Title: Tuckaway Retreat
Author: Karen A. Boxell
Illustrator: Sean Bixby
Publisher: Inks and Bindings, LLC
ASIN: B0DVJ89MX4
Pages: 120
Genre: Young Adult
Reviewer: Alyssa Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
In Tuckaway Retreat by author Karen A. Boxell, we are taken out of the monotony of city life and are thrown into the woods to explore the great outdoors in Vermont through the eyes of eight teens — four girls and four boys — as they navigate many adventures at their summer camp. This young adult thriller takes you on quite the wild ride, though, and before you know it, the story takes a turn you didn’t see coming.
What is so intriguing about young adult thrillers such as this is you get to see the heights, the lows, the twists and the turns, all through the eyes of youthful teenagers looking to just have fun at summer camp with their friends in tow. And in this novel, we get to explore themes of friendship, courage, and resilience in the face of great and unexpected dangers. The audience is drawn into their world of thrilling adventures and watches the dangers unfold before their eyes that truly test the characters’ teamwork and resilience in ways they never thought possible.
The juxtaposition of the picturesque landscape that sets the scene of this tale with the underlying dangers which lurk behind the shadows is the mark of a great storyteller. And it is when an unexpected and shocking kidnapping takes place that the characters before us are tested beyond their limits and must show true bravery where it counts most. This heart-pumping thriller will have you eagerly turning the page to see the fate of the teens you’ve come to know and love. You will root for them as they embark on a suspenseful and intense summer full of adventures, both good and bad.
This novel pushes the boundaries of what you typically expect from a young adult novel in the best possible way. With the beautiful scenery laid out before us and the thrilling plot with both the menacing villain and his sidekick, as well the mama bear that is fiercely protecting her cubs, you will find yourself wanting to know how this summer will end for the eight teens at the heart of this story. The illustrations by Sean Bixby further paint a picture for the audience of the dangers these characters are facing throughout their summer vacation.
Tuckaway Retreat is a must read for any young adult reader who is enthralled by stories with intrigue, suspense, and the power of friendship. Don’t sleep on this one — get your copy of Tuckaway Retreat by Karen A. Boxell today!