Avalanche

by Cody Duckworth

What happens when Bigfoot lands a reality show—and then vanishes without a trace?

When a reclusive cryptid from Ohio’s misty woods skyrockets to international stardom, the world can’t get enough of the Ohio Grassman. After the shaggy icon rockets to fame and crashes into addiction and disillusionment, his sudden disappearance ignites a national obsession.

As he drifts into the wilderness on a surreal odyssey of mysticism and myth, an eccentric trio—a lumber tycoon, his weary assistant, and a pet psychic with a dubious gift—takes up the hunt, uncovering a world straddled somewhere between reality and legend.

Meanwhile, corporate burnout Derek “Blue” North is fleeing a different kind of madness. Escaping the grind, he proposes to his girlfriend and heads west in search of renewal. But the road has its own tests, and the closer they get to freedom, the further they drift from each other.

Equal parts satire, fable, and absurdist road novel, Avalanche is a darkly funny, sharply observed exploration of myth, identity, and community in modern-day America.

526 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2025

Reviews

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalanche is the first book in a long while that I genuinely struggled to put down—and one that lingered in my thoughts long after I finished it. It defies neat categorization, blending absurdist spiritual mysticism with devilishly funny insight into the modern human condition. The result is a story that's both wildly imaginative and deeply reflective, probing themes of death, grief, enlightenment, community, comedy, and the meaning of life with poignant hilarity.

Its characters are unforgettable—richly drawn, strange in the best of ways, and relentlessly compelling. As the narrative sweeps you along for a wild road trip filled with harrowing, endearing, bizarre, hilarious, and heartfelt turns, you'll find yourself thirsting for more, eager to stay in this surreal and astonishing world a little longer.

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The mix of mysticism, comedy, and social commentary is so refreshing. Derek and his journey west felt so relatable, and the Grassman’s odyssey was pure magic. By the end, I felt like I’d been on a journey myself. Absolutely fantastic

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast, intense, and beautifully written book. Avalanche kept me turning pages non-stop. Highly recommended.

[Brent J. Whitlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written from start to finish. I love novels set in harsh natural environments, but this one takes it a step further by giving the wilderness a personality of its own cold, unpredictable, unforgiving, yet breathtaking. The character development is phenomenal. Each person in the story carries their own quiet burdens, and the way they react to crisis reveals who they truly are. The scenes describing the avalanche itself were some of the most visceral I’ve ever read. I slowed down during those pages just to take in the detail the sound, the pressure, the confusion. And then, after the action, the story shifts into something more introspective and emotional, which I appreciated even more. The balance is perfect.

[Brenda Zieglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was an unexpected emotional journey. Yes, the survival elements are extremely well done, but what kept me turning pages were the relationships, the subtle tensions, the unspoken fears, the loyalty that emerges in unexpected places. It’s not often that a survival thriller manages to combine heart-racing action with truly meaningful character arcs. The buildup of dread is masterful, and even quieter scenes feel charged with emotion. I especially loved how the author portrays the landscape. The mountains aren’t just a backdrop; they’re a living force shaping the story. By the end, I felt like I had lived through the experience alongside the characters. It’s rare for a book to stay with me like this one did.

[William Tinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read many books in this genre, and Avalanche genuinely stands out. The writing is sharp and evocative every description is purposeful. The author clearly understands avalanche science, terrain traps, snowpack layers, and survival logic, but never dumps information in a way that slows down the narrative. Instead, the details are woven seamlessly into the story, enhancing the danger and realism. What surprised me most was how emotionally invested I became. There’s a subtlety to the character interactions that makes their struggles feel deeply personal. When the avalanche hits, it lands with emotional weight, not just physical force. I couldn’t put it down.

[Dora Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping. I found myself pausing multiple times because the tension genuinely raised my heart rate. The style is immersive but not overwhelming, just the right balance of sensory detail and internal reflection. I also appreciated that the characters aren’t portrayed as heroes or villains; they’re flawed, frightened, resilient human beings trying to make sense of a life-or-death moment. The way the author writes about fear is incredible. It’s not melodramatic fear it’s the quiet kind that sits in your stomach, tightening slowly as danger approaches. A powerful, atmospheric, unforgettable read.

[Decamp Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lesson in how to build atmosphere. I could feel the looming danger long before the avalanche occurred. The author seeds tiny clues a shift in weather, a subtle crack in the snow, a character’s uneasy glance that build suspense beautifully. The avalanche scene itself is a masterclass in tension. But what truly elevates this novel is the emotional resonance afterwards. It’s not just about getting buried in snow; it’s about guilt, forgiveness, survival, and the fragile threads that connect people. I finished it and immediately recommended it to two friends.

[Jhopkinsblake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalanche” is an emotionally gripping and beautifully written story that pulls you in from the very first chapter. The characters feel real, their struggles are relatable, and the author does an amazing job of blending tension, emotion, and hope. I particularly loved how the story builds toward powerful moments without losing its heart. If you enjoy stories filled with depth, resilience, and unexpected twists, this book is absolutely worth reading.

[Andrew McCloskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute romp. Avalanche manages to hook you from the outset and never let go. It takes you down a winding path, sometimes frenzied and absurd, but it is strewn with way-stations of insight and deeply felt things. Well written characters and a wild ride that builds upon itself till the very end. There’s violent crescendos and sex toy’s and paranormal psychedelia here to be sure, but perhaps more surprisingly, there’s a heap of heart and intrigue in these pages as well. I suggest you turn them.

[Virginia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong novel with a lot to admire, especially in how it handles tension and outdoor realism. The author paints the cold landscape so vividly that I could almost feel the sting of the wind and the heaviness of the snow. That part was excellent. My one issue is that the pacing felt uneven at times. There are chapters packed with intense, nail-biting danger followed by stretches of introspection that slowed things down more than I personally prefer. Don’t get me wrong those reflective moments are meaningful and thoughtfully written, but compared to other survival books I love, I sometimes wanted the story to press forward instead of lingering. Still, the emotional depth of the characters and the authenticity of the avalanche material make this a rewarding read overall.

[Jean Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, and in many ways it stands out among survival fiction. The setting is atmospheric, the stakes are high, and the characters feel like real people rather than plot devices. But compared to other books I’ve read in the genre, this one moved at a more measured pace. Some readers will appreciate that it allows for deeper character exploration. For me, I occasionally felt impatient for the next turn in the plot, especially in the middle. However, when the story hits its highs, it hits hard. The avalanche sequences are astonishingly well-written, and the emotional aftermath is powerful and believable. I think readers who enjoy character-heavy survival narratives will really respond to this.

[Theresa Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalanche is one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally. I expected high-stakes action and got it, but what I didn’t expect was the depth of reflection, the complexity of the relationships, and the way the story explores the psychological cost of survival. The author writes about guilt, fear, and responsibility with an honesty I rarely see in this genre.
The avalanche scenes themselves are phenomenal vivid, terrifying, and disorienting in just the right way. They feel like a real avalanche: sudden, unstoppable, unforgiving. Yet the book doesn’t end its emotional arc with the event itself. It shows how trauma ripples. A single moment of catastrophe changes the dynamics between the characters forever. The writing is powerful because it acknowledges those long shadows

[Thomas Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a much deeper emotional impact on me than I expected. The survival scenes are intense and brilliantly written, but the emotional fallout afterward is what sets Avalanche apart. The characters try to hold onto logic and strategy, but the cracks show in heartbreaking way short tempers, withdrawn silences, sudden bursts of emotion. It’s all incredibly authentic.
One scene near the end, where a character finally acknowledges the weight of everything they’ve been carrying, was one of the most powerful I’ve read all year. It’s quiet, not dramatic, but deeply affecting. This book understands how trauma work not as a single explosion, but as a slow, heavy burden

[Ray Mantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books do atmosphere as brilliantly as Avalanche. The author describes the world with such clarity that I felt myself sinking into the setting. The cold isn’t just described; it’s felt. The silence isn’t just mentioned; it’s oppressive. The isolation becomes a character of its own. The writing is immersive without ever being overwritten.
The character development is just as strong. The relationships unfold through actions more than words, and the emotional tension is subtle but constant. By the time the avalanche hits, you feel like you know these people their strengths, their blind spots, their fears. That makes the danger far more intense.

[Derrick Vang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a much deeper emotional impact on me than I expected. The survival scenes are intense and brilliantly written, but the emotional fallout afterwards is what sets Avalanche apart. The characters try to hold onto logic and strategy, but the cracks show in heartbreaking ways short tempers, withdrawn silences, sudden bursts of emotion. It’s all incredibly authentic.
One scene near the end, where a character finally acknowledges the weight of everything they’ve been carrying, was one of the most powerful I’ve read all year. It’s quiet, not dramatic, but deeply affecting. This book understands how trauma works not as a single explosion, but as a slow, heavy burden

[Trevor Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written, with a level of detail that sets it apart from typical survival thrillers. Still, the tone sometimes shifts more suddenly than I expected from contemplative to high-intensity and back again. It isn’t jarring in a bad way, but compared to other books I’ve read, it made the pacing feel less consistent. That said, the emotional weight of the story is undeniable, and the author brings a depth to the characters that many survival novels lack. It’s not just about danger; it’s about how danger changes people, reveals their fears, and reshapes their relationships. Anyone who enjoys a blend of psychological tension and wilderness realism will appreciate this book.

[Margaret Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely phenomenal read. The descriptions of the wilderness are stunning not overly flowery, just crisp and vivid. I felt like I was trekking through the snow with the characters. The author understands how to use subtlety to create mood, and that’s rare. What struck me most was the emotional maturity of the writing. The characters grapple with fear, self-doubt, and responsibility in ways that feel painfully real. The plot moves quickly but not at the expense of depth. Easily one of my favorite survival novels

[Lillian Stenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extraordinary in how it blends adventure
with emotional storytelling. Many survival novels rely heavily on action, but
Avalanche doesn’t take that route. It invests deeply in the emotional landscape
of its characters, building tension through subtle expressions of fear,
unspoken rivalry, and the quiet ways people crumble under pressure. When the
avalanche hits, the moment is terrifying because the writing has made you care
about the people in its path.

[Sandra Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book stands out for its strong atmosphere and realistic characters. The pacing is slower than some survival stories, which allows for deeper character development, though parts of the middle felt slow for me. That said, the avalanche scenes are powerful and beautifully written, with an emotional impact that really lands. Readers who enjoy character-driven survival fiction will appreciate this story.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The emotional journey is just as compelling. The characters go through guilt, anger, despair, hope, and acceptance in ways that feel organic. The final chapters are especially moving, offering a resolution that is both realistic and emotionally satisfying. There’s no perfect recovery, but there is growth, which I appreciated deeply.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild, brilliant ride from start to finish
Avalanche is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Bigfoot meets reality TV meets existential road trip? Somehow it all works beautifully. Duckworth’s writing is sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absurd, smart, and unexpectedly emotional
I picked this up for the satire but stayed for the characters. The Ohio Grassman’s journey is both hilarious and strangely profound. I didn’t expect to feel this attached to a cryptid.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect blend of myth and modern chaos
Duckworth takes American pop culture, flips it upside down, and filters it through folklore. The result is a story that’s both deeply entertaining and thought-provoking.

[Ronny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody Duckworth transforms the legend of Bigfoot into an unforgettable, genre-bending adventure. Avalanche is witty, imaginative, and packed with thought-provoking commentary on fame, identity, and community.

[Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bold and brilliantly written novel, Avalanche uses absurdist humor and myth to explore modern life with surprising depth. Cody Duckworth has crafted a story that’s as entertaining as it is meaningful.

[Karie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down
Every chapter surprised me. The trio hunting for Grassman stole the show they’re quirky, chaotic, and weirdly lovable. The satire is sharp but never mean.

[Liliana Purdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and haunting at the same time
The book made me laugh out loud but also left me thinking about identity, burnout, and fame long after I closed it. Duckworth has a real gift.

[Jummy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalanche is a brilliantly crafted blend of satire, myth, and modern storytelling. Cody Duckworth delivers a sharp, darkly funny journey that feels both surreal and deeply human.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalanche is a sharp, satirical exploration of fame, burnout, and belief. Duckworth’s ability to blend humor, fable, and emotional depth makes this a standout contemporary novel.