ISBN #: 978-1476731520
Page Count: 384
Copyright: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books
Book Summary:
(Taken from Amazon)
Blythe Hallowell is sixteen when she is abducted by a survivalist and locked away in an abandoned missile silo in Eudora, Kansas. At first, she focuses frantically on finding a way out, until the harrowing truth of her new existence settles in—the crushing loneliness, the terrifying madness of a captor who believes he is saving her from the end of the world, and the persistent temptation to give up. But nothing prepares Blythe for the burden of raising a child in confinement. Determined to give the boy everything she has lost, she pushes aside the truth about a world he may never see for a myth that just might give meaning to their lives below ground. Years later, their lives are ambushed by an event at once promising and devastating. As Blythe’s dream of going home hangs in the balance, she faces the ultimate choice—between survival and freedom.
Mandy's Review:
I've heard of people who have the Napoleon-complex: short in stature being bossy and abrasive to assert their authority. I'm sure you know the type. Blythe's abductor has a complex I've not heard of before: the Noah-complex (my terminology).
Blythe's abductor was someone she knew vaguely. He believed a form of the apocalypse was right around the corner and his intention was to save Blythe from the troubles that were coming. He found her perfect for his mission after the apocalypse: to begin a new race of humans to repopulate the earth. Like I said ... Noah-complex.
One good thing about Blythe's abductor is that he has kept copies of all the important historical documents, several types of monies, several different types of guns, and enough provisions to last them a long ... LONG ... time.
As one would expect, Blythe does exhibit characteristics of Stockholm Syndrome. While she's not overly fond of her captor, she does placate him as best as she can in any way she can. Will he ever let her go? Will they repopulate the human race as he intends? What happens to Blythe's family? Are they even looking for her?
Above is a novel that, for me, was slow-going in the beginning. Blythe's capture, musings, and captive living were on the verge of boring. Almost towards the end of the first half did it pick up. After that, I didn't want to put the book down. The imagery and depictions of the characters' feelings were spot on and captivating. If you're a fan of end-time/apocalyptic fiction with a slight sci-fi twist, then this would be a novel for you.
*A hardcopy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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My sales rep was pitching this book to me pretty hard last year, in a It's ROOM meets THE DOG STARS kind of way. I was intrigued but never got around to it. Thanks for reminding me this backlist novel that got overlooked in hardcover (for the most part).
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