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Ski Weekend
Six teens, one dog, a ski trip gone wrong . . .
Sam is dreading senior ski weekend and having to watch after her brother and his best friend, Gavin, to make sure they don’t do anything stupid. Again. Gavin may be gorgeous, but he and Sam have never gotten along. Now they’re crammed into an SUV with three other classmates and Gavin’s dog, heading on a road trip that can’t go by fast enough.
Then their SUV crashes into a snowbank, and Sam and her friends find themselves stranded in the mountains with cell phone coverage long gone and temperatures dropping. When the group gets sick of waiting for rescue, they venture outside to find help—only to have a wilderness accident leave Sam’s brother with a smashed leg and, soon, a raging fever. While the hours turn to days, Sam’s brother gets sicker and sicker, and their food and supplies dwindle until there isn’t enough for everyone. As the winter elements begin to claim members of the group one by one, Sam vows to keep her brother alive.
No matter what.
Filled with twists, secrets, and life-changing moments, Ski Weekend is a snow-packed survival thriller featuring a diverse cast of teens that will appeal to fans of One of Us is Lying and I Am Still Alive.
Sam is dreading senior ski weekend and having to watch after her brother and his best friend, Gavin, to make sure they don’t do anything stupid. Again. Gavin may be gorgeous, but he and Sam have never gotten along. Now they’re crammed into an SUV with three other classmates and Gavin’s dog, heading on a road trip that can’t go by fast enough.
Then their SUV crashes into a snowbank, and Sam and her friends find themselves stranded in the mountains with cell phone coverage long gone and temperatures dropping. When the group gets sick of waiting for rescue, they venture outside to find help—only to have a wilderness accident leave Sam’s brother with a smashed leg and, soon, a raging fever. While the hours turn to days, Sam’s brother gets sicker and sicker, and their food and supplies dwindle until there isn’t enough for everyone. As the winter elements begin to claim members of the group one by one, Sam vows to keep her brother alive.
No matter what.
Filled with twists, secrets, and life-changing moments, Ski Weekend is a snow-packed survival thriller featuring a diverse cast of teens that will appeal to fans of One of Us is Lying and I Am Still Alive.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2021
326 people are currently reading
10175 people want to read
About the author
Rektok Ross
7 books579 followersLiani Kotcher (writing as Rektok Ross) is a trial attorney turned award-winning and bestselling author, screenwriter, and producer. An avid reader since childhood, Liani writes exactly the kind of books she loves to escape into herself: exciting thrillers with strong female leads, swoonworthy love interests, and life-changing moments. She graduated from the University of Florida School of Journalism and obtained her juris doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law. Originally from South Florida, she currently splits her time between San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas with her husband, step kids, and her dogs. She is the recipient of several awards, including the American Fiction Awards, IAN Book of the Year Awards, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Chanticleer Dante Rossetti Book Awards, and Women Writing the West. Her debut young adult thriller Ski Weekend was named a “best book” of the year by Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Parade, BookRiot, Yahoo!Life, Brit + Co., BookTrib, J-14, and more and is currently in development for a major motion picture. You can find her online just about anywhere at @RektokRoss, as well as on her website, www.RektokRoss.com, where she blogs about books and writing.
You can find her online just about anywhere at @RektokRoss, as well as on her website, www.RektokRoss.com, where she blogs about books and writing.
Facebook: @RektokRoss
Instagram: @RektokRoss
TikTok: @RektokRoss
BookBub: @RektokRoss
Twitter: @RektokRoss
Readers Group: www.facebook.com/groups/thebooknookbyrektokross/
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ae3f56732419/email-newsletter
You can find her online just about anywhere at @RektokRoss, as well as on her website, www.RektokRoss.com, where she blogs about books and writing.
Facebook: @RektokRoss
Instagram: @RektokRoss
TikTok: @RektokRoss
BookBub: @RektokRoss
Twitter: @RektokRoss
Readers Group: www.facebook.com/groups/thebooknookbyrektokross/
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ae3f56732419/email-newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
November 16, 2021
1.5 Stars rounded up to 2
Well.
I am glad that this book has been enjoyed by other readers, however, for me it missed the mark. I was expecting a high stakes survival thriller and it did not deliver. The characters were a bit on the dull side for me and my attention wandered frequently.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a free audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
Well.
I am glad that this book has been enjoyed by other readers, however, for me it missed the mark. I was expecting a high stakes survival thriller and it did not deliver. The characters were a bit on the dull side for me and my attention wandered frequently.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a free audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2021
Rating 2.75
“Six teens, one dog, a ski trip gone wrong . . .” with a tagline like that I expected a lot from this story. While this book didn’t exactly let me down it didn’t get me excited either. Honestly, I just felt nothing. The overall plot was a good idea but I never felt like any of the characters were in any real danger. I kept being told they were in danger but I never felt it. I missed that edge of my seat feeling when reading a good thriller story. I liked the idea behind the characters being inspired from The Breakfast Club but I don’t think it was executed well. None of the characters were likable which is totally fine but I would have liked to connect with at least one of them. Even the main character was a bit annoying at times and highly hypocritical. Some decisions she made didn’t seem to fit her overall character. A couple of the characters felt a little stereotypical and if I wasn’t given certain details about them then I would have never known who/what they were because their voice didn’t come off the same way. Also, some of the conversations the characters had together didn’t seem to fit into the story as a whole. It made me just question why that was added in. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style. It was an easy book to read and the author did a great job with the flow of the story. Even though this book didn’t do it for me, I can see how others might enjoy this one. I read a lot of great reviews so I might have an unpopular opinion!
*Huge thank you to the author and Spark Press for sending me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
“Six teens, one dog, a ski trip gone wrong . . .” with a tagline like that I expected a lot from this story. While this book didn’t exactly let me down it didn’t get me excited either. Honestly, I just felt nothing. The overall plot was a good idea but I never felt like any of the characters were in any real danger. I kept being told they were in danger but I never felt it. I missed that edge of my seat feeling when reading a good thriller story. I liked the idea behind the characters being inspired from The Breakfast Club but I don’t think it was executed well. None of the characters were likable which is totally fine but I would have liked to connect with at least one of them. Even the main character was a bit annoying at times and highly hypocritical. Some decisions she made didn’t seem to fit her overall character. A couple of the characters felt a little stereotypical and if I wasn’t given certain details about them then I would have never known who/what they were because their voice didn’t come off the same way. Also, some of the conversations the characters had together didn’t seem to fit into the story as a whole. It made me just question why that was added in. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style. It was an easy book to read and the author did a great job with the flow of the story. Even though this book didn’t do it for me, I can see how others might enjoy this one. I read a lot of great reviews so I might have an unpopular opinion!
*Huge thank you to the author and Spark Press for sending me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
February 24, 2022
I think for a survival thriller, tone-wise this book missed the mark. The mood was all wrong.
Young Adult stories can be dark and serious, while staying true to the genre and being suitable for teenagers, but instead, here we got a group of six high school seniors discussing movies, school, crushes and religion like they were sitting around, chilling in a cozy coffee shop instead of stranded on a mountain (!), in the middle of nowhere (!!), in the dead of winter(!!!), during a snow storm(!!!!!!!).
For a vast majority of the book they seemed unconcerned with the dire situation they were in. There was a disconnect between what was going on and their overall responses. It killed all feeling of danger and the one essential factor every good thriller should have: the constant sense of dread.
I believe, cast-wise, better choices could have been made, too. The book description explicitly talks about the set of characters being diverse, but of our six protagonists, four (Sam, Stuart, Gavin and Britney) were, as far as I could tell, Caucasian; one (Lily) was pretty stereotypically Asian and the last one (Hunter) was an African American modern day cowboy. Honestly, if ethnicities hadn't been specified I'd have assumed they were all upper-middle class white kids. They all came across as very entitled and shallow most of the book. Sam in particular, the narrator, was very self-centered and judgmental. I thought her quite unlikable.
An aspect I found odd was how the fact that Sam was vegetarian kept being brought up in the story. She kept harping on about how "meat is murder" and "meat is disgusting" and it all felt very preachy. I have no way to know this, but maybe the author herself is vegetarian? That was the vibe I got. I couldn't care less about people's dietary choices. You do you. Eat whatever the heck you want. But don't come demonize the consumption of meat.
The topic of racism was broached too. When you're trapped on a mountain with your friends, why would skin color be relevant? Why start discussing the whitewashing of history and how the movie industry can be quite racist (however much of a real issue this is)? How is that relevant to the plot? It felt very unrelated and out of place.
At the same time, there were quite a few misogynistic comments and behaviors that went completely unaddressed. Britney, the stereotypically popular, pretty girl, who was also a cheerleader
The other thing I felt was an issue was the inconsistency in the character's behaviors and actions, and this ties back to the whole "book tone" thing. They were fighting and then laughing until they couldn't breathe. They were motivated and in high spirits and the very next paragraph defeatism and gloom had taken over. It became impossible for me to gauge what was going on and I didn't know how the characters were truly feeling. And thus, I couldn't empathize with them.
I was detached all throughout this book because the tonal cues were constantly contradicting themselves. It made the reading experience messy, and as a reader I felt like I couldn't quite find my footing. Tone should set the mood and give the reader the necessary clues to make them feel what the author intended them to feel. I would not be able to tell you what that was.
The bones for a great story were there, but I was pretty dissatisfied with the execution.
**I recieved an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Spark Press for the opportunity**
September 29, 2022
NOW IN DEVELOPMENT FOR A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! Grab your copy before October 1 for only 99 cents!
This eye-catching cover is hard to pass up.
Six teenagers head out expecting a fun ski weekend and find themselves stranded in a snowstorm. Teenagers aren’t known for their great decision-making so the disastrous situation they get themselves into is totally believable. I remember being young and invincible.
Colorado gets its share of snow and bad weather, which makes this story extremely relatable. I’ve had close calls. There are still so many desolate areas that are out of cell range. Even so, I’m not prepared for the circumstances these encountered. Kudos to the travelers that are prepared!
The writing made it easy to visualize the tension and conflict as the teens fought to survive and find a way out of their situation. The author did a great job of expressing emotions and desperation.
The book mentions the tale of the real-life Donner Party. I love reading tidbits of local history in a book. It feels like the author added a piece of personalization. This was a quick and suspenseful read but the conclusion left unanswered questions. Can’t wait to see the movie and I’m hoping it wraps up a little neater.
Sincere thanks to Lets Talk Books Promo for the tour invite! And Rektok Ross for the gifted book.
This eye-catching cover is hard to pass up.
Six teenagers head out expecting a fun ski weekend and find themselves stranded in a snowstorm. Teenagers aren’t known for their great decision-making so the disastrous situation they get themselves into is totally believable. I remember being young and invincible.
Colorado gets its share of snow and bad weather, which makes this story extremely relatable. I’ve had close calls. There are still so many desolate areas that are out of cell range. Even so, I’m not prepared for the circumstances these encountered. Kudos to the travelers that are prepared!
The writing made it easy to visualize the tension and conflict as the teens fought to survive and find a way out of their situation. The author did a great job of expressing emotions and desperation.
The book mentions the tale of the real-life Donner Party. I love reading tidbits of local history in a book. It feels like the author added a piece of personalization. This was a quick and suspenseful read but the conclusion left unanswered questions. Can’t wait to see the movie and I’m hoping it wraps up a little neater.
Sincere thanks to Lets Talk Books Promo for the tour invite! And Rektok Ross for the gifted book.
August 17, 2021
Six teens and one dog versus one major snowstorm. Who will win?
Starting this book in the height of summer might not have aided in my immersion in this snowy setting, but the synopsis was too intriguing for me not to want to immediately pick the book up and it proved too insanely good to stop reading once I had done so.
I love any isolated, snowy setting and this one proved no exception. It coated the area in a sinister mystery and kept the characters chained to one area. Both of these elements were only exacerbated by the somethings that were occasionally glimpsed at or heard, as they roamed among the snow-laden branches.
The characters themselves proved just as interesting to explore. Protagonist, Sam, introduced each from her own perspective and using her own prejudices. I loved how initially tropey each of them felt, only to reveal they each contained far more depth and personality than either Sam or I gave them credit for.
This was such a fun and suspenseful story, full of nuanced and authentic characters and a bucket-load of mysteries. It was the perfect, thrilling read and is definitely a book I can see myself returning to once the weather cools and I'm looking for an eerie read to devour on dark and chilly nights.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Rektok Ross, and the publisher, Spark Press, for this opportunity.
Starting this book in the height of summer might not have aided in my immersion in this snowy setting, but the synopsis was too intriguing for me not to want to immediately pick the book up and it proved too insanely good to stop reading once I had done so.
I love any isolated, snowy setting and this one proved no exception. It coated the area in a sinister mystery and kept the characters chained to one area. Both of these elements were only exacerbated by the somethings that were occasionally glimpsed at or heard, as they roamed among the snow-laden branches.
The characters themselves proved just as interesting to explore. Protagonist, Sam, introduced each from her own perspective and using her own prejudices. I loved how initially tropey each of them felt, only to reveal they each contained far more depth and personality than either Sam or I gave them credit for.
This was such a fun and suspenseful story, full of nuanced and authentic characters and a bucket-load of mysteries. It was the perfect, thrilling read and is definitely a book I can see myself returning to once the weather cools and I'm looking for an eerie read to devour on dark and chilly nights.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Rektok Ross, and the publisher, Spark Press, for this opportunity.
Read
October 12, 2021 *Disclaimer: I received a free ARC in exchange for an HONEST review.*
Very rarely do I write bad reviews—most of mine veer on mediocre or "meh," but seeing as I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review, I guess I'll have to review this. :P
First of all, I want to clarify that in this review, I'm in no way attacking the author. There were some parts of the book that I really enjoyed and would have loved to see more of, and there were others I didn't prefer. But in all, I've concluded that this book really wasn't for me, and that's okay!
WHAT I LIKED
- The diverse cast of characters. They all had their unique personalities and strengths and weaknesses, which provided a lot of tension in certain parts of the story. And Champion *hugs him*
- The sibling relationship. I really liked how the author didn't make it overdone or unrealistic, but realistically showed how they had areas to work on.
- The themes. The ending was totally unexpected, but I loved it anyway because it provided a backdrop for meaningful themes.
- The writing style. It was easy to follow, and while the book was novel-length, it felt short to me because of all the tension. I wanted to know what would happen next, if they would survive, etc.
With all that said, there were some parts of the book that made me consider DNFing it for a while. These are all definitely personal preferences, but there was SO much profanity—to the point where almost everything the characters said was filled with it. There were a bunch of scenes that (for me) were extremely uncomfortable to read. And the drama just didn't seem to fit with the setting (though I did enjoy some of the more humorous scenes).
I think a lot of it is the author was trying to portray teenagers accurately. But in my opinion, it came across as a tad bit forced and unrealistic.
Not to mention I just never really felt connected to any of the characters. To me, they felt veering on stereotypical, and they acted more like middle schoolers than high school/college-aged. Sam, our main character, was constantly arguing with her brother or being judgemental, and it didn't make her sympathetic to me.
Another thing that bothered me was the only "Christian" in the book didn't act like a Christian at all. Sure, she prayed and read the Bible and quoted Scripture, but when she wasn't doing that, she was using profanity and flirting. I just felt like that wasn't at all an accurate portrayal of true Christians—which of course isn't to say Christian characters should be perfect! But our lives should be lived focused on God, not ourselves. And we shouldn't fall into the sinful patterns of this world. :P
But of course, a lot of those things could've just been that this type of book isn't really my thing, and while there were good parts in the story, I've concluded that the better parts don't outweigh the bad. And while I could see this appealing to some teen readers nowadays, for readers like me—I'd sadly have to say I would not recommend this book at all purely because, if nothing more, the content.
Very rarely do I write bad reviews—most of mine veer on mediocre or "meh," but seeing as I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review, I guess I'll have to review this. :P
First of all, I want to clarify that in this review, I'm in no way attacking the author. There were some parts of the book that I really enjoyed and would have loved to see more of, and there were others I didn't prefer. But in all, I've concluded that this book really wasn't for me, and that's okay!
WHAT I LIKED
- The diverse cast of characters. They all had their unique personalities and strengths and weaknesses, which provided a lot of tension in certain parts of the story. And Champion *hugs him*
- The sibling relationship. I really liked how the author didn't make it overdone or unrealistic, but realistically showed how they had areas to work on.
- The themes. The ending was totally unexpected, but I loved it anyway because it provided a backdrop for meaningful themes.
- The writing style. It was easy to follow, and while the book was novel-length, it felt short to me because of all the tension. I wanted to know what would happen next, if they would survive, etc.
With all that said, there were some parts of the book that made me consider DNFing it for a while. These are all definitely personal preferences, but there was SO much profanity—to the point where almost everything the characters said was filled with it. There were a bunch of scenes that (for me) were extremely uncomfortable to read. And the drama just didn't seem to fit with the setting (though I did enjoy some of the more humorous scenes).
I think a lot of it is the author was trying to portray teenagers accurately. But in my opinion, it came across as a tad bit forced and unrealistic.
Not to mention I just never really felt connected to any of the characters. To me, they felt veering on stereotypical, and they acted more like middle schoolers than high school/college-aged. Sam, our main character, was constantly arguing with her brother or being judgemental, and it didn't make her sympathetic to me.
Another thing that bothered me was the only "Christian" in the book didn't act like a Christian at all. Sure, she prayed and read the Bible and quoted Scripture, but when she wasn't doing that, she was using profanity and flirting. I just felt like that wasn't at all an accurate portrayal of true Christians—which of course isn't to say Christian characters should be perfect! But our lives should be lived focused on God, not ourselves. And we shouldn't fall into the sinful patterns of this world. :P
But of course, a lot of those things could've just been that this type of book isn't really my thing, and while there were good parts in the story, I've concluded that the better parts don't outweigh the bad. And while I could see this appealing to some teen readers nowadays, for readers like me—I'd sadly have to say I would not recommend this book at all purely because, if nothing more, the content.
September 30, 2022
I listened to the audio narration by Katie Schorr who brought the characters to life with each voice distinct. I enjoyed the audio book a lot!
Ski Weekend is a fast paced YA thriller that can be easily read in one sitting. Crammed in an SUV, six high school seniors and their dog go on a road trip for their senior ski weekend. The fun doesn’t last long, when they decide to take a dangerous short cut using the back roads, when the main roads were closed due to a snowstorm. With frigid weather, no cell signal, limited food and water supplies, and the chance of being rescued diminishing by the minute, I just could not put this book down. The choices are to either stay in the SUV or venture out to get help. Either way, their chance of survival is doomed.
Ahhhh what a fun read!
Ski Weekend is a fast paced YA thriller that can be easily read in one sitting. Crammed in an SUV, six high school seniors and their dog go on a road trip for their senior ski weekend. The fun doesn’t last long, when they decide to take a dangerous short cut using the back roads, when the main roads were closed due to a snowstorm. With frigid weather, no cell signal, limited food and water supplies, and the chance of being rescued diminishing by the minute, I just could not put this book down. The choices are to either stay in the SUV or venture out to get help. Either way, their chance of survival is doomed.
Ahhhh what a fun read!
December 28, 2021
To calm everyone's fears upon reading there is a dog character in this book, he's fine. Literally nothing bad happens to him. That was one of the (few) choices I supported in this book. If you are expecting a really well written and atmospheric winter thriller, I would look elsewhere. When they categorize this book as Yong Adult, they really mean it, complete with naive decisionmaking by the characters as well as some added juvenile romance that, when faced with essentially a life or death situation, shouldn't have even been brought up. The characters for the most part were pretty unlikable and super stereotypical with those high school superlatives that we all know and hate. Cheerleader with an eating disorder? Check. Bad boy with a family secret? Check. Nerdy asian girl who is all about being booksmart without common sense? Check.
I found most of the book laughable, with VERY poorly researched science and little to no logic. And honestly, I just never cared enough about any of the characters (EXCEPT FOR THE DOG) to really care about whether they made it out of their snowy landscape alive. The deaths that do occur are very lackluster and are barely spent any time on by the author which in itself was a very strange choice.
All in all, I probably wouldn't recommend this book to anyone over the age of maybe 13 and even then I would tell them to do take the whole book with an extremely large grain of salt. Especially when it comes to how much water melted snow actually produces. *FACEPALM*
I found most of the book laughable, with VERY poorly researched science and little to no logic. And honestly, I just never cared enough about any of the characters (EXCEPT FOR THE DOG) to really care about whether they made it out of their snowy landscape alive. The deaths that do occur are very lackluster and are barely spent any time on by the author which in itself was a very strange choice.
All in all, I probably wouldn't recommend this book to anyone over the age of maybe 13 and even then I would tell them to do take the whole book with an extremely large grain of salt. Especially when it comes to how much water melted snow actually produces. *FACEPALM*
couldn-t-finish
October 27, 2021This isn't a terrible story and as much as I love YA and YA thrillers, there's just not enough thrill for me. And when the Asian girl in the story who is studying during this entire epic trapped in a car in the middle of a blizzard thing says she won't eat her friends but isn't above eating the dog... well, that was just too much for me and so I DNF at the halfway mark.
January 19, 2024
If you enjoy survival type thrillers, then this may be the book for you! Personally, I’m not a major fan of these kinds of books unless theirs a killer on the loose picking the characters off one by one (that’s NOT this book). Basically, this is a novel about a group of teens who try and take a shortcut so they can get to a party but end up getting stranded. There’s a lot of childish behavior that goes on and I found the characters to be whiny and annoying which really took away from the story for me. However, the setting was good! I felt the cold seeping into my bones while reading. I encourage readers to check out reviews from others before deciding whether this will be a book for them!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Survival Thrillers
❥ Teen and YA novels
❥ Winter settings in books
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Survival Thrillers
❥ Teen and YA novels
❥ Winter settings in books
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
July 22, 2022
This was a young adult fiction book. I had the misconception that it was going to be a thriller and unfortunately it wasn't. A group of teens decide to hit the road and go skiing even though their is a storm brewing. However, the driver knows a backroad that isn’t closed. They get into an accident and have no cell reception and are left to their own wits for several days.
There was too much filler text in the book, thoughts on tweezers and how they can be used would cover an entire chapter. It was not for me.
There was too much filler text in the book, thoughts on tweezers and how they can be used would cover an entire chapter. It was not for me.
September 26, 2021
I love a great people vs. nature thriller, and Rektok Ross’ debut Ski Weekend delivers chills, thrills, and an eerie atmosphere. This survivalist YA thriller is just the read to pick up (bundled up with a cozy blanket) once the snow sticks this season. Or if you live in a warmer climate, like me, once the calendar approaches Christmas.
Stranded in a deadly environment, six teens and, seriously, the best dog ever (hello, Champion) face impossible odds and are forced to make impossible choices.
Bring together six unlikely teens (think, The Breakfast Club vibes), set them off on a road trip to a ski lodge, and have that trip ended in a snowstorm and disaster, and you’ve got yourself a killer (yes, I went there) YA novel. Sam, Stuart, Gavin, Hunter, Britney, and Lily are six high schoolers from six different walks of life who are all dying (I know, enough already with the terrible puns) to get to a ski lodge. Except for protagonist, Sam. Sam doesn’t really care about the party at the lodge. She’s only on this trip for her younger brother, Stuart.
Through Sam’s eyes readers see the story (and the drama, oh, there is drama) unfold. Sam’s got a smart head on her shoulders and is the one who initially cautions against taking the shortcut that leads everyone into trouble. But it’s (jock) Hunter’s survival knowledge that turns out to be lifesaving. And this expectation vs. reality is only one way in which Sam (throughout the novel) confronts her preconceived notions. Britney is more than just the princess stereotype. Sam’s best friend, Lily, is more than just brainy. People are complex. And so are the characters in Ski Weekend.
Writing a survivalist thriller (making the environment the baddie) is no simple task, and Rektok Ross has knocked it out of the park. From page one, there’s a sense of impending doom. After disaster strikes, just try to set this novel down. The suspense is intense. And as the six teens (and dog, Champion) are left stranded in a hostile, frozen wilderness, we are left with our hands glued to the page. Ski Weekend is a marvel of a YA suspense read, in which character arcs and plot unfold effortlessly in the writing.
What’s more to love: sibling bonds, defied tropes, diverse cast of characters, a delicious slow burn romance, will (almost certainly) make you cry and hug those you love extra tight (the emotions!), disability representation.
A knockout debut.
Stranded in a deadly environment, six teens and, seriously, the best dog ever (hello, Champion) face impossible odds and are forced to make impossible choices.
Bring together six unlikely teens (think, The Breakfast Club vibes), set them off on a road trip to a ski lodge, and have that trip ended in a snowstorm and disaster, and you’ve got yourself a killer (yes, I went there) YA novel. Sam, Stuart, Gavin, Hunter, Britney, and Lily are six high schoolers from six different walks of life who are all dying (I know, enough already with the terrible puns) to get to a ski lodge. Except for protagonist, Sam. Sam doesn’t really care about the party at the lodge. She’s only on this trip for her younger brother, Stuart.
Through Sam’s eyes readers see the story (and the drama, oh, there is drama) unfold. Sam’s got a smart head on her shoulders and is the one who initially cautions against taking the shortcut that leads everyone into trouble. But it’s (jock) Hunter’s survival knowledge that turns out to be lifesaving. And this expectation vs. reality is only one way in which Sam (throughout the novel) confronts her preconceived notions. Britney is more than just the princess stereotype. Sam’s best friend, Lily, is more than just brainy. People are complex. And so are the characters in Ski Weekend.
Writing a survivalist thriller (making the environment the baddie) is no simple task, and Rektok Ross has knocked it out of the park. From page one, there’s a sense of impending doom. After disaster strikes, just try to set this novel down. The suspense is intense. And as the six teens (and dog, Champion) are left stranded in a hostile, frozen wilderness, we are left with our hands glued to the page. Ski Weekend is a marvel of a YA suspense read, in which character arcs and plot unfold effortlessly in the writing.
What’s more to love: sibling bonds, defied tropes, diverse cast of characters, a delicious slow burn romance, will (almost certainly) make you cry and hug those you love extra tight (the emotions!), disability representation.
A knockout debut.
July 14, 2024
2 1/2 stars. Six teens struggle to survive when they get stuck in a snowstorm on the way to a ski weekend. Told from the pov of one teen, Sam, the characters, with the flaws and good points are filtered through her judgements. At first it seems that they will be stereotypical but as the book moves along they show hidden depths and Sam reevaluates her own judgements.
There are definitely thrills and suspenseful moments but there are times when things are predictable and a bit contrived. Teenagers will sit around and discuss religion and other big life things but it seemed a bit forced here.
I really appreciate that it does not end with everyone safe and back to their life like nothing happened. Rifts appears under stressful situations and sometimes you can never unsay or undo things and it will continue to influence the relationship.
This book is about a life-changing event. And things do change. People show good and bad sides that just wouldn’t come out in normal situations. There is plenty of drama in that, never mind the actual life-threatening ones.
If you like a struggle-for-survival story, pull up a chair.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are definitely thrills and suspenseful moments but there are times when things are predictable and a bit contrived. Teenagers will sit around and discuss religion and other big life things but it seemed a bit forced here.
I really appreciate that it does not end with everyone safe and back to their life like nothing happened. Rifts appears under stressful situations and sometimes you can never unsay or undo things and it will continue to influence the relationship.
This book is about a life-changing event. And things do change. People show good and bad sides that just wouldn’t come out in normal situations. There is plenty of drama in that, never mind the actual life-threatening ones.
If you like a struggle-for-survival story, pull up a chair.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2022
I want to laugh. I want to laugh so badly... But I'm TERRIFIED. While I read this book, we got 2 snow storms and 1 ice storm. This story felt sooo realistic, I still have goosebumps. It made me realize that I have NO IDEA what to do if I'm stuck out in the cold. And I've been living in Canada, where there's snow 5 months per year, for all my life.
This story kept me at the edge of my seat from the start. I went in blind, I absolutely didn't see any twist coming. At all.
If you live survival stories, you'd definitely love that one.
Many thanks to the author and MTMC Tours for the copy of this book to read as part of a book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This story kept me at the edge of my seat from the start. I went in blind, I absolutely didn't see any twist coming. At all.
If you live survival stories, you'd definitely love that one.
Many thanks to the author and MTMC Tours for the copy of this book to read as part of a book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 15, 2021
Ski Weekend missed the mark completely for me in terms of tone. For a thriller, I found very few thrills! The setting and the classic isolated concept weren't used to their fullest potential and had me really disappointed when all was said and done.
March 23, 2022
Ski Weekend is akin to The Breakfast Club meets Alive, just not as gruesome and there’s no Molly Ringwald to be found. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than expected since my usual tastes for YA lean toward a murderer bumping teens off one by one a lá I Know What You Did Last Summer. Six seniors and one amazing dog (spoiler: the dog survives) are on their way for a fun filled weekend of skiing during Christmas break. Unfortunately, they decide to take a detour when the road they’re traveling becomes off limits due to an encroaching snowstorm. Big mistake, but kids will be kids. Their SUV face plants into a snowbank, leaving them stranded as the storm intensifies. What follows is a story about flawed characters handling an impossible situation. Some survive. Some don’t. The ending is a white-knuckler and I found myself on the verge of popping a few tears by the final chapter. If you’re looking for something beyond the standard fair of blackmail, murder, and double-crossing, give Ski Weekend a go. And pack a lot of snacks, too.
August 31, 2022
(1.5 stars)
:(
I was so excited for this book, the premise sounded so good. I was really close to buying a physical copy because I was THAT confident I was going to enjoy it. Thank god I borrowed it from my library first because.....wah wah :( We bouta get real spoiler-y.
I just.....I wish it was better. I really do. The synopsis sounds SO GOOD and so promising. Execution was way, way off for me to find anything to enjoy in this book.
:(
I was so excited for this book, the premise sounded so good. I was really close to buying a physical copy because I was THAT confident I was going to enjoy it. Thank god I borrowed it from my library first because.....wah wah :( We bouta get real spoiler-y.
I just.....I wish it was better. I really do. The synopsis sounds SO GOOD and so promising. Execution was way, way off for me to find anything to enjoy in this book.
October 20, 2022
3.5 stars
I ended up trying this one again on audio and liked it more. For me, certain books are better on audio than reading with my eyes.
I would’ve liked a faster pace, as I’m an impatient reader. And wanted more of an adrenaline rush.
Otherwise, it was a fun read where I was only rooting for Champion (the dog). 😆
I ended up trying this one again on audio and liked it more. For me, certain books are better on audio than reading with my eyes.
I would’ve liked a faster pace, as I’m an impatient reader. And wanted more of an adrenaline rush.
Otherwise, it was a fun read where I was only rooting for Champion (the dog). 😆
October 8, 2021
I really struggled when deciding how to rate this book, for many reasons. On one level, there is a level of suspense that kept me gripped and wondering what would happen next.
That said, it wasn't at all what I expected. The introduction discusses the diversity of the book, and I was expecting to love it. The premise of six teenagers from very different backgrounds being stuck in the mountains and battling for survival had the potential to be a classic favourite, but unfortunately it missed the mark too many times for me. It felt like these 'diverse' characteristics were an afterthought. A lot of the 'important messages' were either mishandled or completely irrelevant to the plot and so obviously preachy and disjointed that it was clear they were included just to be 'socially aware' or 'diverse'.
The narrator, Sam, was incredibly unlikeable and judgemental. She was petty and honestly spent more time thinking about her romantic life than surviving. Her only redeeming quality was her love for her brother, which also seemed to appear and disappear at convenient timing.
I did enjoy the more thrilling, survival parts, but the priorities of the characters were so wrong. The mood would change entirely in a matter of paragraphs, and they seemed more concerned with trading gossip and stories than finding a way out of their situation. A lot of the more dramatic, life-threatening points came out of nowhere and actually made me check to see if I accidentally skipped a page as they didn't make much sense outside of adding drama.
A lot of scenes were quite good and I did like a couple of the characters, but tonally the book felt off, and a lot of the subplots didn't make much sense within the context of the story.
I received a free digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That said, it wasn't at all what I expected. The introduction discusses the diversity of the book, and I was expecting to love it. The premise of six teenagers from very different backgrounds being stuck in the mountains and battling for survival had the potential to be a classic favourite, but unfortunately it missed the mark too many times for me. It felt like these 'diverse' characteristics were an afterthought. A lot of the 'important messages' were either mishandled or completely irrelevant to the plot and so obviously preachy and disjointed that it was clear they were included just to be 'socially aware' or 'diverse'.
The narrator, Sam, was incredibly unlikeable and judgemental. She was petty and honestly spent more time thinking about her romantic life than surviving. Her only redeeming quality was her love for her brother, which also seemed to appear and disappear at convenient timing.
I did enjoy the more thrilling, survival parts, but the priorities of the characters were so wrong. The mood would change entirely in a matter of paragraphs, and they seemed more concerned with trading gossip and stories than finding a way out of their situation. A lot of the more dramatic, life-threatening points came out of nowhere and actually made me check to see if I accidentally skipped a page as they didn't make much sense outside of adding drama.
A lot of scenes were quite good and I did like a couple of the characters, but tonally the book felt off, and a lot of the subplots didn't make much sense within the context of the story.
I received a free digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2023
I hate giving this two stars but there were just too many things that didn't work for me with this one.
A bunch of teens get stranded in a car, in the wilderness. I love a good survival thriller, but this one felt more like teens talking about stuff that doesn't matter in a car for 70% of the book. Only one character is really awesome - THE DOG! Yes, he lives (that is always my first question) and he is great but not in it enough. All the teens are mostly stereotypical, the main character is a holier than thou girl that mostly is concerned about her crush in a life and death situation. I mean who cares if one of your friends died - YOU CAN FINALLY SHARE YOUR TRUE FEELINGS WITH YOUR CRUSH! Oh, she is also a vegetarian (great, you do you) and she lets you know constantly and it verges on preachy.
There was a slightly diverse cast of characters - one was Black, one was Asian and one was disabled. They had some talks about race and religion that seemed pretty forced, or maybe too casual. I'm not sure but it just didn't work for me. It also didn't help that the Black kid gets killed off and the chronically ill person, of course, is sacrificed to save the abled bodied person and therefore a hero. As someone who is chronically ill, I get tired of that trope - really tired. We can please not be a plot device for other characters to grow? Please?
Religion, there is a lot of talk about God in this book. It even ends on a note about having faith - the second that stuff comes up - I basically check out. That's a me thing, but it's enough to really just put the final nail in the coffin for me.
All of this, coupled with there not being any sense of danger till the very end and this book just didn't hit the mark for me. Ah well, you win some - you lose some.
A bunch of teens get stranded in a car, in the wilderness. I love a good survival thriller, but this one felt more like teens talking about stuff that doesn't matter in a car for 70% of the book. Only one character is really awesome - THE DOG! Yes, he lives (that is always my first question) and he is great but not in it enough. All the teens are mostly stereotypical, the main character is a holier than thou girl that mostly is concerned about her crush in a life and death situation. I mean who cares if one of your friends died - YOU CAN FINALLY SHARE YOUR TRUE FEELINGS WITH YOUR CRUSH! Oh, she is also a vegetarian (great, you do you) and she lets you know constantly and it verges on preachy.
There was a slightly diverse cast of characters - one was Black, one was Asian and one was disabled. They had some talks about race and religion that seemed pretty forced, or maybe too casual. I'm not sure but it just didn't work for me. It also didn't help that the Black kid gets killed off and the chronically ill person, of course, is sacrificed to save the abled bodied person and therefore a hero. As someone who is chronically ill, I get tired of that trope - really tired. We can please not be a plot device for other characters to grow? Please?
Religion, there is a lot of talk about God in this book. It even ends on a note about having faith - the second that stuff comes up - I basically check out. That's a me thing, but it's enough to really just put the final nail in the coffin for me.
All of this, coupled with there not being any sense of danger till the very end and this book just didn't hit the mark for me. Ah well, you win some - you lose some.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2021
What I thought might happen and what happened are two very different things. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. When a group of teens decide to take a detour to get to their ski weekend meeting point, things end up going deadly wrong. I honestly expected a whodunnit type scenario with deep dark secrets and deadly mother nature nipping at their heels. Instead it took the road less traveled and became a game of survival as things go from worse to catastrophic.
I enjoyed this different variation on thriller. While I wouldn't say that I was on the edge of my seat, I did find myself sucked into the almost realistic atmosphere and growing disintegration of their situation. Champion was probably my favorite character. Is that bad? I can't help it. He was utterly everything a retriever is personified to be and well... I do prefer animals over people these days. lol. Hunter came in second with his southern drawl and boy scout background. The others didn't make or break it for me. Though I will say there is a brother/sister moment that really tugged at the heart strings.
There are a lot of things I didn't see coming in a good way. Some scenarios didn't fit for me but overall I enjoyed listening to Ski Weekend on audio. Katie Schorr is the narrator and I really liked her cadence and emotion (plus her different character tones). For those debating this YA Thriller, I would recommend snagging the audio to immerse yourself in.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this gifted ALC for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are my own. I look forward to seeing what Ross cooks up next!
I enjoyed this different variation on thriller. While I wouldn't say that I was on the edge of my seat, I did find myself sucked into the almost realistic atmosphere and growing disintegration of their situation. Champion was probably my favorite character. Is that bad? I can't help it. He was utterly everything a retriever is personified to be and well... I do prefer animals over people these days. lol. Hunter came in second with his southern drawl and boy scout background. The others didn't make or break it for me. Though I will say there is a brother/sister moment that really tugged at the heart strings.
There are a lot of things I didn't see coming in a good way. Some scenarios didn't fit for me but overall I enjoyed listening to Ski Weekend on audio. Katie Schorr is the narrator and I really liked her cadence and emotion (plus her different character tones). For those debating this YA Thriller, I would recommend snagging the audio to immerse yourself in.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this gifted ALC for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are my own. I look forward to seeing what Ross cooks up next!
April 14, 2024
This was an okay read. It started off strong and hooked me but then I’m not sure what happened. The writing or plot or characters, maybe all three just didn’t engage me. I did a lot of skimming but it doesn’t feel like I missed any big events happening.
The story had more potential but failed to live up to me. But that’s just my opinion. The flashbacks bored me and I didn’t see the significance they had to the story besides making the story longer. Would have been better without them.
Will def read this authors other works tho.
The story had more potential but failed to live up to me. But that’s just my opinion. The flashbacks bored me and I didn’t see the significance they had to the story besides making the story longer. Would have been better without them.
Will def read this authors other works tho.
September 2, 2021
3.5 Stars
This Southern California gal does enjoy reading about a snow trip; especially when it is early September and the weather is toasty. I was raised in snow country so I do have ‘snow’ memories.
I do remember being scared to death driving home from college at night in snow.
I prefer the snow adventures at a ski lodge where everyone is sitting around a crackling fire burning in a huge stone-hewn fireplace warning the room creating a cozy atmosphere to talk about the day’s ski runs. Nothing too adventures and yes I also love to read a good mystery story.
The story starts with Sam, her younger brother Stuart, best friend Gavin, three classmates and Gavin’s dog all heading on a ski weekend trip. Sure enough there is a major snowstorm.
This turned out to be a much different story than I was expecting. As a high school counselor anything teenagers do is never a shock to me! But as a parent this story turned out to be the worst nightmare for any parent. I am positive the parents had many concerns about letting their teen driving teens anywhere ~ let alone in snow. Southern California drivers don’t know how to drive in rain ~ so most get in trouble driving in snow!
This was an emotional read and it certainly kept me engrossed. I kept thinking these teens never should have been in this situation. Of course, I am not the target audience for this story so I am sure teens will love this exciting adventure.
I do like Liani Kotcher’s style ~ her pen name is Rektok Ross and I am sure there is a story behind that! I did look up her bio ~~ RektokRoss.com - Just Living That #BookLife!
Although the bio doesn’t really explain, she does have a dog “’Falkor’ named after the flying dragon in The Neverending Story.
I read a lot of YA stories and don’t like that most are so full of profanity, it is difficult to find the story. I liked that this actually had a Christian slant to it rather than nasty language.
I definitely will read another one of her stories.
Want to thank NetGalley and Spark Press for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 26, 2021
This Southern California gal does enjoy reading about a snow trip; especially when it is early September and the weather is toasty. I was raised in snow country so I do have ‘snow’ memories.
I do remember being scared to death driving home from college at night in snow.
I prefer the snow adventures at a ski lodge where everyone is sitting around a crackling fire burning in a huge stone-hewn fireplace warning the room creating a cozy atmosphere to talk about the day’s ski runs. Nothing too adventures and yes I also love to read a good mystery story.
The story starts with Sam, her younger brother Stuart, best friend Gavin, three classmates and Gavin’s dog all heading on a ski weekend trip. Sure enough there is a major snowstorm.
This turned out to be a much different story than I was expecting. As a high school counselor anything teenagers do is never a shock to me! But as a parent this story turned out to be the worst nightmare for any parent. I am positive the parents had many concerns about letting their teen driving teens anywhere ~ let alone in snow. Southern California drivers don’t know how to drive in rain ~ so most get in trouble driving in snow!
This was an emotional read and it certainly kept me engrossed. I kept thinking these teens never should have been in this situation. Of course, I am not the target audience for this story so I am sure teens will love this exciting adventure.
I do like Liani Kotcher’s style ~ her pen name is Rektok Ross and I am sure there is a story behind that! I did look up her bio ~~ RektokRoss.com - Just Living That #BookLife!
Although the bio doesn’t really explain, she does have a dog “’Falkor’ named after the flying dragon in The Neverending Story.
I read a lot of YA stories and don’t like that most are so full of profanity, it is difficult to find the story. I liked that this actually had a Christian slant to it rather than nasty language.
I definitely will read another one of her stories.
Want to thank NetGalley and Spark Press for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 26, 2021
October 31, 2021
Well, this was quite a ride, and let me tell you, I am glad I do not live in snow after reading this. This was suspenseful, six teens and one dog set out for senior ski weekend, not all of them are the best of friends, and Sam feels like she has to watch out for her brother and his best friend Gavin to make sure they don’t do anything stupid. Turns out they don’t get that far after their SUV crashes into a snowbank, leaving them stranded with minimal food, no cell service, and temps are dropping. An attempt for help leaves Sam’s brother with a smashed leg and a fever that is not getting better. Things continue to turn dire as the winter elements starts to claim folks one by one, and I had to finish this to know what was going to happen and how they were going to get themselves out of this situation. The result was very satisfying and I won’t spoil it, but it was great, even though not everyone makes it out alive (that’s not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis).
This was well written, the audiobook was good and helped contribute to the building suspense, it was just the right length, and the resolution was satisfying and did not have a bow wrapped around it which was appropriate for this story. The conflict between the teens was just enough drama for me, and I liked the emotional roller coasters they each went on, it was realistic I thought for the situation they found themselves in. This was a great read that I was able to get through in one sitting, and I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and BookSparks for the #gifted copy and ALC to review!
This was well written, the audiobook was good and helped contribute to the building suspense, it was just the right length, and the resolution was satisfying and did not have a bow wrapped around it which was appropriate for this story. The conflict between the teens was just enough drama for me, and I liked the emotional roller coasters they each went on, it was realistic I thought for the situation they found themselves in. This was a great read that I was able to get through in one sitting, and I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and BookSparks for the #gifted copy and ALC to review!
October 27, 2021
Do you enjoy YA survival books? If so than you’ll definitely want to pick this one up! Although I’d recommend maybe not reading it while preparing for a ski weekend in the middle of a snow storm!
Six of the most unlikely of friends end up stranded on the side of a mountain during a snow storm while on their way to the senior ski trip. Sam didn’t even want to come on the trip but when her friend Lily convinces Sam’s younger brother Stuart to go on the trip with them Sam feels obligated to make sure to keep an eye on him. Little does she know she’ll soon be trapped in a car with the jock, prom queen wannabe, her best friend, and the boy who was supposed to be her friend but didn’t speak to her after moving away the year before.
As minutes turn to hours turn to days the more scared the group of teens get. Will they survive?
After reading this book I’ve decided I need to brush up on my survival skills and make sure that I always check the weather before I take a road trip anywhere, even if it’s somewhere close! I never thought I’d enjoy books about survival but over time I’ve come to really enjoy them and this is definitely one I would recommend. It’s fast-pace keeps you engaged and prepare yourself to sit on the edge of your seat throughout this high stakes story!
Six of the most unlikely of friends end up stranded on the side of a mountain during a snow storm while on their way to the senior ski trip. Sam didn’t even want to come on the trip but when her friend Lily convinces Sam’s younger brother Stuart to go on the trip with them Sam feels obligated to make sure to keep an eye on him. Little does she know she’ll soon be trapped in a car with the jock, prom queen wannabe, her best friend, and the boy who was supposed to be her friend but didn’t speak to her after moving away the year before.
As minutes turn to hours turn to days the more scared the group of teens get. Will they survive?
After reading this book I’ve decided I need to brush up on my survival skills and make sure that I always check the weather before I take a road trip anywhere, even if it’s somewhere close! I never thought I’d enjoy books about survival but over time I’ve come to really enjoy them and this is definitely one I would recommend. It’s fast-pace keeps you engaged and prepare yourself to sit on the edge of your seat throughout this high stakes story!
November 20, 2021
A wrong turn becomes a life and death situation. This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride as you root for this group of teenagers to survive a worst-case scenario. You keep waiting and hoping for them to get rescued. No spoilers, but it is a page-turner!
February 22, 2022
I am a sucker for people vs nature and locked room mysteries so I was really excited for this! Although, they are stuck in a car the whole time (you get my point) something about freezing temperatures, lack of supplies and food just already gives off a creepy vibe. I also appreciated that the author tried to include pieces of her favorite teen movies such as The Breakfast Club and included a piece of her in every character.
This was fast paced and kept my interest. We have one narrator (Sam) among the group so the story flows rather smoothly. I did wish that there were more “thrills” throughout however, I appreciated that this story had some very realistic points. I do not want to give any spoilers but, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows at the end and not everyone survives which is expected. I did wish more time was spent on the ending and the “What happens after” but I like that most of it was wrapped up.
All in all this was a fun and captivating read which I enjoyed.
This was fast paced and kept my interest. We have one narrator (Sam) among the group so the story flows rather smoothly. I did wish that there were more “thrills” throughout however, I appreciated that this story had some very realistic points. I do not want to give any spoilers but, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows at the end and not everyone survives which is expected. I did wish more time was spent on the ending and the “What happens after” but I like that most of it was wrapped up.
All in all this was a fun and captivating read which I enjoyed.
December 19, 2021
❄️A Captivating Winter Thriller! ❄️
My thirteen-year-old daughter and I listened to the audiobook of Ski Weekend on the way to school over the past several weeks and have never been more excited to get in the car in the morning! We are avid skiers and love all things winter, so this book was perfect for us. The snowy setting immediately drew us in, and the twisty plot filled with so many chilling moments often left us breathless. My daughter especially loved the interesting mix of characters and the way the author tackles teenage stereotypes. This is an intense story of survival with some incredibly heartwarming moments. Take this book on your next ski trip or simply savor it under the covers on a cold, winter's night!
My thirteen-year-old daughter and I listened to the audiobook of Ski Weekend on the way to school over the past several weeks and have never been more excited to get in the car in the morning! We are avid skiers and love all things winter, so this book was perfect for us. The snowy setting immediately drew us in, and the twisty plot filled with so many chilling moments often left us breathless. My daughter especially loved the interesting mix of characters and the way the author tackles teenage stereotypes. This is an intense story of survival with some incredibly heartwarming moments. Take this book on your next ski trip or simply savor it under the covers on a cold, winter's night!
November 28, 2021
It was supposed to be a fun weekend. No one expected all that occurs in Rektok Ross'
Ski Weekend
!
Everyone is looking forward to senior ski weekend. Except Sam. She has to look after her younger brother Stu (like always) to make sure he doesn’t get hurt following the lead of his best friend, Gavin. So now Sam, Stu, Gavin, Sam’s best friend (and Stu's girlfriend) Lily, and two others are in Gavin’s fancy new SUV, along with Gavin’s dog, Champion.
Sam once had a thing for Gavin, but when he left for boarding school a year ago, he never returned her emails or texts. So she’s got a bit of a chip on her shoulder where he’s concerned.
Not far into their journey, the cops start turning people around because of an impending snowstorm. One of their friends convinces them to try a shortcut through the mountains (those always work) and before they know it, they’ve crashed into a snowbank and their car is stuck. Of course, temperatures are dropping and cell coverage is non-existent.
When a foray to try and find help winds up with Stu getting hurt and then becoming feverish from his injuries, Sam has to keep him alive. But as their food supplies shrink and people start fighting, it’s becoming more a question of who will survive, not how. And it only gets worse from there.
I never went on a lot of trips with friends when I was growing up, but if I was that age now, I’d never go anywhere!! Fun trips always seem to turn to disaster in books, lol, and I’m not the survivalist type. (To put it mildly.)
This was a very readable YA thriller. It was a little melodramatic, but Ross did a great job with the setting because I felt so cold while reading it! And boy, did I love Champion!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Everyone is looking forward to senior ski weekend. Except Sam. She has to look after her younger brother Stu (like always) to make sure he doesn’t get hurt following the lead of his best friend, Gavin. So now Sam, Stu, Gavin, Sam’s best friend (and Stu's girlfriend) Lily, and two others are in Gavin’s fancy new SUV, along with Gavin’s dog, Champion.
Sam once had a thing for Gavin, but when he left for boarding school a year ago, he never returned her emails or texts. So she’s got a bit of a chip on her shoulder where he’s concerned.
Not far into their journey, the cops start turning people around because of an impending snowstorm. One of their friends convinces them to try a shortcut through the mountains (those always work) and before they know it, they’ve crashed into a snowbank and their car is stuck. Of course, temperatures are dropping and cell coverage is non-existent.
When a foray to try and find help winds up with Stu getting hurt and then becoming feverish from his injuries, Sam has to keep him alive. But as their food supplies shrink and people start fighting, it’s becoming more a question of who will survive, not how. And it only gets worse from there.
I never went on a lot of trips with friends when I was growing up, but if I was that age now, I’d never go anywhere!! Fun trips always seem to turn to disaster in books, lol, and I’m not the survivalist type. (To put it mildly.)
This was a very readable YA thriller. It was a little melodramatic, but Ross did a great job with the setting because I felt so cold while reading it! And boy, did I love Champion!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
October 27, 2021
Ok, so this is going to sound a little bizarre. I really enjoyed this book, it had tension, is had survival, it had edge of your seat content. Here comes the but. That's my point. BUT. I really can't put my finger on it. If this was a movie I would sit back and enjoy it. Weird I know.
Anyway it's about a group of teens and a dog going on a ski trip. Firstly, why didn't they check the weather. They have a crash and ended up having to survive during a storm. They are literally stranded on the side of a mountain. But it seemed they didn't really like each other. Although I did like the dog.
It was kind of realistic and you could feel the tension. We don't have these storms in the UK so I think my survival skills will suffice. But it makes you think.
Enjoy!
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