What do you think?
Rate this book
Bad Call
It was supposed to be epic.
During a late-night poker game, tennis teammates Colin, Ceo, Grahame, and Rhody make a pact to go on a camping trip in Yosemite National Park. And poker vows can’t be broken.
So the first sign that they should ditch the plan is when Rhody backs out. The next is when Ceo replaces him with Ellie, a girl Grahame and Colin have never even heard of. And then there’s the forest fire at their intended campsite.
But instead of bailing, they decide to take the treacherous Snow Creek Falls Trail to the top of Yosemite Valley. From there, the bad decisions really pile up.
A freak storm is threatening snow, their Craigslist tent is a piece of junk, and Grahame is pretty sure there’s a bear on the prowl. On top of that, the guys have some serious baggage (and that’s not including the ridiculously heavy ax that Grahame insisted on packing) and Ellie can’t figure out what their deal is.
And then one of them doesn’t make it back to the tent.
Desperate to survive while piecing together what happened, the remaining hikers must decide who to trust in this riveting, witty, and truly unforgettable psychological thriller that reveals how one small mistake can have chilling consequences.
During a late-night poker game, tennis teammates Colin, Ceo, Grahame, and Rhody make a pact to go on a camping trip in Yosemite National Park. And poker vows can’t be broken.
So the first sign that they should ditch the plan is when Rhody backs out. The next is when Ceo replaces him with Ellie, a girl Grahame and Colin have never even heard of. And then there’s the forest fire at their intended campsite.
But instead of bailing, they decide to take the treacherous Snow Creek Falls Trail to the top of Yosemite Valley. From there, the bad decisions really pile up.
A freak storm is threatening snow, their Craigslist tent is a piece of junk, and Grahame is pretty sure there’s a bear on the prowl. On top of that, the guys have some serious baggage (and that’s not including the ridiculously heavy ax that Grahame insisted on packing) and Ellie can’t figure out what their deal is.
And then one of them doesn’t make it back to the tent.
Desperate to survive while piecing together what happened, the remaining hikers must decide who to trust in this riveting, witty, and truly unforgettable psychological thriller that reveals how one small mistake can have chilling consequences.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published December 19, 2017
51 people are currently reading
1942 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Wallenfels
7 books133 followers I wrote freelance in the health and fitness industry for twelve years before re-committing myself to my first love - writing fiction. After publishing several short stores for kids, I wrote and published my first novel, POD (namelos.com | Penguin/Ace), a YA scifi survival story set in Prosser, Washington and Los Angeles, California.
My second novel, BAD CALL (2017 with Disney/Hyperion) is a YA survival thriller set in one of my favorite stomping grounds, Yosemite National Park.
My third novel, DEADFALL, December 2018 - Disney/Hyperion) is another YA survival thriller set in the Pacific Northwest.
I grew up in the northeast and enjoyed backpacking and later, during my college years in California and Montana, rock climbing and wilderness survival.
My favorite books to read (and write) are centered around real characters dealing with extraordinary circumstances and how they rise to meet those challenges.
My passions are my family, reading, writing, cooking, racquet sports, and the environment--particularly climate change. The basic rule in wilderness survival is shelter first.
My second novel, BAD CALL (2017 with Disney/Hyperion) is a YA survival thriller set in one of my favorite stomping grounds, Yosemite National Park.
My third novel, DEADFALL, December 2018 - Disney/Hyperion) is another YA survival thriller set in the Pacific Northwest.
I grew up in the northeast and enjoyed backpacking and later, during my college years in California and Montana, rock climbing and wilderness survival.
My favorite books to read (and write) are centered around real characters dealing with extraordinary circumstances and how they rise to meet those challenges.
My passions are my family, reading, writing, cooking, racquet sports, and the environment--particularly climate change. The basic rule in wilderness survival is shelter first.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
December 19, 2017
*I would like to thank BookishFirst and Hachette Book Group for a print copy of this book*
When I first read the sampler to the book I thought it sounded awesome and the summary didn't sound too bad either. But unfortunately, this was a "Bad Call" for me.
The story is about a group of people: Collin, Ceo, Grahame and Ellie going out on a camping trip together. Now another friend was supposed to go with them but he backed out. He was the lucky one.
There ends up being fights, fires, snow storms, maybe a bear, an axe and a very strange adventure in my opinion.
I know plenty of people will love this book so pick it up and decide for yourself.
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
When I first read the sampler to the book I thought it sounded awesome and the summary didn't sound too bad either. But unfortunately, this was a "Bad Call" for me.
The story is about a group of people: Collin, Ceo, Grahame and Ellie going out on a camping trip together. Now another friend was supposed to go with them but he backed out. He was the lucky one.
There ends up being fights, fires, snow storms, maybe a bear, an axe and a very strange adventure in my opinion.
I know plenty of people will love this book so pick it up and decide for yourself.
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
Want to read
November 15, 2017i read the excerpt over on bookishfirst and i'm supposed to copy my reaction over here, for POINTS! i love points.
this is me after reading the first 20 pages or so:
i'm a sucker for survival stories, particularly YA survival stories, so this one grabbed my attention right away.
and this excerpt bodes well - it's a strong opening that definitely makes me want to read more. it's got good pacing, the characters have promise (and rhode island is mentioned as a place people are actually from, not as a unit of measurement), it's already teasingly planted the seeds of the peril to come before backtracking into the pre-peril territory of boy-banter and road trip anticipation, dropping hints of the tension and conflict between the boys, and making me stockpile my questions - who's the girl? what did ceo do to colin? and what will happen with this chekhov's axe?
very much looking forward to reading the whole book. thank you for the snack!
ONE HUNDRED POINTS!
this is me after reading the first 20 pages or so:
i'm a sucker for survival stories, particularly YA survival stories, so this one grabbed my attention right away.
and this excerpt bodes well - it's a strong opening that definitely makes me want to read more. it's got good pacing, the characters have promise (and rhode island is mentioned as a place people are actually from, not as a unit of measurement), it's already teasingly planted the seeds of the peril to come before backtracking into the pre-peril territory of boy-banter and road trip anticipation, dropping hints of the tension and conflict between the boys, and making me stockpile my questions - who's the girl? what did ceo do to colin? and what will happen with this chekhov's axe?
very much looking forward to reading the whole book. thank you for the snack!
ONE HUNDRED POINTS!
December 28, 2017
3.5 Stars!
Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfels was quite the read. One filled with jealousy, deceit, anger, and misconceptions but it was also one about friendship and making wrongs right and yes, even a tiny bit of romance, or at least something that could be romance..eventually... maybe.
But mostly, it was one heck of a thrill ride. One where you weren't always sure which direction it was going to take and exactly what the heck was going on, but in a good way, not a bad way and one that was almost always filled with darkness.
From the moment you read the first chapter you know this isn't going to be a story filled with rainbows and sunshine. You know it will be darker and you love it because of it. I mean, four boys, one girl in the wilderness during a freak rain/snow storm and no one knows where they are. What could possibly go wrong.
This story was about not giving up and hanging in there and believing in who you are and what you are capable of. It was about struggling and fighting and succeeding when it really mattered.
With suspense, tension, and danger literally lurking in all shapes and forms, this is a read you don't want to miss out on.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfels was quite the read. One filled with jealousy, deceit, anger, and misconceptions but it was also one about friendship and making wrongs right and yes, even a tiny bit of romance, or at least something that could be romance..eventually... maybe.
But mostly, it was one heck of a thrill ride. One where you weren't always sure which direction it was going to take and exactly what the heck was going on, but in a good way, not a bad way and one that was almost always filled with darkness.
From the moment you read the first chapter you know this isn't going to be a story filled with rainbows and sunshine. You know it will be darker and you love it because of it. I mean, four boys, one girl in the wilderness during a freak rain/snow storm and no one knows where they are. What could possibly go wrong.
This story was about not giving up and hanging in there and believing in who you are and what you are capable of. It was about struggling and fighting and succeeding when it really mattered.
With suspense, tension, and danger literally lurking in all shapes and forms, this is a read you don't want to miss out on.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Read
April 12, 2020
Many thanks to Disney for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars!
Bad Call follows Colin, Ceo, Grahame, and Ellie. They were going to go camping in Yosemite National Park but forest fires wipe out their intended campsite. Instead of bailing, they decide to trek the infamous Snow Creek Falls trail to the top of Yosemite Valley. After a blizzard, one of them doesn't make it back to the tent. Now, they must try to survive while also trying to piece together what happened and make it back home.
The first thing I wanted to say is kind of random but... this book didn't really feel like a young adult novel. For some reason, I just feel like the characters should have been aged up just a bit.
On another note, I loved the creep factor during this book. Throughout the entire, there was a super fun and intense feeling of foreboding and menace.
Overall, this book was a chilling thriller that was a nice, quick read!
Happy reading!
| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
December 20, 2017
This book isn't quite what I thought it was going to be. I thought this was going to be creepier, more suspenseful, and definitely more thrilling. It's not really any of those things. It's a YA novel and it most certainly reads like one and maybe if I were still a teenager I might of liked this more. I found all of the characters pretty annoying. I found the reasons for why they did certain things to be beyond stupid. There was just constant bickering and it was all just very melodramatic. It is a quick read and I did finish it just to see what the conclusion was. All in all, meh.
I won a hardcover copy of this book through BookishFirst. Thank you.
I won a hardcover copy of this book through BookishFirst. Thank you.
November 10, 2017
Review: BAD CALL
I started this book with a sense of foreboding. Beginning with the first page (what a reader's hook!), my intuition just "knew" something was going to go very badly wrong. Some one or more of the characters would suffer, and so would I, vicariously. Some of them I distrusted from the beginning; plus I knew that the deception from the very beginning would prove disastrous, bringing on trouble, and more lies, and quite possibly betrayal. As the story continues, the suspense ratchets higher and the tension tautens. As everything seems to conspire against this disparate conglomeration, tricking and blocking their attempts at progress, true character rises to the forefront, both strong integrity and vicious cruelty. When Nature itself leaps in to confuse and destroy, and more than one of this mismatched group of four adolescents makes their own "bad call" (and making wrong or misguided decisions is a consistent theme in this novel), nothing can result but tragedy. The result for the reader: constant breathtaking suspense.
I started this book with a sense of foreboding. Beginning with the first page (what a reader's hook!), my intuition just "knew" something was going to go very badly wrong. Some one or more of the characters would suffer, and so would I, vicariously. Some of them I distrusted from the beginning; plus I knew that the deception from the very beginning would prove disastrous, bringing on trouble, and more lies, and quite possibly betrayal. As the story continues, the suspense ratchets higher and the tension tautens. As everything seems to conspire against this disparate conglomeration, tricking and blocking their attempts at progress, true character rises to the forefront, both strong integrity and vicious cruelty. When Nature itself leaps in to confuse and destroy, and more than one of this mismatched group of four adolescents makes their own "bad call" (and making wrong or misguided decisions is a consistent theme in this novel), nothing can result but tragedy. The result for the reader: constant breathtaking suspense.
December 23, 2017
"Bad Call"
Written by Stephen Wallenfels
Review written by Diana Iozzia
I was really excited to read this, but I think the anticipation had to do with the length of time I waited for my complementary copy to come. Not to be disparaging, but I think I built up a huge amount of excitement. When I do this, I do find myself becoming a little let down and disappointed. "Bad Call" let my twenty-two year old self down, but would have really impressed my 13 - 16 year old self. This is a book created by Disney's teen imprint, Hyperion, so it is really marketed at teens. I still read young adult / teen fiction, so I had thought that this would still be a relatively good read for that young adult side of my reading. This follows a group of five high school seniors, 4 boys and 1 girl, as they lose their way while camping in Yellowstone National Park.
Perhaps I was going into this thinking that it was going to be significantly creepier than it actually was. It sounded like a twisty Donner party reimagining, so I was hoping for some creeps and spooks. When I found out that this was an imprint of Disney, I was surprised to see cursing and foul language as well as bloody violence. However, this was slightly disappointing. I have always been a fan of "The Lord of the Flies" and other survival in the elements stories, but this turned out to be a little more frothy and sugarcoated than I expected.
There are a quite a few complements that I have for this book, although I was relatively disappointed. Like I said, my younger self would have loved this book if it was written when I was younger, so I think I still resulted in liking it. Although there weren't people roasting others' limbs, it was still relatively creepy. It's weird to phrase this, but I liked that one of the characters, Grahame, was creepy in the sexual, awkward advances. He was very uncomfortable and eerie, and a perfect almost villain. I also thought that the language and dialogue was very realistic for teen fiction. Sometimes, I feel that some teen characters sound like adults, or they sound like caricatures of teens. Okay, save Grahame's weird fake Jamaican accent. Yes, we are supposed to think he is annoying and weird, but it seems like a step too far. I also enjoyed the map in the beginning of the book and the descriptions of Yellowstone National Park. The locations and scenery seemed very realistic and well-described. In the last few pages, we also receive a few newspaper clippings. I often enjoy extra additions to books like maps and newspaper articles.
I think my main complaint about "Bad Call" is the build-up to the action. About 150 pages before the characters even slightly seem to be in danger. There's a gigantic amount of backstory and perspectives that collide and are repetitive. I guess the backstory is in place to show how some of the characters could have secret agendas and aren't always the nicest people. Unfortunately, I felt this was a massively slow start. By the time it became interesting, it was great, but it took a while to get to the exciting point.
Okay, I have one last funny gripe to make. Characters that don't understand references to Sir Isaac Newton? High school seniors don't have a clue who he is??? Characters that go viral and become popular on Jimmy Fallon's talk show because of a funny Q-Tip picture????
* I was sent a complementary finished copy for reviewing purposes. *
Written by Stephen Wallenfels
Review written by Diana Iozzia
I was really excited to read this, but I think the anticipation had to do with the length of time I waited for my complementary copy to come. Not to be disparaging, but I think I built up a huge amount of excitement. When I do this, I do find myself becoming a little let down and disappointed. "Bad Call" let my twenty-two year old self down, but would have really impressed my 13 - 16 year old self. This is a book created by Disney's teen imprint, Hyperion, so it is really marketed at teens. I still read young adult / teen fiction, so I had thought that this would still be a relatively good read for that young adult side of my reading. This follows a group of five high school seniors, 4 boys and 1 girl, as they lose their way while camping in Yellowstone National Park.
Perhaps I was going into this thinking that it was going to be significantly creepier than it actually was. It sounded like a twisty Donner party reimagining, so I was hoping for some creeps and spooks. When I found out that this was an imprint of Disney, I was surprised to see cursing and foul language as well as bloody violence. However, this was slightly disappointing. I have always been a fan of "The Lord of the Flies" and other survival in the elements stories, but this turned out to be a little more frothy and sugarcoated than I expected.
There are a quite a few complements that I have for this book, although I was relatively disappointed. Like I said, my younger self would have loved this book if it was written when I was younger, so I think I still resulted in liking it. Although there weren't people roasting others' limbs, it was still relatively creepy. It's weird to phrase this, but I liked that one of the characters, Grahame, was creepy in the sexual, awkward advances. He was very uncomfortable and eerie, and a perfect almost villain. I also thought that the language and dialogue was very realistic for teen fiction. Sometimes, I feel that some teen characters sound like adults, or they sound like caricatures of teens. Okay, save Grahame's weird fake Jamaican accent. Yes, we are supposed to think he is annoying and weird, but it seems like a step too far. I also enjoyed the map in the beginning of the book and the descriptions of Yellowstone National Park. The locations and scenery seemed very realistic and well-described. In the last few pages, we also receive a few newspaper clippings. I often enjoy extra additions to books like maps and newspaper articles.
I think my main complaint about "Bad Call" is the build-up to the action. About 150 pages before the characters even slightly seem to be in danger. There's a gigantic amount of backstory and perspectives that collide and are repetitive. I guess the backstory is in place to show how some of the characters could have secret agendas and aren't always the nicest people. Unfortunately, I felt this was a massively slow start. By the time it became interesting, it was great, but it took a while to get to the exciting point.
Okay, I have one last funny gripe to make. Characters that don't understand references to Sir Isaac Newton? High school seniors don't have a clue who he is??? Characters that go viral and become popular on Jimmy Fallon's talk show because of a funny Q-Tip picture????
* I was sent a complementary finished copy for reviewing purposes. *
January 3, 2018
A solid 3.5 stars for this new YA survival story.
A big thank you to Bookish First and the publisher for my free raffle copy of this new YA book.
I found it to be more survival story than thriller and a page turner. As we read about the four teenagers and their hike in Yosemite we also learn more about Colin's backstory and the stress points that have occurred in the relationships he has with the other guys on the trip, especially Ceo.
Then there is the mystery of why Ellie is along. Why would a 17-year-old girl go on a camping/hiking trip with three guys -- two of them she has never met before getting off the train to go on the trip. What are her secrets?
I quite enjoyed the book and found both Colin and Ellie to be very likable characters. Would recommend this book to both guys and girls!
A big thank you to Bookish First and the publisher for my free raffle copy of this new YA book.
I found it to be more survival story than thriller and a page turner. As we read about the four teenagers and their hike in Yosemite we also learn more about Colin's backstory and the stress points that have occurred in the relationships he has with the other guys on the trip, especially Ceo.
Then there is the mystery of why Ellie is along. Why would a 17-year-old girl go on a camping/hiking trip with three guys -- two of them she has never met before getting off the train to go on the trip. What are her secrets?
I quite enjoyed the book and found both Colin and Ellie to be very likable characters. Would recommend this book to both guys and girls!
March 16, 2018
Wallenfels has done it again. Excellent book. The story starts deceptively slow and the then lands hard. BAD CALL is the perfect title. I found the backstories fascinating and the dialog polished. Jeff Bailey, author of THE DEFECT.
May 30, 2018
I finished this last night, after the last third of the book really sped up and kept me awake until I was done!
I finally think I've come across a YA book that guys will actually like. It's set with mountain-climbing as the main activity and Yosemite as the backdrop; the author, Stephen Wallenfels, is big into the outdoors and mountain-climbing, and through the dialog and writing, it shows. The book is described as a thriller, although it's low on 'thrill' content, plus there's a complicated 'relationship scenario' going on in the story that directs a lot of the plot, and that took me by surprise. The book goes back and forth between what's going on for the different characters but centers mostly around one of them, and flashes back to some events between them at their private school. There were a few times that those lost me a bit and I wanted to stay in the present, but that's because I wanted to keep pushing up that mountain. I also wanted Wallenfels to push more at the suspense and thrill content because I think he could and should have. But maybe that's because I always want a bit more blood in the snow!
Instead of an ARC, I was generously sent a finished hardcover with that gloriously simple red and white cover design! I'm super grateful for that (BookishFirst) and am glad I got to have an early read of this YA novel. I'd love to hear if the boys pick this one up! You won't find me climbing Yosemite any time soon...
I finally think I've come across a YA book that guys will actually like. It's set with mountain-climbing as the main activity and Yosemite as the backdrop; the author, Stephen Wallenfels, is big into the outdoors and mountain-climbing, and through the dialog and writing, it shows. The book is described as a thriller, although it's low on 'thrill' content, plus there's a complicated 'relationship scenario' going on in the story that directs a lot of the plot, and that took me by surprise. The book goes back and forth between what's going on for the different characters but centers mostly around one of them, and flashes back to some events between them at their private school. There were a few times that those lost me a bit and I wanted to stay in the present, but that's because I wanted to keep pushing up that mountain. I also wanted Wallenfels to push more at the suspense and thrill content because I think he could and should have. But maybe that's because I always want a bit more blood in the snow!
Instead of an ARC, I was generously sent a finished hardcover with that gloriously simple red and white cover design! I'm super grateful for that (BookishFirst) and am glad I got to have an early read of this YA novel. I'd love to hear if the boys pick this one up! You won't find me climbing Yosemite any time soon...
did-not-finish
April 16, 2018Just not into it
November 11, 2017
If only plans went as planned...
This wilderness/psychological suspense is quick read about how the reaction of one person to one moment in time sets off a chain of events that forever alters the lives of four teenagers, CEO (Cee-o), Colin, Grahame and Ellie.
Four fourth-year boys from a Prep school decide to take an unapproved long-weekend trip exploring and hiking some nearby mountains. When confronted by a school official about leaving school, they lie about going to a tennis tournament which has been approved (not!) by their coach. The man doesn't buy their story and is ready to call and verify it with the tennis coach until CEO says "he's at a family wedding and he'll really be upset about being bothered, especially with the time difference and all." After bribing the school official, they are all set and raring to go. Except one unexpectedly drops out before they even start. Then there were three with two worried about how they will bear the additional cost of the trip now that expenses are divided only three ways instead of four. CEO surprises both Ellie, and Colin & Grahame alike when he invites Ellie along. She agrees, and the foursome head off for their adventure.
Parking their car, they start their hike up the mountain without telling anyone where they are going or when they expect to return (OMG - such stupid kids)! Hikers coming down the mountain advise the teens that the path they were planning to take is in for bad weather and to head in another direction. Weather fails, nighttime descends, mountain animals come out, egos emerge, and conditions get worse in every possible way.
I liked the interplay between all of the characters; the jockeying for position, the tension, the surprising reveals, the sexual tension and competition that Ellie's presence kicks off (not of her own doing, but simply because she is a female traveling with 3 young men.) The author subtly distracts us with the drama of the characters until we are as surprised as they are to discover how bad the weather has gotten and how few choices are left at that point. What starts out as an adventure turns into wilderness survival with psychological suspense as well.
Though the book may be called Bad Call (and the characters each made several!), I doubt you'll be disappointed by picking up this book. A fine read!
Many thanks to NetGalley, BookishFirst and Disney Hyperion for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this book.
This wilderness/psychological suspense is quick read about how the reaction of one person to one moment in time sets off a chain of events that forever alters the lives of four teenagers, CEO (Cee-o), Colin, Grahame and Ellie.
Four fourth-year boys from a Prep school decide to take an unapproved long-weekend trip exploring and hiking some nearby mountains. When confronted by a school official about leaving school, they lie about going to a tennis tournament which has been approved (not!) by their coach. The man doesn't buy their story and is ready to call and verify it with the tennis coach until CEO says "he's at a family wedding and he'll really be upset about being bothered, especially with the time difference and all." After bribing the school official, they are all set and raring to go. Except one unexpectedly drops out before they even start. Then there were three with two worried about how they will bear the additional cost of the trip now that expenses are divided only three ways instead of four. CEO surprises both Ellie, and Colin & Grahame alike when he invites Ellie along. She agrees, and the foursome head off for their adventure.
Parking their car, they start their hike up the mountain without telling anyone where they are going or when they expect to return (OMG - such stupid kids)! Hikers coming down the mountain advise the teens that the path they were planning to take is in for bad weather and to head in another direction. Weather fails, nighttime descends, mountain animals come out, egos emerge, and conditions get worse in every possible way.
I liked the interplay between all of the characters; the jockeying for position, the tension, the surprising reveals, the sexual tension and competition that Ellie's presence kicks off (not of her own doing, but simply because she is a female traveling with 3 young men.) The author subtly distracts us with the drama of the characters until we are as surprised as they are to discover how bad the weather has gotten and how few choices are left at that point. What starts out as an adventure turns into wilderness survival with psychological suspense as well.
Though the book may be called Bad Call (and the characters each made several!), I doubt you'll be disappointed by picking up this book. A fine read!
Many thanks to NetGalley, BookishFirst and Disney Hyperion for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this book.
January 2, 2018
My first read of the year and it was an awesome YA thriller! But what's not to love: a camping trip in Yosemite in inclement weather, four high school students (three boys and a girl) who each have secrets and jealousy abounds! Between past and present, the story unfolds as we get to know them through each "bad call" they make as of course they aren't experienced campers. What starts out as a late night poker game challenge between friends, ends with heart-racing chills breakneck speed as they attempt to challenge a mountain full of snow with a girl they barely know...and why was she invited anyway? Many reviewers have commented that most of the characters are not terribly likable, but I love a good flawed character and the conflict that ensues. Wallenfels packs a punch so satisfying that you can't wait to discover what happens. A great way to start the new year!
January 12, 2018
The first thing I noticed about this book is the cover. Normally I just barely skim the picture on the cover and don't pay attention to it. This one was quite different. If you pay attention to the tree's shadow, it promises a more sinister story. It set the tone for a book that promises to be a gripping thriller.
This story is interesting and it did stay with me for a few days after. I did like the plot and I enjoyed how the character's interacted with each other. However, I was confused on the "thriller" part. The story did not have a racing heart moment until near the end of the book. And even then it was confusing.
The biggest problem I have is that the antagonist did not have enough character development to let us know why he was capable of turning into, for lack of a better word, villain. He seems like a normal athletic teenager and then he isn't, but there is nothing to let us know why and how rage could rule his actions.
If the author gave us more of a backstory on him, and gave us more details and built up what was happening in the more intense parts of the story, then I think this book would have been a home run.
However, it is still a great read and once I started, I could not put it down until I was finished.
Note: I received this book through BookishFirst (thank you!) for my honest review.
This story is interesting and it did stay with me for a few days after. I did like the plot and I enjoyed how the character's interacted with each other. However, I was confused on the "thriller" part. The story did not have a racing heart moment until near the end of the book. And even then it was confusing.
The biggest problem I have is that the antagonist did not have enough character development to let us know why he was capable of turning into, for lack of a better word, villain. He seems like a normal athletic teenager and then he isn't, but there is nothing to let us know why and how rage could rule his actions.
If the author gave us more of a backstory on him, and gave us more details and built up what was happening in the more intense parts of the story, then I think this book would have been a home run.
However, it is still a great read and once I started, I could not put it down until I was finished.
Note: I received this book through BookishFirst (thank you!) for my honest review.
February 4, 2019
3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up. This isn't the best ya survival novel I have ever read, but it's a solid one. I recommend it for those looking for a quick, suspenseful read and who don't mind if the plot is lacking in depth. It's an especially good choice for after a heavier read.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for honest feedback.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for honest feedback.
October 24, 2017
To be truthful I did not like this book at first. I am a mature librarian. I asked myself why would a young girl go camping with three boys. I kept reading this story and could not stop. The storyline was intriguing. Again, being an older reader I thought that I could not recommend this book to a middle school student, but I was wrong. The language was a little crude, but not offensive. Great adventure and realistic mix. I will recommend this this book to people looking for a adventure and thought provoking story.
January 7, 2018
I really loved the characters a lot. They were relatable and had flaws like humans. They had bad and good feelings that made me love them. The setting was beautiful and chilling, pun intended. I liked how Ellie's point of view differed from Collin's because he's closer to the others than Ellie the outsider. Ellie saw the emotions in Graham's eyes which caused me chills. Graham was a jerk but he did redeemed himself. Ceo was a jerk but he had admirable qualities about him that made me like him. I thought everyone was a jerk except Collin but they were all people who made mistakes. Every person on a bad day can be a villain (quote by Lin Manuel). The flashbacks were boring. But they were so important to the plot and how they were out of order made me even more intrigued. The book Bad Call was fantastic and I was shocked because it took a while to read it.
!!!!SPOILER SECTION BELOW!!!!
Oh my God how Graham warned Collin about the rabbits in blenders before he tried to kill Ceo. I knew Ceo was trying to set up Collin and Ellie together on this trip, it was so obvious! I honestly thought that Ceo was dead. How at the end Graham saves Collin from the river and dies. I was shocked that he would do that! I mean I thought he was a terrible human being but I was wrong. How Collin loves Ellie was cute and I really liked them together! I loved it. But before he dies there's a snow storm. I mean what could get worse (cue laugh track) a bear! A bear takes all their food and they drop the GPS nice job! I mean sometimes they were idiots but it was so enjoyable.
!!!!SPOILER SECTION BELOW!!!!
Oh my God how Graham warned Collin about the rabbits in blenders before he tried to kill Ceo. I knew Ceo was trying to set up Collin and Ellie together on this trip, it was so obvious! I honestly thought that Ceo was dead. How at the end Graham saves Collin from the river and dies. I was shocked that he would do that! I mean I thought he was a terrible human being but I was wrong. How Collin loves Ellie was cute and I really liked them together! I loved it. But before he dies there's a snow storm. I mean what could get worse (cue laugh track) a bear! A bear takes all their food and they drop the GPS nice job! I mean sometimes they were idiots but it was so enjoyable.
March 3, 2018
Rating: 4 Stars
**Many thanks to the publisher. I received a hard copy of this book free through BookishFirst. This in no way effects my review.**
So excited to read this soon!
3/3/18 UPDATE
A group camping trip that goes horribly wrong, such a great read. This book started off super slow and I kind of struggled to get through the first 3/4 but once I hit the last 1/4 mark the pace went super fast. The ending was so intense. I loved it, I just wanted to keep reading! All in all, a good solid read!
**Many thanks to the publisher. I received a hard copy of this book free through BookishFirst. This in no way effects my review.**
So excited to read this soon!
3/3/18 UPDATE
A group camping trip that goes horribly wrong, such a great read. This book started off super slow and I kind of struggled to get through the first 3/4 but once I hit the last 1/4 mark the pace went super fast. The ending was so intense. I loved it, I just wanted to keep reading! All in all, a good solid read!
July 20, 2019
A big 'no' from me. The entire premise is wrapped up in using a girl as a 'prize', and I am not keen on people being commodities.
That and everyone - including, it seemed, the author - being head-over-heels in love with richie king-of-the-frat-boys Ceo....?
Hard no.
That and everyone - including, it seemed, the author - being head-over-heels in love with richie king-of-the-frat-boys Ceo....?
Hard no.
November 7, 2017
updated review:
Friends, Ceo, Grahame, Rhody and Collin all attend a yuppity boarding school. Ceo, who is the king manipulator (primarily to get anything he wants from women of all ages) sets in place a plan for the 4 of them to go camping in Yosemite for the weekend. He creates an elaborate plan manipulating many entities to get them off campus unauthorized. At the last minute, Rhody backs out of the deal. Little to the other’s knowledge, he has also invited along a girl, Ellie, to join them.
It is clear, from the beginning that distrust deeply rooted in these boys friendship. There are occasional flashbacks to when Ceo and Collin were competing for placement in the school’s tennis team. Ceo comes from money but Collin is a scholarship athlete. His scholarship is dependent upon him remaining in the top two places on the tennis team. Ceo, as he so often does, conned his way into winning that match.
This book starts with a girl (Ellie) and one of the guys lost in the woods in a snow storm. When finally the reach camp, they see one other member of their group (the two guys remain nameless at this point) pacing back at camp. They can see that something is wrong and that his jacket has a “black stain on it”. From this prologue you know throughout the first half of the book that something goes terribly wrong – that their hiking/ camping through Yosemite is bound to end in tragedy. The author doesn’t reveal exactly WHAT the tragedy is or TO WHOM it occurs, though you know to be awaiting a snow storm and likely some tragic end. I enjoyed this quick, easy read from NetGalley and BookishFirst. To be published in February 2018.
--------------------------------------------------------
based solely on a first impression (though I'm presently reading the full book)
Students from an uppity private school are setting out on a weekend adventure. They have all of the pieces in line, to get out of their dormitory by trying to convince (and eventually bribing) Mr. Chet that they have permission to leave for a tournament,.
The prologue begins with a boy and a girl (the girl, originally, wasn’t even supposed to come along) who are lost in the woods during a snow storm. The girl thinks they are wandering around in circles, but at last, they see camp but they can tell something went wrong. They run back to see what happened.
The flash-forward ends as the book begins.
Grahame and Collin argue about who is the best basketball player of all time in the early morning, pre-dawn hours. They arrive at the front desk to their dorm and the dorm monitor, Mr. Chetsanoyev is skeptical as to their presence. After some negotiation and 4 NBA tickets, they are headed out the door. They are heading out to camp in Yosemite as part of their “Operation Cannabis Cove”. Collin is a scholarship kid while it seems the rest are pretty loaded with money. Graham, Collin and Ceo head out for their grand adventure. Ceo’s roommate (rhody) bailed on the trip. They are upset Rhody isn’t coming because of the “sacred poker vow”. Rhody is an extraordinarily scholastic individual and couldn’t risk the time away from campus. They’re unsure how the trip will proceed with just 3 people, but Grahame decides to carry on regardless. They stop by Big O Donuts on the way out,
One last random detail, Grahame is very insistent on bringing his ax.
I will definitely read this as it is released next year.
Friends, Ceo, Grahame, Rhody and Collin all attend a yuppity boarding school. Ceo, who is the king manipulator (primarily to get anything he wants from women of all ages) sets in place a plan for the 4 of them to go camping in Yosemite for the weekend. He creates an elaborate plan manipulating many entities to get them off campus unauthorized. At the last minute, Rhody backs out of the deal. Little to the other’s knowledge, he has also invited along a girl, Ellie, to join them.
It is clear, from the beginning that distrust deeply rooted in these boys friendship. There are occasional flashbacks to when Ceo and Collin were competing for placement in the school’s tennis team. Ceo comes from money but Collin is a scholarship athlete. His scholarship is dependent upon him remaining in the top two places on the tennis team. Ceo, as he so often does, conned his way into winning that match.
This book starts with a girl (Ellie) and one of the guys lost in the woods in a snow storm. When finally the reach camp, they see one other member of their group (the two guys remain nameless at this point) pacing back at camp. They can see that something is wrong and that his jacket has a “black stain on it”. From this prologue you know throughout the first half of the book that something goes terribly wrong – that their hiking/ camping through Yosemite is bound to end in tragedy. The author doesn’t reveal exactly WHAT the tragedy is or TO WHOM it occurs, though you know to be awaiting a snow storm and likely some tragic end. I enjoyed this quick, easy read from NetGalley and BookishFirst. To be published in February 2018.
--------------------------------------------------------
based solely on a first impression (though I'm presently reading the full book)
Students from an uppity private school are setting out on a weekend adventure. They have all of the pieces in line, to get out of their dormitory by trying to convince (and eventually bribing) Mr. Chet that they have permission to leave for a tournament,.
The prologue begins with a boy and a girl (the girl, originally, wasn’t even supposed to come along) who are lost in the woods during a snow storm. The girl thinks they are wandering around in circles, but at last, they see camp but they can tell something went wrong. They run back to see what happened.
The flash-forward ends as the book begins.
Grahame and Collin argue about who is the best basketball player of all time in the early morning, pre-dawn hours. They arrive at the front desk to their dorm and the dorm monitor, Mr. Chetsanoyev is skeptical as to their presence. After some negotiation and 4 NBA tickets, they are headed out the door. They are heading out to camp in Yosemite as part of their “Operation Cannabis Cove”. Collin is a scholarship kid while it seems the rest are pretty loaded with money. Graham, Collin and Ceo head out for their grand adventure. Ceo’s roommate (rhody) bailed on the trip. They are upset Rhody isn’t coming because of the “sacred poker vow”. Rhody is an extraordinarily scholastic individual and couldn’t risk the time away from campus. They’re unsure how the trip will proceed with just 3 people, but Grahame decides to carry on regardless. They stop by Big O Donuts on the way out,
One last random detail, Grahame is very insistent on bringing his ax.
I will definitely read this as it is released next year.
December 19, 2017
Book Description
It was supposed to be epic.
During a late-night poker game, tennis teammates Colin, Ceo, Grahame, and Rhody make a pact to go on a camping trip in Yosemite National Park. And poker vows can't be broken.
The first sign that they should ditch the plan is when Rhody backs out. The next is when Ceo replaces him with Ellie, a girl Grahame and Colin have never even heard of. And then there's the forest fire at their intended campsite. But instead of bailing, they decide to take the treacherous Snow Creek Falls Trail to the top of Yosemite Valley. From there, the bad decisions really pile up.
My Thoughts
I read an excerpt from this book on Bookish First and was intrigued enough to enter the book giveaway. Winning meant I got to read it before the release date and I enjoyed the story. My first impression made me think that the snowstorm they were faced with when they went hiking would be central to the entire story, but actually, learning the backstory of each character drove the book for quite a while. Interesting characters, as well as a good plot, make this a fast and enjoyable read.
There were flashbacks as well as different character insights and it worked well since I was trying to assess who was being honest and who was not. Some of my guesses were good and some, well, not so much. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming, which to me is always a good thing. I like an author and a story that will surprise me. If you like survival stories with twists and turns, I would recommend this book.
Thank you, Stephen Wallenfields, Hyperion and Bookish First for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. What reader doesn’t love to win a book? Then to actually enjoy it, well, that is just icing on the book cake.
It was supposed to be epic.
During a late-night poker game, tennis teammates Colin, Ceo, Grahame, and Rhody make a pact to go on a camping trip in Yosemite National Park. And poker vows can't be broken.
The first sign that they should ditch the plan is when Rhody backs out. The next is when Ceo replaces him with Ellie, a girl Grahame and Colin have never even heard of. And then there's the forest fire at their intended campsite. But instead of bailing, they decide to take the treacherous Snow Creek Falls Trail to the top of Yosemite Valley. From there, the bad decisions really pile up.
My Thoughts
I read an excerpt from this book on Bookish First and was intrigued enough to enter the book giveaway. Winning meant I got to read it before the release date and I enjoyed the story. My first impression made me think that the snowstorm they were faced with when they went hiking would be central to the entire story, but actually, learning the backstory of each character drove the book for quite a while. Interesting characters, as well as a good plot, make this a fast and enjoyable read.
There were flashbacks as well as different character insights and it worked well since I was trying to assess who was being honest and who was not. Some of my guesses were good and some, well, not so much. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming, which to me is always a good thing. I like an author and a story that will surprise me. If you like survival stories with twists and turns, I would recommend this book.
Thank you, Stephen Wallenfields, Hyperion and Bookish First for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. What reader doesn’t love to win a book? Then to actually enjoy it, well, that is just icing on the book cake.
January 3, 2019
I had a fantastic time reading this survival thriller! It was more survival story than thriller, and the first half of the book is dedicated to setting the scene and developing the characters. I had hoped for more sinister thrills than we got, but I love survival stories and adventure stories and this had both, so I was happy.
I loved the slow build-up of tension in the story. As you learn more about each character, you realize that each of them has their own reasons for coming on this ill-fated camping trip. Their strong personalities also contribute to their worsening predicament and ultimately, the Big Bad Thing that happens.
Fair warning though, don't read the back cover if you can help it. It gives away too much of the story. Other than that, you'll enjoy this romp through a frozen Yosemite with some angsty teenagers.
Content: Language (lots of f-bombs) and strong innuendo, although there is no sex and only a couple of brief kisses. There's also some violence, but the worst of it happens off the page and you learn about it after the fact.
Source: Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book!
I loved the slow build-up of tension in the story. As you learn more about each character, you realize that each of them has their own reasons for coming on this ill-fated camping trip. Their strong personalities also contribute to their worsening predicament and ultimately, the Big Bad Thing that happens.
Fair warning though, don't read the back cover if you can help it. It gives away too much of the story. Other than that, you'll enjoy this romp through a frozen Yosemite with some angsty teenagers.
Content: Language (lots of f-bombs) and strong innuendo, although there is no sex and only a couple of brief kisses. There's also some violence, but the worst of it happens off the page and you learn about it after the fact.
Source: Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book!
January 4, 2018
Thanks to Bookish First for the book in exchange for an honest review. Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfels is a wild, dramatic ride about four teenagers who choose to go to Yosemite to camp for the weekend and end up being caught in a storm and trying to survive. The story follows Colin, Ceo, Grahame and Ellie as they try to figure out how to survive the unexpected weather and each other. Colin, Ceo and Grahame all go to the same school and are tennis players. After a poker night, they decide they are going to go on a camping trip over the weekend. One of the friends decides not to come so CEO surprises them when Ellie decides to join, who is also not excited to find out she will be with two other guys. Behind the story of their trip to Yosemite, you learn about a confrontation that happens between Ceo and Colin and another reason why Ellie is on the trip. After the first night of camp, the weather takes a turn and the four have to figure out how to survive or get off the mountain. Then one of them makes a choice that has horrible consequences. I really enjoyed this dramatic survivalist story and had a really hard time putting it down. Definitely recommend!
December 22, 2017
I'm not entirely sure how I want to review this book.....
Do you ever read a book and sit back and ask yourself "Did I really like this? Did I not?" "What's your issue????"
The writing was great. The author really pulled me into the story with the way they weaved everything together...
I kept wondering who is it out of the 4 that does not make it out of the woods????????
That part drove me to continue this story I think. It could also be the writing. It could be I dont even know.
All I know is I think I liked all the characters. I think. They seemed like your general 17/18 year olds....
The patwa killed me. I laughed alot.
Mare~Slitsread
Do you ever read a book and sit back and ask yourself "Did I really like this? Did I not?" "What's your issue????"
The writing was great. The author really pulled me into the story with the way they weaved everything together...
I kept wondering who is it out of the 4 that does not make it out of the woods????????
That part drove me to continue this story I think. It could also be the writing. It could be I dont even know.
All I know is I think I liked all the characters. I think. They seemed like your general 17/18 year olds....
The patwa killed me. I laughed alot.
Mare~Slitsread
July 31, 2025
This book had so much potential but was a major flop.
I was expecting a gruesome, scary, mind fuck of a story and it fell flat at every end.
Also this book was just cringy
1. There is a guy who will randomly just start talking in a random Jamaican accent out of nowhere. Imagine reading a thriller and all of the sudden a white boy starts talking a random accent😒 yeah it really takes away from the story
2. Also, said guy makes disgusting jokes about the female who is with them- mind you this is 3 males and 1 female stuck in the wilderness
3. One of the boys name is Ceo bc his dad wants him to be a CEO (weird af)
Just don’t waste your time.
I was expecting a gruesome, scary, mind fuck of a story and it fell flat at every end.
Also this book was just cringy
1. There is a guy who will randomly just start talking in a random Jamaican accent out of nowhere. Imagine reading a thriller and all of the sudden a white boy starts talking a random accent😒 yeah it really takes away from the story
2. Also, said guy makes disgusting jokes about the female who is with them- mind you this is 3 males and 1 female stuck in the wilderness
3. One of the boys name is Ceo bc his dad wants him to be a CEO (weird af)
Just don’t waste your time.
December 2, 2017
This book was pretty good. It was definitely not what I had expected. While there was some suspense and it had an amazing plot, I just don’t feel it was my kind of book. I expected a real, on-the-edge-of-your-seat, thriller novel. What I was greeted with was a great plot, and not too much of the thriller. However, like almost any book I read, I still enjoyed it. The plot made it interesting. As well as the couple parts that were on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller.
January 13, 2018
Four high school seniors decide to go hiking in Yosemite without telling anyone where they are going (YOU see where this is going, though) . Three guys and an girl (no drama, right?) head up for a weekend in the woods to camp and see the sights. There are lots of underlying motives, which of course leads to "bad things". I think this is going to be marketed as YA, but I am a 50 year-old mom and really enjoyed the story, so don't let the YA tag get in the way of buying this book. A great quick read. Thanks to BookishFirst for the advanced copy!
March 1, 2020
Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfels is a story about a seemingly normal camping trip among 4 friends which takes a turn for the worse as the weather changes from blue skies to formidable conditions, but the weather isn’t the only thing that goes wrong. The genre is young adult thriller told from two points of view, Ellie and Colin. From the start, frustrations and other dramas of the group only grow to the point of exploding as the characters are pushed to their limits. I enjoyed the slow yet steady rise in tensions as the groups views of one another unraveled to their true forms; spiteful, vengeful, or misconstrued. If you're looking for a sudden suspense kind of novel that keeps you anticipating what will come next, then this is a good book for you.
December 27, 2017
3.75 I enjoyed this one! It was my first book buy in long time where I didn't know a single thing about it. In fact the day I bought it was the first time I have ever seen it lol. I was pleasantly surprised
January 11, 2018
1.5* I feel really bad giving this a not so stellar review, but geeeezzzz. Nothing happened until about 60% of this book other than annoying drama. The characters were annoying and the missing person didn’t go missing until about 75% of the way through the book. Overall, I do not recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews