Fugitives from Northwoods

The Northwoods Trilogy #1

by Chris Bostic

Eight teenagers escape imprisonment at a work camp to brave the wilderness. Tested to their limits, they struggle to survive their terrifying dash for freedom. After the total collapse of the world economy, the United States could not stand together. So they failed separately. In the small region-state of Winnkota, poverty and greed are turning the idyllic Northwoods of Minnesota into a barren wasteland of clear-cut forests and over-fished lakes. Every able-bodied teenager is conscripted into a labor force and sent to work in harsh, prison-like conditions. They are enslaved young so they never learn to think for themselves. But Penn is different. He's determined to win back freedom-for himself, his friends, and someday for his homeland. On a cold autumn night, the group makes their dash for freedom north of the border. The fugitives endure a series of difficult wilderness challenges while pursued by the ruthless camp guards. They weave through dense forest, scale cliffs, swim through the bitterly cold lakes, and otherwise try simply to survive. Pushing his friends to the breaking point, Penn guides the fugitives through a harsh, but ironically beautiful, backdrop of amazing Northwoods scenery. Adversity and loss abound, all while an unexpected physical attraction leads to a burgeoning love story. Should any of them survive to reach the border, will the freedom found equal all that they expected?

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Survival, Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2013

About the author

Young Adult fiction author of action/adventure novels for the young, and the young at heart -- and now branching out into adult themed works including two new psychological thriller series and a couple of moonshine books too.

New Release! Book Two of the Bootleggers Series is out. Check out Rum Runner, the follow up to Distiller's Run.
http://www.amazon.com/Distillers-Run-...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C2...

The Bourbon Heist Series, another series set in central Kentucky distillery country. A blending of Thriller and Action/Adventure with a hint of Romantic Suspense.
Night Cap - http://www.amazon.com/Night-Bourbon-H...
Double Shot - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086...
Sour Mash - https://www.amazon.com/Sour-Mash-Bour...

The Bourbon Country Series, set in abandoned and working distilleries in central Kentucky. A blending of Romantic Suspense and Psychological Thriller.
http://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Thief-B...
http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Hug-Bo...
http://www.amazon.com/Barrel-Strength...

Also from 2019, my biggest, most popular release was a three book series comprised of Prepper Mountain, Shadow Warriors, and Jailbreak. The novels are essentially wilderness Red Dawn-style adventures set in the Great Smoky Mountains.
http://www.amazon.com/Prepper-Mountai...
http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Warriors...
http://www.amazon.com/Jailbreak-Bushw...

Prior to my newest series, my standalone novel, Creeper Falls was published. It's another classic teen action/adventure that's even more heavy on suspense: http://www.amazon.com/Creeper-Falls-C...

Before Creeper, I released Complex Three, the third in a YA, SciFi, dystopian thriller series. It all started with Savage Hills, an edge-of-your-seat story about teens trapped behind enemy lines. Even if they could, they're not sure really want to make it back to so-called friendly territory. Check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Hills-Ho...

Prior to that series, my latest book was Murder Cove. While not a huge departure from my usual outdoorsy wilderness survival adventures, this one has a bit of an indoors Die Hard feel too--and a nice dose of humor.
On Kindle and paperback.
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Cove-Chr...

One of my more recent releases, Game Changer, is a float trip gone wrong. It's perhaps a bit like Deliverance...for teens.
http://www.amazon.com/Game-Changer-Ch...


Then there's the trilogy, which was finished in 2015. Hard to believe it's come to an end, starting with...
Fugitives from Northwoods -- a dystopian, action/adventure novel:
http://www.amazon.com/Fugitives-North...

Then there's Book 2 in the series, Rebellion in Northwoods. Find it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Rebellion-North...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rebel...

And, finally, Return to Northwoods. The conclusion to my three year labor of love. Out now in ebook and paperback.
http://www.amazon.com/Return-Northwoo...


Look me up on Facebook and send a friend request to "Author Chris Bostic." Also I'm on Instagram @author_chris_bostic and Twitter @cbostic_author

Reviews

[Courtney Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I received this novel, courtesy of the author, in exchange for an honest review **

One of the top ten things I will not brave - the wilderness. If I'm in the woods, it's because someone has left me there to die.

FUGITIVES FROM THE NORTHWOODS more or less affirms that belief. Between the harsh elements, hostile wildlife, scarce resources and feeling of being hunted, there is perpetual sense of suspense and desperation dogging the characters. So many things can go wrongs - and they do. As far as premises go, urgency is built-in and it works very well.

The protagonist, Penn, was genuinely one of the more likeable ones I've read recently. His leadership style is a plausible mix of compassion, pragmatism, conscientiousness, resourcefulness as just few traits he demonstrates.

Unfortunately, because the short length of the book readers get a very limited view of the other characters in Penn's company. A few do stand out and make an impression but most are more along for the ride and in the background. Overall, everyone is presented in a believable light but not everyone is a memorable addition to the story.

Regarding author, Chris Bostic: His story telling approach was detailed, engrossing and had a tone of sincerity that resonates well throughout the book along with a few humorous patches to alleviate the tense premise. The characters he developed were truly likeable and had a sense of warmth and realism. In my opinion, it greatly benefited the intensity and intimacy of the story and kept me invested. I also get the impression Mr. Bostic might be a bit of an outdoors man since much of what he laid out in the story struck me as authentic. This, for the most part, pulled me into the story.

The only time his attention to the finer points of roughing it in the wilderness worked against the pacing was whenever the characters fished for food. The plot stalled for several pages on more than one occasion for these scenes. Nonetheless, I would sooner have an author know his/her stuff and revel in it than shoot-from-the-hip with facts and hope readers won't notice how many misses go along with the hits.

I would recommend FUGITIVES FROM THE NORTHWOODS for anybody who likes immersing themselves in a story. This was a quick read with a solid protagonist told by an author with a lot of affection and promise for thrillers and adventures.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Plot- 8/10
Characters- 8/10
Writing- 8.5/10
World Building- 8/10

TOTAL- 8.1/10

Quickie Review (NO SPOILERS)- Fugitives from Northwoods first caught my interest early on this year. It had a gripping premise, and seemed like the type of book that I love to read. When the opportunity to Read and Review this book came (and I was able to fiddle with my e-reader to get it to display the book), I was eager to try it.

Fugitives from Northwoods has a very interesting premise. You can read the Goodreads blurb for yourself, so I won't go into the details, but basically, the story revolves around 8 teenagers who attempt to break out of a labour camp for children to find freedom. On the surface, it doesn't seem too different from a stereotypical dystopian book, but the blurb hinted at something that I thought was interesting- a focus on nature and how different aspects of the ecosystem could help or hinder the characters' journey. And this unique perspective allowed Fugitives From Northwoods to stand out amongst all of the dystopian novels that I have read. (And believe me, I've read a lot.)

In terms of plot, if you break this book down, there is a lot of action and a lot of suspense. Right from the first couple of pages, when the characters are plotting their escape, to the final climax near the end, there is plenty of thrilling action to go around. There are chases, near misses, encounters with natural disasters and frightening animals, gunfights, and bone chilling escapes. The suspense is sustained very well throughout the book- the frequent baying of dogs and the overhead drone of search planes helped to keep that tension and that uneasiness going straight through the book. However, even with all of this action and suspense, I found the first half of the book quite slow going, and the second half much quicker. It took me around 3 days to get through the first half, and less than 24 hours to get through the second half. And there is a big reason for this.

The reason for this has to do with my inability to quickly connect with the characters. Essentially, we as readers are bombarded with 8 different characters in essentially the first 20 pages of the book, and we are expected to digest them all and quickly connect to them. Unfortunately, I was not able to do so. I love series with big casts, but only when the authors are careful enough to introduce the characters gradually, so we have enough time to get accustomed to every single one of them. Fugitives from Northwoods did not introduce the characters to us in that manner; instead, they were all introduced together in a span of a couple of pages. The same problem arose in popular post-apocalyptic book Monument 14, where around 15 characters were introduced at once at the beginning, and I ended up not really caring about any of them. As a result, during the entire first half of the book, even when the characters were barely hanging onto their lives, and even when the author wanted to make me feel sympathetic for the characters, I couldn't really feel that way, simply because the characters didn't really mean anything to me. Now, as ironic as it sounds, the death of a major character (I won't say who) is the best thing that could have happened to these characters. Death evokes some really strong emotions, and it really shows the true colours of the characters. The personalities of each character very much shone in these grieving scenes, and it allowed me to finally get to know the characters a bit more, and feel a little something for them. Once I started to develop emotional attachments to the characters, I found the book easier to get through, and I found myself getting more and more nervous and scared as the book went on (which is a good thing.) Penn was a very admirable lead- honest, motivating, strong, determined, and driven by his core values- freedom and loyalty to his loved ones. Cesswi, unfortunately graced with a horrible name, was also a very good character. She seemed too motherly and strict in the beginning- devoid of any emotion. But her scenes alone with Penn were eye-opening, and made her seem human. In these scenes she did let out her emotions- joy, amusement, and grief, among others, and this made me appreciate her as a human being. There is still room to develop other characters- Perca, Vogl, Goby, and Jordyce all fell a bit flat to me (although they were significantly stronger in the second half), and I hope that the author will pay more attention to these side characters in the next installment.

The world building was very good- the author did a wonderful job describing the scenery and the surroundings. It was promised to be a major part of the book, and this promise was kept. The trees, the lakes, and the marshes were all described vividly and beautifully, and reminded my of the times that our school goes to overnight trips by beautiful lakes and forests in cottage country. The author paid attention to details, and made it easy to picture the scenes in my head. The main issue I had with the world building was the idea of the camp. In the book, we leave the camp almost immediately. The characters all make it out to be a horrible place. As a reader, I would have liked to experience some of these horrors myself, be it beatings, threatening, or whatever. This would have helped me to feel for the characters, and make it easier to root for them as they tried to escape. In fact, if this book was about 200 pages longer, and the first half had just been detailing the characters' experiences inside the labour camp, I would have been able to sympathize with them more. It would have allowed the author to gradually introduce the characters, and to really build up the escape plan. It definitely would have been more effective of a beginning than throwing is into the mix right as Penn and his gang were about to escape. This kind of beginning would essentially have thrown away any gripes I had about this book. Another thing that could have helped was a map. The characters (who had a map, mind you) definitely knew where they were going, but without a map, I was left confused many times. There were about 5000 lakes that the characters passed by (I'm exaggerating a bit here) and they changed directions countless times. A map would have helped me to better understand exactly where they were, and where they were heading. As well, the ending points to a rather traditional route for dystopian series. The idea of the rebellion from inside is not new to the genre. So it will be interesting to see if the author manages to make this series his own, and not fall down a stereotypical and boring path as the series continues.

Overall, Fugitives from Northwoods was a great book. While I found it slow-going in the beginning, and I found it difficult to connect with the characters, the book found its footing somewhere in the middle, and I was able to greatly enjoy the latter half of this book. I think I will continue with the series, and I am excited to see what the author has in store for Penn and his crew.

[Bonny Bon Bon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly id like to thank Chris Bostic for giving me this book in exchange for a honest review

Chris has written a wonderful story of a group of teens whom have been forced into a labour camp from the age of 14 and have planned to escape. The book is written form Penn a 18 year old boys point of view as he leads a group who consist of 4 boys and 4 girls break out of the camp hoping to make it across the border so that they may be free from the harsh conditions of the camp. But along the way they must face harsh conditions, wild animals, risks of starvation and possible death. They also find new friendships and face tests that could tear them all apart all while out running the men and dogs who have been sent to retrieve them as well as the border protection personnel who will do anything to stop the group from crossing the border.

Chris has written this suspenseful book and by giving vivid descriptions so that you can picture exactly what they teens are experiencing. Not only was the book well written and the descriptions wonderful after finishing the book and doing my usual search of the authors I have just read I found a little extra bundle of goodies on his website, where he has even taken pictures of the places described in the book. The pictures are breathtaking! To see them just go here: http://chrisbostic.weebly.com/photos-...

I also learned that thankfully this is the first book in a trilogy. Once I finished I was so annoyed because I thought it was a stand alone and the way it ended left much to be answered, so thankfully we will see the journey continue in the next book although I don't know any details about the other books.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book and read it in a matter of hours. The characters were vague in the beginning, but as the journey went on I got to know them all better. I loved that I had to make my own judgements about the characters and their relationships, to find out that I was wrong about them. It was a wonderful way to see who they were. The story was filled with suspense, danger, love and friendship. The writing was wonderful, I was there with them the whole time. I think my house could have burned down around me and I wouldn't have noticed. I still have so many questions about their world and their future. I would love to continue reading about their past, present and future. Thank you Chris for a wonderful read, I will definitely recommend this book.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fast paced and suspenseful, as well as more realistic than the average run of YA romances. As it's set in a future dystopian society, romance is only one aspect of the story, and not the primary element. The teenage characters are focused on escape, fleeing through a challenging landscape that is very well described in excellent detail. The only thing I found a bit lacking was the back story of both society as a whole and the individual characters. The characters were fairly well developed, considering that their focus was entirely on present events. I enjoyed reading this one enough to look for the next book in the series.

[Bit'N Book Tours · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Fugitives from Northwoods' written by avid outdoorsman Chris Bostic and published by Krill Press is a wonderful edge-of-your-seat page-turner for the Young Adult market.

Set in a Dystopian USA where religion is outlawed and education is brief, the young are conscripted into The Workforce before being shipped off, toiling away for the rest of their days in the military or down the mines.

If they actually live for long enough to trade one hell for another.

Under cover of darkness in the Northwoods fishing camp, a group of teenagers risk everything to escape their bleak future. Led by eighteen-year-old Penn (who also narrates the tale), they scramble under the wire and into the unforgiving wilderness with nothing but meagre supplies and hope.

The descriptions of the fugitives surroundings are vivid without becoming overwhelming. Thanks to Bostic's intimate knowledge and familiarity with the area, the various settings are effortlessly and effectively portrayed.

The fugitives fear is palpable and constant - they have escaped, but at what cost? Will they make it to the border, or will they be gunned down by the camp's trackers who are soon hot on their heels?

As the story progresses, Penn's thoughts contradict the words he speaks aloud, as he bites back his own fear, pain and uncertainty to stop his rag-tag group of cohorts from giving up and breaking down to surrender to certain death at the hands of their pursuers.

Finding a kindred spirit in feisty and determined Cesswi, it is inevitable that they gravitate towards each other, working together as a team to achieve their goal and sharing the burden of responsibility.

As the strongest members of the group, both mentally and physically, Penn and Cesswi will stop at nothing to get their friends to the border, but if they make it, then what awaits them on the other side? Will it be worth the journey?

- I thoroughly enjoyed Fugitives from Northwoods, and would happily read it again if asked. I also visited the author's website http://chrisbostic.weebly.com/ where I was delighted to find photographs and maps of the terrain that the fugitives traversed.

All in all, taking into consideration the extra tidbits from the author's site, I'm going to give Fugitives from Northwoods a full five out of five!

Reviewed for Bit'N Book Promoters
web | facebook | twitter | book tours

[Lucy Middlemass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fugitives from Northwoods is a young adult dystopian adventure story about a group of teenagers forced to escape a labour camp. Hunted by their captors, they survive in an environment that’s both friend and enemy.

Capable narrator Penn leads the reader through frigid lakes and forests, injury and loss using simple descriptions and unfussy prose to present the setting and its challenges. The author showcases his knowledge of the landscape, but resists the temptation to let it overwhelm the plot.

Although primarily an adventure story with plenty of outdoorsy appeal, it’s Penn’s mature and measured voice that shapes the novel. Much of the book’s success relies on whether Penn’s narration and character is believable and sympathetic.

There is sometimes a contrast between his rather grandiose thoughts and dialogue, and the direct general narration. Penn is well-read, free-thinking and self-aware, and this might make him an unrealistic teenage boy. For example, he assesses the difference between himself and a fellow escapee by noting “My self-righteousness and his caustic brooding.”

I felt, however, much would be lost if Penn were dumbed-down. Although there’s pleasure in his simple descriptions, such as “as the lonely bulb hanging from bare wires pops to life” and “a bone chilling shiver that I can’t seem to shake”, Penn’s unusual character allows for more ambitious story-telling techniques. For example, throughout the story, he refers to Frost’s poem, reminding the reader that “I can feel the dark and deep.”

Penn’s companions are a nice mixture of grumpy, helpful and doomed. There’s a romantic plot line as Penn deals with his complicated feelings for Cesswi, and although two of the girls in the group are much less comfortable with life on the run, Cesswi at least is an effective second in command. A decision the couple make about their future provides the story with a surprising ending.

Well-suited to young readers looking for a fast-paced, exciting story full of guard dogs, float planes, searchlights, gunfire and self-sacrifice.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fugitive from North woods by Chris Bostic

Synopsis: This story takes place in a time where adolescent boys are sent to camps to work under harsh conditions for limited resources. While most young men conform to this lifestyle, one man takes it upon himself to get out. With some of his friends they escape the camp and are chased down by guards throughout the story. They face all different difficulties while they struggle to survive.

Review: The author, Chris Bostic, is definitely intelligent. The writing skills are absolutely flawless. This book is easy to follow and flows perfectly throughout. I enjoy the slow mundane start that progresses into a suspenseful, dramatic chase and a fight for life. I find it interesting in the beginning to hear how the young men live as I try to figure out why. How did the world become this way? I love even more the fear that I felt concerning if the men just wouldn't get away. I love a story that can make me hold my breath! I found it exciting and stressful (in a good way) to read this book. I actually couldn't put it down. I think the characters have familiar personalities and as I read the story I felt like I was sitting with an old man (because I hoped from the beginning that they survive!) reminiscing about when he was a kid and how hard life was. Though I won't tell the ending, I'll say I loved it. I will definitely continue this trilogy. I recommend the book for people who like to sit down and read an entire book, trust me you won't want to put it down.

I give this book 5/5 stars because there isn't anything I dislike about it. It isn't over the top and confusing. It has a great plot,it is wonderfully written and the characters are fun.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

"An excellent YA novel! Can't wait 4 the next book!"

Ben, Seswee and the crew have been prisoners of the work camp in what used to be the United States for several years. Finally sick to death of the oppression that they live with every day, the crew of eight prisoners decide to make a break for it and try to find freedom in the Albertan Federation to the north.

This is an excellent first book in this series intended for young adults. Chris Bostic does a wonderful job of creating his characters and the dystopian world of the near future.

The banks have collapsed, the economy is in ruins and the government officials have siezed absolute power turning what was once the United States of America into a state where marshall law rules and the power of the government over the people is absolute.

When Ben and Seswee and their small escape from the forced labor camp the government will stop at nothing to recapture them or kill them in the attempt. The bottom line is they want them back so that they can be made examples of.

The book is almost entirely about what this small group of fugitives goes through in their attempt to reach an outpost that they have heard rumors about that is supposed to exist on the other side of the border in Federation territory.

Eddie Frierson does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life and giving them a voice.

I will listen to the rest of the series as it becomes available and I strongly urge all others who like believable storytelling to do the same.

I received this audiobook from the author via the Audiobooks group in exchange for an honest review.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a dreary future, the U.S. economy has collapsed and everything of value has been seized by the government for ‘good of the public’. People in the city have lost their homes and now live in rundown, government managed tenements. People in the country are removed from their property to make way for wind turbine farms, solar panel arrays, or mining rights. If the farmers that remain aren’t able to produce enough grain to meet the government quota, they are forcibly relocated and their property seized. If the government needs it, they take it under the pretense of keeping people housed, fed and employed. When a child turns fourteen, they are forced to work in labor camps. Education is all but put on the back-burner.

With careful planning, Penn and his friends escape under the cover of darkness from their labor camp in the Northwoods in an attempt to cross the border to freedom. They struggle to survive in the unforgiving wilderness trying to stay ahead of the Recovery Team and certain death. But is the price of freedom worth renouncing your country, never able to return again?

Mr. Bostic gives the reader very vivid descriptions of the terrain the group has to deal with and the character development is very good. This is an awesome story of loyalty and friendship and the will to find a better life. If you like to read action-packed dystopian novels, then you should definitely read this one. This is a brilliant adventure story that is suitable for all age groups.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author for a honest review.

[Caffeine & Legends book reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I turned on my Iphone, and there is was, my portal to a new adventure amidst another Washington D.C. traffic jam. Fugitives from Northwoods is the first of book in the Northwoods trilogy by Chris Bostic. I happened to have this book through audible (I won it, in fact), and I highly recommend it!

Set in a forest in the Northern United States, eight teenagers escape a fishing camp in a deadly attempt to cross to the northern border. The story’s focus is on the main character, Penn, as he leads his group of friends to what he hopes is safety on the other side. What I loved about this book is that details from each character’s past slowly emerge as they face new obstacles and challenges. It was hard to turn my car off and stop listening, because I had as many unanswered questions as answered ones. The drama definitely ramped up just as the book was ending, and I cannot wait to see the result’s of the characters decisions in the second book.

I hope you give this book a chance to take you on a wonderful and exciting adventure, wherever you may be!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fugitives from Northwood is an enjoyable dystopian tale set in a near future USA. The tale revolves around a group of friends who escape from a forced labor camp and make a run for the Canadian border.

I found the story enjoyable, as opposed to anger-inducing or depressing. Not that the setting wasn't bleak, but more that the people the story was about were good people. And unlike a lot of dystopian and apocalyptic tales, we don't have people turning on others, traitors, and just outright despicable people. Sure there were horrible people in the book, but I felt they they were more peripheral to the narrative. At any rate, I found the story left me with a good feeling, and wanting more.

The narration was excellent, with some sound effects embellishments adding to the overall presentation.

I look forward to the next two books in the series, to see how the story proceeds and resolves.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you're 14 your called in to work but as you read to book you know this is slavery and work is actually a work camp. Penn wants his freedom back and is carefully planning his escape, he gets his friends together one night and they make a run for it. In total 8 teenagers between 16-18 on the run, while being chased by dogs , camp guards and fighting the cold temperature to stay alive. Penn comes over very mature maybe even a little bit to much, he's optimistic, honest and loyal and most important he's brave. The way the writer described the environment is detailed and I can image what it would look like in real life. Cesswi is one of the main characters and she 's a strong girl I liked the love building, no instant love , no love triangle. The ending is a opening for a sequel, so I'm curious to see where this will lead Penn and Cesswi.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written, well thought out and flows just perfectly. The story takes us on a journey of eight teenagers who escape their work camp. Following the escape we see how each character copes with being on the run and their true strengths and character shine through. Initially I was worried about having eight characters to follow but the pace of the story is just right enabling you the chance to become familiar with them all. The more I read the less I find a book completely consumes me but this book did just that, I could clearly envision every tiny little detail that I read and felt like I was in the journey with the characters. I truly cannot fault this book in any way, the story was completely original and I would highly recommend it.

[Jodi Woody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of "Fugitives from Northwoods" by the author, Chris Bostic in exchange for an honest review. The title originally caught my attention because I live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The story contains good teenage characters. Trapped in a world where teenagers are forced to work in labor camp "for the good of all", and the boundaries of the countries that once were familiar are all changed. Penn leads a group of young people out into the wilds of a fall in the Northwoods of Minnesota. A strong story about loyalty and friendship. I recommend for ages 13 and up due to teen relationships. I give the story 5 stars and would definitely read more from this author.

[Angie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Bostic is such a great writer. The survival situations presented in this story are so realistic. I would be toast if I was one of his characters. It will b begun to see what comes next.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of dystopian books and truly enjoy this genre. This book was good, but not great.

The premise of the book is that young people are "recruited" to work in the Northern woods of Minnesota because the nation's economy has crashed. The workcamp is more of a prison, though, with cruel guards, poor conditions, and horrible food. Penn and his friends decide to escape and so the adventure begins.

My fault with this book is that there is very little character development. The book is told entirely from Penn's viewpoint, so the reader really doesn't know what is motivating the others to risk their lives in leaving the camp. The fishing scenes are numerous and I feel like I know more about the fish species than I do the human characters!

There were a lot of unanswered questions in the plot of the story, too. How did Penn learn about the Federation? What did he expect to find (obviously not what they actually found!). With more insight into the characters, this would have been a very good book. However, I really never engaged with any of them and don't really see myself reading the rest of the trilogy in order to see what happens next.

The narrator does a good job, but the reading was a little slow for my liking since the story was slow in itself. I sped up the book to 1.25 speed and was able to follow along without any problems, even through the few action sequences.

I was given the chance to listen to this book by the author and chose to review it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short fast read I started while on a camping trip. Had some exciting moments as 8 teens escape forced labor camp in a future United States, escape is thru northern MN across lakes and hills in the fall. Good imagery and characters that hold promise, though I did think the lead gal might have not been interested in boys, that turned out untrue. I would be interested in finding the next book in the series

[Don Rouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Reading

I picked up this book just because I could not find anything that picked my fancy. I am super glad I did. The character development thru out the book was excellent. The plot was well thought out and intense at times. There were a couple of points in the book you wanted the character to shutup. A excellent read can't wait to read the follow on book.

[Holly J Sullivant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid

A solid entry into ya dystopian fiction well written and with decent characterization. Parts of it read a bit slowly yet I enjoyed this read overall.

[David A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story, I enjoyed it and will look for more from Chris Bostic.

[Chloe Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.

Book Review: Fugitives from Northwoods by Chris Bostic

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

What I liked: Chris Bostic was kind enough to gift me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review, and to my delight 'Fugitives from Northwoods' turned out to be every bit as gripping as it had the potential to be.

Although I suspect I do not fall under the bracket of his target audience, I thoroughly enjoyed what proved to be an engrossing and engaging début that certainly left me with a longing to visit is clearly a beautiful region of the United States. The extent of the scenic depiction could only have come from someone familiar with the area, and Bostic's attention to detail enabled him to create wonderfully visual images of his chosen setting. That, in combination with solid character development, aided in creating a story that was both stimulating and compelling.

The characters I enjoyed reading the most would certainly have to be Penn and Cesswi - an obvious choice perhaps, but that is understandable considering their roles in the story. As the sole narrative, Penn was the character the reader grew to understand the most, and in being his closest companion throughout Cesswi was not far behind. I enjoyed reading from Penn's level headed, focused and motivated perspective, experiencing the roller coaster of emotions came along with his ordeal just as he did. It was also a nice change to read from the context of arguably the strongest character in the novel, with too many Young Adult fictions these days choosing to focus only on the self-depreciating. I was happy with the way Penn and Cesswi's relationship progressed - gradually and through circumstance - and their dynamic as the two most capable members of cast. It was interesting to see the way Penn began to think of the others as his to look out for and lead forward, with Cesswi as a notable exception. As a girl I always enjoy the inclusion of a durableand independent female character, and she certainly ticked all the boxes for me. Strong and enduring, whilst retaining some of her feminine, human qualities, she was written very well.

What I didn't like: Not particularly much. All in all, I would say that there was nothing I definitely disliked about the novel, although there were certain things I would perhaps change.

Although understandably necessary, the drawn out and somewhat repetitive day-to-day account of the fugitive's trek through the Northwoods did at times feel a little rambling. More than once I resisted the urge to skip forwards a few pages to a part I though might have a faster pace, and often longed for something 'different' to strike up. Although highly interesting to read and certainly insightful, I can see where less dedicated readers might find themselves tiring of the consistency in momentum.

I was also a little unsatisfied by the ultimate decision made by Penn and Cesswi upon their arrival at The Federation, although in some ways I blame myself and my own sentiments for this more than I do the novel. Despite the fact that me and a character like Penn have next to nothing in common, I had been able to understand the logic in his choices throughout story up until that point. However, his difficulty in picking between a chance at a new life for himself or a return to the 'home' he had been so desperate to escape from, was not something I could fathom at all. Perhaps it is due to my distinct lack of patriotism (I grew up in several countries outside of the one I was born in, and so have no real 'home' bonds) or an indicative that I am not as noble or as brave as Penn would prove to be, but I am certain that if the decision were mine I would choose a potentially optimistic future over going back to the start, without any delay.

That being said, it is clear that any other resolution would have failed to have set up the novel for a sequel as perfectly as this one did. At least I hope that Bostic's intent is to advance with story, as it certainly cut off at a point that begs for continuation. Should this be the case I would certainly be in line for purchasing a next instalment, and am sure that I would not be alone in doing so.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

FUGITIVES FROM NORTHWOODS - Book One

Author: Chris Bostick

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrator: Eddie Frierson

Length: 8 hours, 4 minutes

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Release Date: February 13, 2015

Publisher: Chris Bostick

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The worldwide economy has collapsed and the United States no longer exists. Governments regulate every aspect of people's lives including assigning jobs and telling people what and how much food they can consume. In the guise of the "greater good" people's homes and property have been seized and now live in run down tenements.

At the age of 14 teenagers are forced onto buses and taken to labor camps. At these camps they work to help provide for the rest of society. These camps are more like prison camps than summer camps and the teens remain there for years under guard. Beatings are common and considered educational. Escape is considered a "High Crime" and is punishable by death.

Despite the severity of the penalty they will receive if they are caught, a group of eight teens decide to take their chances escaping the Northwoods fishing camp. They decide to attempt to cross the Canadian border to freedom.

This book details their flight and their survival in the wilderness while being hunted by men and dogs.

The problem I had with listening to this book was the detail it contains. There is just too much detail about the terrain and the species of fish as well as their preferred bait. The story itself suffers because there is so much focus placed on the minutiae of survival. However, if you are interested in what type of fish are available in Northern Minnesota and how to catch them, or how many lakes and the details of the landscape, you will really enjoy this book.

One faux-pas that I noticed was when Cerrswi was talking to Penn and referred to herself as a "back seat driver". I did not get the impression that these teenagers would know what a "back seat driver" is. Isn't their world one in which no one owns vehicles and that everything is confiscated for the greater good? How would she have learned that phrase?

I would have liked to hear more detail about what went wrong with society. There is some detail, just not enough.

I also would have liked to hear a more thorough backstory for each of the characters. I did not feel that I really knew any of the characters by the end of the audiobook. Penn is the only character whose motivations and feelings are delved into with any depth. There is a small amount of detail given regarding Cerrswi's background, but not enough for the listener to really "know" her. This is unfortunate because I think these characters and this story definitely have potential.

During the last hour and a half of the audiobook the story picks up and gets much more suspenseful and interesting. The ending is actually the best part of the book and has my interest piqued for the next book in the series.

In fact, the audiobook contains a short excerpt from book two in the Northwoods trilogy which sounds like it will be a great book.

The narrator was good and was able to easily differentiate between the characters. He does his best to generate the feeling of suspense, but it is difficult to make multiple fishing and hiking scenes come across as suspenseful. However, once there was action he was able to convincingly convey a sense of urgency and danger. I rate the narration as 4 out of 5 stars.

I rate the story as 3 out if 5 stars however I do firmly believe that this series has promise. I look forward to learning more about the characters and the world they have found themselves in.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

To find out more about the author visit http://chrisbostic.weebly.com/


ABOUT THE NARRATOR:

Eddie Frierson has been a professional voice actor for over thirty years. To learn more about him and to hear samples of his work visit http://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A16HO4R...


To read more of my reviews visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

[A. Sines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am all about free books for two reasons. One, it’s FREE. Two, sometimes I actually get exposed to new authors, new genres and new ideas that I actually like. It’s been pretty eye opening for me to branch out into areas I never would have traveled. For instance, I never would have picked up Fugitives from Northwoods if the author himself hadn’t offered a free audible version for a review.

It’s worth it to note that the narrator, Eddie Frierson, is pretty darn good. He adds a dimension to the story that readers might miss on the page. I have another book narrated by him on my wish list and am looking forward to the moment I get to hear him again. I think Mr. Frierson was a very good choice to read this book to me.

Also, I am always doing something else when I’m listening to books. I just can’t sit still during daylight hours. Sometimes, when listening and doing something else the story or the narrator keeps droning on in my ears, but my thoughts have traveled elsewhere and I have to rewind. If that happens a few times, I give up on the audio and turn back to the page for my own immersion reading. That never happened with Fugitives from Northwoods, not even once.

Now, about the story:

After I finished and the credits rolled, my first thought was: That’s it? And not in the I need the sequel kind of way. It was that there wasn’t enough. There wasn’t enough character development for me to cry when I was supposed to cry. There wasn’t enough description of the dystopic world. There were brief instances that clarified. They seemed to end too soon. It feels like my peripheral vision didn’t exist. I couldn’t see the whole picture.

Because Chris Bostic creates the immediate setting so very well, I kept expecting a similarly rich description of the greater world even if it was just dropped in conversation the way the backgrounds are.

Aside from a few passive voice instances that stood out to me in the last ¼ of the book (I usually don’t notice those easily when listening rather than reading.) The writing is solid and descriptive. The voice of Penn is consistent. He felt like a kid learning to be a man. He is the strong silent type of man not willing to show weakness, especially in a leadership position in such a dangerous situation. At the same time, he can draw strength from Cesswi without thinking of it as weakness.

I usually read other reviews before I delve into a book. This time I did not. Now, going through what others have said there is, as usual, one point on which I do not agree. Some say that the beginning is slow. I did not find that.

The beginning starts with a daring midnight escape. How is that slow?

The imagery is fantastic. The pacing is just right for an escape. I'm actually thinking about the sequel, but will probably wait ‘til it hits Audible.

I can’t wait for my boys to listen to it and tell me what they think.

Check out other reviews at https://trippingthepagefantastic.word...

[Kayla M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins at a labor camp where teenagers are kept to work until they are 18 and then sent off to jobs chosen by the government. The main character, Penn, knows there is something better for them on the outside. He gathers a group of 4 boys and 4 girls to runaway from camp to live up north in Freedom. Penn and his roommates have done lots of planning and preparation for their escape, but they couldn't plan on how tough it would really be.

The scenery and backdrop are described very well, maybe even a little too well. Sometimes the descriptions can drag on, though this helped with imagining the scene. I do understand a little why the author does this, they are in beautiful country along their journey. They travel through woods, lakes, rivers, marshes and come across different wildlife such as a moose and an eagle. They even have an encounter with a bear.

Although the scenery is beautiful to look at, its not always the best to travel through indiscreetly. They are trying to make it north, but in order to get the tracking dogs off their scent they need to go southeast and through water. They decide to escape in the fall season, so the water is frigid. Swimming through the lakes and rivers is rough for them, some more than others.

Like many stories with of group of people running away from something, there are casualties. There are a few kids who are not as strong as the others and they cause many delays which in turn causes many injuries. The group managed to bring some first aid supplies, but some of the wounds are too severe. The injuries and deaths put a damper on the group, but they continue on toward their freedom.

There is also a little romance in the mix. Vogl had a girlfriend back at the camp, which is why the 4 girls came on the journey. Vogl and Goby were inseparable the entire trip. He only separated from her when he was helping his brother Rayburn, whom I loved because of his grumpy demeanor. Then there was Penn who had something going on with Perca. It didn't seem too serious, but there was something there. Later on a relationship starts between two unlikely members of the group.

With the border patrol and the camp disciplinarian, Trokar and his men, closing in on them they barely make it across the border... minus a few people. Once over Penn realizes this might not be what he really wanted and he starts to second guess his decision to escape. What will Penn decide to do? Hopefully we'll find out soon!

I enjoyed this book, although it took me awhile to really get in to it. The characters were all enjoyable and got along well for the most part. They had many trials and tribulations on their journey, but they made it. The landscape was one of my favorite parts. I also really enjoyed the unexpected romance that began. Overall it's a good read and I will be reading the next in the series.

I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Hellvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Fugitives from Northwoods' written by avid outdoorsman Chris Bostic and published by Krill Press is a wonderful edge-of-your-seat page-turner for the Young Adult market.

Set in a Dystopian USA where religion is outlawed and education is brief, the young are conscripted into The Workforce before being shipped off, toiling away for the rest of their days in the military or down the mines.

If they actually live for long enough to trade one hell for another.

Under cover of darkness in the Northwoods fishing camp, a group of teenagers risk everything to escape their bleak future. Led by eighteen-year-old Penn (who also narrates the tale), they scramble under the wire and into the unforgiving wilderness with nothing but meagre supplies and hope.

The descriptions of the fugitives surroundings are vivid without becoming overwhelming. Thanks to Bostic's intimate knowledge and familiarity with the area, the various settings are effortlessly and effectively portrayed.

The fugitives fear is palpable and constant - they have escaped, but at what cost? Will they make it to the border, or will they be gunned down by the camp's trackers who are soon hot on their heels?

As the story progresses, Penn's thoughts contradict the words he speaks aloud, as he bites back his own fear, pain and uncertainty to stop his rag-tag group of cohorts from giving up and breaking down to surrender to certain death at the hands of their pursuers.

Finding a kindred spirit in feisty and determined Cesswi, it is inevitable that they gravitate towards each other, working together as a team to achieve their goal and sharing the burden of responsibility.

As the strongest members of the group, both mentally and physically, Penn and Cesswi will stop at nothing to get their friends to the border, but if they make it, then what awaits them on the other side? Will it be worth the journey?

- I thoroughly enjoyed Fugitives from Northwoods, and would happily read it again if asked. I also visited the author's website http://chrisbostic.weebly.com/ where I was delighted to find photographs and maps of the terrain that the fugitives traversed.

All in all, taking into consideration the extra tidbits from the author's site, I'm going to give Fugitives from Northwoods a full five out of five!

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I wanted to really love this book. The description and writing is just beautiful and the suspense was high; however, it was just an okay book. I really felt as if I could picture the lakes and the challenges the characters were going through as the descriptions were that good!

It was challenging to like the characters. Except for the main character, Penn and I'll give you Cesswi too only not until about the 2nd half of the book, I really didn't care about any of the other characters. They were just names on a page to me that didn't have much backstory to draw me into them. I wasn't able to really get to know them. For example, toward the end of the book the group separates, I didn't even give them a second thought. Then the author brings them in as an after thought, oh by the way, the others made it too. Okay, thanks for that piece of information. In addition, when some of the character die, I didn't really care as it was mainly used as a plot device to move the story along rather than drawing out our emotions.

And then there was the ending. I don't even know what to say about it. It was almost anticlimactic. I've spent all this time reading and working my way with the characters as they overcome extremely difficult circumstances only to have the ending purposefully leave a gaping hole for a sequel. Not that anything is inherently wrong with that; however, I was expecting more of a resolution and was simply glad to be finished (after all, it's taken me 9 months to get through this book). The author took a 180 degree difference at the end that really made me question why I the entire novel. Maybe that was the plan all along, but it reminded me of the ending of Mockingjay where it didn't end the way you expected or wanted and instead felt like a cheap plot trick simply to get a sequel.

I don't think I'll read the sequel, not because the writing, description, worldbuilding, etc isn't good, but because I just don't care for the characters enough to find out what happens to them next.

[Shermaya Cavanagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating of 3.75

Fugitives from Northwoods is an enticing book one can find hard to put down.
The story really pulls you in and the setting beautiful, the pacing is just right with never a dull moment or page filling monotonous. The two main characters are complex, a by-product of their environment I believe and highly intelligent in regard to said environment, characters we barely know anything about but feel developed by books end (though in reality they are not). I enjoyed the writing style and it made me feel every emotion the main character was feeling, especially the sadness and fearful moments. A book I believe would work well as a film.

Though I did enjoy this book and look forward to reading the sequel, there are a few areas that stopped me from giving this book a higher rating. Firstly the world building or I should say the lack thereof. The book jumps straight in with the escape and absolutely no world building that until you get much further into the book it's hard to put in to context how much of a terrible risk it is to escape. But moreso than that, even by books end we really know very little about this world.
I also find it very hard to believe that such suppression, destruction and devolution of entire countries could happen in such a short space of time (the book is set in 2027). The final thing that bugged me a little was the lack of character development of the rest of the 'crew' we learn almost nothing more about them than we discover early on.

Though these things did bug me I have to say I did enjoy the story overall and the ending was a little different than I was expecting. I didn't believe they would walk into freedom and everything would be peachy keen, but I also expected something a little different than I got so I was pleasantly surprised. I would reccomend this book to dystopian fans and look forward to reading the next one :)

[Laney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very well written. I love the images it gives you, like watching a movie before your eyes you're able to envision what is happening perfectly within the lines of the story. The story itself centers around a society that has been broken down by its corrupt government that has been seizing land and homes from the people of the US, who are burdened and trampled by a collapsed economy. In turn these people end up living work controlled lives.
The beginning opens up into the eyes of an eighteen year old boy, Penn, whose life has been one of many affected by the dystopia. For the past few years he has been living in a work camp. Grouped with three other bunk mates they spend their days catching fish on the lakes under the watchful eye of guards, only to return to their imprisonment and get ready to do it again. If they don't do their work right, they are beaten or cattle prodded.
This leads the main character to come up with the idea to escape the camp and survive in the wilderness long enough to cross the border to freedom. With a group of four girls they leave behind their work filled lives and try to survive the harsh wilderness while being chased by a retrieval team sent from the camp when their absence was noticed.
The story definitely keeps you going. Once you get absorbed into the characters world and their perils, you cant help but keep your eyes moving, mentally ushering them on when it seems like they cant take anymore, or even rejoicing with them when something finally seems to go right. Its a very adventurous and insightful book and I very much enjoyed reading it. The biggest thing is i wish i knew more about what happens after the ending. Otherwise this is a very wonderful and well written story.

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for that opportunity!

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great adventure with a great “new-to-me” setting! For those of us that don’t know, the “Northwoods” setting mentioned in the title is a broad region of northern Minnesota (also Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario around the Great Lakes). Historically, according to Wikipedia, this region was home to logging operations and later, lodges were built as fishing camps and lake resorts.

Author Chris Bostic has taken these historic uses and twisted them to nightmarish proportions creating a landscape with massive areas of beautiful, yet dangerous forest, appalling regions devastated by clear-cutting, forced-labor work camps filled with conscripted teenagers, and built a desperate vision of a post-societal-collapse U.S. The story’s main characters escape from one of these work camps and flee the camp pursuers through the wilderness toward the hope of freedom across the border in Ontario.

Besides being a great adventure and tale of survival in a wonderfully described locale, Fugitives from Northwoods has good, solid characters. We get a pretty good feel for each and every one of the teens and their relationship within the group.

I liked the way the author incorporated the well-known Robert Frost poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening into narrator’s (Penn’s) thoughts. The inclusion connected this nightmarish future world to our reality.

Author Bostic is apparently an actual outdoorsman himself, and brings that experience and knowledge into his debut novel giving a feel of realism that similar stories may lack. I particularly liked the tidbits of nature information sprinkled throughout (i.e., the presence/absence of earthworms at the lakes and assorted other fishing tips.)

Although I couldn’t find confirmation of it, Fugitives from Northwoods felt like the start of a series. I, for one, hope it is.