Runaway

by Sabine Wilder

Susan Wolfe is your average high school senior, concerned with boys, grades and her favourite sport, cross-country running. However, her world gets flipped on its head when she discovers she is a werewolf. Tragedy strikes, but before Susan can deal with it, her best friend Anna's life is put in danger. Susan has to put her own burdens aside to save her friend. Together the two girls have to find a way to survive, all the while putting their bond of friendship to the test.

Genres: Young Adult

ebook

Published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Sabine Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Daryl B on Kobo:

Runaway is young adult werewolf story that follows the adventures of high school student Susan Wolfe and her friend Anna Russel. This statement may lead you to believe that this is another typical werewolf story that has seen a surge in popularity in the past decade. However, if there is one thing that can be said about this book is that it by no means follows the traditional formula of this genre. At many points throughout the story you may use the traditional formula in an attempt to predict upcoming events only to be pleasantly surprised when the narrative takes a different turn. This unique approach continues right up to the end with the author putting a very different spin on events, creating a scenario which I only wish was seen more often in young adult fiction.

What truly makes Runaway an enjoyable experience is the fast pace and no nonsense attitude to the plot. There are several points where I can imagine other authors needlessly drawing things out for no purpose. Sabine on the other hand quickly addresses the issue and is moving you onto to more important matters. The fast paced nature and short length of this book results in an adventure that can be consumed in seemingly no time at all. The first three chapters charm and lure you in and by chapter four you are whisked away only to finish the last chapter hungrily searching for more.

In terms of readability, this book is very readable and I must commend the author on this point. The language is by no means complex and descriptions and interactions are presented in such a way that you can easily imagine what is taking place. Whether you don't read much or constantly have your nose in your book, I imagine the large majority of readers being able to pick this book up and be lost in the story in not time.

The characters of this story each contribute something new and are well defined. Part of what can be confusing for readers is keeping track of the characters or being able to picture them clearly. Each of the characters in this story are presented in such a way that neither of these things are an issue. At no point are you pausing, struggling to remember who someone is or what their personality is like. When you see the character appear on the page you immediately know their personality and how they're likely to react to something.

Overall, I would heartily recommend Runaway whether you've picked up countless werewolf tales over the years or you're new to the genre. I'd recommend this book not only for the reasons above, but because I absolutely need others to discuss the story! Given that this is Sabine Wilder's debut book, I must say this is a promising start. I can only hope that another book follows in the series so that I get to continue the journey into this intriguing and captivating universe! If this book is anything to go by I can see this being the start of path with much potential.

[readingwithpapillons · Rating 2 out of 5]

ahh.... this book was really disappointing. I really really wanted to enjoy it, especially for my younger self
In 2016 (I was 14/15 at the time) I found out about this book and was so so excited to read it, it sounded amazing. I only just got around to reading it now and I am just so sad at how disappointed I am with it. Maybe my 14/15 year old self would have enjoyed it a lot more, I’m not sure.

Just couldn’t connect to any of the characters, the storyline was confusing and a bit boring. The amount of times ‘!’ was used was honestly driving me crazy
This would have been a DNF but I really wanted to get one last book read today before the month ended.

I will say the first couple of chapters I was interested but then it just went right down hill... and I did find myself cringing at some points

If this book does sound interesting to you, then I still say give it a go, because this is just how I felt, not everyone will feel the same way

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author Sabine Wilder for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. I am not normally one to read vampire/werewolf stories, but this one surprised me. It was an action filled thriller that just happened to incorporate vampires and werewolves.

Anna and Susan were typical high school girls who cared about each other like sisters and were thrust into a world the didn't understand.

I felt the story maintained a nice pace and was very interesting.

I would definitely like to read more by Sabine Wilder in the future. I am very glad she offered me a copy of this book.

[Kari Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Literally didn't put it down from the time I started reading until I finished it. I felt like I really knew the characters. And with the characters that I wanted to know more about, I get the distinct feeling I'll get their full backstories and personalities in the next book. Wilder's style of writing drew me in, and I loved getting sucked into the pages. This book is absolutely packed to the brim with action, intrigue and the perfect amount of romance. Definitely not your typical werewolf/vampire novel. I can't wait to read more from Wilder in the future!

[Jeff Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love werewolves and have been looking for a book like Runaway for quite some time. Werewolf books are usually hit or miss with me and I'm very glad this was a hit. I don't want to spoil too much as I wouldn't want to ruin any of the fun, but the characters are well fleshed out and relatable, it was well paced and as exciting as any good page turner is. After finishing the last page, Runaway left me wanting more and I can't wait for the next book.

Highly Recommended.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Runaway
Author: Sabine Wilder
ISBN: 9780994969910
Buy Link: http://www.sabinewilder.com/
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Susan Wolfe is your average high school senior, concerned with boys, grades and her favorite sport, cross-country running. However, her world gets flipped on its head when she discovers she is a werewolf. Tragedy strikes, but before Susan can deal with it, her best friend Anna's life is put in danger. Susan has to put her own burdens aside to save her friend. Together the two girls have to find a way to survive, all the while putting their bond of friendship to the test.



Summary:
The review contains Spoilers read at your discretion.

As the first book written by this author, I found a complex story with characters who came to life as their lives unfolded for the reader. Susan knew she was different from everyone in her ability to smell and see things differently, but the day she shifted into her wolf killing her date when he refused to let her go everything changed. Anna was the only one Susan told and her acceptance in the face of what would seem to be crazy gave her the strength to accept herself. The deep friendship and trust between Anna and Susan overcame every obstacle that was placed in their way and they will need their bond if they will have a chance to survive. It was inspiring how Evee, a werewolf, vowed to bring them into her pack and protect them with her life if necessary. Add to that: a killer hiding in their school, Anna almost being killed, and other shifters coming to their rescue you have one incredible read. The comparison of the shifters school with Hogwarts brought another level of ingenuity to the story. I hope that this isn't the end of their story.

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to the free audiobook version of Runaway, and while I can appreciate that the book was free and Sabine had a nice speaking voice, I'm guessing that the rest of these reviews are from her friends and family. The chapters of the book seem disconnected and the story line seems like something a middle school student would write. I liked the beginning of the book when I thought that Susan Wolf's keen sense of smell and amazing running abilities were just interesting character traits. Instead, Susan WOLF becomes a WOLF in one of the most poorly written chapters I've ever read. This book was full of cliches and I would not suggest it.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel and was sad to see it end. The weaving together of supernatural elements like werewolves and vampires coupled with the overall plot and imagery was excellent. I really hope that Ms. Wilder has a sequel in the works, because I would certainly love to read more about these intricate characters. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Twilight or any fan of young adult literature!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was “running” in Susan’s shoes most of the time. The characters are all really well fleshed out and I enjoyed the antagonist as well. I appreciate the author's hint at romance, while not letting the characters go overboard and flooding the story with it, focusing on the events that were unfolding. Great job.

[Lo-arna Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in 2 hours!
Thank you to the author for allowing me to get lost in this world.
Definitely recommend!

[Sam - Spines in a Line · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

I enjoyed the story being told here but I felt like it moved too quickly to really get any grounding. The basic plot of this book is that Susan discovers she's a werewolf and is being hunted. With the help of other werewolves, she tries to get herself and her loved ones to safety.

I think Susan's self-discovery of her new self worked but it was when she was introducing this to others that it felt unnatural. I understand that her best friend Anna is shown to be on her side no matter what but I really don't think either of the girls would be having as logical a conversation as they did moments after Susan revealed herself to Anna. There were other moments in the book that likewise moved too quickly and didn't give enough time either for character development or fully developing the scenes.

If you're looking for a fun werewolf story with new unique spins on these types of stories, this is a pretty quick one to try. There's also a lot of X-men feels so if you're a fan of that series, you'll likely enjoy the tie-ins in this book. However, the lack of pausing in developing this story make it difficult to connect with the characters or really dive into this book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story seems to start out as your typical teenage/ young adult novel, but we quickly figure out that there is much more to this story than first meets the eye. In her debut novel, the author Ms. Wilder, has spun a fantastic story for us, complete with believable characters, plot twists, fatal accidents and a tension that draws you in from almost the beginning. I was turning pages and ended up staying up late with this story because I could not put it down.
Susan is a teenager who loves to run. She figures out that there is indeed much more to her than expected when she shifts forms into a wolf in self-defense. Confiding in her best friend, she is suddenly faced with a whole new world of shifters and killers that have been all around her but until then unnoticed. A great story for any young adult, although I think that anyone interested in the Paranormal would enjoy it as well.

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being a normal high school senior when suddenly you feel threatened and disoriented in the woods of Northern Ontario. Your alarm awakens a beast within you that kills your assailant. Susan Wolfe is terrified over what she had done, but more shocked at what she had become.
You feel the energy of the characters as the plot unfolds. Sabine Wilder has a gift of describing the emotions Susan and Anna are feeling as they learn about what it is like becoming a werewolf or vampire. And the fear they experience as they are being stalked by the one called “Hunter”.
What I liked best about this book is the pack they joined. There should be a connection between family members that is felt when one is in danger. My favorite phrase is: “The beast could run on other emotions like the love welling in her heart”, and this was the answer Susan was looking for.

[Archie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Runway”, is a horror type novel with vampires and werewolves. Susan Wolfe is an average high school senior doing normal stuff, but her life is turned upside down when she discovers she is a werewolf. While she is struggling to settle with this, her best friend Anna’s life is in danger and now she has to focus on saving their lives. Their friendship and trust it puts through test and they have to fight all odds to survive.
The story is good and the characters develop as the story unfolds. The story comes with a good message of friendship, trust, challenges and do all it takes to save the people you care. The vampire angle is scary and twisted and add lots of spices to the story. I enjoyed the story and it kept me engaged.

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runaway is a highly complex and interesting tale and it is hard to believe that it is the writer's first authored book. The story has a high level of maturity which is only found in seasoned writers. The plot is intriguing, characters are complicated yet simple and the words are condensed as a lot of information is limited to few pages only.

I love stories about werewolves, vampires, etc. and this is the first time when I have come across a girl who has werewolf qualities. However, they only seem to empower her and protect her from difficulties and do not rob her of her femininity. I absolutely loved the book and am eagerly waiting to read its sequel.

[Kirsten Tattersall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for an honest review through LibraryThing. The reason I requested this book was because it advertised a story about friendship and werewolves. I didn't quite get what I expected. The pacing of the story was really off and the overall structure, I feel, isn't quite up to par. The chapters seemed disjointed and I felt no real connection to any of the characters, but especially not the main two. I would not recommend this book.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I love the most about Runaway is that the werewolf is a girl! An athletic, bold, teenage girl who finds herself in a whole lot of trouble when she finds out she's a werewolf. The story is gripping and there's enough twists thrown in that it kept me guessing the whole way through. I loved the lore and how shifting is tied up with emotions. I really felt for Susan and everything she went through. If you're looking for something different in a werewolf book, this is it!

[Erik McManus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not really forayed into the paranormal young adult genre that much because I usually stick to fantasy or sci-fi but this book was a pretty interesting depiction of this genre. Susan is a strong female main character that has to face what is thrown at her head on and deal with it. She is very protective of her family and friends and will do anything to ensure their safety.

I liked that the book gave me Hogwarts vibes and that it was told in multiple perspectives to diversify the point of view. It gave you a well-rounded perspective of how each person is dealing with everything that is happening to them.

The book did get a little bit jumpy at parts which I think could have been developed more with a little more being added to the book (it was only 200 pages).

Overall, it was a good book with lots of paranormal elements to it and I would love to see more books set in this world.

[Deborah Gebhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This is a good fast read, perfect for teens and older, fans of Harry Potter. But, as another reviewer stated, the ending was rushed and it would be interesting to read further about the characters in this book.
Susan Wolfe and her best friend, Anna, are your typical high school seniors, until the night Susan discovers she's a werewolf, under tragic circumstances.
There is a "secret" organization, FENRIS, that monitors strange police reports and Susan's "awakening" captures their attention and interest.
But, evil lurks in Timber Creek, and the appearance of FENRIS speeds up the timetable of the lurker and puts Anna's life in danger.
So, how does Susan react to her new reality, does Anna survive the threats on her life, who and what is FENRIS?

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book opens with a typical conversation between a couple of friends, revolving around high school, boys, and other things. Soon after this scene, things get worse for the main character, Susan, who finds out that there is something a little bit strange about her. She thought she knew what made her different, but in actuality, she didn’t know at all. When she finds out what she can turn into and ultimately what she is capable of, the story takes on a darker and more suspenseful tone that is reminiscent of other great supernatural novels. I thought Susan was pretty easy to relate to, considering her special abilities, as she didn’t allow it to change her for the worse. Overall, there are so many things she has to do to make sure everyone is safe, which make this story a great one, especially if you’re someone who likes vampire, werewolf, and other types of stories involving these types of races.

[Jenny_acc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a review.

What i liked the most about this book,was how fast paced it was.It's first and foremost a book about friendship, and secondly about vampires and werewolves. It is well written, although i did find some of the language used challenging, as english is not my first language. Unfortunately i wasn't convinced about the friendship between the two main characters. It was a bit over the top for me, which made it feel somewhat unnatural.
Apart from that, i liked the book and i would definitely read another one from this author.

[Sholmes3 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possibly good for teens. Lacked depth and just felt too predictable. There was definitely the potential to develop characters more with some serious thought-provoking experiences but it fell short for me.