I won this book in a Bookish First giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a few John Hart books now and he solidly ranks as one of my new favorite authors. He hits a home run for me every time. His character development is so solid and as a result they jump off the page right into your head. Gibby was such a great character in The Unwilling. You could just feel the push and pull of him being so sheltered and trying to be the "good boy" for his parents, and yet having that longing to be free, to be a teenager and take risks and do stupid things and LIVE. You could relate to his desire to develop a relationship with his one remaining brother, despite being forbidden of doing so. It was wonderful to watch Gibby evolve throughout this book, as events pushed him out of his comfort zone and into a place where he was tested beyond what he had ever been.
Hart didn't only score a win with Gibby though. Jason was a haunting and achingly beautiful character, seemingly damaged by the things he'd seen in war and yet with an iron resolve and a willingness to face any amount of danger to be there for his brother.
This book wasn't just about the characters though. Hart took us on a wild ride, from a group of kids in a field of wildflowers, to a speeding car on a desolate road, to a gritty prison run from the inside by a dark conspiracy and the sick mind of a killer. I would have never imagined this course of events and how Hart came up with this plot is beyond me. I just couldn't put this book down and when it finally ended, it wouldn't leave me. I highly recommend The Unwilling. The writing is fantastic, the plot is great, and it carries on the John Hart tradition of excellence.
I've read a few John Hart books now and he solidly ranks as one of my new favorite authors. He hits a home run for me every time. His character development is so solid and as a result they jump off the page right into your head. Gibby was such a great character in The Unwilling. You could just feel the push and pull of him being so sheltered and trying to be the "good boy" for his parents, and yet having that longing to be free, to be a teenager and take risks and do stupid things and LIVE. You could relate to his desire to develop a relationship with his one remaining brother, despite being forbidden of doing so. It was wonderful to watch Gibby evolve throughout this book, as events pushed him out of his comfort zone and into a place where he was tested beyond what he had ever been.
Hart didn't only score a win with Gibby though. Jason was a haunting and achingly beautiful character, seemingly damaged by the things he'd seen in war and yet with an iron resolve and a willingness to face any amount of danger to be there for his brother.
This book wasn't just about the characters though. Hart took us on a wild ride, from a group of kids in a field of wildflowers, to a speeding car on a desolate road, to a gritty prison run from the inside by a dark conspiracy and the sick mind of a killer. I would have never imagined this course of events and how Hart came up with this plot is beyond me. I just couldn't put this book down and when it finally ended, it wouldn't leave me. I highly recommend The Unwilling. The writing is fantastic, the plot is great, and it carries on the John Hart tradition of excellence.