to be calm and had great instincts and it made him more terrifying. All the brothers put you on edge, but Ben was just too calculating.
This book started off as a screenplay which has been purchased by James Cameron himself and for good reason. This book would make a fantastic film. The plot in Primal will have your face buried in it. The suspense and the intensity is almost staggering. You will have a hard time taking your eyes away from it. The story is just incredible because it shows things from both sides. We have Alison trying to save everyone in the cabin and we have the new her adjusting to life after the chaos. Just reading this, you feel all the emotions they are going through and with Alison, it is the toughest. She is lost, full of fear, anxiety, and anger. I won't give too much away, but I couldn't blame her.
Primal is a book that will be stuck in your head for a very long time. It forces you to ask yourself, “What would you do? How far are you willing to go to save those you love?” This is one hell of a debut. Serra has quite honestly written a classic. She even even takes it all a step further by showing us the aftermath. I mean how do you adjust to life after something like this? Can you ever find balance? Can you ever get back to what is normal? Primal definitely strikes a chord especially if you are a mother. This is an intense, psychological thriller that will leave a mark. It holds no punches and it will leave you breathless. If you are looking for a thriller to add to your bookshelf, look no further. Primal is an absolute must read.
Brilliant! That is really the only word I have to describe this book. Primal just takes you to a place that is fast paced, aggressive, emotional, and well...primal (couldn't help it). This is a story I will be telling everyone to read because I think it is essential for people to. This may not be based on a real story, but it felt that way. You get an instant connection these characters and the situation that has been forced on to them. One of my favorite reads this year and I can guarantee that it will most likely be one of yours as well.
I love our characters. It feels so real. I couldn't help but just imagine myself and people I know as these characters. It is hard not to place yourself in this book. Our main character Alison is a school teacher, a wife, and a mother. She is a sweet and loving woman who likes to bury herself in books. To treat her son for his birthday, they go on a fishing trip at an old cabin. Sadly, they were not aware of the prisoner (who is on death row) who escaped with his equally psychotic brothers heading at the same lodge. Alison finds herself outside looking in while her son and husband are trapped inside with the murderers. Alison starts off scared, but something quickly takes over her and she will fight to the death to save her family. And all of this happens in the first half of the book. There is not just one climax and then it is over. There is so much more.
I love how we dive into her family and how their lives are after what happened as well. Her husband Hank loves her so much and like at the lodge, he feels helpless to help Alison. There is so much disconnect between them. Hank was a great supporting husband and seeing him struggle with himself and with trying to connect with his wife was heartbreaking. I was most proud of their son Jimmy. Being a kid, he is able to look at the situation in a different way. The more he shares it with his friends, the more he feels like he was part of a game and it doesn't scare him. Then we have Ben, the main criminal. He was nothing like his brothers, he knew the right things to say, how to be calm and had great instincts and it made him more terrifying. All the brothers put you on edge, but Ben was just too calculating.
This book started off as a screenplay which has been purchased by James Cameron himself and for good reason. This book would make a fantastic film. The plot in Primal will have your face buried in it. The suspense and the intensity is almost staggering. You will have a hard time taking your eyes away from it. The story is just incredible because it shows things from both sides. We have Alison trying to save everyone in the cabin and we have the new her adjusting to life after the chaos. Just reading this, you feel all the emotions they are going through and with Alison, it is the toughest. She is lost, full of fear, anxiety, and anger. I won't give too much away, but I couldn't blame her.
Primal is a book that will be stuck in your head for a very long time. It forces you to ask yourself, “What would you do? How far are you willing to go to save those you love?” This is one hell of a debut. Serra has quite honestly written a classic. She even even takes it all a step further by showing us the aftermath. I mean how do you adjust to life after something like this? Can you ever find balance? Can you ever get back to what is normal? Primal definitely strikes a chord especially if you are a mother. This is an intense, psychological thriller that will leave a mark. It holds no punches and it will leave you breathless. If you are looking for a thriller to add to your bookshelf, look no further. Primal is an absolute must read.
December 16, 2012
Original post here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/10/primal-blog-tour-review-giveaway-primal.html
Brilliant! That is really the only word I have to describe this book. Primal just takes you to a place that is fast paced, aggressive, emotional, and well...primal (couldn't help it). This is a story I will be telling everyone to read because I think it is essential for people to. This may not be based on a real story, but it felt that way. You get an instant connection these characters and the situation that has been forced on to them. One of my favorite reads this year and I can guarantee that it will most likely be one of yours as well.
I love our characters. It feels so real. I couldn't help but just imagine myself and people I know as these characters. It is hard not to place yourself in this book. Our main character Alison is a school teacher, a wife, and a mother. She is a sweet and loving woman who likes to bury herself in books. To treat her son for his birthday, they go on a fishing trip at an old cabin. Sadly, they were not aware of the prisoner (who is on death row) who escaped with his equally psychotic brothers heading at the same lodge. Alison finds herself outside looking in while her son and husband are trapped inside with the murderers. Alison starts off scared, but something quickly takes over her and she will fight to the death to save her family. And all of this happens in the first half of the book. There is not just one climax and then it is over. There is so much more.
I love how we dive into her family and how their lives are after what happened as well. Her husband Hank loves her so much and like at the lodge, he feels helpless to help Alison. There is so much disconnect between them. Hank was a great supporting husband and seeing him struggle with himself and with trying to connect with his wife was heartbreaking. I was most proud of their son Jimmy. Being a kid, he is able to look at the situation in a different way. The more he shares it with his friends, the more he feels like he was part of a game and it doesn't scare him. Then we have Ben, the main criminal. He was nothing like his brothers, he knew the right things to say, how to be calm and had great instincts and it made him more terrifying. All the brothers put you on edge, but Ben was just too calculating.
This book started off as a screenplay which has been purchased by James Cameron himself and for good reason. This book would make a fantastic film. The plot in Primal will have your face buried in it. The suspense and the intensity is almost staggering. You will have a hard time taking your eyes away from it. The story is just incredible because it shows things from both sides. We have Alison trying to save everyone in the cabin and we have the new her adjusting to life after the chaos. Just reading this, you feel all the emotions they are going through and with Alison, it is the toughest. She is lost, full of fear, anxiety, and anger. I won't give too much away, but I couldn't blame her.
Primal is a book that will be stuck in your head for a very long time. It forces you to ask yourself, “What would you do? How far are you willing to go to save those you love?” This is one hell of a debut. Serra has quite honestly written a classic. She even even takes it all a step further by showing us the aftermath. I mean how do you adjust to life after something like this? Can you ever find balance? Can you ever get back to what is normal? Primal definitely strikes a chord especially if you are a mother. This is an intense, psychological thriller that will leave a mark. It holds no punches and it will leave you breathless. If you are looking for a thriller to add to your bookshelf, look no further. Primal is an absolute must read.
Brilliant! That is really the only word I have to describe this book. Primal just takes you to a place that is fast paced, aggressive, emotional, and well...primal (couldn't help it). This is a story I will be telling everyone to read because I think it is essential for people to. This may not be based on a real story, but it felt that way. You get an instant connection these characters and the situation that has been forced on to them. One of my favorite reads this year and I can guarantee that it will most likely be one of yours as well.
I love our characters. It feels so real. I couldn't help but just imagine myself and people I know as these characters. It is hard not to place yourself in this book. Our main character Alison is a school teacher, a wife, and a mother. She is a sweet and loving woman who likes to bury herself in books. To treat her son for his birthday, they go on a fishing trip at an old cabin. Sadly, they were not aware of the prisoner (who is on death row) who escaped with his equally psychotic brothers heading at the same lodge. Alison finds herself outside looking in while her son and husband are trapped inside with the murderers. Alison starts off scared, but something quickly takes over her and she will fight to the death to save her family. And all of this happens in the first half of the book. There is not just one climax and then it is over. There is so much more.
I love how we dive into her family and how their lives are after what happened as well. Her husband Hank loves her so much and like at the lodge, he feels helpless to help Alison. There is so much disconnect between them. Hank was a great supporting husband and seeing him struggle with himself and with trying to connect with his wife was heartbreaking. I was most proud of their son Jimmy. Being a kid, he is able to look at the situation in a different way. The more he shares it with his friends, the more he feels like he was part of a game and it doesn't scare him. Then we have Ben, the main criminal. He was nothing like his brothers, he knew the right things to say, how to be calm and had great instincts and it made him more terrifying. All the brothers put you on edge, but Ben was just too calculating.
This book started off as a screenplay which has been purchased by James Cameron himself and for good reason. This book would make a fantastic film. The plot in Primal will have your face buried in it. The suspense and the intensity is almost staggering. You will have a hard time taking your eyes away from it. The story is just incredible because it shows things from both sides. We have Alison trying to save everyone in the cabin and we have the new her adjusting to life after the chaos. Just reading this, you feel all the emotions they are going through and with Alison, it is the toughest. She is lost, full of fear, anxiety, and anger. I won't give too much away, but I couldn't blame her.
Primal is a book that will be stuck in your head for a very long time. It forces you to ask yourself, “What would you do? How far are you willing to go to save those you love?” This is one hell of a debut. Serra has quite honestly written a classic. She even even takes it all a step further by showing us the aftermath. I mean how do you adjust to life after something like this? Can you ever find balance? Can you ever get back to what is normal? Primal definitely strikes a chord especially if you are a mother. This is an intense, psychological thriller that will leave a mark. It holds no punches and it will leave you breathless. If you are looking for a thriller to add to your bookshelf, look no further. Primal is an absolute must read.
February 20, 2013
3.5 stars
By its very definition, a thriller should be just that, a book that gives the reader a thrill while he or she is vicariously living through the protagonist’s crisis, a book that makes the reader feel the intensity of the moment and experience at least a little bit of fear. In that regard, Primal does not disappoint, and the visceral collison of two families with very different moral essences is indeed intense, but there are a few things I didn’t care for.
First, I detest the use of present tense, especially in crime fiction, and the author is apparently not entirely comfortable with it either as there are a number of instances when she slips into past tense for a sentence or two. I really don’t understand why any crime fiction writer thinks using present tense is a good idea but I’m at least very grateful that the author didn’t also use first person.
Also, during the first half or so of the book, the entire part dealing with the events on the island, I felt as though I was reading the activities of a director in the midst of making a movie, complete with the occasional exclamation point to notify the actors that this is a moment of FEAR or EXCITEMENT. I suppose I should have expected this since the author is a former screenwriter and, in fact, this story first saw the light of day as a screenplay.
Another thing that added to the feeling of reading a movie script was the rapidly changing scenes and the sheer coincidences that took place, not to mention the uncanny luck of the protagonist. Add to those the shallow depictions of the hostages other than the family and you’ve got a movie in the making. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the guy who manages to move a quarter mile in a matter of minutes despite a horrendous impediment.
Then comes the second part of the book and this is where I felt Ms. Serra really showed her strength as a writer. Watching Alison’s descent into near-madness and being very unsure whether it really is madness or if she is right to be so afraid and on edge is a tale all in itself. All the media attention is certainly to be expected, as is the abrupt cessation of that attention when another story grabs the spotlight. It’s also understandable that the police believe she is over-compensating for what she has gone through.
The heart of all this is the painful deterioration of not only Alison’s very existence but also the lives of those who care about her, whether they be her husband and child or other family or friends and co-workers. This part of the story is what forces the reader to keep on till the end because we simply must know—is it real or all imagined? I was confident that I knew the answer to that question early on but how it would be resolved was a different matter entirely and I’m glad I hung around to find out. When all is said and done, though, I think this would make a better movie than a book.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, February 2013.
By its very definition, a thriller should be just that, a book that gives the reader a thrill while he or she is vicariously living through the protagonist’s crisis, a book that makes the reader feel the intensity of the moment and experience at least a little bit of fear. In that regard, Primal does not disappoint, and the visceral collison of two families with very different moral essences is indeed intense, but there are a few things I didn’t care for.
First, I detest the use of present tense, especially in crime fiction, and the author is apparently not entirely comfortable with it either as there are a number of instances when she slips into past tense for a sentence or two. I really don’t understand why any crime fiction writer thinks using present tense is a good idea but I’m at least very grateful that the author didn’t also use first person.
Also, during the first half or so of the book, the entire part dealing with the events on the island, I felt as though I was reading the activities of a director in the midst of making a movie, complete with the occasional exclamation point to notify the actors that this is a moment of FEAR or EXCITEMENT. I suppose I should have expected this since the author is a former screenwriter and, in fact, this story first saw the light of day as a screenplay.
Another thing that added to the feeling of reading a movie script was the rapidly changing scenes and the sheer coincidences that took place, not to mention the uncanny luck of the protagonist. Add to those the shallow depictions of the hostages other than the family and you’ve got a movie in the making. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the guy who manages to move a quarter mile in a matter of minutes despite a horrendous impediment.
Then comes the second part of the book and this is where I felt Ms. Serra really showed her strength as a writer. Watching Alison’s descent into near-madness and being very unsure whether it really is madness or if she is right to be so afraid and on edge is a tale all in itself. All the media attention is certainly to be expected, as is the abrupt cessation of that attention when another story grabs the spotlight. It’s also understandable that the police believe she is over-compensating for what she has gone through.
The heart of all this is the painful deterioration of not only Alison’s very existence but also the lives of those who care about her, whether they be her husband and child or other family or friends and co-workers. This part of the story is what forces the reader to keep on till the end because we simply must know—is it real or all imagined? I was confident that I knew the answer to that question early on but how it would be resolved was a different matter entirely and I’m glad I hung around to find out. When all is said and done, though, I think this would make a better movie than a book.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, February 2013.
January 28, 2016
An exceptional crime thriller pact with a wonderful plot that held your attention from beginning to end. Masterfully planned story line that demanded attention and you are introduced to the Kraft and Burne family so opposite from each other that you wonder how they will come together. Serra managed to hold your imagination as you are introduced to Alison. A real suburban teacher who have never been in the woods, never went on camping trips with no idea of survival. Her husband Hank, her partner and friend, a wonderful father and music lover with their son Jimmy, nine years old with the typical characteristic of a boy of that age. Adorable, sweet and excited about life.
Then you meet Ben, Gravel, Kent and Theo Burne the epitome of evil in its ugliest form. And the seven come together at a fishing ground and it went down hill from there fast and ferocious.
Alison’s delicate system could not handle the outing and she found her self separated from her family and co campers when these evil four are introduced. And we see that what were supposed to be a pleasant weekend away became a nightmare that changed them all forever. Finding each others weakness and strengthens amidst the show down of survival.
When they finally return home Alison, Hank and Jimmy found it difficult to adapt back into normal life. Especially Alison who could not shake the experience leaving her paranoid, on the edge, fearful and bereft from her former self. Yet a hero in every ones eyes. But for some reason she could not go back to her old life, standing guard vegetal at all hours of the day and night. People became scared of her outburst her paranoia to have weapons in the house, alarmed every inch of their home and always looking for that one person who promised to return.
Her marriage and relationship with her son suffered and when she finally decided that maybe this one man will not return, and she let her guard down, then all hell broke loose and yet again she fights for her family. Willing to lay down her life so that they could be free.
Fast paced, with well developed characters, this story keep you at the edge of your chair, not willing to stop to make sure Alison was right and not crazy as every one believed. Telling your self the story could not end in that manner. Hoping it does not.
A book that is definitely one of my favorites for this year and I can recommend to all lovers of thrillers. Creating a sigh at the end as you relax and smile knowing it was all worth it at the end.
Then you meet Ben, Gravel, Kent and Theo Burne the epitome of evil in its ugliest form. And the seven come together at a fishing ground and it went down hill from there fast and ferocious.
Alison’s delicate system could not handle the outing and she found her self separated from her family and co campers when these evil four are introduced. And we see that what were supposed to be a pleasant weekend away became a nightmare that changed them all forever. Finding each others weakness and strengthens amidst the show down of survival.
When they finally return home Alison, Hank and Jimmy found it difficult to adapt back into normal life. Especially Alison who could not shake the experience leaving her paranoid, on the edge, fearful and bereft from her former self. Yet a hero in every ones eyes. But for some reason she could not go back to her old life, standing guard vegetal at all hours of the day and night. People became scared of her outburst her paranoia to have weapons in the house, alarmed every inch of their home and always looking for that one person who promised to return.
Her marriage and relationship with her son suffered and when she finally decided that maybe this one man will not return, and she let her guard down, then all hell broke loose and yet again she fights for her family. Willing to lay down her life so that they could be free.
Fast paced, with well developed characters, this story keep you at the edge of your chair, not willing to stop to make sure Alison was right and not crazy as every one believed. Telling your self the story could not end in that manner. Hoping it does not.
A book that is definitely one of my favorites for this year and I can recommend to all lovers of thrillers. Creating a sigh at the end as you relax and smile knowing it was all worth it at the end.
October 2, 2012
While there are cases where mothers abandon their children, for the most part the bond between mother and child is stronger than anything on earth.
Author D.A. Serra taps into this emotion and creates a story that is a parent’s worst nightmare in her current release, PRIMAL. In this crime thriller, a mother is faced with decisions that will result in life or death for herself and her family.
Allison Kraft is a gentle, loving mother and teacher. She misses life in the city, but is content to live in a small town close to her husband Hank’s family for the sake of their son, Jimmy. For Jimmy’s 9th birthday, the family heads to a cabin in Northern Minnesota for a camping trip.
Meanwhile, psychotic killer Ben Burne escapes from prison and goes on the run with his three brothers. Circumstances brings the Burne brothers to the Kraft cabin where a hostage situation ensues. Allison finds herself on the outside trying to save her family inside. She does whatever is necessary to free them.
When the crisis is over, her family begins to put their lives back together. Allison, however, isn’t convinced the threat is over. Either her maternal instinct is working overtime or she has cracked from the stress.
Serra delivers a suspenseful thriller that is packed with fear, hope, family love, revenge, and desperation. The adrenaline rush will keep you on the edge of your seat anticipating the next move.
The characters are well-developed. Serra gives a sense of balance in both a functioning and dysfunctional family. She draws the reader in with a story that flows smoothly and at a steady pace filled with action and drama.
Serra also paints a beautiful, yet terrifying setting in the woods of Northern Minnesota. Her vivid descriptions places the reader in the scene as the action unfolds.
PRIMAL explores what lengths a mother will go to for her child (in both the Kraft and Burne families). This is a book that is hard to put down and will make you wonder at the same time.
Author D.A. Serra’s website is www.deborahserra.com
Primal by D. A. Serra, Perry Street Pictures Inc., @2012, ISBN: 978-1478198031, Paperback, 222 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure - An eBook copy of this book was sent to me by the author as part of her blog tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Author D.A. Serra taps into this emotion and creates a story that is a parent’s worst nightmare in her current release, PRIMAL. In this crime thriller, a mother is faced with decisions that will result in life or death for herself and her family.
Allison Kraft is a gentle, loving mother and teacher. She misses life in the city, but is content to live in a small town close to her husband Hank’s family for the sake of their son, Jimmy. For Jimmy’s 9th birthday, the family heads to a cabin in Northern Minnesota for a camping trip.
Meanwhile, psychotic killer Ben Burne escapes from prison and goes on the run with his three brothers. Circumstances brings the Burne brothers to the Kraft cabin where a hostage situation ensues. Allison finds herself on the outside trying to save her family inside. She does whatever is necessary to free them.
When the crisis is over, her family begins to put their lives back together. Allison, however, isn’t convinced the threat is over. Either her maternal instinct is working overtime or she has cracked from the stress.
Serra delivers a suspenseful thriller that is packed with fear, hope, family love, revenge, and desperation. The adrenaline rush will keep you on the edge of your seat anticipating the next move.
The characters are well-developed. Serra gives a sense of balance in both a functioning and dysfunctional family. She draws the reader in with a story that flows smoothly and at a steady pace filled with action and drama.
Serra also paints a beautiful, yet terrifying setting in the woods of Northern Minnesota. Her vivid descriptions places the reader in the scene as the action unfolds.
PRIMAL explores what lengths a mother will go to for her child (in both the Kraft and Burne families). This is a book that is hard to put down and will make you wonder at the same time.
Author D.A. Serra’s website is www.deborahserra.com
Primal by D. A. Serra, Perry Street Pictures Inc., @2012, ISBN: 978-1478198031, Paperback, 222 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure - An eBook copy of this book was sent to me by the author as part of her blog tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
February 5, 2013
Rating: 4.5 stars
Full of suspense and intensity, this story hits the ground running from the very first page. Alison and her husband, Hank, are taking their son, Jimmy, on a fishing trip--not exactly Alison's idea of the perfect getaway, but she wants to be a good sport. Unfortunately, a band of evil brothers are heading in the same direction intent on breaking their brother out of jail.
Not long after Alison and her family arrive at the cabin near Lake Superior, an escaped death row inmate and his brothers seek shelter from a storm at the very same area. Alison manages to sneak out the back, but her husband and son are taken hostage. With a fierce determination, Alison realizes she's the only chance the hostages have. She finds a local man, procures a gun, and digs deep to find a way to take out these bad guys.
Even when she thinks she has succeeded, the ringleader escapes. Back at home, facing the press and trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, she knows Ben will come for her. Hank, feeling his own guilt for not being the hero, just wants her to move on. Is she right? Will Ben come for her? Or, is she being paranoid?
The action never lets up, and the author does an incredible job creating a character who harnesses the power to take down a madman, but doesn't know exactly how to handle the power once she unleashes it. As a mother myself, I respected Alison's need to protect her child and understood the lengths to which she needed to go.
But instead of just giving the reader an intriguing story, D.A. Serra really dissected the characters and how they each dealt with such an unimaginable situation. It wasn't just about the action, it was about the human reaction to evil and preserving our families.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like an intense read with the added bonus of well-developed characters. It's a breathtaking ride with heart-pounding moments.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.
Full of suspense and intensity, this story hits the ground running from the very first page. Alison and her husband, Hank, are taking their son, Jimmy, on a fishing trip--not exactly Alison's idea of the perfect getaway, but she wants to be a good sport. Unfortunately, a band of evil brothers are heading in the same direction intent on breaking their brother out of jail.
Not long after Alison and her family arrive at the cabin near Lake Superior, an escaped death row inmate and his brothers seek shelter from a storm at the very same area. Alison manages to sneak out the back, but her husband and son are taken hostage. With a fierce determination, Alison realizes she's the only chance the hostages have. She finds a local man, procures a gun, and digs deep to find a way to take out these bad guys.
Even when she thinks she has succeeded, the ringleader escapes. Back at home, facing the press and trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, she knows Ben will come for her. Hank, feeling his own guilt for not being the hero, just wants her to move on. Is she right? Will Ben come for her? Or, is she being paranoid?
The action never lets up, and the author does an incredible job creating a character who harnesses the power to take down a madman, but doesn't know exactly how to handle the power once she unleashes it. As a mother myself, I respected Alison's need to protect her child and understood the lengths to which she needed to go.
But instead of just giving the reader an intriguing story, D.A. Serra really dissected the characters and how they each dealt with such an unimaginable situation. It wasn't just about the action, it was about the human reaction to evil and preserving our families.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like an intense read with the added bonus of well-developed characters. It's a breathtaking ride with heart-pounding moments.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.
July 7, 2013
After a near perfect introduction and set-up, the action intensifies in a blinding second about 26% into the story. I became fully engaged once the anticipated threat became real and Alison began her tooth and nail battle to protect her innocent child. She had my full support; it was exciting to witness her transformation, and to have been privy to the inner workings of her mind. The author also did a great job painting the dysfunctional and creepy dynamics of the villainous brothers. The men certainly had the brawn, but Alison evolved into an unstoppable force of nature and met the challenge without flinching. I loved cheering for her. The tension and suspense had me in turns either holding my breath or gasping in surprised exhalation!
I particularly loved Thomas! His tactless, irreverent, unrepentant black humor added the perfect level of levity in an otherwise very dark and mentally exhausting period for Alison and her family. I was quite uncomfortable with Alison’s mental condition during this time. I wanted her to get the closure she desperately sought before everything in her life spiraled out of control. I raged against the injustice during this portion of the story.
This could have easily been two separate books; the latter portion delves into the repercussions of Alison’s actions and the toll the ordeal has inflicted on her and her family. While interesting, I really wanted Alison to exhibit more control over her thoughts and actions. However, the final showdown was exhilarating and cathartic. This is an outstanding thriller that I thought about for days afterward.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie
I particularly loved Thomas! His tactless, irreverent, unrepentant black humor added the perfect level of levity in an otherwise very dark and mentally exhausting period for Alison and her family. I was quite uncomfortable with Alison’s mental condition during this time. I wanted her to get the closure she desperately sought before everything in her life spiraled out of control. I raged against the injustice during this portion of the story.
This could have easily been two separate books; the latter portion delves into the repercussions of Alison’s actions and the toll the ordeal has inflicted on her and her family. While interesting, I really wanted Alison to exhibit more control over her thoughts and actions. However, the final showdown was exhilarating and cathartic. This is an outstanding thriller that I thought about for days afterward.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie
June 30, 2013
I loved this book! I liked the initial setup where the reader gets to meet Alison and her family in, really, the calm before the storm. The text there is peppered with hints of what is to come, especially when the novel sometimes shows the perspective of a prison inmate who isn't all that he originally seems to be. Suspense builds because we know that this little vacation they've planned won't be all that they hoped it will be. And I never expected the turn the book would take even after the initial round of action and violence.
This book is definitely gripping. Although sometimes the wording of things threw me off because it was awkwardly put or there was an added exclamation point that made the tone feel off, that never really detracted from my overall attachment to the plot and characters. I really wanted to see what would happen to Alison, her family, and the other hostages on the island. The armed men were genuinely unpredictable, unlike some of the bad guys in books. They don't need any kind of excuse to kill anyone they dislike or feel is unnecessary to them. They think killing is fun. In the beginning of the book, it's even said that one of the guys once killed a person just for sneezing!
I'd highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick, gripping read focusing on a thrilling action-packed narrative. What I really enjoyed about this book, though, is that it didn't rely purely on these moments to carry the rest of the book. In the suspenseful lulls we get to see more into the character dynamics and the little things there which might seem insignificant at first and then all come together to add more to the book.
This book is definitely gripping. Although sometimes the wording of things threw me off because it was awkwardly put or there was an added exclamation point that made the tone feel off, that never really detracted from my overall attachment to the plot and characters. I really wanted to see what would happen to Alison, her family, and the other hostages on the island. The armed men were genuinely unpredictable, unlike some of the bad guys in books. They don't need any kind of excuse to kill anyone they dislike or feel is unnecessary to them. They think killing is fun. In the beginning of the book, it's even said that one of the guys once killed a person just for sneezing!
I'd highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick, gripping read focusing on a thrilling action-packed narrative. What I really enjoyed about this book, though, is that it didn't rely purely on these moments to carry the rest of the book. In the suspenseful lulls we get to see more into the character dynamics and the little things there which might seem insignificant at first and then all come together to add more to the book.
October 27, 2012
Alison is so normal so practically oozes Betty Crocker and plaid skirts. She's a teacher with a small son, married to a man she loves. When the family vacation at a fishing camp goes wrong, she suddenly turns into someone even she doesn't recognize. Her husband and son are taken hostage and Alison realizes it is up to her to save them. She goes to every length possible-physical and emotional-to save the ones she loves. No one believes her when she says the evil isn't over yet. She, and the reader along with everyone in the story, begins to question her only sanity and rationale.
This is such a good story and so scary. But, not in a typical horror-story kind of way. It's a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until you exhale in relief at the very end. The title is perfect! Primal is exactly the level Alison goes to-raw, urgent, fixated on survival! You only usually see this level or raw emotion in male characters so seeing this level of physical and calculating engagement in a female character was so different. The angst of the main character is so primal, so visceral--great stories don't need 'special effects'; the artwork of writing and crafting a good yarn is in perfect example here.
At the end of the story, you're left with the question....What would anyone do in this situation? What would I do? It will leave you puzzling for awhile.
This is such a good story and so scary. But, not in a typical horror-story kind of way. It's a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until you exhale in relief at the very end. The title is perfect! Primal is exactly the level Alison goes to-raw, urgent, fixated on survival! You only usually see this level or raw emotion in male characters so seeing this level of physical and calculating engagement in a female character was so different. The angst of the main character is so primal, so visceral--great stories don't need 'special effects'; the artwork of writing and crafting a good yarn is in perfect example here.
At the end of the story, you're left with the question....What would anyone do in this situation? What would I do? It will leave you puzzling for awhile.
January 30, 2013
Schoolteacher Allison is talked into going on a fishing vacation by her husband, Hank, and son, Jimmy. She would rather be at the spa (me too!). When they arrive at the camp, they meet the others who will be staying in cabins nearby. The common meeting place is a lodge where they meet for meals. There are no phones or Internet ... definitely roughing it.
Ben Burne is in prison and despite being a model prisoner, has been sentenced to death for his crime. With a month to go before he'll be put to death, Ben does the right thing and offers to donate his kidney to a young woman who needs it. He's not going to need it anymore, right?
Ben escapes with the help of his crazy brothers and they head to Canada. On the way, their boat breaks down and that's when things go very badly for the vacationers because that's where the brothers have to stop in for help. Things turn nasty and it's up to Allison to save her family and the others. And yes, things do get worse.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing style. It was fast-paced and kept me wanting to read more. The characters were well-developed. I was cheering Allison on. The Burne Brothers were crazy and that comes through. I could feel Hank's desperation and frustration in wanting to help his wife. I'd recommend this book and will look for more by this author.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/01...
Ben Burne is in prison and despite being a model prisoner, has been sentenced to death for his crime. With a month to go before he'll be put to death, Ben does the right thing and offers to donate his kidney to a young woman who needs it. He's not going to need it anymore, right?
Ben escapes with the help of his crazy brothers and they head to Canada. On the way, their boat breaks down and that's when things go very badly for the vacationers because that's where the brothers have to stop in for help. Things turn nasty and it's up to Allison to save her family and the others. And yes, things do get worse.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing style. It was fast-paced and kept me wanting to read more. The characters were well-developed. I was cheering Allison on. The Burne Brothers were crazy and that comes through. I could feel Hank's desperation and frustration in wanting to help his wife. I'd recommend this book and will look for more by this author.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/01...
February 15, 2013
It was supposed to be a normal camping trip for Alison and her family, and it turned into a nightmare. Four armed men took her family hostage and now a schoolteacher has to kill or watch her family die.
I was absolutely floored by this thriller. D.A. Serra put real characters into a situation that could actually happen and plays it out with the raw ferocity that would actually be there. The armed men are ruthless and they are totally ready to kill if they have to. It’s something they’re very comfortable with but here’s this schoolteacher who has the element of surprise. Her family is inside and if she doesn’t do something, they’ll die. This isn’t a situation that Alison is going to walk away from and be able to return to life as normal the next day. It affects her, it changes her and in ways that you don’t generally see in a novel but make perfect sense once you think about it. Alison’s change from normal soccer mom type to being driven by this primal maternalistic urge to protect her family is riveting. How she has changed also affects her family, friends and their lives. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. Make sure you start this book early otherwise you’re going to be up way past your bedtime.
Thank you to Virtual Author Book Tours and DA Serra for the review copy. It in no way influenced my review.
I was absolutely floored by this thriller. D.A. Serra put real characters into a situation that could actually happen and plays it out with the raw ferocity that would actually be there. The armed men are ruthless and they are totally ready to kill if they have to. It’s something they’re very comfortable with but here’s this schoolteacher who has the element of surprise. Her family is inside and if she doesn’t do something, they’ll die. This isn’t a situation that Alison is going to walk away from and be able to return to life as normal the next day. It affects her, it changes her and in ways that you don’t generally see in a novel but make perfect sense once you think about it. Alison’s change from normal soccer mom type to being driven by this primal maternalistic urge to protect her family is riveting. How she has changed also affects her family, friends and their lives. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. Make sure you start this book early otherwise you’re going to be up way past your bedtime.
Thank you to Virtual Author Book Tours and DA Serra for the review copy. It in no way influenced my review.
July 20, 2013
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Allison has a wonderful life. She’s married to the man of her dreams, has a wonderful 9 year old son, and she’s a great schoolteacher, adored by her students. On her son’s 9th birthday, as his gift, he gets to choose their vacation. To Allison’s dismay, Jimmy chooses to go to a fishing camp. Allison, being a city girl, finds this a gross and dirty endeavor but decides to consider it an adventure. They all get more than they bargain for when four criminals invade the camp. Will she be brave enough to save her family?
This was an amazing novel! When I read the synopsis, I was skeptical. I mean, how could someone, who wrote a fun series like Punky Brewster be able to write a good crime thriller? Well, D. A. Serra delightfully surprised me. The harshness of the criminals is perfectly described. I felt like I was one of the hostages in the lodge watching everything happening. This was an awesome edge of your seat page turner, one that you cannot put down. It is definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
This was an amazing novel! When I read the synopsis, I was skeptical. I mean, how could someone, who wrote a fun series like Punky Brewster be able to write a good crime thriller? Well, D. A. Serra delightfully surprised me. The harshness of the criminals is perfectly described. I felt like I was one of the hostages in the lodge watching everything happening. This was an awesome edge of your seat page turner, one that you cannot put down. It is definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
September 27, 2012
I read this book for Virtual Author Book Tours.
This story grips you from the very first page. Alison thought she was going on a simple vacation with her husband and son. She was wrong....deadly wrong.
This is a story that will stay with you for a long time. It's one of those stories that although it's fiction it could very well happen in real life. You feel what the characters feel... love, fear, determination, anger, confusion, paranoia. Your heart races with every turn of the page.
I often found myself thinking, how would I react if I was Alison? Would I be able to do what she has done? I would hope I would but she has so much guts and determation. If she was a real person I'd love to sit and talk to her about this situation and see what it was really like for her.
This story grips you from the very first page. Alison thought she was going on a simple vacation with her husband and son. She was wrong....deadly wrong.
This is a story that will stay with you for a long time. It's one of those stories that although it's fiction it could very well happen in real life. You feel what the characters feel... love, fear, determination, anger, confusion, paranoia. Your heart races with every turn of the page.
I often found myself thinking, how would I react if I was Alison? Would I be able to do what she has done? I would hope I would but she has so much guts and determation. If she was a real person I'd love to sit and talk to her about this situation and see what it was really like for her.
July 4, 2012
Wow. I could not put this book down!! I started it this afternoon on my kindle and read straight through til the end - I have never been more captivated by a book and so emotionally connected to its characters! This is an absolute MUST read if you love thrillers. I love the fact that it delved into the personal psychology of the characters revealing intimate details of their minds, something you don't generally get in gritty thriller novels. A talented writer with a gift for language, the actions and descriptions were haunting and I found myself sucked into the life of the young mother. What a unique fantastic book.
A MUST READ for thriller lovers!!
A MUST READ for thriller lovers!!
February 21, 2013
I enjoyed this book immensely. There is a lot of suspense with excellent character development. The action moves rapidly. I highly recommend "Primal". I have not been able to find any other books by Serra-- so hopefully something new is in development.
August 14, 2012
You can read my thoughts here.
June 29, 2013
3.75 stars. Suspenseful.
Want to read
October 20, 2012tea time with marce made me do it.
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