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The Eighth Ransom
Trent Soris is an artist with a chip on his shoulder, and Ashley Rye is what Trent would describe as an annoying religious kid. When they're kidnapped with six others from across the U.S., they have nothing in common but their enemy. To survive, all eight of them will have to depend on each other. By working together, they just might prevent their ransoms from being used in an international plot that captures the attention of even the National Counterterrorism Center. But when lies test their fragile unity and even the truth holds unexpected secrets, their strengths may not be enough to save them and everyone else at risk.
428 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2018
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Given Hoffman
4 books35 followersGiven Hoffman is a author who loves suspense and stories with significance. She writes not just to entertain but to exhort the vast community of significant, influential, and expressive young people of today to do and be more than what the world expects of them.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 20, 2024
I absolutely love this book! The writing great! The plot is great, and the characters are great! I stayed up so late just to see what would happen next, and there were many moments were I found myself Squealing. I totally love this book and would recommend this to anyone who was interested!
September 15, 2019
Wellll, okay, then! Going to be honest, the "stick a bunch of random people in an extreme survival-type scenario and make them work together to overcome it" theme is one of my favorites and may or may not be the entire reason I picked this book up. So, was it what I was expecting? Well...yes and no.
First the main characters. Okay, Ashley--I totally identified with and felt for her right off the bat. She's the kind of girl who wants to help somehow but isn't always sure how, who has a natural compassion for people and tries to be a peacemaker, who is strong in her faith but a bit bewildered when other people don't seem to understand it. She's not always the strongest or the bravest, but she'll risk anything for the sake of the people she cares about. Just--so much yes! <3<3<3 *clears throat* And then we come to Trent. Hoo boy... I've read a lot of flawed protagonists in my time, but Trent takes the cake. I kept begging him to give me some flash of something to latch onto and root for, but it took a very, very long time to get there. Honestly, there were points when I almost gave up on him or wondered if it was even worth it to keep holding out hope. Just...very, very rough. And a much more minor annoyance--the, uh, "code names" for lack of a better term were funny and fit well with his "don't care" attitude, but they wore a little thin during an extended period with only one other person in his company. :P
As for the rest of the eight--talk about individual personalities! Some I adored at first sight (*cough* Lillian *cough* Ethan), others I was unsure of but intrigued by (*cough* Shay *cough* Drew), and others I was more than a little wary of (*cough* Lisa). *realizes I left out Chloe* Yeah, that poor baby I just wanted to scoop up and whisk out of danger. *frowns malevolently at kidnappers* I mean, technically, yes, I wanted to just swoop in and rescue everyone, but, you know... Although the group dynamics could be rough at times, I really, really loved the way that everyone brought a different piece to the puzzle, be it special skills, essential equipment (can I call it that? No spoilers, but what they found to use in a couple of scenes was awesome!), or a random underappreciated talent (grrr...spoilers again, but--Shay! X'D).
So, okay, the plot. Not sure how I do this without spoilers, but here goes nothing. To be honest, I was a little taken aback by some of the brutality of the kidnappers. I mean, not that I was expecting them to be nice guys, but... To be clear, the violence and threats weren't particularly graphic, just frightening in a chilling, "these guys mean business" sort of way. Also, nice job on the precautions taken to prevent escape and not making it too easy for their captives. (Or, you know, easy at all... Or, you know, possible in the slightest? Well, anyway, way more prepared and capable than most fictional bad guys. *shudders*) Also, to be honest, I was super surprised by a certain turn the plot eventually took, but I ended up really liking how it turned out. I found myself doubting whether people were really safe even when all signs pointed to it and waiting with bated breath even when the worst seemed to be over, and even when the high point of the action came earlier than I expected, none of the rest of it felt like an anticlimax. Honestly, it was a great insight into the kind of effect that an experience like that would have had on the characters (kind of the point), but even more so because I was working down off of my own adrenaline rush as they were recovering from theirs. Just--very well done!
As far as the messages, I really, really liked Ashley's lesson in the end, and there were several other good bits scattered through the rest of the story. I'll be honest, I did start to cringe at a couple of points when a "textbook" apologetics topic was introduced, but then I realized--these things are textbook because they're real questions that people have in the real world. And they were worked into the story very smoothly and fit well with the characters' personalities, so, yeah, for such a mishmash of topics, they were very well handled. Again, very nicely done!
So, for a rating... I feel like there are a lot of elements in this book that deserve five stars. But while most of the content issues were handled with a light touch, there were just so many of them that they knock my personal rating down a little. Specifically, the amount of swearing that was referenced was a lot for me. Many thanks to the author for not using the actual words, but when you hear "he swore" from a certain character just about every other minute, it starts to become difficult not to put those words in his mouth. Combined with my general inability to like Trent for a really long time, I would probably have given it 3.5 stars, but I think the strength of the ending brings up a little. :) Oh, also the epilogue! The epilogue was great. <3
4 stars
Content--numerous references to swearing (no words); disobedient/defiant/rebellious behavior; mentions of smoking and drinking; vandalism; kidnapping, threats, murder, and attempted murder; fights and beatings; gunplay and people shot; mentions of wounds, blood, and vomiting (not graphic);
First the main characters. Okay, Ashley--I totally identified with and felt for her right off the bat. She's the kind of girl who wants to help somehow but isn't always sure how, who has a natural compassion for people and tries to be a peacemaker, who is strong in her faith but a bit bewildered when other people don't seem to understand it. She's not always the strongest or the bravest, but she'll risk anything for the sake of the people she cares about. Just--so much yes! <3<3<3 *clears throat* And then we come to Trent. Hoo boy... I've read a lot of flawed protagonists in my time, but Trent takes the cake. I kept begging him to give me some flash of something to latch onto and root for, but it took a very, very long time to get there. Honestly, there were points when I almost gave up on him or wondered if it was even worth it to keep holding out hope. Just...very, very rough. And a much more minor annoyance--the, uh, "code names" for lack of a better term were funny and fit well with his "don't care" attitude, but they wore a little thin during an extended period with only one other person in his company. :P
As for the rest of the eight--talk about individual personalities! Some I adored at first sight (*cough* Lillian *cough* Ethan), others I was unsure of but intrigued by (*cough* Shay *cough* Drew), and others I was more than a little wary of (*cough* Lisa). *realizes I left out Chloe* Yeah, that poor baby I just wanted to scoop up and whisk out of danger. *frowns malevolently at kidnappers* I mean, technically, yes, I wanted to just swoop in and rescue everyone, but, you know... Although the group dynamics could be rough at times, I really, really loved the way that everyone brought a different piece to the puzzle, be it special skills, essential equipment (can I call it that? No spoilers, but what they found to use in a couple of scenes was awesome!), or a random underappreciated talent (grrr...spoilers again, but--Shay! X'D).
So, okay, the plot. Not sure how I do this without spoilers, but here goes nothing. To be honest, I was a little taken aback by some of the brutality of the kidnappers. I mean, not that I was expecting them to be nice guys, but... To be clear, the violence and threats weren't particularly graphic, just frightening in a chilling, "these guys mean business" sort of way. Also, nice job on the precautions taken to prevent escape and not making it too easy for their captives. (Or, you know, easy at all... Or, you know, possible in the slightest? Well, anyway, way more prepared and capable than most fictional bad guys. *shudders*) Also, to be honest, I was super surprised by a certain turn the plot eventually took, but I ended up really liking how it turned out. I found myself doubting whether people were really safe even when all signs pointed to it and waiting with bated breath even when the worst seemed to be over, and even when the high point of the action came earlier than I expected, none of the rest of it felt like an anticlimax. Honestly, it was a great insight into the kind of effect that an experience like that would have had on the characters (kind of the point), but even more so because I was working down off of my own adrenaline rush as they were recovering from theirs. Just--very well done!
As far as the messages, I really, really liked Ashley's lesson in the end, and there were several other good bits scattered through the rest of the story. I'll be honest, I did start to cringe at a couple of points when a "textbook" apologetics topic was introduced, but then I realized--these things are textbook because they're real questions that people have in the real world. And they were worked into the story very smoothly and fit well with the characters' personalities, so, yeah, for such a mishmash of topics, they were very well handled. Again, very nicely done!
So, for a rating... I feel like there are a lot of elements in this book that deserve five stars. But while most of the content issues were handled with a light touch, there were just so many of them that they knock my personal rating down a little. Specifically, the amount of swearing that was referenced was a lot for me. Many thanks to the author for not using the actual words, but when you hear "he swore" from a certain character just about every other minute, it starts to become difficult not to put those words in his mouth. Combined with my general inability to like Trent for a really long time, I would probably have given it 3.5 stars, but I think the strength of the ending brings up a little. :) Oh, also the epilogue! The epilogue was great. <3
4 stars
Content--numerous references to swearing (no words); disobedient/defiant/rebellious behavior; mentions of smoking and drinking; vandalism; kidnapping, threats, murder, and attempted murder; fights and beatings; gunplay and people shot; mentions of wounds, blood, and vomiting (not graphic);
March 26, 2021
I loved it! There were so many plot twists and turns I didn't see coming. The suspense was amazing and the characters were very well written. My biggest problem with books I don't like is when they don't give enough about the characters so I end up not invested in the story at all. Not with this one! I loved it!
Read
May 11, 2023DNF. Got bored
October 14, 2021
Wow. It's been a good while since I read a book this good. You always know a book is good when the late hours roll around and your still not tired.
I loved all the different characters. Despite their number I didn't really have any trouble keeping track of them. Usually I don't like most girl POVs, they seem to make up for all the emotion in books, but Ashley's POV was great. She was confident I'm her faith yet still faced doubts as any person would in her situation. She always looked out for the others, caring for them even when they didn't care for her. I suppose that's what makes so many girl POVs so unlikable. People try to write the girl with all the characteristics of a guy, when in reality God created guys and girls different, each with their roles for His glory.
I also enjoyed Trent's character arc and how he protected Lillian in the end.
My favorite character was probably Ethan, though. I felt so sorry for him when he told Trent all that he'd been through. He was like the rock of the story.
This one quote really stuck out to me.
"It was not just the actions but the right motivations for doing those actions that brought respect."
My only complaint is that I wish the author brought repentance more into play in some of the characters.
Other than that, it's a great book!
I loved all the different characters. Despite their number I didn't really have any trouble keeping track of them. Usually I don't like most girl POVs, they seem to make up for all the emotion in books, but Ashley's POV was great. She was confident I'm her faith yet still faced doubts as any person would in her situation. She always looked out for the others, caring for them even when they didn't care for her. I suppose that's what makes so many girl POVs so unlikable. People try to write the girl with all the characteristics of a guy, when in reality God created guys and girls different, each with their roles for His glory.
I also enjoyed Trent's character arc and how he protected Lillian in the end.
My favorite character was probably Ethan, though. I felt so sorry for him when he told Trent all that he'd been through. He was like the rock of the story.
This one quote really stuck out to me.
"It was not just the actions but the right motivations for doing those actions that brought respect."
My only complaint is that I wish the author brought repentance more into play in some of the characters.
Other than that, it's a great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2020
A quick disclaimer before I get into this review. I’m not a huge YA suspense reader. I read a ton of YA, yes, but not very much suspense of any genre. 😉
I really enjoyed The Eighth Ransom. The characters were interesting and a couple of the plot twists caught me off guard.
Overall, the story wasn’t predictable. I appreciated the fact I didn’t figure out the entire plot before the characters did. I really liked the fact that most of the hostages had something to offer to the group—a special talent, knowledge, training, or character trait.
One critique I would offer is that as with most Christian fiction, the “good” characters are Christians and the “bad” characters are non-believers. This certainly wasn’t as pronounced in other books I’ve read. There was only one conversation that felt really forced, but the rest of the character interactions seemed natural.
I’d recommend this book to readers ages 13-16. Content wise, it’s clean. No romance at all. One character drinks, smokes, and is generally a “bad kid.” I did really appreciate that Hoffman did not use language in The Eighth Ransom. Her characters did swear, but she simply told you they swore and did not write the actual words. There is discussion of abortion and some general violence.
I really enjoyed The Eighth Ransom. The characters were interesting and a couple of the plot twists caught me off guard.
Overall, the story wasn’t predictable. I appreciated the fact I didn’t figure out the entire plot before the characters did. I really liked the fact that most of the hostages had something to offer to the group—a special talent, knowledge, training, or character trait.
One critique I would offer is that as with most Christian fiction, the “good” characters are Christians and the “bad” characters are non-believers. This certainly wasn’t as pronounced in other books I’ve read. There was only one conversation that felt really forced, but the rest of the character interactions seemed natural.
I’d recommend this book to readers ages 13-16. Content wise, it’s clean. No romance at all. One character drinks, smokes, and is generally a “bad kid.” I did really appreciate that Hoffman did not use language in The Eighth Ransom. Her characters did swear, but she simply told you they swore and did not write the actual words. There is discussion of abortion and some general violence.
January 29, 2025
The Eighth Ransom offers a clean suspenseful and gripping YA story. From the very first page, readers are pulled into a high-stakes world of danger and intrigue. The plot keeps the reader engaged with the unexpected and constant tension.
Characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations that make them feel real and relatable. Their struggles and triumphs add depth to the story, making the suspense even more compelling.
What truly sets The Eighth Ransom apart is its solid Christian worldview. Hoffman weaves faith and moral conviction into the narrative, offering a clean yet powerful story that resonates on a deeper level. Themes of trust, courage, and redemption shine through, making this more than just an exciting read—it’s an inspiring one.
For fans of suspenseful fiction that is both clean and thought-provoking, The Eighth Ransom delivers a satisfying and meaningful experience. Hoffman has crafted a novel that will keep readers turning pages while also leaving them with something to ponder.
Characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations that make them feel real and relatable. Their struggles and triumphs add depth to the story, making the suspense even more compelling.
What truly sets The Eighth Ransom apart is its solid Christian worldview. Hoffman weaves faith and moral conviction into the narrative, offering a clean yet powerful story that resonates on a deeper level. Themes of trust, courage, and redemption shine through, making this more than just an exciting read—it’s an inspiring one.
For fans of suspenseful fiction that is both clean and thought-provoking, The Eighth Ransom delivers a satisfying and meaningful experience. Hoffman has crafted a novel that will keep readers turning pages while also leaving them with something to ponder.
June 30, 2019
An entertaining, clean read aimed at teenaged readers (but something their dads will enjoy as well!). This is a strong debut novel and a quick read. There's a suspenseful thriller here told from the kids' perspectives. But beyond the story, there are also discussions and internal dialogues among them of some weighty topics: life, creation, anger, child-parent relationships, selfishness, salvation, and more. The conclusions reached are supported by scripture. As these discussions and thoughts take place, we learn a lot about the eight main characters, revealing them to be what we all are: complex, fallen people with often contradictory thoughts, in need of grace, love, and friendship. And we grow to like and care about them.
Thankfully, there's no profanity or anything else that parents would find objectionable in this novel.
Thankfully, there's no profanity or anything else that parents would find objectionable in this novel.
May 22, 2020
My 14 year old son had a hard time putting this one down! His review, in his words: The Eighth Ransom is a very good book. The story is a compelling one, the characters are well-developed and interesting, and the way it is written makes you feel like you're there watching the story unfold. The action is kept almost at a constant, but in between the action there is some conversation of beliefs. I actually liked the conversations as much as, if not more than, the action. Aside from revealing the moral standpoints of each character, they also help us be better acquainted with each one and give a breather before the next bout of action. The villains are also very convincing. Ashley is an interesting main character because she shows her personality mostly in thought instead of word. It's a geniously crafted mix of thought-provoking and hair-raising.
April 24, 2020
Thorough out the book I had a hard time following the supporting characters, because there was so many of them. That was basically my only problem with it. The book had a good story line, and I had several moments where I laughed out loud. The characters set aside their differences to survive. I had never read Given Hoffman's books and I would recommend her to anyone who likes mystery books. I would read other books by her as well.
May 15, 2019
I'll admit that I wasn't in a 'reading-mood' when I picked this up, so it did take me a few pages to get into it, but once I was reading, I couldn't put it down. There's a lot of characters, but they were easy to keep track of, and I loved the interaction and diversity among them. Given is a very talented author, and I highly recommend this book!
November 26, 2018
The Eighth Ransom never stops! Lots of action, interesting characters, and in-depth research. Hoffman tackles violence, social issues, and faith questions honestly while keeping the story clean and entertaining. I definitely recommend this!
February 10, 2023
This is a great book. Very well done. There is no romance. No cussing. The characters are very good.
September 6, 2025
Eight kids from across the US are kidnapped and held for ransom in an international plot involving terrorists, Russians, and high-ranking government officials. The kids must learn to work with each other instead of fighting each other in order to escape alive, foil the plans of their captors, and prevent tragic loss of life. Along the way, they each have to deal with their own complicated issues and family relationships. Two of the teens are Christians who live out and share their faith in believable ways. It is a very INTENSE novel. Clean as far as language, no romance, etc. But the abductions and captivity are intense. Good story with a satisfying ending. Towards the middle to end, I began to notice more and more editorial mistakes, but the story was gripping enough to overcome that. Recommended for not overly sensitive readers 15+.
September 13, 2024
A very well-written book for a young author. I 100% recommend!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews