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The North Line
In Matt Riordan’s debut novel, a college student in need of quick money finds work on an Alaskan fishing boat in the unforgiving Bering Sea.
Even at the ragged edge of civilization, some lines should not be crossed.
Everyone believes Adam to be something he’s not. Sometimes that’s because he’s told them a story. Sometimes he’s told himself one. But when Adam joins an Alaskan fishing crew that’s promising quick money, the dangerous work and harsh lifestyle strip away all fabrications and force a dark-hearted exploration of who he really is.
On the unforgiving Bering Sea, Adam finds the adventure and authenticity of a fisherman’s life revelatory. The labor required to seize bounty from the ocean invigorates him, and the often crude comradery accompanies a welcome, hard-earned wisdom. But when a strike threatens the entire season and violence stalks the waves, Adam is thrust into a struggle for survival at the edge of the world, where evolutionary and social forces collide for outcomes beyond anyone’s control.
In his riveting debut novel, Matt Riordan pairs personal experiences with a master storyteller’s eye in a piercing examination of the quest for identity in the face of tempests within and without.
Even at the ragged edge of civilization, some lines should not be crossed.
Everyone believes Adam to be something he’s not. Sometimes that’s because he’s told them a story. Sometimes he’s told himself one. But when Adam joins an Alaskan fishing crew that’s promising quick money, the dangerous work and harsh lifestyle strip away all fabrications and force a dark-hearted exploration of who he really is.
On the unforgiving Bering Sea, Adam finds the adventure and authenticity of a fisherman’s life revelatory. The labor required to seize bounty from the ocean invigorates him, and the often crude comradery accompanies a welcome, hard-earned wisdom. But when a strike threatens the entire season and violence stalks the waves, Adam is thrust into a struggle for survival at the edge of the world, where evolutionary and social forces collide for outcomes beyond anyone’s control.
In his riveting debut novel, Matt Riordan pairs personal experiences with a master storyteller’s eye in a piercing examination of the quest for identity in the face of tempests within and without.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2024
54 people are currently reading
17225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
April 7, 2024
The Greenhorn
THE NORTH LINE by Matt Riordan
No spoilers. 4 1/2 stars. Can a college student earn enough money to pay his tuition working on an Alaskan fishing trawler?...
And is it advisable employment for the inexperienced?...
These were the questions before college student Adam...
A friend had hooked Adam up with a job as a crewman on a commercial fishing boat bound for the frigid and deadly Bering Sea...
Adam had been arrested for dealing drugs on campus, and as a result, he had lost his scholarship funding...
Adam knew nothing about fishing, but he was desperate for $26,000 to pay his tuition fee for his senior year...
When it came to riches for the taking...
Adam knew that the universe saw to it that stupidity was punished much more harshly than evil...
But, seeing no other alternative...
Adam became a crewman aboard the old tub Vice, along with Captain Nash and fellow crewman Cole...
All hired by Kaid, the ship's owner...
The dilapidated boat stank of old nets and diesel exhaust, and as he stepped aboard, Adam was warned...
It's too late to turn back...
The net fishing greenhorn was soon to learn that fishing on the Bering Sea was hard, dangerous work, and it demanded a flesh sacrifice...
This was an excellent seafaring adventure story that had a little bit of everything. There was the dangerous job of net fishing in the frigid, unforgiving Bering Sea, treachery, and introspective soul searching.
This was one of the best novels I've read so far this year.
THE NORTH LINE by Matt Riordan
No spoilers. 4 1/2 stars. Can a college student earn enough money to pay his tuition working on an Alaskan fishing trawler?...
And is it advisable employment for the inexperienced?...
These were the questions before college student Adam...
A friend had hooked Adam up with a job as a crewman on a commercial fishing boat bound for the frigid and deadly Bering Sea...
Adam had been arrested for dealing drugs on campus, and as a result, he had lost his scholarship funding...
Adam knew nothing about fishing, but he was desperate for $26,000 to pay his tuition fee for his senior year...
When it came to riches for the taking...
Adam knew that the universe saw to it that stupidity was punished much more harshly than evil...
But, seeing no other alternative...
Adam became a crewman aboard the old tub Vice, along with Captain Nash and fellow crewman Cole...
All hired by Kaid, the ship's owner...
The dilapidated boat stank of old nets and diesel exhaust, and as he stepped aboard, Adam was warned...
It's too late to turn back...
The net fishing greenhorn was soon to learn that fishing on the Bering Sea was hard, dangerous work, and it demanded a flesh sacrifice...
This was an excellent seafaring adventure story that had a little bit of everything. There was the dangerous job of net fishing in the frigid, unforgiving Bering Sea, treachery, and introspective soul searching.
This was one of the best novels I've read so far this year.
March 31, 2024
“You know what I regret most in my whole life?”
“What’s that?”
“Everything I ever did for the money.”
I love books set in Alaska and I love supporting debut authors!
Adam can make you believe just about anything; he even lies to himself! It’s not until he’s forced to experience the danger and harsh reality of life on the unforgiving Bering Sea that Adam comes face to face with himself.
Adam got caught selling ecstasy pills at a Supertramp concert and lost his lacrosse scholarship. He discovered that with a drug conviction, he doesn’t qualify for financial aid. In a desperate attempt to raise $26,000 in three months to pay for his senior year, he’s forced to head to Alaska where he’s heard he can make this kind of money in a short time.
He’s a greenhorn.
Hired on the run-down Miami Vice herring trawler, Adam is quickly submerged in the life of a fisherman as Captain Nash and deckhand Cole take him under their wing. When the trawler catches fire and they are forced to sell their catch to ensure their safety, it’s just the beginning of the trials he experiences.
To say that this is not what Adam expected is putting it mildly. However, it’s just what he needs. Adam learns to endure hardships rather than run away from challenges. He also learns what it means to dig in and do what it takes to become who he wants to be. In short, Alaska makes him a man.
I was riveted. I should have been more prepared for the colourful language as it was a shock at first. I overlooked it as I was hooked in the story. I appreciated a chance to learn about something I knew very little about and came away with a fresh appreciation for all those who do this for a living.
I was gifted this copy by Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
“What’s that?”
“Everything I ever did for the money.”
I love books set in Alaska and I love supporting debut authors!
Adam can make you believe just about anything; he even lies to himself! It’s not until he’s forced to experience the danger and harsh reality of life on the unforgiving Bering Sea that Adam comes face to face with himself.
Adam got caught selling ecstasy pills at a Supertramp concert and lost his lacrosse scholarship. He discovered that with a drug conviction, he doesn’t qualify for financial aid. In a desperate attempt to raise $26,000 in three months to pay for his senior year, he’s forced to head to Alaska where he’s heard he can make this kind of money in a short time.
He’s a greenhorn.
Hired on the run-down Miami Vice herring trawler, Adam is quickly submerged in the life of a fisherman as Captain Nash and deckhand Cole take him under their wing. When the trawler catches fire and they are forced to sell their catch to ensure their safety, it’s just the beginning of the trials he experiences.
To say that this is not what Adam expected is putting it mildly. However, it’s just what he needs. Adam learns to endure hardships rather than run away from challenges. He also learns what it means to dig in and do what it takes to become who he wants to be. In short, Alaska makes him a man.
I was riveted. I should have been more prepared for the colourful language as it was a shock at first. I overlooked it as I was hooked in the story. I appreciated a chance to learn about something I knew very little about and came away with a fresh appreciation for all those who do this for a living.
I was gifted this copy by Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 9, 2023
Upon finishing this book, I could only say “wow”. I started this expecting a mystery/thriller about the sea, maybe even a locked-room mystery (which I’m actually getting a little tired of). I wouldn’t call this a mystery or a thriller. It was thrilling and suspenseful, but not a typical thriller. That doesn’t matter though - this is a fantastic book!
Adam is an Ivy League lacrosse player, who was caught selling party drugs on campus. They are allowing him to finish his senior year, but his lacrosse scholarship? Gone. If he wants to return, he has to pay for it himself…to the tune of $26,000.
Through a mutual connection, he soon finds himself on the shore of the Bering Sea, waiting for a fishing boat to pick him up. He is going out on the ocean to play a little “Deadliest Catch”, because he can’t think of any other way to make the kind of money he needs over his summer break. That’s when we get into the story, and learn about this industry right along with Adam.
I know a book about a college kid doing some extreme fishing may not sound too exciting, but this was a fascinating book. Not only were the characters great, it was really cool to learn more about these kind of fishers and how the business side works. You have to be able to get your hands dirty, in more ways than one, to be successful at the job. People don’t risk their lives every year to make friends, they do it to make money. Mess with the money, and things can get choppy on the high seas.
I thought the ending was smart and unexpected, but also a little bit of a letdown as it was just a few pages and left a few questions. That’s my only complaint about this dramatic and exciting story, as the rest was amazing. 4.5 stars, rounded up for being an incredible debut!
(Thank you to Hyperion Avenue, Matt Riordan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 2, 2024.)
Adam is an Ivy League lacrosse player, who was caught selling party drugs on campus. They are allowing him to finish his senior year, but his lacrosse scholarship? Gone. If he wants to return, he has to pay for it himself…to the tune of $26,000.
Through a mutual connection, he soon finds himself on the shore of the Bering Sea, waiting for a fishing boat to pick him up. He is going out on the ocean to play a little “Deadliest Catch”, because he can’t think of any other way to make the kind of money he needs over his summer break. That’s when we get into the story, and learn about this industry right along with Adam.
I know a book about a college kid doing some extreme fishing may not sound too exciting, but this was a fascinating book. Not only were the characters great, it was really cool to learn more about these kind of fishers and how the business side works. You have to be able to get your hands dirty, in more ways than one, to be successful at the job. People don’t risk their lives every year to make friends, they do it to make money. Mess with the money, and things can get choppy on the high seas.
I thought the ending was smart and unexpected, but also a little bit of a letdown as it was just a few pages and left a few questions. That’s my only complaint about this dramatic and exciting story, as the rest was amazing. 4.5 stars, rounded up for being an incredible debut!
(Thank you to Hyperion Avenue, Matt Riordan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 2, 2024.)
August 22, 2024
Imagine you're facing your final year of college. You've lost your free-ride scholarship. What would you do?
Although Adam knows nothing about the fishing industry, he's desperate to earn the $26,000.00 he needs for his tuition. This leads to his decision to join an Alaskan fishing crew that promises quick money. Adam is shocked to find he find he likes the challenge of the dangerous work and harsh lifestyle. He's witnessing a whole new side of himself!
The North Line is a graphic look into the fishing industry. I found it to be a well-written book, although I may never eat fish again...
Many thanks to both #HyperionAvenue and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The North Line. The expected publication date is April 2, 2024.
Although Adam knows nothing about the fishing industry, he's desperate to earn the $26,000.00 he needs for his tuition. This leads to his decision to join an Alaskan fishing crew that promises quick money. Adam is shocked to find he find he likes the challenge of the dangerous work and harsh lifestyle. He's witnessing a whole new side of himself!
The North Line is a graphic look into the fishing industry. I found it to be a well-written book, although I may never eat fish again...
Many thanks to both #HyperionAvenue and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The North Line. The expected publication date is April 2, 2024.
Read
July 6, 2024no offense but all I could think abt when I read this was that it was written by a man, for a man 🙄
April 8, 2025
UNBELIEVABLE!
In this very manly novel you will be completely immersed in the world of cold, arctic fishing during and Alaskan summer. Maybe you too thought for a moment that working in Alaska would be an easy way to pay for college? I think people my age remember reading ads or hearing stories. Matt Riordan is here to tell the tale - it ain't easy.
Adam is a college student who has fallen from grace and needs to make up the difference of a lost scholarship. He follows up on a lead and a favor and finds himself in Alaska joining a summer fishing boat with little knowledge nor skill. He may not have realized that the fisherman have very little food, very little sleep and no showering during the season... but he will learn, and so will we.
Join Adam as he counts on his own gut and athleticism to power him through something that does not seem humanly possible. A nightmare that keeps going - work that is back breaking, literally bone break and never ending for a boss that he simply cannot trust. When he is pushed to his very limit he needs to make a choice - what would you do?
This novel is so good, I cannot believe it is a debut! I would love to know more, I would like to go back - mind you, I never EVER want to fish or live on a boat like that but I would like to read on as someone else pushes their limits. Simply Amazing!
#hyperion #thenorthline #mattriordan
In this very manly novel you will be completely immersed in the world of cold, arctic fishing during and Alaskan summer. Maybe you too thought for a moment that working in Alaska would be an easy way to pay for college? I think people my age remember reading ads or hearing stories. Matt Riordan is here to tell the tale - it ain't easy.
Adam is a college student who has fallen from grace and needs to make up the difference of a lost scholarship. He follows up on a lead and a favor and finds himself in Alaska joining a summer fishing boat with little knowledge nor skill. He may not have realized that the fisherman have very little food, very little sleep and no showering during the season... but he will learn, and so will we.
Join Adam as he counts on his own gut and athleticism to power him through something that does not seem humanly possible. A nightmare that keeps going - work that is back breaking, literally bone break and never ending for a boss that he simply cannot trust. When he is pushed to his very limit he needs to make a choice - what would you do?
This novel is so good, I cannot believe it is a debut! I would love to know more, I would like to go back - mind you, I never EVER want to fish or live on a boat like that but I would like to read on as someone else pushes their limits. Simply Amazing!
#hyperion #thenorthline #mattriordan
March 7, 2024
Genre: Adventure/Suspense
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Pub. Date: April 2, 2024
The book’s blurb compares Matt Riordan to Jack London. Indeed, there are similarities between “Call of the Wild” and “The North Line.” In the 1990s, Adam, a college student needing quick money, finds work on an Alaskan commercial fishing boat in the unforgiving Bering Sea, which sits at the edge of the world. The author will make you feel the strong winds, freezing temperatures, and icy waters. I learned that these combinations make for some of the most ferocious waves on the planet, where the water can rise and fall 30 feet on a typical day. The vivid authenticity of the writing is superb. I was surprised that this book is the author’s debut novel.
Although his thumbnail is ripped off on his first day, Adam finds that day’s adventure and labor exhilarating. He also enjoys crude comradery with his crewmembers, feeling they possess hard-earned knowledge. However, Adam is thrown into a despicable fight when a fisherman’s strike threatens the entire season. By the novel’s end, Adam will no longer have teeth and no longer resemble the college student he once was.
“Some lines should not be crossed, even at the ragged edge of civilization.” The surprise ending seems to say survival of the fittest is cruel. This novel is recommended (even if you know nothing about commercial fishing for a living, as I didn’t). It would be best to go in knowing you will be fascinated and repulsed simultaneously.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list…
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/review…
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr…
https://www.amazon.com/
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Pub. Date: April 2, 2024
The book’s blurb compares Matt Riordan to Jack London. Indeed, there are similarities between “Call of the Wild” and “The North Line.” In the 1990s, Adam, a college student needing quick money, finds work on an Alaskan commercial fishing boat in the unforgiving Bering Sea, which sits at the edge of the world. The author will make you feel the strong winds, freezing temperatures, and icy waters. I learned that these combinations make for some of the most ferocious waves on the planet, where the water can rise and fall 30 feet on a typical day. The vivid authenticity of the writing is superb. I was surprised that this book is the author’s debut novel.
Although his thumbnail is ripped off on his first day, Adam finds that day’s adventure and labor exhilarating. He also enjoys crude comradery with his crewmembers, feeling they possess hard-earned knowledge. However, Adam is thrown into a despicable fight when a fisherman’s strike threatens the entire season. By the novel’s end, Adam will no longer have teeth and no longer resemble the college student he once was.
“Some lines should not be crossed, even at the ragged edge of civilization.” The surprise ending seems to say survival of the fittest is cruel. This novel is recommended (even if you know nothing about commercial fishing for a living, as I didn’t). It would be best to go in knowing you will be fascinated and repulsed simultaneously.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list…
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/review…
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr…
https://www.amazon.com/
November 23, 2024
Did not expect such an ending!!
Besides the ending, the book was really well written. The author has a way with words that made me feel like I really was on a fishing boat in the arctic.
I liked the colourful cast of characters, especially Nash. Who wouldn't like Nash?
I loved this book. It was an original story and well told.
Besides the ending, the book was really well written. The author has a way with words that made me feel like I really was on a fishing boat in the arctic.
I liked the colourful cast of characters, especially Nash. Who wouldn't like Nash?
I loved this book. It was an original story and well told.
December 9, 2023
The North Line by Matt Riordan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When Adam loses his full ride scholarship due to a poor decision in his Junior Year at Danby, he finds that he needs to come up with the money on his own to pay for his final year, and he want to pay cash before the year starts. A friend tells him about her uncle who owns some fishing boats in Alaska that will help him earn the cash. Upon arriving in Alaska, he is setup with a small crew to fish Herring. The short season promises him money but for a lot of work wrought with danger. He soon finds himself drawn in to the adventure, work and comradery. When a strike threatens to end the season before it even begins, Adam and his newfound friends, find themselves in a war between crews and even each other.
AMAZING!!! This suspense thriller is one to start early on a day you have nothing going on, because once you pick it up, you will want to read straight through. I loved the idea behind this one but had no idea how quickly and deeply I would become immersed in the story of Adam and the route he took to make his life go on from his mistakes. Adam showed just how far someone motivated enough to persevere through a difficult situation is willing to go. The only issue for the entire book for me was a few questions that I would have loved to have answered before it was all over. Easily my favorite of the 94 I've read this year.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When Adam loses his full ride scholarship due to a poor decision in his Junior Year at Danby, he finds that he needs to come up with the money on his own to pay for his final year, and he want to pay cash before the year starts. A friend tells him about her uncle who owns some fishing boats in Alaska that will help him earn the cash. Upon arriving in Alaska, he is setup with a small crew to fish Herring. The short season promises him money but for a lot of work wrought with danger. He soon finds himself drawn in to the adventure, work and comradery. When a strike threatens to end the season before it even begins, Adam and his newfound friends, find themselves in a war between crews and even each other.
AMAZING!!! This suspense thriller is one to start early on a day you have nothing going on, because once you pick it up, you will want to read straight through. I loved the idea behind this one but had no idea how quickly and deeply I would become immersed in the story of Adam and the route he took to make his life go on from his mistakes. Adam showed just how far someone motivated enough to persevere through a difficult situation is willing to go. The only issue for the entire book for me was a few questions that I would have loved to have answered before it was all over. Easily my favorite of the 94 I've read this year.
September 28, 2024
THE GOOD:
An interesting look at the world of Alaska fishing.
THE BAD:
Pretty consistent vulgar language. Drug use to get through the hard work.
CONCLUSION:
Harsh and brutal. And it just keeps getting worse. But definitely lives up to the book blurb.
An interesting look at the world of Alaska fishing.
THE BAD:
Pretty consistent vulgar language. Drug use to get through the hard work.
CONCLUSION:
Harsh and brutal. And it just keeps getting worse. But definitely lives up to the book blurb.
November 14, 2023
This book made me take a step back and look at life with a totally new perspective. I am not sure I would truly call this book a mystery/thriller, but it was definitely suspenseful. I did not at all see the ending coming, and at the same time, I loved it. I was actually shocked that I was on the last page and it was over. A poignant portrayal of life at see, this novel evoked deep thinking and feeling. It is not the type of book I would usually read, but I highly recommend a story like this to get a perspective on the struggles some people face to make a living.
April 25, 2024
I didn't enjoy this book. I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing did. I mean, the build-up led to a conclusion, so to speak, but it was so unsatisfying that I was thoroughly disappointed. I knew where the story took place, but still, all these descriptions of boats and fishing... it was just boring. I'm also rather annoyed that it was presented as a thriller, which it is not. waste of time for me.
August 11, 2024
This book definitely will not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it! A dark storyline about the fishing industry in Alaska from the perspective of a college student who joined to earn money for tuition.
May 11, 2024
This story follows Adam, a college kid who lost his scholarship and is trying to make up the cash to finish his degree, as he joins a fishing boat crew in Alaska. It starts like a modern adventure novel with a not-wholly likable lead. By the end, it turns into a horror story. It's a lot of detailed talk about killing fish and the small details of how the boat and nets work.
I thought this would be more of a mystery than it was. It turns out of be a group of unlikable men on a boat together in the middle of nowhere doing things they shouldn't. As I discovered, I'm not the right audience for this book. The writing is solid and creates interesting characters while brining to life an unfamiliar world. If you're into solitary adventure and horror, you're in the right place. If not, you're probably not the right audience either.
I thought this would be more of a mystery than it was. It turns out of be a group of unlikable men on a boat together in the middle of nowhere doing things they shouldn't. As I discovered, I'm not the right audience for this book. The writing is solid and creates interesting characters while brining to life an unfamiliar world. If you're into solitary adventure and horror, you're in the right place. If not, you're probably not the right audience either.
April 30, 2024
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. David Sedaris was touting this debut novel during his latest tour, but I wasn’t as captivated as I’d hoped by Riordan’s brief reading at the event. The book itself did not disappoint, though. The pacing is fast and it’s easy to geek out over Riordan’s writing. The language he uses to describe such a brutal environment is oddly beautiful. Hard to believe this is his debut novel!
October 20, 2023
Excellent account of life in the Bering Sea. We meet a protagonist who needs the big bucks of fishing so he can pay his senior year’s tuition. Along the way we’re introduced to a variety of characters who teach him to endure the hardships he faces. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
May 26, 2024
Definitely a man book about men doing men things. But it kept my attention and did a great job of describing the bone crushing job of fishing in Arctic waters.
September 8, 2024
Rough, crude and thrilling, if you can deal with the first two adjectives.
I received an actual physical ARC of this book in the early spring. In the midst of unpacking my tornado stuff, this cardboard mailer was somehow put in recycling by one of my friends and it got totally soaked. Long story short, I left it sitting to dry out, forgot about it and finally opened the mailer to find that the book survived; a fitting beginning for a title that holds this story!
THE NORTH LINE, is Matt Riordan’s debut novel. The writing is solid adventure fare. Readers should be warned that the language and descriptive prose is overwhelmed with foul language. Long shore men get their reputation from books like this. Wait - shouldn’t it be the reverse? Yeesh…🤦🏼
Riordan’s characters are developed minimally. These are guys who ascribe to a life style and with the exception of Adam, the main character, they are of the “what you see is what you get” crowd. As a reader, I hoped to see growth or change in one or more of them, especially Adam. The change that happened was NOT expected. It also wasn’t welcomed.
Does unwelcome change make it bad? Not necessarily, but Riordan didn’t lay any groundwork for what happens in the last few pages. There’s a flimsy possibility for cause and effect but it doesn’t really play well with the Adam we spent 275 pages with. We got to know him in Alaska under extreme circumstances and also his childhood and college days, including the trouble that brought him to Alaska and the nearly impossible job of fishing the Bering Sea.
I’m a big fan of unexpected twists and surprises that authors are able to conceal from me until the very last moment in a book; not so much for incongruence📚
Read and Reviewed from a GoodReads GiveAway ARC, with thanks
I received an actual physical ARC of this book in the early spring. In the midst of unpacking my tornado stuff, this cardboard mailer was somehow put in recycling by one of my friends and it got totally soaked. Long story short, I left it sitting to dry out, forgot about it and finally opened the mailer to find that the book survived; a fitting beginning for a title that holds this story!
THE NORTH LINE, is Matt Riordan’s debut novel. The writing is solid adventure fare. Readers should be warned that the language and descriptive prose is overwhelmed with foul language. Long shore men get their reputation from books like this. Wait - shouldn’t it be the reverse? Yeesh…🤦🏼
Riordan’s characters are developed minimally. These are guys who ascribe to a life style and with the exception of Adam, the main character, they are of the “what you see is what you get” crowd. As a reader, I hoped to see growth or change in one or more of them, especially Adam. The change that happened was NOT expected. It also wasn’t welcomed.
Does unwelcome change make it bad? Not necessarily, but Riordan didn’t lay any groundwork for what happens in the last few pages. There’s a flimsy possibility for cause and effect but it doesn’t really play well with the Adam we spent 275 pages with. We got to know him in Alaska under extreme circumstances and also his childhood and college days, including the trouble that brought him to Alaska and the nearly impossible job of fishing the Bering Sea.
I’m a big fan of unexpected twists and surprises that authors are able to conceal from me until the very last moment in a book; not so much for incongruence📚
Read and Reviewed from a GoodReads GiveAway ARC, with thanks
December 20, 2024
Adam is a college student who gets arrested, during a botched drug deal. He loses his scholarship, with one year left before graduation. He does not tell his parents and decides to join an Alaskan fishing crew to earn the money for his remaining tuition.
Of course, he has zero experience and takes on an extremely challenging and dangerous job. Adam sets out to prove himself and to see if he can stand up against the unforgiving Bering Sea, in a wickedly competitive business.
I decided to give this audiobook a try and I am glad I did. It is a good, solid adventure tale and there is no question that the author has had first hand knowledge of the hardships of the fishing world.
Of course, he has zero experience and takes on an extremely challenging and dangerous job. Adam sets out to prove himself and to see if he can stand up against the unforgiving Bering Sea, in a wickedly competitive business.
I decided to give this audiobook a try and I am glad I did. It is a good, solid adventure tale and there is no question that the author has had first hand knowledge of the hardships of the fishing world.
February 25, 2025
This held my attention while reading, but I wasn't always hype to pick it up.
April 14, 2024
I liked the booked and thought the author is a good writer, especially for a debut novel. I would have liked more depth of the main character that provided insight into his actions.
I will definitely read the author's next book.
I will definitely read the author's next book.
March 18, 2024
I have mixed opinions about The North Line. I was very excited to receive an advanced copy because I love reading books about Alaska!
What I loved about this book was that the author drew from personal experience to write about the difficulties of making it in Alaska, especially in the fishing industry. Adams experience fishing in one of the harshest environments on Earth was simply fascinating to me, and I loved reading about what these fisherman go through to pull out a living.
I don't want to give any spoilers, however the ending was a huge disappointment to me, and it left me with unanswered questions. If not for this I would have given the book 4 stars.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Huge thanks to Hyperion Avenue for my review copy!
What I loved about this book was that the author drew from personal experience to write about the difficulties of making it in Alaska, especially in the fishing industry. Adams experience fishing in one of the harshest environments on Earth was simply fascinating to me, and I loved reading about what these fisherman go through to pull out a living.
I don't want to give any spoilers, however the ending was a huge disappointment to me, and it left me with unanswered questions. If not for this I would have given the book 4 stars.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Huge thanks to Hyperion Avenue for my review copy!
April 6, 2024
Was very hard to get into. Not really my type of book. But I did learn a lot from it and the ending was really good.
I won a copy of this book on Goodreads Giveaways
I won a copy of this book on Goodreads Giveaways
June 19, 2024
I was skim reading by page 98.
March 16, 2024
“The North Line” by Matt Riordan was amazing, and hard to believe this was the author’s first book! The story is about a 3rd year college student on the Lacrosse team who loses his scholarship because of being caught selling drugs. In order to raise the money for his final year at school he joins the crew of a fishing vessel in the Bering sea. The dangerous work and harsh life was not what he expected to say the least. I was reading this book and holding my breath the whole time. For any fan of the Deadliest Catch, Alaska and great adventure this book is for you. This book is an amazing suspenseful read with an unexpected ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 16, 2024
Adam is a college student in need of a large amount of fast cash in order to keep his place in the prestigious (or at least expensive) college he attends after losing his sports scholarship. Adam heads to Alaska to join a Bering Sea fishing crew where he has heard he can earn the cash he needs fast. I found the characters in this book fascinating and the author did a great job of bringing the harsh realities of the work of a Bering Sea fishing crew to life on the page. As Adam makes friends and finds work in Alaska he is also finding out who he really is when a strike threatens everyone livelihood and push comes to shove in the dangerous and crude yet authentic and satisfying world of commercial fishermen. The I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher.
May 13, 2025
3.5 🌟 - My main gripe with this book is that the pacing was off. The author does a good job of painting a picture of the unforgiving, brutal world of Alaskan fishing. They provide detailed descriptions of wildlife and the daily activities of fishermen working the Bering Sea. Throughout the story, large chunks of the book alert the reader to the dangerous nature of the job and hit us over the head with the idea that Adam may have bitten off more than he can chew. However, despite all the warnings, for the majority of the book, nothing happens. The story tries to redeem itself by ending with a bang, but the conclusion seemed to come out of nowhere and felt extremely rushed.
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaway for this ARC.
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaway for this ARC.
June 2, 2024
I was fully immersed in this high stakes thriller set on a commercial fishing vessel in the Bering Sea. When I say immersed, I mean I felt like I was smelling the salty sea water and leaning over a cold steel rail of the Vice boat. This book is a well paced, gripping, sea-faring adventure about man vs. nature and man vs. man. Adam is a college student in trouble and facing expulsion, looking to make just enough money this summer to return and finish his senior year. He finds himself in one of the worlds most dangerous jobs to make 26K over the summer, and gets more than he bargained for, and maybe exactly as much as he is warned about. The book explores themes of society and past deeds affecting future prospects. I could not put this book down. Highly recommend.
February 25, 2024
In need of money, Adam books himself a flight out to the coast to join the crew of a fishing boat in the Bearing Sea. As Adam learns the ropes- literally and figuratively- a strike begins, and he starts to observe cutthroat dynamics amongst his crew and the others. To make the money he needs, Adam will have to navigate the sea and the business.
I really enjoyed the way this book jumped right into the action. I loved the way the author described the environment and the job in a way that makes you feel like you're there in the thick of it. It's a physically brutal job and the personal challenges on top of the work build a major challenge for a newcomer. I did find that the middle of the book dragged quite a bit. The idea of the strike is introduced very early, but push doesn't really come to shove until the last 1/4th of the book. Things to pick up and get going for that last 1/4th though, I couldn't put it down, and the very end escalated quickly and left me pretty surprised.
The only thing I noted was that the age and/or setting was a little confusing. I started reading the book as if it was set present-day, and nothing really betrayed that (no cell phones or recreational high-tech stuff on board anyway so I guess time doesn't come up a lot) and since Adam was a college kid I got a little confused when Adam says he was born in 1968. So I guess this book is actually set in the late 80's/early 90's? I don't think it had any impact on the plot I was just surprised.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and thought it was especially amazing since it's a debut. I would definitely read more from this author!
I really enjoyed the way this book jumped right into the action. I loved the way the author described the environment and the job in a way that makes you feel like you're there in the thick of it. It's a physically brutal job and the personal challenges on top of the work build a major challenge for a newcomer. I did find that the middle of the book dragged quite a bit. The idea of the strike is introduced very early, but push doesn't really come to shove until the last 1/4th of the book. Things to pick up and get going for that last 1/4th though, I couldn't put it down, and the very end escalated quickly and left me pretty surprised.
The only thing I noted was that the age and/or setting was a little confusing. I started reading the book as if it was set present-day, and nothing really betrayed that (no cell phones or recreational high-tech stuff on board anyway so I guess time doesn't come up a lot) and since Adam was a college kid I got a little confused when Adam says he was born in 1968. So I guess this book is actually set in the late 80's/early 90's? I don't think it had any impact on the plot I was just surprised.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and thought it was especially amazing since it's a debut. I would definitely read more from this author!
July 3, 2025
Great story about life on the high seas. Not a shred of glamour - in fact, the protagonist once wondered to himself if he had got on the wrong boat?
College boy Adam needs to raise money fast for next term's tuition, and a friend tells him she can put him in touch with a relative who's a fishing boat captain. The money is good, and really, how hard could it be?
There are no fillers in these pages that the reader is tempted to skim past. Every word on every page is worthy of its place. Tragedy, treachery, injury, bad food, bad coffee, and unexpected interjections of humour that made me laugh out loud.
Even landlubbers will enjoy this book. Might make you think twice, though, before you eat another salmon!
College boy Adam needs to raise money fast for next term's tuition, and a friend tells him she can put him in touch with a relative who's a fishing boat captain. The money is good, and really, how hard could it be?
There are no fillers in these pages that the reader is tempted to skim past. Every word on every page is worthy of its place. Tragedy, treachery, injury, bad food, bad coffee, and unexpected interjections of humour that made me laugh out loud.
Even landlubbers will enjoy this book. Might make you think twice, though, before you eat another salmon!
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