Genre: Young Adult, Thriller Publication.Date September 6th 2011 Pages: 288 Published By: Putnam Juvenile | Website Harlan Coben | Shelter - Goodreads My review copy: ARC received from the publisher Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Book Depository
A young adult debut from internationally bestselling author Harlan Coben
Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.
A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.
First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben's latest adult novel, Live Wire, Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humor that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling, and beloved author.
(goodreads.com)Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.
A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.
First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben's latest adult novel, Live Wire, Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humor that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling, and beloved author.
Please note: Quotes are from an ARC and will be verified against a published copy.
“Getting into a fight with a popular senior. Pissing off a school teacher and the local chief of police. Hanging with two major-league losers." She slapped my back. "Welcome to high school.”
“Do you know she used to date your buddy Troy?"
I made a face. "Eew." Then:"Used to, right?"
More eye rolling. "Talk about shallow. The hot cheerleader going for the basketball captain? Only one thing you can conclude from that."
"She's rigt," Spoon said, looking at me solemnly. He put his hand on my shoulder. "You got to figure a way to become basketball captain.”
“Mickey?”
I had no idea how she knew my name.
“Your father isn’t dead,” Bat Lady said.
Her words sent a jolt that knocked me back a step.
“He is very much alive.”
But standing there, watching her vanish back into her decrepit
cave, I knew what she was telling me wasn’t true.
Because I had seen my father die.
“Wow.”
“What?”
She looked me straight in the eye. “You saved the fat girl.
I bet you’re really proud of yourself.”
Harlan Coben is a phenomenal author. He's a master of his craft. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of reading a Coben's book will confirm that. I wouldn't call myself a huge fan, as I have only read two of the many bestselling mysteries/thrillers he wrote, but those two books I've read - they were awesome. Coben has a way of putting ordinary people in extraordinary situations that really gets under your skin and keeps you frantically turning the pages. He is sharp. His books are clever, well thought-out, fast-paced, gripping and full of tension. And I'm talking real tension, the kind that doesn't let down until the very last page, sometimes not even then. He is good. Really good. That being said, it's no surprise that when I heard about him venturing into the YA genre, I was trembling with excitement. I knew I just had to get my hands on this book. I knew it was going to be big. I knew I was going to love it. What I didn't know is just how big of an impression this book will make on me...
Mikey Bolitar is fifteen years old when his whole life changes drastically. He witnesses his father's death in a car accident and then watches his mother slowly fall apart, not being able to cope with the loss. With his mom locked up in a rehab, Mikey has to try and start a new life in a new home, in a new city and in a new school. Trying to adapt to the new environment isn't easy, but things get even worse when the crazy, old "Bat Lady" tells him that his father isn't really dead. This weird encounter starts a chain reaction of bizarre and dangerous events, all leading up to a shocking discovery of a mysterious and powerful organization. And that's only the beginning of Mickey's problems..
Like all of Coben's previous books, Shelter has an unbelievably brilliant and compelling plot. It's thrilling, but also very touching, deep and complex. It isn't just a teen mystery. This book is so much more than just that. It's a story of love, friendship, trust, sacrifice, being brave and not giving up - whether it's on your dreams, your parents or yourself. Coben's superior storytelling shines with sensitivity and tenderness. At the same time it's taut and atmospheric, making this book impossible to put down midpoint. I literally couldn't stop reading. It took me one day to finish it (yes, that's really fast - I'm a slow reader).
I loved the characters. Mickey, Spoon and Ema made an adorable, bad-ass team. I enjoyed observing their friendship springing into life, their bond getting stronger with every passing day. Each of these three was very unique, distinguishable, special. They were all so different from each other and yet somehow they connected so easily. It was very sweet and often hilarious to watch them interact with each other. Ema and her sarcastic, prickly remarks was especially entertaining and fun to read about.
Overall, this book makes a fab, quick, blood-pressure-rising read. It's tremendously gripping and fascinating. I was in awe of Coben's plotting skills. He created something brilliant, convincing and powerful. I can promise you, by the end of this book you will be waiting impatiently for the next installment.
Mikey Bolitar is fifteen years old when his whole life changes drastically. He witnesses his father's death in a car accident and then watches his mother slowly fall apart, not being able to cope with the loss. With his mom locked up in a rehab, Mikey has to try and start a new life in a new home, in a new city and in a new school. Trying to adapt to the new environment isn't easy, but things get even worse when the crazy, old "Bat Lady" tells him that his father isn't really dead. This weird encounter starts a chain reaction of bizarre and dangerous events, all leading up to a shocking discovery of a mysterious and powerful organization. And that's only the beginning of Mickey's problems..
Like all of Coben's previous books, Shelter has an unbelievably brilliant and compelling plot. It's thrilling, but also very touching, deep and complex. It isn't just a teen mystery. This book is so much more than just that. It's a story of love, friendship, trust, sacrifice, being brave and not giving up - whether it's on your dreams, your parents or yourself. Coben's superior storytelling shines with sensitivity and tenderness. At the same time it's taut and atmospheric, making this book impossible to put down midpoint. I literally couldn't stop reading. It took me one day to finish it (yes, that's really fast - I'm a slow reader).
I loved the characters. Mickey, Spoon and Ema made an adorable, bad-ass team. I enjoyed observing their friendship springing into life, their bond getting stronger with every passing day. Each of these three was very unique, distinguishable, special. They were all so different from each other and yet somehow they connected so easily. It was very sweet and often hilarious to watch them interact with each other. Ema and her sarcastic, prickly remarks was especially entertaining and fun to read about.
Overall, this book makes a fab, quick, blood-pressure-rising read. It's tremendously gripping and fascinating. I was in awe of Coben's plotting skills. He created something brilliant, convincing and powerful. I can promise you, by the end of this book you will be waiting impatiently for the next installment.
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This review is posted as a part of the MEN in YA event (Nov 20th - Dec 20th)
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About the AuthorEvie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and chatting with fellow book-worms.
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