Solitary discussion

Anyone agree?

Yes. The end tore me apart and left me there.

I wouldn't say it was destroyed. I kind of wish it didn't end that way. But I still love the series.

I haven't read the other books yet, but the ending of book one seriously left me at a point where I wasn't sure if I even wanted to read the next.

******SPOILERS******

It wasn't so much that she was killed. I knew that was going to happen. It was still heartbreaking, and upsetting, but I had expected it from the start. The thing that really bothered me was Chris's reaction. The entire book was buildup to that point, and he just blanks out, leaves his gun, and walks away.

Oh, but he gets a puppy at then end, so that makes it all better? Really?

I hated the fact that they killed the girl, but was willing to look past it, then with the total whimper of an ending when the entire book with all its suspense, and questions led up to it... It just left a bad taste in my mouth, which is a real shame because I had loved the book up until that point.

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Yeah, I loved this book until I got to the ending. Then I kinda hated it. Solitary didn't have an ending, it didn't answer any of the story questions and left me confused and mad at wasting my time. I'm not sure I'll read the rest of the series or not.

@CatherineMorland,

I know, right? It was so frustrating, and felt like a waste of time. But I have to admit that I did love the journey getting to the end.

I've requested the other ones from the library, hopefully they'll purchase them soon, but I'm not in much rush.

Okay I admit the ending was a mouth dropping "what?!" But stick with the series, the best book in it is the last one! It ends well and that's all I will say. He has quickly become a favorite author of mine!

CatherineMorland wrote: "Yeah, I loved this book until I got to the ending. Then I kinda hated it. Solitary didn't have an ending, it didn't answer any of the story questions and left me confused and mad at wasting my time..."

You should read the rest!!!!!

All right, Julie, I'll put the rest of the series on my to read list. Maybe my library has them! :)

Travis Thrasher is an interesting writer.

You won't regret it!

I've started on book two. SO slow...

Finally finished book two... It had its moments, but...

*SPOILERS.... IF YOU'VE NOTE READ GRAVESTONE, SKIP PAST*...
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What was the deal with the ending? Can Thrasher just not write a good ending?... It's like he needs the story to fit a certain template, and so, things that make no sense happen, characters make weird choices just so everything can fit perfectly into a box.

After seeing so much evil, how can he still act like "well, dad's Christian, so I can't believe in God, and even if there is a God, I hate that guy..."

After how dangerous his situations become, I can't relate to him being so petty and childish about it.

*END SPOILERS......*

All in all, the ending left me blank, numb, and frustrated. And again, a bad taste in my mouth, and honestly small desire to continue the series.

Mojoboy31 wrote: "Finally finished book two... It had its moments, but...

*SPOILERS.... IF YOU'VE NOTE READ GRAVESTONE, SKIP PAST*...
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What was the deal with the ending? Can Thrasher just not write a good end..."
I'm telling you the best book in the series is the last book "Hurt"! Just keep reading and it all pans out I promise!!!

Julie wrote: "Mojoboy31 wrote: "Finally finished book two... It had its moments, but...

*SPOILERS.... IF YOU'VE NOTE READ GRAVESTONE, SKIP PAST*...
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What was the deal with the ending? Can Thrasher just no..."

I'm 220 pages into book three...

*SPOILERS....*

(view spoiler)[I understand Chris basically giving up on everything, having tried and failed too many times, and lost too much. But really, that plotline should not last as long as it's lasting. 220 pages and he's still just ignoring everything with his mantra, "I don't wanna feel bad."

And Lily's plot arc is another that shouldn't be lasting as long as it is. She's already basically cheated on him, she's clearly hiding things from him, and really, his "love" for her just seems really shallow. Everything about Lily and Chris just seems shallow. I can't wait for her to just be found out, or just disappear, but if the previous books are any indication, he'll keep her around until the very end, and then "reveal" some whimper of a twist. (hide spoiler)]

*END SPOILERS....*

That all being said, I enjoy this series, and Thrasher has a way with words. I would not still be reading if I weren't enjoying; I just can't relate to Chris anymore-- not like I did in book one, and not like I did in book two.

Hey - any of you who hate the series after reading Solitary, e-mail me at karen.stoller@davidccook.com and I'll send you the rest of the series as a gift from Travis' publisher - I have worked with Travis on this series. He is an incredible writer and develops such a story about Chris! Have you stopped over at Travis Solitary Tales Facebook page? You'll see the comments from fans and things that Travis shares. Hope I hear from you!

Karen wrote: "Hey - any of you who hate the series after reading Solitary, e-mail me at karen.stoller@davidccook.com and I'll send you the rest of the series as a gift from Travis' publisher - I have worked with..."

I'd love to get the books free, but no, I don't hate the series. Far from it. I wouldn't have reviewed the first three books if I didn't like them. I just wanted to love them. And they were *so* close, and that was so frustrating to have the stories constantly on the cusp of greatness only to have them whimper at the end.

Book three's ending was different. Book three's end elevated not only the book, but the other two books as well. It was quite the grind to get there. Book three's opening was frustrating, and the plotlines seemed to go on and on, but after those plots *finally* resolved, book three was worth it; all the frustrating plots, all the suspense and all the dread payed off at the end of the book; rather than leaving you numb, angry, confused, and disappointed as book's one and two did, book three redeemed itself with an ending that made its journey feel worth it.

My local library purchased the first three books at my request, and I've requested that they purchase Hurt. Hopefully they'll get it soon. And I intend to review it when I read it.

Thanks so much for the follow up comments here! Glad to know you will finish the series. I'm still willing to send along Hurt for you if you'd like - or an entire series and a copy of Hurt for you to donate to your library. Send along your address and I will.

karen

Just got Hurt. I'm over 100 pages in already, and it is going really good. I'm so enjoying the book so far...