Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Black Ice

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 10.7.2014

Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery

Series: No

Source: ARC from BEA

Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

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? 

Review:

BLACK ICE is a tense, thrilling ride with a lot of danger, gasp-worthy moments and head-spinning twists and turns. It’s the kind of book that deserves to be read alone, at night, with a warm cup of tea/coffee to maximize dramatic effect.

Becca Fitzpatrick does a splendid job of hurtling her readers into the frigid wilderness with Britt. I legit felt cold reading this in the middle of summer, sun blazing outside. She’s that good at transporting the reader into the middle of the action. The desperation is palpable throughout the majority of the book.

I know what you’re thinking—Then why the 3 ½ star review, Hannah?

Sadly BLACK ICE is a book that didn’t know when to quit. This is the type of book I wanted to end with a BANG and then be wrapped up in a chapter or two towards the end. But this book limped along at the end. The last 50 or so pages were full of unnecessary drama that made the overall plot seem cartoonish and ridiculous.

This book was phenomenal for the first ¾ of the novel. But then it seriously derailed to the point where I could only sigh and shake my head. It’s definitely worth a read, just proceed with caution.