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DAUNTLESS
Kuri is only seventeen when her fiancé, Jacinto, goes missing and she’s cast from her Andean home by a ruthless tyrant. Possessing nothing but her fierce dog Keeng and a willpower to never quit, she flees to the modern world for work. With money, she can search for Jacinto, overthrow the village dictator, and protect her family; including her orphaned nephew, Patricio whom she loves as her own.
But Kuri is naïve in the dangerous city. Human traffickers trick her, and she’s transported deep into the Amazon jungle to work for a bully called Vera who runs a camp of ruthless kidnappers. Surrounded by criminals and a rainforest teeming with jaguars, snakes and crocodiles, Kuri is trapped. The horizon darkens as torrential monsoons creep closer and Kuri’s hope for the future slips away.
Then one morning she disobeys Vera and discovers two American hostages, Brent McDaniel, and his brother Ryan, chained in a bamboo hut. They are teenagers from an affluent world while Kuri lives on a dirt floor that’s shared with chickens. She feels both years ahead and centuries behind the young captives, but they instantly share one thing in common. They must escape their captors or die.
The struggles that follow change the trio in ways no one could’ve imagined. The secrets of the mighty Andes unfold like a sequence of dominos and their adventures lead them to incredible discoveries. Kuri and the blue-eyed gringos form a bond a friendship where love, sacrifice, and courage…is their only hope of survival.
But Kuri is naïve in the dangerous city. Human traffickers trick her, and she’s transported deep into the Amazon jungle to work for a bully called Vera who runs a camp of ruthless kidnappers. Surrounded by criminals and a rainforest teeming with jaguars, snakes and crocodiles, Kuri is trapped. The horizon darkens as torrential monsoons creep closer and Kuri’s hope for the future slips away.
Then one morning she disobeys Vera and discovers two American hostages, Brent McDaniel, and his brother Ryan, chained in a bamboo hut. They are teenagers from an affluent world while Kuri lives on a dirt floor that’s shared with chickens. She feels both years ahead and centuries behind the young captives, but they instantly share one thing in common. They must escape their captors or die.
The struggles that follow change the trio in ways no one could’ve imagined. The secrets of the mighty Andes unfold like a sequence of dominos and their adventures lead them to incredible discoveries. Kuri and the blue-eyed gringos form a bond a friendship where love, sacrifice, and courage…is their only hope of survival.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2023
3 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Carrie Lewis
5 books2 followersWriter's write. It keeps me sane and allows me to catalogue all the memorable people passing through my life. Creating a story where you can right the wrongs and transfer amazing characters from the real world into a place where everyone can know them... is probably as soothing as riding dolphins or eating ice cream all week.
Well, almost.
Well, almost.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 20, 2025
Thrilling read
Only giving it 4* as it took a little while to get into it. But once you're immersed good luck pulling your head out. It's thrilling and captivating. The characters are real and their stories are all intriguing. Great read.
Only giving it 4* as it took a little while to get into it. But once you're immersed good luck pulling your head out. It's thrilling and captivating. The characters are real and their stories are all intriguing. Great read.
April 21, 2024
While holidaying in Equador, two teenage Americans, Ryan and Brent are kidnapped and sent deep into the Amazonian Rainforest. Imprisoned with no chance of escape they encounter Kuri, a local girl from a village deep in Andes who has been sold as a work slave, and her dog, Keeng. Despite the language barrier the three of them strike up a bond of sorts and Kuri helps the boys escape. The kidnappers are hot on their trail and with every animal in the Amazon a deadly predator it’s an intense journey through the rainforest and one of their number may not survive. But when an unexpected ally shows their true colours there may be some light at the end of the tunnel yet. This is a fun and exciting read that is perfect for young adults and older adults too. I loved the banter and rivalry between the two brothers that did not let up even when it seemed all hope was lost. The ending came to a satisfying conclusion but with a promise of more to come, which I cannot wait to see.
October 29, 2023
Beautiful
This is a beautiful story. It took a while to get into, but only due to the extensive description of the environment. It does serve well to create the scene though. But as soon as you get to the captives, it speeds up and I couldn't put it down. Kuri's character is brilliant.
This is a beautiful story. It took a while to get into, but only due to the extensive description of the environment. It does serve well to create the scene though. But as soon as you get to the captives, it speeds up and I couldn't put it down. Kuri's character is brilliant.
November 6, 2023
Great fun! A riveting adventure in an unusual series of settings that are conveyed vividly. Distinct characters. Sound writing with occasional wobbly POV. I found this difficult to put down and definitely worried for the protagonists. Kuri was especially sympathetic, along with her valiant and growly dog. YA but plenty to capture the adult sensibility.
September 9, 2024
Quality storytelling at its finest
I’m not going to lie, nothing about the cover, genre, or name of this book captivated me. I like to believe that is because this book wasn’t written for me which has nothing to do with how much I enjoyed it.
Being a primarily action-adventure, adult fiction devourer, Dauntless entered my line of sight through Review Pool and I am the better for it as a result.
Carrie Lewis knows how to tell a story — which is the most fundamental aspect of writing a book. It perplexes me how many writers struggle with conveying a story and fall into the trap of over explaining backstory or focusing on describing every thing in an environment. Carrie instead uses foundational literary techniques efficiently, providing us with a cohesive, easy to follow narrative about two young men crossing dangerous paths with a young courageous South American woman.
The author does an excellent job at making you feel as if you’re in the places the plot takes you — namely the Amazon jungle. For most of the book, I felt every single high and low emotion the main characters experienced as a result of trying to escape from their armed captors in a hazardous rainforest.
But the book shines most in its main characters. Brent, Ryan, and Kuri are all given the attention they deserve to flesh out their individual strengths and weaknesses, allowing any reader to relate to them regardless of age or background.
The prose, while elegant, is a bit jarring due to the author’s ‘interesting’ choice of tags. Maybe it’s me, but it took me a while to get used to who was talking.
Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed Dauntless and recommend it for anyone looking for a moderately length read about strangers from different sides of the world coming together despite a language barrier, to prevail against greedy men, a harsh environment, and selfish desires. I will read anything Carrie writes and am now a fan.
I’m not going to lie, nothing about the cover, genre, or name of this book captivated me. I like to believe that is because this book wasn’t written for me which has nothing to do with how much I enjoyed it.
Being a primarily action-adventure, adult fiction devourer, Dauntless entered my line of sight through Review Pool and I am the better for it as a result.
Carrie Lewis knows how to tell a story — which is the most fundamental aspect of writing a book. It perplexes me how many writers struggle with conveying a story and fall into the trap of over explaining backstory or focusing on describing every thing in an environment. Carrie instead uses foundational literary techniques efficiently, providing us with a cohesive, easy to follow narrative about two young men crossing dangerous paths with a young courageous South American woman.
The author does an excellent job at making you feel as if you’re in the places the plot takes you — namely the Amazon jungle. For most of the book, I felt every single high and low emotion the main characters experienced as a result of trying to escape from their armed captors in a hazardous rainforest.
But the book shines most in its main characters. Brent, Ryan, and Kuri are all given the attention they deserve to flesh out their individual strengths and weaknesses, allowing any reader to relate to them regardless of age or background.
The prose, while elegant, is a bit jarring due to the author’s ‘interesting’ choice of tags. Maybe it’s me, but it took me a while to get used to who was talking.
Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed Dauntless and recommend it for anyone looking for a moderately length read about strangers from different sides of the world coming together despite a language barrier, to prevail against greedy men, a harsh environment, and selfish desires. I will read anything Carrie writes and am now a fan.
November 2, 2025
The story of Kuri (and her dog Keeng), and then also of Ryan and Brent, did not end how I expected it to. And that's a good thing. At first I wasn't sure what the two very different lives of these two story lines had in common, but it didn't take long to see where a human trafficking story was developing and I was apprehensive of where the author was going to go with this as there's enough sadness and madness in the world around right now, and I wasn't too keen on reading more of the same to make me even more depressed. But I was so happy when I kept reading and found that "Dauntless" wasn't so much about the dark world of human trafficking, but it was about friendships, and family, and seeing the strengths everyone has, whether they're 17 or 20, girl or boy, North American or Ecuadorian. Not to say that this is feel good book. It's an adventure story and I really enjoyed picking it up every night to see where Kuri, Keeng, Ryan, and Brent were up to in these next chapters. Sometimes life kicks you when you're down, and sometimes you get lucky breaks, and the mix and flow of these two forces felt natural and believable in this story. I quite enjoyed that. Definitely recommend this for anyone wanting an adventure to the top of the Andes and then down to the jungle while also maybe believing that the author may really and actually have experienced both for herself.
December 20, 2023
Review
I really loved the characters in this book. They were wonderful and vibrant. The author did an amazing job brining them off the page. The plot was okay, although it felt like it would start and stop story threads; leaving me hanging more than once. It is the first in the series so I hope some of this would be resolved later, but we'll see. When they were captured and their race to survive was thrilling. However, the pacing languished more than once with filler information, overburdened information dumps, and rabbit holes. Overall the characters and their relationships made this novel worth the read. I would pick up the second book and love to read more of Kuri, Brent, and Ryan's adventures to see where they go next. If you like more detail in your books, this is a must read!
Rating
3.5 (rounded down)
These characters will having you cheering for them throughout, feeling their struggles, and breathless with anticipation when they are pushed to the brink.
I really loved the characters in this book. They were wonderful and vibrant. The author did an amazing job brining them off the page. The plot was okay, although it felt like it would start and stop story threads; leaving me hanging more than once. It is the first in the series so I hope some of this would be resolved later, but we'll see. When they were captured and their race to survive was thrilling. However, the pacing languished more than once with filler information, overburdened information dumps, and rabbit holes. Overall the characters and their relationships made this novel worth the read. I would pick up the second book and love to read more of Kuri, Brent, and Ryan's adventures to see where they go next. If you like more detail in your books, this is a must read!
Rating
3.5 (rounded down)
These characters will having you cheering for them throughout, feeling their struggles, and breathless with anticipation when they are pushed to the brink.
January 31, 2024
This book is a fun, thrilling, and sometimes touching coming-of-age adventure.
I loved Kuri immediately. She has all the courage and determination of someone you'd admire if you met them in person.
It took me a little longer to like Ryan and Brent, the other two main characters. They seemed like bratty teens at first, but once they started to show some deeper qualities like loyalty and thoughtfulness I quickly came around.
Without giving any spoilers, I will say that the adventure these three have together was fun and sometimes scary - they risked a lot and that made me keep turning the pages.
I recommend this book if you like coming-of-age stories that highlight danger!
The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because of some weird tense changes in the opening chapter and a few typos throughout.
I loved Kuri immediately. She has all the courage and determination of someone you'd admire if you met them in person.
It took me a little longer to like Ryan and Brent, the other two main characters. They seemed like bratty teens at first, but once they started to show some deeper qualities like loyalty and thoughtfulness I quickly came around.
Without giving any spoilers, I will say that the adventure these three have together was fun and sometimes scary - they risked a lot and that made me keep turning the pages.
I recommend this book if you like coming-of-age stories that highlight danger!
The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because of some weird tense changes in the opening chapter and a few typos throughout.
September 23, 2024
A thrilling Adventure
Kuri, banished from her mountain village to seek wealth, crosses paths with brothers Brent and Ryan, who are kidnapped while assisting their uncle with a business deal. Their escape from a human trafficking camp into a perilous rainforest teeming with snakes, bats, bugs, and jaguars is gripping.
The characters, though familiar tropes, are well-developed, and the action keeps the pace lively and engaging. If you enjoy a fast-paced, family-friendly read with solid dialogue and a semi-credible plot, this book is a perfect choice. Highly recommended for a fun, easy read!
Kuri, banished from her mountain village to seek wealth, crosses paths with brothers Brent and Ryan, who are kidnapped while assisting their uncle with a business deal. Their escape from a human trafficking camp into a perilous rainforest teeming with snakes, bats, bugs, and jaguars is gripping.
The characters, though familiar tropes, are well-developed, and the action keeps the pace lively and engaging. If you enjoy a fast-paced, family-friendly read with solid dialogue and a semi-credible plot, this book is a perfect choice. Highly recommended for a fun, easy read!
January 17, 2025
Dauntless is a YA genre but it honestly is a great read for anyone. Carrie Lewis paints a word picture for the characters that make them 'real'. I especially loved the four main characters Kuri (girl from the Andes), Brent and Ryan (American brothers), and Keeng,(Kuri's amazing dog). Though she does an equally good job with secondary characters and setting the scenes.
The story gets off to a slow start and I thought the prologue confused the beginning of the story. But the plot smooths out and flows well afterward. I would absolutely recommend this book for any age. And I'll watch for future books from Ms. Lewis.
The story gets off to a slow start and I thought the prologue confused the beginning of the story. But the plot smooths out and flows well afterward. I would absolutely recommend this book for any age. And I'll watch for future books from Ms. Lewis.
September 15, 2023
This young adult novel is thankfully mild with human trafficking in the mix of one heck of a journey for survival.
On a search for her seventeen-year-old fiance, she is captured and hauled to the Amazons. to her demise, she comes across two Americans who have been captured like her. The story does turn into a soft teen romance but still has that trafficked vibe.
Will they escape their demise?
This is an author to watch for. I'm interested to see what Ms. Lewis has in store next.
On a search for her seventeen-year-old fiance, she is captured and hauled to the Amazons. to her demise, she comes across two Americans who have been captured like her. The story does turn into a soft teen romance but still has that trafficked vibe.
Will they escape their demise?
This is an author to watch for. I'm interested to see what Ms. Lewis has in store next.
November 26, 2025
I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was fun and thrilling and kept me interested the whole way through. It just felt unfinished and the climax was not as exciting as I’d hoped considering the well crafted villain we meet in Vera. The ending just felt so abrupt that when the audio book ended I was like “what? No!” I’m hoping for a second volume to get a more satisfying wrap up for these beautiful characters.
October 8, 2023
A Good Read
This was an enjoyable story that held my attention. I enjoyed the dialogue between the brothers, which I found realistic among siblings who have a good relationship. There was some head hopping in the story, but none so remarkable as the author telling the reader what the dog was thinking. Really?
Generally a good read.
This was an enjoyable story that held my attention. I enjoyed the dialogue between the brothers, which I found realistic among siblings who have a good relationship. There was some head hopping in the story, but none so remarkable as the author telling the reader what the dog was thinking. Really?
Generally a good read.
February 5, 2024
I’m learning Spanish. That’s why this book is of particular interest to me. It’s a fun, coming-of-age adventure story.
Just a small observation: I believe my reading experience would have been enhanced if the author could fix the typos and also reduce the usage of "but" (hundreds of buts throughout the pages; 5 “buts” on page 221 alone).
Just a small observation: I believe my reading experience would have been enhanced if the author could fix the typos and also reduce the usage of "but" (hundreds of buts throughout the pages; 5 “buts” on page 221 alone).
January 21, 2024
The was a decent read for me. But this is also a read outside of my normal go to. The plot and characters balanced. The names of the characters was a struggle for me to pronounce and I may have spent time tying to get it right... (overthinker). But it wasn't a bad read.
June 30, 2024
Enjoyable survival thriller
A lot of build up but a flowing story of three come-to-be companions along with a pup trying to earn back their individual freedoms. Worth giving a read for anyone interested in survivalist thrillers
A lot of build up but a flowing story of three come-to-be companions along with a pup trying to earn back their individual freedoms. Worth giving a read for anyone interested in survivalist thrillers
November 25, 2024
Wow, this one takes the reader right there. The brothers are something else again. But there is so much of the place, you can just feel it. The ending left me reeling slightly. I sure hope there is a second book coming.
September 7, 2024
Lovely Vibe
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There was really engaging energy throughout, and I know this is something that my small person will enjoy too!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There was really engaging energy throughout, and I know this is something that my small person will enjoy too!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews