This was definitely NOT what I expected. I was snagged by the premise and practically reeling from the intensity of the prologue but then...
Yawn City.
Population: Zero.
That's right, I was ready to jump ship before the three 'sneak peek' chapters were even up.
I'm just not into slow buildups and I have a sneaking suspicion that things aren't going to start heating up until I've made it 50-75% of the way through the book.
~Characters~
I really can't say whether or not any of the characters are 'likeable.' Within these first few chapters, you really aren't told too much about them.
First, there's the main character, Colin. He comes off as a bit of a pushover and spends most of the time silently brooding over an argument/fight he's gotten into with one of the other members of the group, Ceo. (And no. We aren't privy to any of the details. Just given hints here and there that they've had some sort of disagreement.)
Then there's Ceo who is simply made out to be some super-secretive rich prep boy with 'mysterious' connections. He's also the mastermind behind the trip.
Last up we have Grahame, and while Grahame does make me crack a smile during some of the dialogue...
Grahame opens the door, digs out a donut, hands the box back to Ceo. Just as the Cherokee is turning right onto Nelson Ave., heading for the highway out of town, an irritated voice out of the dark behind us says, “Dude, what the hell?”
“What’s wrong?” Grahame asks.
“They’re all maple bars!”
“You wanted a dozen donuts, I got a dozen donuts.”
“This isn’t a dozen donuts. This is the same freaking donut twelve times.” (18)
...he has me immediately wishing to smother his face in a pillow during others...
Between impacts he says in his bogus Jamaican accent, because that’s how he rolls when he be crankin’ da reggae, mon, “Are ya sure about dis ting, Q?” (12)
and he doesn't stop there...
Grahame pounds the steering wheel. “Well, sheet, mon. Who’s gonna pay hees share uv da gas, because me don’t wanna be doin’ dat, don’t cha know.” (16)
As for the girl mentioned in the synopsis, she isn't even introduced yet and it's already past the third chapter...
If given the chance, I would push through more but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to read it.
As for the cover, it isn't terrible but it isn't exactly going to snag my attention in an aisle either.
Yawn City.
Population: Zero.
That's right, I was ready to jump ship before the three 'sneak peek' chapters were even up.
I'm just not into slow buildups and I have a sneaking suspicion that things aren't going to start heating up until I've made it 50-75% of the way through the book.
~Characters~
I really can't say whether or not any of the characters are 'likeable.' Within these first few chapters, you really aren't told too much about them.
First, there's the main character, Colin. He comes off as a bit of a pushover and spends most of the time silently brooding over an argument/fight he's gotten into with one of the other members of the group, Ceo. (And no. We aren't privy to any of the details. Just given hints here and there that they've had some sort of disagreement.)
Then there's Ceo who is simply made out to be some super-secretive rich prep boy with 'mysterious' connections. He's also the mastermind behind the trip.
Last up we have Grahame, and while Grahame does make me crack a smile during some of the dialogue...
Grahame opens the door, digs out a donut, hands the box back to Ceo. Just as the Cherokee is turning right onto Nelson Ave., heading for the highway out of town, an irritated voice out of the dark behind us says, “Dude, what the hell?”
“What’s wrong?” Grahame asks.
“They’re all maple bars!”
“You wanted a dozen donuts, I got a dozen donuts.”
“This isn’t a dozen donuts. This is the same freaking donut twelve times.” (18)
...he has me immediately wishing to smother his face in a pillow during others...
Between impacts he says in his bogus Jamaican accent, because that’s how he rolls when he be crankin’ da reggae, mon, “Are ya sure about dis ting, Q?” (12)
and he doesn't stop there...
Grahame pounds the steering wheel. “Well, sheet, mon. Who’s gonna pay hees share uv da gas, because me don’t wanna be doin’ dat, don’t cha know.” (16)
As for the girl mentioned in the synopsis, she isn't even introduced yet and it's already past the third chapter...
If given the chance, I would push through more but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to read it.
As for the cover, it isn't terrible but it isn't exactly going to snag my attention in an aisle either.