Review: Black Ice by Becca Fritzpatrick

Title:  Black Ice 

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: October 7th 2014
Pages: 400
Genre: YA  Psychological Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Source: Hardcover

  

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

I was totally hyped up for this book. I was not a big fan of the Hush Hush series, but I love thrillers and this one sounded amazing. I did enjoy the read. It wasn't quite what I expected and I was disappointed a bit but all in all I did enjoy the read for what it was. A psychological thriller.

Britt has had a hard year after a break up with her first love Calvin. Britt and her best friend Korbie decide to get a way for spring break. Britt is super excited even more so since she found out her ex and Korbie's brother, Calvin will be joining the group in the winter cabin in the mountains. Some alone time with Calvin is just what she needs to win his heart back to her. Things go a bit awry when the two girls get stranded then kidnapped and held hostage but some crazy whacked out strangers. After trekking across the mountains with the loons things get even more complicated when one of the loons doesn't seem to be such a loon and emotions run high when the need to survive kicks in. 

All in all I liked the story. It was a good story, a good plot line. I had a few minor issues with the book that did hinder my enjoyment just a tad. First the book was super long. I like my long books if they are needed. I feel a thriller should be fast paced and long books are hard when it comes to fat pacing. As was the issue in this book. The first half of the book was more of a psychological drama. The heartbreak memories, the stranding in the snow, the kidnapping. Which was important to the story yes, which wasn't incredibly boring no. But it was really long and I think it slowed down the read and took away from the thrills. It was a build up for the story and I understand that so yes it was needed, I just had an issue with the pacing during the first half of the book. The second half took off and I mean oh my I just flew through the pages. It was great, exciting, and thrilling. Don't forget disturbing and creepy too. Just what I wanted and expected and I was very pleased from then on out. The second half rocked my socks off. 

The other thing that just didn't sit well for me was the romance. I just couldn't get into it. I know or have read all about Stockholm's syndrome and I sort of get it but it still sits icky with me. Now I can say the romance did start of icky but in the end it made a tad more sense and I was pleased in the end but it took a while for it to get there for me. Of course I think this was sort of what the author was going for so it was well done and that is why it didn't deter me too much. 

The characters were so so for me. The main character Britt annoyed me in the beginning but she ended up being a very strong character and she was likeable in the end. She was just right for this story and she worked well. For this story all the characters worked. Good or bad, creepy or hot, they all worked well for the story. When reading this book, I felt I was in a psychological thriller movie for the teen and ya fan base. It was totally done as it should have been and I was happy to see that. As an adult with more than half a mind... the characters dumbness and stupid choices made me roll my eyes but... knowing who it was written for and in reality the age of the characters. Made total sense so eye rolling and all I liked the characters then didn't like them then did like them and in the end I still liked them almost loved them.  

The story is really what sold it to me on a whole and where my enjoyment came from. I liked the kidnapping, hostage, running, surviving, thrilling parts of the book. It was a fast read once the second half of the book started and I just couldn't put it down. 

With slight issues, I enjoyed the read very much. If you like psychological thrillers, give this book a chance. 

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Becca Fitzpatrick grew up reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden with a flashlight under the covers. She graduated college with a degree in health, which she promptly abandoned for storytelling. When not writing, she's most likely prowling sale racks for reject shoes, running, or watching crime dramas on TV. She is the author of the bestselling HUSH, HUSH Saga. Her new book BLACK ICE arrives in bookstores everywhere October 7, 2014.