I can see how it would be very easy to go down the doomsday rabbit hole. That’s what makes this story interesting.
Suron
How to Survive Everything by Ewan Morrison.
Netgalley ARC read; publication set for Nov 2022.
The story is told from the perspective of Haley Cooper through a Survival Guide she has written and documented. Haley is 15-16 years and along with her brother is going through the normal tug of war between her parents as a result of their divorce – until their dad takes them on a strange adventure day which turns out is really a kidnapping. Only in his eyes it’s to save them from a deadly pandemic.
I wouldn’t classify this as traditional horror, more YA doomsday drama. The concept is interesting and I burned through the pages without interruption. The craziness is both believable and unbelievable, but I think that’s the point as through the entire story you see Haley waiver on her feelings between her dad (and eventually her mom) as she struggles to understand who to believe on how to survive. The play of blind faith, hope, and wanting to believe in something (in someone) plays out across multiple characters.
However…
(Note – despite my however I did enjoy the book well enough).
> It’s been a long time since I’ve been a 15/16 year old girl, but I feel like the voice there was a bit off the mark. I know she was torn between her parents and unable to make decisions but the back and forth was at times tiresome.
> The romance element, totally not needed given the circumstance. Last thing I would be thinking about in my kidnap lock-down shelter.
> Ending had all the elements to a strong crazy chaotic finish but they went and… well… I don’t want to give away the ending. It just fell flat for me at the very end.
> I also get that this story feels a lot like a story about ‘family’ given the focus on her parents’ divorce and how their relationship was, is, could be… but honestly, kidnapping isn’t how you create a healthy relationship. Sigh – Stockholm syndrome isn’t romantic.
I can see how it would be very easy to go down the doomsday rabbit hole. That’s what makes this story interesting. However, there are realities that the story doesn’t fully address so go in with some suspension of reality and enjoy it for what it is.
