May 27, 2019

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Switchback by Danika Stone


Switchback by Danika Stone
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: May 28th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Source: I received a free copy of this book  from the publisher for this Xpresso Book Tours. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Rating:
Synopsis: An epic YA adventure story about two friends lost in the Canadian wilderness from Danika Stone, the author of All the Feels. Vale loves to hike, but kind of hates her classmates. Ash is okay with his classmates, but kind of hates the outdoors. So, needless to say they are both fairly certain that the overnight nature hike with their PE class is going to be a hellish experience. But when they get separated from the group during a storm, they have worse things to worry about than bullies and blisters. Lost in the Canadian wilderness with limited supplies, caught in dangerous weather conditions, and surrounded by deadly wildlife, it’s going to take every bit of strength, skill, and luck they can muster to survive.

My Review

Switchback is a fast-paced survival story of two best friends lost in the Canadian wilderness during a school trip gone horribly wrong.

Vale is studious, kind, and is bullied. Ash is the class clown, a gamer, and has many friends, but Vale is his best friend. When they are forced to go on a class camping trip as part of their physical education class, they certainly didn't plan on getting separated from the group and getting lost in the mountains. Although their friendship grows and solidifies on this adventure, it was very awkward at times. I thought their dialogue although believable, fit more middle school aged teens than high school aged teens. (This opinion is based off the middle school and high school teens I work with as a Teen Librarian at a public library. I am not an expert, and every teen is different!) Overall, it was a nice change of pace to read a young adult survival book with a focus on friendship rather than romance.

From the weather and landscape to the wild animals, Stone does a great job at setting the scene with right amount of detailed descriptions of the wilderness. I was easily transported to the camping trip Vale and Ash are on, and was on edge of my seat during their times of struggle. They did not have it easy once separated from the group, and with each new obstacle they came across it had me hoping they would make it through to the other side unscathed.

Bottom Line: Switchback was a fun and easy read and is perfect for readers that enjoy survival stories. It also has aro-ace representation!

The Author

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both teens: INTERNET FAMOUS (Macmillan, 2017) and ALL THE FEELS (Macmillan, 2016); and adults THE DARK DIVIDE (Stonehouse, 2018) and EDGE OF WILD (Stonehouse, 2016). 

Ms. Stone’s work has received both recognition and literary praise. In 2017, Chapters included EDGE OF WILD in “Our Favourite Canadian Fiction”, and INTERNET FAMOUS was nominated for the R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature (2018) as well as selected as one of Fierce Reads’ “9 Perfect Summertime Reads” (2017). EDGE OF WILD (previously entitled TATHAGATA) was a quarter-finalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel of the Year Award (2013), a finalist in the Horatio Nelson Fiction Prize (2015), and took second place in the Publish or Perish contest (2015). ALL THE FEELS was selected for Swoon Reads’ fourth list (2015) and was nominated for YALSA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (2016), and for CYBILS’ Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards (2016). 

When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

Ms. Stone is represented by Morty Mint of Mint Literary Agency.


Giveaway


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4 comments
May 12, 2019

Bout of Books Read-A-Thon: Sign-up, Goals, & Updates

I can never say no to a Bout of Books read-a-thon! I went through a rough reading slump last month so I am hoping this read-a-thon will boost my reading numbers. I also wanted to participate in the 25infive read-a-thon, but work got in the way. Will you be participating in Bout of Books?
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 25 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

My Goals

Reading Goals
  • Read at least four books
  • Take notes to help with reviews
Social Goals
  • Participate in one Twitter Chat
  • Participate in one Instagram Challenge
Book Options
  • The Bride Test by Helen Hoang - I pre-ordered this one and it is finally here!
  • Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - I don't think I really need to explain this choice.
  • Switchback by Danika Stone - I am participating in a blog to for this book.
  • We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai
  • The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson - I have an eARC.
  • Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - I have owned this forever. It would go towards the Beat the Backlist challenge I am participating in.

Update

I read two and a half books during the Bout of Books read-a-thon! I finished Aurora Rising and The Unhoneymooners, and read most of Switchback. I enjoyed all the books, but I think The Unhoneymooners was my favorite! It was really fun read and perfect for the warmer weather we are finally getting. I didn't really participate in any challenges or chats, but I got some reading done which was my main goal.

My Bout of Books post on Instagram!


2 comments
May 1, 2019

Can't Wait Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I decided to highlight a new Meg Cabot book! I read everything by this author, and I can't wait for her new book, No Judgements.  Not only does the book sound like a great romance that also features animals, but the cover is so cute! Are you a Meg Cabot fan?

No Judgments by Meg Cabot (Sept. 25, 2019)
+ Add to Goodreads
Goodreads Summary: The storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida—and it’s sending waves crashing through Sabrina “Bree” Beckham’s love life… When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island—as well as its connection to the mainland—twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried . . . at first. She’s already escaped one storm—her emotionally abusive ex—so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake. But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she’s going to need help—help she has no choice but to accept from her boss’s sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid Café’s most notorious heartbreaker. But when Bree starts falling for Drew, just as Little Bridge’s power is restored and her penitent ex shows up, she has to ask herself if her island fling was only a result of the stormy weather, or if it could last during clear skies too.


What are you waiting on?


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