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Off the Itinerary #1
Avalanche
When fifteen-year-old Marlee Stanley joins her two sisters and the sons of their family friends on a secretive hike in the middle of the night, she is thrilled and nervous. Battling her conscience, she prays that the hike will go flawlessly and that they will return to the safety of their campsite before their parents wake. The start of the hike is beautiful and wonderfully memorable.
In a white flash so fast that Marlee can barely comprehend what has happened, an avalanche crashes into their path. Buried in packed snow, Marlee is forced to remember survival tips learned from her dad and her own research.
This group of friends, ages eleven through seventeen, is about to endure bigger challenges than many adults have experienced. Digging out of the packed snow is only the first of many challenges. Injuries, cold, hunger, fatigue, aggressive wildlife and tensions in the group make this a much bigger adventure than they ever imagined. As the kids strive to exhibit Christian values throughout the trials, they learn numerous life lessons. But they are nearly out of food, and their energy is waning quickly. How will they ever reach help?
In a white flash so fast that Marlee can barely comprehend what has happened, an avalanche crashes into their path. Buried in packed snow, Marlee is forced to remember survival tips learned from her dad and her own research.
This group of friends, ages eleven through seventeen, is about to endure bigger challenges than many adults have experienced. Digging out of the packed snow is only the first of many challenges. Injuries, cold, hunger, fatigue, aggressive wildlife and tensions in the group make this a much bigger adventure than they ever imagined. As the kids strive to exhibit Christian values throughout the trials, they learn numerous life lessons. But they are nearly out of food, and their energy is waning quickly. How will they ever reach help?
226 pages, ebook
Published September 25, 2019
13 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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September 10, 2020
Synopsis
Excitement hangs in the air as Marlee, her two sisters and their friends prepare for a daring trip up a Colorado mountain—in the middle of the night—without their parents’ permission. However, these teens and pre-teens are more prepared than most for such a thrilling adventure. Having grown up taking trips to the mountains every summer their whole lives, they’ve learned a thing or two about hiking. Nevertheless, when disaster strikes, their knowledge will be put to the test. Will their friendship survive the risky situation they’ve put themselves in or will they cave under pressure?
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Christian teen fiction novel. While there are a few that impacted me growing up, many were cheesy, unrelatable or boring. It’s very, very hard to write a captivating, but clean teen fiction novel, so I was nervous to read Avalanche. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised! The story in these 220 pages take place in the span of about 4 days, give or take. I rarely read books that take place over such a short period of time, but I enjoyed the intensity of it. Toward the beginning of the story, an avalanche takes place and immediately, Marlee, her sisters and their friends are thrown into a life or death situation. Once the falling snow subsides, the question becomes how are they going to survive long enough to be found?
While I have hiked in the general sense up and down a few places in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I guess I can’t say I’ve ever really hiked since I had absolutely none of the gear or skills these kids had. Through the characters’ experiences, Boyle gave us a glimpse into the “what to do and what not do” involved in hiking up mountains. I enjoyed learning about hiking gear and what each piece was for as well as different techniques to stay warm, patch someone’s injuries up temporarily or what to eat so you could last until the next real meal. I also enjoyed watching the teens discuss different options in moving forward and how they managed to work together as a team.
I was pulled into the story by the very real sense of danger they were in. Being stranded during an avalanche meant they had to face things like extremely cold temperatures, lack of food and water, injuries, etc. The teens went back and forth between arguing and trying to work out a plan, which felt realistic. I appreciated the straightforward, smooth writing style and good pacing.
However, there were a few aspects of the story that didn’t feel very realistic to me. The major one was the dialogue. For whatever reason their dialogue felt very formal and un-teen-esque. There was no slang and it just didn’t feel natural. A lot of their conversations felt like the way we’re supposed to write essays. It usually started with a detailed question and was usually followed by the proper response. The way Marlee always tried to center the team back to God and Scripture was admirable, but very jarring. She seemed to feel as if the goal of every conversation was to make sure Jesus was at the center of it, which again, sounds nice in theory, but on paper, makes for some very awkward conversations. About three-fourths of the way through the book, I began to wonder if this was the way Boyle imagined or wished her teenage children would speak to each other as they pursued Christ in an ideal situation. It felt very much like this was the way teenagers “should” talk, but in actuality, they don’t. We all know that one, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but also two, that conversations naturally revolve around the current situation and Jesus isn’t always at the forefront of our minds.
Unfortunately, this made Marlee difficult to relate to. Their friends fought to keep calm and speak respectfully to each other. Her older sister struggled not to lose her temper and her younger sister struggled not to give in to fear. Everyone around Marlee had some relatable character trait, excepting Marlee herself. She would recall different instances in the past when she had struggled with her emotions, but we never witnessed that in their current situation. Besides the initial avalanche, she was relatively calm throughout the entire experience. We all know people who keep calm under pressure, at least on the outside, but we all wonder what’s going on in their heads, on the inside. I wish Marlee had a more distinct flaw or inner battle within her thoughts so she could have been more relatable to readers.
All that aside, Boyle’s characters were funny, witty and perseverant. I admired the way they innovatively found solutions to every problem within the general predicament they were in. The ending was satisfactory and made me wonder what their next adventure together would be now that they had found a way to productively communicate with each other (i.e., argue less 😉 ).
In conclusion, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a fun, clean, easy read and very different than what I usually pick up and learn about! I recommend it to teens who enjoy mild thrillers and the out of doors or who just enjoy reading about teens pursuing Christ’s holiness in their lives (amid some pretty crazy circumstances, of course!).
Excitement hangs in the air as Marlee, her two sisters and their friends prepare for a daring trip up a Colorado mountain—in the middle of the night—without their parents’ permission. However, these teens and pre-teens are more prepared than most for such a thrilling adventure. Having grown up taking trips to the mountains every summer their whole lives, they’ve learned a thing or two about hiking. Nevertheless, when disaster strikes, their knowledge will be put to the test. Will their friendship survive the risky situation they’ve put themselves in or will they cave under pressure?
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Christian teen fiction novel. While there are a few that impacted me growing up, many were cheesy, unrelatable or boring. It’s very, very hard to write a captivating, but clean teen fiction novel, so I was nervous to read Avalanche. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised! The story in these 220 pages take place in the span of about 4 days, give or take. I rarely read books that take place over such a short period of time, but I enjoyed the intensity of it. Toward the beginning of the story, an avalanche takes place and immediately, Marlee, her sisters and their friends are thrown into a life or death situation. Once the falling snow subsides, the question becomes how are they going to survive long enough to be found?
While I have hiked in the general sense up and down a few places in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I guess I can’t say I’ve ever really hiked since I had absolutely none of the gear or skills these kids had. Through the characters’ experiences, Boyle gave us a glimpse into the “what to do and what not do” involved in hiking up mountains. I enjoyed learning about hiking gear and what each piece was for as well as different techniques to stay warm, patch someone’s injuries up temporarily or what to eat so you could last until the next real meal. I also enjoyed watching the teens discuss different options in moving forward and how they managed to work together as a team.
I was pulled into the story by the very real sense of danger they were in. Being stranded during an avalanche meant they had to face things like extremely cold temperatures, lack of food and water, injuries, etc. The teens went back and forth between arguing and trying to work out a plan, which felt realistic. I appreciated the straightforward, smooth writing style and good pacing.
However, there were a few aspects of the story that didn’t feel very realistic to me. The major one was the dialogue. For whatever reason their dialogue felt very formal and un-teen-esque. There was no slang and it just didn’t feel natural. A lot of their conversations felt like the way we’re supposed to write essays. It usually started with a detailed question and was usually followed by the proper response. The way Marlee always tried to center the team back to God and Scripture was admirable, but very jarring. She seemed to feel as if the goal of every conversation was to make sure Jesus was at the center of it, which again, sounds nice in theory, but on paper, makes for some very awkward conversations. About three-fourths of the way through the book, I began to wonder if this was the way Boyle imagined or wished her teenage children would speak to each other as they pursued Christ in an ideal situation. It felt very much like this was the way teenagers “should” talk, but in actuality, they don’t. We all know that one, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but also two, that conversations naturally revolve around the current situation and Jesus isn’t always at the forefront of our minds.
Unfortunately, this made Marlee difficult to relate to. Their friends fought to keep calm and speak respectfully to each other. Her older sister struggled not to lose her temper and her younger sister struggled not to give in to fear. Everyone around Marlee had some relatable character trait, excepting Marlee herself. She would recall different instances in the past when she had struggled with her emotions, but we never witnessed that in their current situation. Besides the initial avalanche, she was relatively calm throughout the entire experience. We all know people who keep calm under pressure, at least on the outside, but we all wonder what’s going on in their heads, on the inside. I wish Marlee had a more distinct flaw or inner battle within her thoughts so she could have been more relatable to readers.
All that aside, Boyle’s characters were funny, witty and perseverant. I admired the way they innovatively found solutions to every problem within the general predicament they were in. The ending was satisfactory and made me wonder what their next adventure together would be now that they had found a way to productively communicate with each other (i.e., argue less 😉 ).
In conclusion, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a fun, clean, easy read and very different than what I usually pick up and learn about! I recommend it to teens who enjoy mild thrillers and the out of doors or who just enjoy reading about teens pursuing Christ’s holiness in their lives (amid some pretty crazy circumstances, of course!).
March 7, 2023
I'm definitely continuing the series!
Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/ph1gKWN2UEo
This book can be divided into three parts.
1) Adventure. This was a wild and immersive ride and I kid you not, some moments left me so stressed out. We jump straight into the action and the story continues with the journey of 5 friends surviving the elements. This was my favorite aspect.
2) Hiking/Mountain Guide Lessons and Tips. This book was chock-full of everything from dealing with bear attacks to simple and advanced first aid and medical advice. It was very informative, and I learned a few things along the way. I could tell a lot of the scenarios had been researched and everything was very realistic.
3) Teenage relationships. Aside from all the excitement, the characters dealt with strife and hard feelings. This was my least favorite aspect because I was more enthused with the rescue side of things. My only real qualm was too much crying for my liking and some of the arguments seemed overly dramatic. Given the situation, I understand that emotions are high and there will be quarrels, but it was just too much sometimes.
The messages of trusting God and taking all your cares and worries to Him were refreshing. The characters were easy to distinguish, and it was interesting to watch their interactions and attitudes throughout the course of the story. I felt that the parents dealt very well with the situation.
Overall, enjoyable and exciting. 4 stars! I recommend this to readers of Christian fiction and daring mountain adventures. A great read for the winter season :)
Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/ph1gKWN2UEo
This book can be divided into three parts.
1) Adventure. This was a wild and immersive ride and I kid you not, some moments left me so stressed out. We jump straight into the action and the story continues with the journey of 5 friends surviving the elements. This was my favorite aspect.
2) Hiking/Mountain Guide Lessons and Tips. This book was chock-full of everything from dealing with bear attacks to simple and advanced first aid and medical advice. It was very informative, and I learned a few things along the way. I could tell a lot of the scenarios had been researched and everything was very realistic.
3) Teenage relationships. Aside from all the excitement, the characters dealt with strife and hard feelings. This was my least favorite aspect because I was more enthused with the rescue side of things. My only real qualm was too much crying for my liking and some of the arguments seemed overly dramatic. Given the situation, I understand that emotions are high and there will be quarrels, but it was just too much sometimes.
The messages of trusting God and taking all your cares and worries to Him were refreshing. The characters were easy to distinguish, and it was interesting to watch their interactions and attitudes throughout the course of the story. I felt that the parents dealt very well with the situation.
Overall, enjoyable and exciting. 4 stars! I recommend this to readers of Christian fiction and daring mountain adventures. A great read for the winter season :)
April 25, 2020
I liked parts of this story very much. I started reading it to my boys, but only got about halfway through before they were thoroughly disgusted with the boy/girl interactions and didn't want to hear any more (and I had skipped over a lot of the parts about a girl having a crush on a boy!). There are some good thoughts about how single boys and girls should view each other, but honestly, I could have done without the crushes. I appreciated the way the young people all worked together to survive, and the Christian message that was presented.
I received a free copy of this book from CelebrateLit, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
I received a free copy of this book from CelebrateLit, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
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February 20, 2024Avalanche is a unique read that lovers of outdoor exploration are bound to love. I highly recommend the Off the Itinerary trilogy to tweens and teens who love exploring God's creation.
January 9, 2021
This was a very good well written book. I’m twelve and this is my first time reading a Christian book like this and it was a good experience. I definitely recommend this book for all readers.
August 7, 2022
This was a really good series. I liked reading about this group of kids and how they came through these natural disasters with stronger faith in God and in each other. I liked how this first book was about them wanting to do something they had heard their parents talk about. I would have been very scared to be trapped in and avalanche but I liked how these kids had the knowledge to know how to survive one. I also liked that they worked together in order to get to help even though some of them were injured. I liked seeing the kids grow through this experience.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
March 29, 2020
This is not well written, at all. Maybe it would be better for a 7 or 8 year old, as that seems to be the maturity level in the writing, but I wouldnt want to inflict this on to children either.
The author continuously gives you facts, e.g. "don't pop a blister unless you have to." And then 3 paragraphs later a character will make this observation. "As you know, you don't want to pop a blister unless you have to."
The author continuously gives you facts, e.g. "don't pop a blister unless you have to." And then 3 paragraphs later a character will make this observation. "As you know, you don't want to pop a blister unless you have to."
September 26, 2022
This Christian adventure story drew me right in with the opening line. “As I felt the wall of snow crash into me and sweep me down the mountain like an autumn leaf, I would have given almost anything to take back my decision to go along with this reckless idea.” Well, I certainly needed to find out what happened next!
Avalanche is told from the perspective of Marlee Stanley who joins her two sisters and the sons of family friends on a secretive middle-of-the-night hike. Their fathers are mountaineers and have trained their children in mountain climbing and survival techniques, but when the teens encounter an avalanche, their skills are truly put to the test.
What a great story for teens. I enjoyed the many moments of faith, the growth in the characters, the mountaineering terms, and the survival tips that the author sprinkled into the story. I’ve already purchased the other two books in the Off The Itinerary series, Chased and Ablaze, and look forward to new adventures with these characters.
Avalanche is told from the perspective of Marlee Stanley who joins her two sisters and the sons of family friends on a secretive middle-of-the-night hike. Their fathers are mountaineers and have trained their children in mountain climbing and survival techniques, but when the teens encounter an avalanche, their skills are truly put to the test.
What a great story for teens. I enjoyed the many moments of faith, the growth in the characters, the mountaineering terms, and the survival tips that the author sprinkled into the story. I’ve already purchased the other two books in the Off The Itinerary series, Chased and Ablaze, and look forward to new adventures with these characters.
May 9, 2020
Boyle's debut novel is a good one for youth. It is full of mountain adventure and character revealing experiences. It is especially suited for youth who like outdoor adventures such as hiking and mountain climbing. There is a range of ages involved so this novel would appeal to elementary age through high school.
There are two aspects of the novel I really liked. One is the amount of information included about hiking in the mountains. Boyle gives plenty of details about equipment used and what to do if disaster strikes, like an avalanche, for example. The other aspect is the Christian faith of the kids. It is great. Boyle developed the faith so it is a natural and essential part of the young people and their experiences.
My favorite character is Lydie. At eleven years old, she has a wisdom far beyond her years. Her insights and quips really added to the story.
I enjoyed the novel and all the interaction among the young people. They certainly behaved like teens! There is a link in the digital edition I read for discussion questions so it would be a good choice for a teen reading group.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
There are two aspects of the novel I really liked. One is the amount of information included about hiking in the mountains. Boyle gives plenty of details about equipment used and what to do if disaster strikes, like an avalanche, for example. The other aspect is the Christian faith of the kids. It is great. Boyle developed the faith so it is a natural and essential part of the young people and their experiences.
My favorite character is Lydie. At eleven years old, she has a wisdom far beyond her years. Her insights and quips really added to the story.
I enjoyed the novel and all the interaction among the young people. They certainly behaved like teens! There is a link in the digital edition I read for discussion questions so it would be a good choice for a teen reading group.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 10, 2022
AVALANCE
The author begins by dedicating this novel “To adventure seekers everywhere,” which I had to chuckle at as I started Avalanche. I am the complete opposite of what you would call an adventure seeker, but I'll be the first to read about them!
Told from the point of view of a true adventure seeker, fifteen year old Marlee Stanley has hiking and mountain climbing in her blood. Suspenseful from the start, the thought of being in an avalanche, being buried alive, makes my heart pound right along with Marlee’s as she, as well as the reader, are trying to figure out what exactly happened. I cannot even begin to imagine the sheer terror this teenager is facing, but I am so thankful that she did not have to face this nightmare alone.
As the story goes back to tell how Marlee ended up in this nightmare situation it goes back to the beginning of how two friends turned their loves of the outdoors into a family tradition that has spanned many years. The unity of this close-knit group is #goals in my book, and I caught myself multiple times wishing that I had people who had my back like Marlee’s family and the Miles family.
I know nothing about climbing, or even hiking for that matter, so I learned a lot more than what I was expecting while reading Avalanche. Marlee’s admiration and respect for the mountains was palpable, and I loved that I could feel her passion though the pages. The highlight for me was the strong faith in this group of teenagers. Throughout the whole ordeal the group continued to pray together, and lift up each other’s spirits, which was so inspirational, and the camaraderie was commendable.
Not knowing a thing about mountaineering I appreciated the handy glossary at the end of the book, complete with pictures. This was so incredibly helpful and appreciated.
I enjoyed Avalanche a lot more than I thought I would, and can’t wait to continue this unique series and see what adventures await!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
The author begins by dedicating this novel “To adventure seekers everywhere,” which I had to chuckle at as I started Avalanche. I am the complete opposite of what you would call an adventure seeker, but I'll be the first to read about them!
Told from the point of view of a true adventure seeker, fifteen year old Marlee Stanley has hiking and mountain climbing in her blood. Suspenseful from the start, the thought of being in an avalanche, being buried alive, makes my heart pound right along with Marlee’s as she, as well as the reader, are trying to figure out what exactly happened. I cannot even begin to imagine the sheer terror this teenager is facing, but I am so thankful that she did not have to face this nightmare alone.
As the story goes back to tell how Marlee ended up in this nightmare situation it goes back to the beginning of how two friends turned their loves of the outdoors into a family tradition that has spanned many years. The unity of this close-knit group is #goals in my book, and I caught myself multiple times wishing that I had people who had my back like Marlee’s family and the Miles family.
I know nothing about climbing, or even hiking for that matter, so I learned a lot more than what I was expecting while reading Avalanche. Marlee’s admiration and respect for the mountains was palpable, and I loved that I could feel her passion though the pages. The highlight for me was the strong faith in this group of teenagers. Throughout the whole ordeal the group continued to pray together, and lift up each other’s spirits, which was so inspirational, and the camaraderie was commendable.
Not knowing a thing about mountaineering I appreciated the handy glossary at the end of the book, complete with pictures. This was so incredibly helpful and appreciated.
I enjoyed Avalanche a lot more than I thought I would, and can’t wait to continue this unique series and see what adventures await!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
August 17, 2022
I enjoyed this series about Marlee and her sisters as they work together with their friends to survive several natural disasters. The ongoing story is one of building relationships and growing closer as they are forced to depend on one another to survive through an avalanche, chase, and fire. My children have enjoyed series by Bear Grylls, so I know that they will enjoy this one as they get a little older!
I received this set from Just Read. This is my honest review.
I received this set from Just Read. This is my honest review.
November 14, 2019
Boyle takes readers on quite the adventure in her debut novel Avalanche. I was shivering, gasping, crying, and absolutely captivated while these young characters braved their tragic circumstances. Boyle did such a wonderful job in her research, bringing out details that I would never in a million years think of. First example – swimming (or at least making the motion) when having the misfortune of being in the midst of an avalanche. The way Marlee lets her saliva drop on her face to tell which way gravity was working, this giving her a direction to dig in. How to eat and drink the little supply they had to make it last, and not hurt each individual. So many things made this story so real, but also a learning experience!
One thing that Boyle does in this novel is remind us not to underestimate the young people in our lives. These kids had to survive, in the wild, in the cold. They had to scare off bears, they had to deal with injuries, they had no communication, and several other difficulties. They were far from perfect, but they were inspiring. Their values didn’t go down the toilet because they were in an awful situation. For the most part, they worked together. I know that if their journey inspired me, it will certainly inspire others.
Boyle has brought YA fans an uplifting, adventurous novel. I hope there is more to come in the future. I’ll be first in line to read them! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One thing that Boyle does in this novel is remind us not to underestimate the young people in our lives. These kids had to survive, in the wild, in the cold. They had to scare off bears, they had to deal with injuries, they had no communication, and several other difficulties. They were far from perfect, but they were inspiring. Their values didn’t go down the toilet because they were in an awful situation. For the most part, they worked together. I know that if their journey inspired me, it will certainly inspire others.
Boyle has brought YA fans an uplifting, adventurous novel. I hope there is more to come in the future. I’ll be first in line to read them! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 16, 2022
I have to say I’ve been reading so much Young Adult fiction lately. Maybe I’m overprotective or maybe I just want my kids to not grow up too quickly, but I read all books before they do unless they’re ones I’ve already read or know that they’re okay. So books like this, I know my kids would love to read them so I read them first.
This was a good book. I enjoyed the banter of the kids and how they handled their adventure. The information on what to do and the best way to handle bad situations was spot on. I’ve never been in a situation like this but l like the thought that if my children read this book they might grasp some of the knowledge and use it if they are ever in a situation like this.
I really liked that this is a definite Christian book. The kids are great role models and really know God and rely on Him. Plus, this is a very clean book. No curse words or words meant to replace curse words in this one!
Need a book to read? How about a book for your teen? This is a great one that I can recommend and hope you give it a read.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
This was a good book. I enjoyed the banter of the kids and how they handled their adventure. The information on what to do and the best way to handle bad situations was spot on. I’ve never been in a situation like this but l like the thought that if my children read this book they might grasp some of the knowledge and use it if they are ever in a situation like this.
I really liked that this is a definite Christian book. The kids are great role models and really know God and rely on Him. Plus, this is a very clean book. No curse words or words meant to replace curse words in this one!
Need a book to read? How about a book for your teen? This is a great one that I can recommend and hope you give it a read.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
June 27, 2021
This story puts you right in the middle of the action from the very beginning. There's a great sense of danger that immediately had me so invested in these characters lives. They faced some truly terrifying situations, but handled it all with such grace and bravery. I'm not sure I would've done as well as they did if I found myself in a similar situation.
I loved seeing the characters rely so heavily on God. In every harrowing moment they faced, they looked to the Lord for help. They placed their wholehearted trust in Him. It was so inspiring.
Informative and entertaining, this story was filled with lots of great tips if you ever find yourself in this kind of situation. The only issue I had was that sometimes the dialogue seemed a bit forced and formal, but other than that, I had a great time reading it and am eager for the next one. I highly recommend it, especially to younger readers.
I loved seeing the characters rely so heavily on God. In every harrowing moment they faced, they looked to the Lord for help. They placed their wholehearted trust in Him. It was so inspiring.
Informative and entertaining, this story was filled with lots of great tips if you ever find yourself in this kind of situation. The only issue I had was that sometimes the dialogue seemed a bit forced and formal, but other than that, I had a great time reading it and am eager for the next one. I highly recommend it, especially to younger readers.
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June 1, 2020Avalanche was such a fascinating and fun adventure!
This YA story follows Marlee, a fifteen year old girl and her two sisters, Lydia and Ellie, as they partake on a splurge-of-the-moment trip with their two friends, Sawyer and Marshall, to see a beautiful full moon at the top of a mountain peak. Boyle launches her readers into a whirlwind of snow and trying times that require her characters to have faith like they have never had before and trust in each other through thick and thin. Though this book revolves around an avalanche, Boyle helps to encourage her readers to take courage and trust God in circumstances that tumble out of their control and attempt to bury them in fear and anger.
There is such a lack of clean fiction novels out on the shelves these days, especially for Christian teens who want to uphold their standards, and Boyle has created such a sweet and wholesome tale that fills part of the void. I loved how the book focused more on friendship, as well as the relationships siblings have with one another rather than romance (though there was a bit of that, too!). Readers get to see not just the dynamic between three sisters, but also the exchange between two brothers as well, and how the group of five all interact together through a situation that led them to choose between fighting with one another or building each other up.
Marlee was a levelheaded and observant protagonist. She was very much a peacemaker, and strived to have everyone get along and understand each other better. She was a very relatable character and I think teenage girls will like trekking along the Colorado trails with her for a short time. She, like mentioned in the story, was both a “follower and a leader,” being a middle child. Marlee’s sisters, Lydia, the little wise sage at age eleven, and Ellie, the mini adult at seventeen, were great characters, too. Sawyer and Marshall, the brother duo at seventeen and fifteen, were also great as well. After Marlee, Marshall was my favorite! His quiet resolve and love for Mexican food made me smile.
I liked how rather than the main character experiencing a romance herself, she watched one play out from afar. It was a unique choice by the author and once again, I really liked it. And all of the detail and information surrounding camping, hiking, first aid, etc., was amazing! I feel like I’d be able to survive an avalanche after learning so much, haha!
My absolute favorite part of the book was all the conversations surrounding chivalry and how to respect and honor men as women (and vice versa). Boyle totally hit a nail on a topic I haven’t seen discussed too often. In fact, I think the strongest aspects of this novel revolved around the faith elements. It was refreshing.
*I received this title for free, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review*
This YA story follows Marlee, a fifteen year old girl and her two sisters, Lydia and Ellie, as they partake on a splurge-of-the-moment trip with their two friends, Sawyer and Marshall, to see a beautiful full moon at the top of a mountain peak. Boyle launches her readers into a whirlwind of snow and trying times that require her characters to have faith like they have never had before and trust in each other through thick and thin. Though this book revolves around an avalanche, Boyle helps to encourage her readers to take courage and trust God in circumstances that tumble out of their control and attempt to bury them in fear and anger.
There is such a lack of clean fiction novels out on the shelves these days, especially for Christian teens who want to uphold their standards, and Boyle has created such a sweet and wholesome tale that fills part of the void. I loved how the book focused more on friendship, as well as the relationships siblings have with one another rather than romance (though there was a bit of that, too!). Readers get to see not just the dynamic between three sisters, but also the exchange between two brothers as well, and how the group of five all interact together through a situation that led them to choose between fighting with one another or building each other up.
Marlee was a levelheaded and observant protagonist. She was very much a peacemaker, and strived to have everyone get along and understand each other better. She was a very relatable character and I think teenage girls will like trekking along the Colorado trails with her for a short time. She, like mentioned in the story, was both a “follower and a leader,” being a middle child. Marlee’s sisters, Lydia, the little wise sage at age eleven, and Ellie, the mini adult at seventeen, were great characters, too. Sawyer and Marshall, the brother duo at seventeen and fifteen, were also great as well. After Marlee, Marshall was my favorite! His quiet resolve and love for Mexican food made me smile.
I liked how rather than the main character experiencing a romance herself, she watched one play out from afar. It was a unique choice by the author and once again, I really liked it. And all of the detail and information surrounding camping, hiking, first aid, etc., was amazing! I feel like I’d be able to survive an avalanche after learning so much, haha!
My absolute favorite part of the book was all the conversations surrounding chivalry and how to respect and honor men as women (and vice versa). Boyle totally hit a nail on a topic I haven’t seen discussed too often. In fact, I think the strongest aspects of this novel revolved around the faith elements. It was refreshing.
*I received this title for free, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review*
May 12, 2020
The first book in the Off the Itinerary series, M. Liz Boyle’s “Avalanche” may be written for a young adult audience, but with its adventuresome approach it will appeal to readers of all ages. This is exactly the type of book that I sought out when I was younger, and I still enjoyed it, despite now being an adult. Not only does it impart godly wisdom, but it does so in a real-life manner that younger readers will understand and be able to apply to their own lives. The characters are all steadfast in their Christian faith, which sees them through the trials that they face, and I appreciate the fact that the author does not portray them as saints but rather allows the reader to experience their weaknesses and mistakes. The story is narrated in the first person by 15-year-old Marlee Stanley, who is on a secret overnight hike with her sisters Ellie and Lydie and their friends, Sawyer and Marshall Miles. When they are caught in an avalanche, their fun turns into a battle for survival.
“Avalanche” surprised me with its depth. Boyle writes to a young audience, and she keeps the story simple enough to be easily understood, all the while adding in details that make it a learning experience. I think that this book would be a great option for reluctant readers for this reason. Boyle also displays keen insight into teenage behavior and adolescence, when kids are beginning to become aware of the opposite sex. The hiking and wilderness survival skills are fascinating, and there is a small glossary at the end of the book for a few of the terms that may be unfamiliar to readers. I certainly learned a lot! In my opinion, though, the best part of this story is the strong faith element. Each character demonstrates a stalwart faith in God, even in the face of disaster and even though they are afraid. This is what makes this a 5-star read for me, as the kids battle against despair and negativity yet still cling to prayer and encourage each other. It would be easy for this to come across as sanctimonious and false, yet it doesn’t because Boyle shows readers how the characters truly struggle to maintain a resolute faith. The beautiful part of it is that we all experience the same conflict at one time or another, and when we hold fast to God and put the needs of others above our own, we can know that He is working within us and fighting for us. As Marlee comments, “Each moment is an opportunity to achieve greatness with God.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
“Avalanche” surprised me with its depth. Boyle writes to a young audience, and she keeps the story simple enough to be easily understood, all the while adding in details that make it a learning experience. I think that this book would be a great option for reluctant readers for this reason. Boyle also displays keen insight into teenage behavior and adolescence, when kids are beginning to become aware of the opposite sex. The hiking and wilderness survival skills are fascinating, and there is a small glossary at the end of the book for a few of the terms that may be unfamiliar to readers. I certainly learned a lot! In my opinion, though, the best part of this story is the strong faith element. Each character demonstrates a stalwart faith in God, even in the face of disaster and even though they are afraid. This is what makes this a 5-star read for me, as the kids battle against despair and negativity yet still cling to prayer and encourage each other. It would be easy for this to come across as sanctimonious and false, yet it doesn’t because Boyle shows readers how the characters truly struggle to maintain a resolute faith. The beautiful part of it is that we all experience the same conflict at one time or another, and when we hold fast to God and put the needs of others above our own, we can know that He is working within us and fighting for us. As Marlee comments, “Each moment is an opportunity to achieve greatness with God.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2024
I wanted to enjoy this Christian contemporary book, but unfortunately it didn’t impress me. Being about the opposite of an outdoorsy person, I suppose I’m not the target audience, and although the main character was only a year younger than me, it felt geared to a significantly younger audience.
The writing style/character voice was my main problem with this book–it was so simplistic. It felt as though the author wanted it to be conversational but it ended up infantile and unsophisticated. Even in a first-person book, I never wanted to read the sentences “...every minute under the snow made the situation more serious. Like, exponentially more serious.” There was a fair amount of repetition and redundancy–it was quite frustrating. And then there was the info-dumping about camping–it didn’t get on my nerves as much as the other writing flaws, but it might frustrate some readers.
The characters weren’t undeveloped, but somehow they didn’t feel like real people. The main character, Marlee, didn’t seem to have any flaws, other than agreeing to go on that hiking trip. That brings up another of my complaints–it didn’t seem realistic that a group of teens as responsible as the characters in this book would decide to go on a late-night hiking trip without asking their parents, or that
After listing so many things I disliked about this book, now I feel obligated to name some things I liked. I was glad the characters prayed for God’s help when they were in the wilderness and credited Him for helping them survive once they returned. And as many negative things as I noticed, I was still pretty invested in the characters’ journey and relieved when they made it home. This would be a good book for younger homeschooled kids (ages 8-12, maybe?) because it’s free of inappropriate content such as that which sneaks into mainstream fiction.
The writing style/character voice was my main problem with this book–it was so simplistic. It felt as though the author wanted it to be conversational but it ended up infantile and unsophisticated. Even in a first-person book, I never wanted to read the sentences “...every minute under the snow made the situation more serious. Like, exponentially more serious.” There was a fair amount of repetition and redundancy–it was quite frustrating. And then there was the info-dumping about camping–it didn’t get on my nerves as much as the other writing flaws, but it might frustrate some readers.
The characters weren’t undeveloped, but somehow they didn’t feel like real people. The main character, Marlee, didn’t seem to have any flaws, other than agreeing to go on that hiking trip. That brings up another of my complaints–it didn’t seem realistic that a group of teens as responsible as the characters in this book would decide to go on a late-night hiking trip without asking their parents, or that
After listing so many things I disliked about this book, now I feel obligated to name some things I liked. I was glad the characters prayed for God’s help when they were in the wilderness and credited Him for helping them survive once they returned. And as many negative things as I noticed, I was still pretty invested in the characters’ journey and relieved when they made it home. This would be a good book for younger homeschooled kids (ages 8-12, maybe?) because it’s free of inappropriate content such as that which sneaks into mainstream fiction.
May 19, 2020
So, to be completely honest here, when I signed up for the book tour, I wasn’t that interested in it after reading the summary. But I thought, “hey, I’ll give it a shot”. And as I read the book, the more and more I liked it-the plotline, the characters, everything. I liked the viewpoint from which the author told the story-through fifteen year old Marlee Stanley. I liked it because it had an innocent perspective, but also a fairly mature one. Marlee was obviously scared and had to put her trust in her older sibling, Ellie, and her older friend, Sawyer. But she also had to look out for her younger sister Lydie, and had a trustworthy confidant in her friend, Marshall.
I’m honestly amazed at the strength these five characters possessed throughout the storyline. The kids, while never having been in an avalanche before, still had enough hiking and outdoor experience to help them survive through the frightening ordeal. The kids had to battle with hunger, thirst, cold, wildlife, and injuries from the avalanche. And they did so in an admirable way.
Their faith was also admirable. They always remembered to thank God for His protection and ask that He keep protecting them. They never forgot about Him, and always remembered that He was the reason they survived the avalanche.
Overall, a good story with life lessons that even adults can relate to. It was also very educational as I now know more about hiking and avalanche survival than I did before reading the book. I'm excited to read the next book in the series.
I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.
I’m honestly amazed at the strength these five characters possessed throughout the storyline. The kids, while never having been in an avalanche before, still had enough hiking and outdoor experience to help them survive through the frightening ordeal. The kids had to battle with hunger, thirst, cold, wildlife, and injuries from the avalanche. And they did so in an admirable way.
Their faith was also admirable. They always remembered to thank God for His protection and ask that He keep protecting them. They never forgot about Him, and always remembered that He was the reason they survived the avalanche.
Overall, a good story with life lessons that even adults can relate to. It was also very educational as I now know more about hiking and avalanche survival than I did before reading the book. I'm excited to read the next book in the series.
I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.
December 23, 2024
This book was a pretty good adventure and very realistic as far as the wilderness survival stuff goes. There was a lot of detail about the realities of mountain hiking and avalanches and injuries and so forth seamlessly woven into the story, and I learned a good bit from reading it. The characters were interesting and pretty distinct, all having a part in the story. The scenario was well-designed, and the story flowed pretty well. The mild romance was better than some books I've read. The lessons and themes of the story were pretty good, largely revolving around interpersonal relationships and working through the tension and drama that can arise therefrom, but it was all done pretty well. Some books are painful to read; not this one. The Christian element was prominent through out, but not quite to the extent of being cheesy.
My only real complaint with the book is the dialogue. It's not bad, just the characters seem to always soundly articulate exactly what they are thinking. And while they are not goody-two-shoes, they are virtuous and well-meaning enough to make the dialogue a little unrealistic. Like who actually would say that. I appreciated the themes about boys and girls and their interactions, but a lot of it was delivered rather expositionally. It does get the message across, just not very subtly. At the same time, you gotta appreciate the wholesome, functional families in this story.
But really this is a pretty minor thing. Overall the book was a good, enjoyable read, with good themes and lessons. What it sets out to do, it does quite well.
My only real complaint with the book is the dialogue. It's not bad, just the characters seem to always soundly articulate exactly what they are thinking. And while they are not goody-two-shoes, they are virtuous and well-meaning enough to make the dialogue a little unrealistic. Like who actually would say that. I appreciated the themes about boys and girls and their interactions, but a lot of it was delivered rather expositionally. It does get the message across, just not very subtly. At the same time, you gotta appreciate the wholesome, functional families in this story.
But really this is a pretty minor thing. Overall the book was a good, enjoyable read, with good themes and lessons. What it sets out to do, it does quite well.
May 21, 2020
As a homeschooling mother I am always looking for new books for my teenagers to read, so I knew I wanted to read this book. I am glad to say, I loved it. In the book five young people ranging from 11 to 17 and comprised of three sisters and two brothers go on a late-night hike to see a ridge their fathers who used to be backpacking guides, talked about as long as they can remember.
Sneaking out in the mountains can be a dangerous thing, and they find out just how hard when they get caught in an avalanche. I love how they manage to all work together to work towards getting help. The youngest sister has a severe leg injury. The middle sister has an injury as well. The oldest brother has an injury. Plus, they have no real provisions for staying out in the cold, snowy climate overnight. But they work together as a team (even though they sometimes do not like what the others are saying.
My favorite part of the whole book comes when their fathers tell them if they had only asked the dads, the fathers would have been glad to go with them on the journey. The young people’s faith in God and their constant focus on praying made this book one I could not put down.
After reading the epilogue, I have to say I hope there are more books to come telling the story of these two families.
So check out this book for yourself.
Sneaking out in the mountains can be a dangerous thing, and they find out just how hard when they get caught in an avalanche. I love how they manage to all work together to work towards getting help. The youngest sister has a severe leg injury. The middle sister has an injury as well. The oldest brother has an injury. Plus, they have no real provisions for staying out in the cold, snowy climate overnight. But they work together as a team (even though they sometimes do not like what the others are saying.
My favorite part of the whole book comes when their fathers tell them if they had only asked the dads, the fathers would have been glad to go with them on the journey. The young people’s faith in God and their constant focus on praying made this book one I could not put down.
After reading the epilogue, I have to say I hope there are more books to come telling the story of these two families.
So check out this book for yourself.
May 11, 2020
This is a new author to me. But I’m all about a good YA adventure novel. I’ also grew up camping and consider myself quite knowledgeable, although I don’t camp / hike much anymore. My parents loved to camp and hike from a young age. All that to say – going into this novel I had both positive and high expectations.
This story reads like a journal – which is something I typically don’t get into when reading fiction. But the author kept the action and tension ramped up for most of the novel. It was quite the adrenaline-inducing adventure, to say the least. When they weren’t in the snow, I could totally relate. I spent many a summer backpacking in my teen years. We’ve had bear encounters and the like.
Can’t say I didn’t think what the kids did in the beginning was just idiotic. But then again, teenagers have a mind of their own, right? This isn’t the first story I’ve read where teens do something crazy and suffer consequences lol. Great YA voice, good action sequences. A fun read for middle and high school aged kids without all the gruesome scenes and course language you find in most YA fiction these days.
This story reads like a journal – which is something I typically don’t get into when reading fiction. But the author kept the action and tension ramped up for most of the novel. It was quite the adrenaline-inducing adventure, to say the least. When they weren’t in the snow, I could totally relate. I spent many a summer backpacking in my teen years. We’ve had bear encounters and the like.
Can’t say I didn’t think what the kids did in the beginning was just idiotic. But then again, teenagers have a mind of their own, right? This isn’t the first story I’ve read where teens do something crazy and suffer consequences lol. Great YA voice, good action sequences. A fun read for middle and high school aged kids without all the gruesome scenes and course language you find in most YA fiction these days.
June 20, 2023
Avalanche is an exciting, adventure-filled story about four teens and one preteen who wander off while camping with their families and get stuck in an avalanche. In the aftermath of the event, they are forced to find ways to survive as they try to find their way back to their families. This book is very suspenseful at times and creatively weaves in lessons of faith and character development throughout. As I read this book, I found myself quickly flipping pages to see what happened next.
I found the characters to be very likable and got attached to them pretty quickly. I could easily relate to the character Marlee’s fears and even Ellie’s struggle to think before speaking. Sawyer especially grew on me, as he proved to be compassionate and good at leading the group to safety. There is also an adorable budding relationship between two characters that I definitely shipped!
This is the perfect winter read for anyone who enjoys clean Christian YA, action, and books with complex, three-dimensional characters. The other books in this series are also awesome and I would highly recommend both this book and series!
I found the characters to be very likable and got attached to them pretty quickly. I could easily relate to the character Marlee’s fears and even Ellie’s struggle to think before speaking. Sawyer especially grew on me, as he proved to be compassionate and good at leading the group to safety. There is also an adorable budding relationship between two characters that I definitely shipped!
This is the perfect winter read for anyone who enjoys clean Christian YA, action, and books with complex, three-dimensional characters. The other books in this series are also awesome and I would highly recommend both this book and series!
August 14, 2022
My 11 year old son and I really enjoyed this series. We did not read the books in order, but had no problems following along. This is the first story in the series. Marlee along with her two sisters along with family friends go on a secret hike. This hike takes place in the middle of the night. Marlee hopes and prays that everything will goes well. My 11 year old son commented here - that when you do a secret hike in the middle of the night things will NOT go well.
However, an avalanche happens. I loved that Marlee jumped in and used survival tips to try and dig out. The author put a lot of knowledge and research to make this feel as real as possible My 11 year old son is a Boy Scout and commented that he liked seeing things he had learned there in the story.
This is a middle grade/teen Christian Fiction story. The characters are well written, and the story is well developed.
Thank you to the author, publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this story. All thoughts are my own,
However, an avalanche happens. I loved that Marlee jumped in and used survival tips to try and dig out. The author put a lot of knowledge and research to make this feel as real as possible My 11 year old son is a Boy Scout and commented that he liked seeing things he had learned there in the story.
This is a middle grade/teen Christian Fiction story. The characters are well written, and the story is well developed.
Thank you to the author, publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this story. All thoughts are my own,
January 6, 2020
I did receive an ARC copy of this novel, but was not required to leave a positive review.
As some of the other reviews have stated, this book is remarkably clean, in an age where YA fiction is full of definitely adult content. This novel came as a breath of fresh air, one that I really enjoyed and appreciated.
The book is centered around a hike, and I learned a lot about mountaineering and what to do in the event of a natural disaster. The author clearly is passionate about hiking and the outdoors, making for a captivating story with real life details.
In conclusion, this book was a refreshing read. The plot was exciting, ( I found myself on the edge of my seat multiple times), the characters well developed and compelling, and the scenery beautifully developed and described. I sincerely believe all from the hiking enthusiast to the Godly teenager can find a entertaining read in this novel.
As some of the other reviews have stated, this book is remarkably clean, in an age where YA fiction is full of definitely adult content. This novel came as a breath of fresh air, one that I really enjoyed and appreciated.
The book is centered around a hike, and I learned a lot about mountaineering and what to do in the event of a natural disaster. The author clearly is passionate about hiking and the outdoors, making for a captivating story with real life details.
In conclusion, this book was a refreshing read. The plot was exciting, ( I found myself on the edge of my seat multiple times), the characters well developed and compelling, and the scenery beautifully developed and described. I sincerely believe all from the hiking enthusiast to the Godly teenager can find a entertaining read in this novel.
March 31, 2020
I don’t usually read Christian YA, but the back of this book looked intriguing so I picked it up and I’m so glad I did. It was told from the point of view of a 16-year-old girl, caught in an avalanche with her sisters and two hiking buddies. I learned a lot about survival in the mountains, in the snow, but also a lot about teenagers’ perspectives and how fragile they can be. I loved the way Christ was naturally sprinkled throughout the book, not in a forced way but as though they really had a growing relationship with Him and were comfortable inviting Him into their messes and their everyday life. I loved the easy comraderie portrayed between the different friends and how their different personalities shone through. It was a well-written, easy to read and enjoyable book. It’s definitely one I want to pass along to my teenage daughter.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
May 10, 2020
Liz Boyle has shown through the text of Avalanche that she understands teens. The five main characters range in age from 11-18. There is the typical sibling behavior and back and forth interaction (both positive and negative) between the two families. Throughout the plot, they all show great maturity in a very difficult situation. The teens also show a strong faith in God. What I really appreciated is that both of these occurred naturally and did not appear forced as sometimes happens in young adult novels.
While the plot does have a satisfying ending, I was happy to read that a sequel is coming. These characters have a great chemistry and I look forward to reading more of their adventures.
I would not hesitate to add Avalanche to a k-12 Christian school library. There is the hint of a romance but I think the book is appropriate for those as young as fifth grade.
I want to thank Celebrate Lit for the complimentary e-copy of Avalanche. This is my honest review.
While the plot does have a satisfying ending, I was happy to read that a sequel is coming. These characters have a great chemistry and I look forward to reading more of their adventures.
I would not hesitate to add Avalanche to a k-12 Christian school library. There is the hint of a romance but I think the book is appropriate for those as young as fifth grade.
I want to thank Celebrate Lit for the complimentary e-copy of Avalanche. This is my honest review.
May 13, 2020
This exciting story reads like a true life adventure. The five young people involved in the annual family camping trip with their parents feel prepared to climb the mountain, with supplies and wilderness knowledge. However, as the title reveals, danger awaits. Narrated by the middle sister, Marlee Stanley, the events unfold, along with personal feelings and teen angst. It’s a coming of age journey. Although the novel is intended for young adults, I enjoyed it and learned from it, and I’m in my sixties. I admire the strengths of the young characters and the way they worked things out and solved challenging problems. I thought the author did a marvelous job with the setting and making the characters realistic. I appreciate the faith element too. This could make a good family read-aloud or a teen book club selection for discussion. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
May 15, 2020
The story is full of adventure when a group of teens take a secret hike late at night. The description of the snow cascading down the mountain was so realistic I could feel chills running through my body. I can’t imagine the terror the teens felt as they saw the destruction coming their way.
I enjoyed reading how they looked for each other after the avalanche had stopped. You could feel the confusion as each one hoped for rescue. The details about climbing was interesting . I didn’t realize all the equipment you need to pack and survival tools that are necessary. It is hard to say which character I liked the most because they each brought a purpose to the story. It is a clean book with light faith elements scattered in the story. It is a perfect read for teens where they will find lessons about encouraging each other, trusting God and never giving up.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I enjoyed reading how they looked for each other after the avalanche had stopped. You could feel the confusion as each one hoped for rescue. The details about climbing was interesting . I didn’t realize all the equipment you need to pack and survival tools that are necessary. It is hard to say which character I liked the most because they each brought a purpose to the story. It is a clean book with light faith elements scattered in the story. It is a perfect read for teens where they will find lessons about encouraging each other, trusting God and never giving up.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
May 9, 2020
M. Liz Boyle gives younger readers an adventure that is clean and wholesome while also keeping them on the edge of their seats. Five friends set off to carve out their own adventure, but an avalanche quickly turns that adventure into a fight for their lives.
In Avalanche, Boyle present life saving information and I was right there with Marlee, her two sisters, and two of her family friends as the battle elements, animals and mental discouragement. I also really appreciated they the author does not shy away from letting her readers know these teenagers are Christians. They pray together, they talk about their struggles, and they pray some more.
Boyle has another book in this series coming out this summer featuring these same five friends, and I’ll be snatching that up as soon as it’s available.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In Avalanche, Boyle present life saving information and I was right there with Marlee, her two sisters, and two of her family friends as the battle elements, animals and mental discouragement. I also really appreciated they the author does not shy away from letting her readers know these teenagers are Christians. They pray together, they talk about their struggles, and they pray some more.
Boyle has another book in this series coming out this summer featuring these same five friends, and I’ll be snatching that up as soon as it’s available.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
June 29, 2023
Great read!
This book has so much going for it! Great morals, action, and emotion. There is a lot of great survival info in here too!
This book has so much going for it! Great morals, action, and emotion. There is a lot of great survival info in here too!
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