Five Survive Paperback – April 2, 2024

I admit I struggled through the setup in the beginning of the book. But it was like a jigsaw puzzle, first pieces tossed on the table, then areas of the picture beginning to fill in as a tease at an intriguing picture. At some point I just simply couldn't stop, sneaking in paragraphs while my computer installed another update, or my reader propped up while I washed dishes. The first bedtime reading night I had no problem putting the story down to go to sleep. The second night, not so much.I've grown a bit immune to the power of the twisty thriller, but this was a good one. And what might be considered the epilog leaves you a tiny bit hanging, but given the whole of the story, that's just how it should have been.I would agree with others that the start was a bit long and slow, although pondering that now that I know the ending, there might be some nuggets that were worth the buildup time. The end did seem to come out as a gushing breath, as if a word count limit was suddenly looming. But this was an excellent story with a less than usual way of telling it!

Holly Jackson, best known for her A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, delivers another gripping thriller in Five Survive, a heart-pounding, locked-room-style survival story with high tension, unreliable characters, and shocking twists. Set over the course of a single night, this novel traps six friends in a life-or-death situation, forcing them to confront secrets, betrayals, and the terrifying consequences of their past actions. With its fast pace and claustrophobic atmosphere, Five Survive keeps readers on edge from start to finish.Red and her five friends—Reynolds, Maddy, Arthur, Oliver, and Simon—set off on a road trip for spring break, but their journey takes a nightmarish turn when their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Stranded with no cell service and a rapidly dwindling supply of resources, their situation becomes even more sinister when they realize they are being watched. A sniper is lurking outside, ready to attack if they try to escape. As the group scrambles for survival, the sniper makes their demands clear: one of them has a secret, and unless the truth is revealed, none of them will make it out alive. Paranoia and desperation rise as long-buried secrets unravel, friendships are tested, and the group’s trust fractures. With time running out, Red and her friends must uncover the truth before it’s too late—but not everyone will make it out alive.Red Kenny – The protagonist, Red is a quiet, introspective girl struggling with personal trauma. As the night unfolds, her resilience is tested, and she emerges as an unlikely leader. Oliver – The controlling and self-righteous member of the group, Oliver’s strong personality causes tension and conflict as the group fights for survival. Arthur – The most level-headed and rational of the group, Arthur tries to keep everyone calm while searching for a way out. Maddy – Red’s best friend, Maddy finds herself caught between loyalty and self-preservation. Reynolds and Simon – The remaining members of the group, each with their own secrets and fears that contribute to the escalating tension. The characters are all deeply flawed, and as the situation worsens, their true natures come to light. Holly Jackson does a great job of showing how fear, pressure, and desperation can bring out both the best and worst in people.Holly Jackson’s writing is sharp, tense, and highly cinematic. The novel is fast-paced, with short chapters and cliffhanger endings that make it difficult to put down. The confined setting of the RV adds to the claustrophobic and intense atmosphere, making the reader feel as trapped as the characters. Unlike her previous books, which follow investigative storylines, Five Survive is a pure survival thriller, focusing on immediate danger rather than a slow-burning mystery. The dialogue is realistic, and the shifting dynamics between the characters heighten the psychological tension.At its core, Five Survive is a story about survival under extreme conditions. When faced with a life-or-death situation, the characters’ true personalities emerge. The book explores how fear and desperation push people to their limits, revealing both their strengths and their flaws. Some characters become selfless, while others become selfish and manipulative. The tension between cooperation and self-preservation is a key driving force in the story, forcing the characters to make impossible choices. Another key theme in Five Survive is the idea of justice—both legal and personal. The sniper’s actions raise the question: who deserves to be punished, and who has the right to deliver that punishment? The novel explores the gray areas of morality, showing that justice is not always black and white.The novel tests the limits of friendship, showing how extreme circumstances can either strengthen bonds or tear them apart. The characters are forced to question their trust in one another, and as secrets come to light, betrayal becomes inevitable. The book challenges the idea of unconditional loyalty, asking whether friendship should outweigh the need for survival."Maddy and Red’s friendship is particularly tested as Maddy is caught between protecting Red and siding with Oliver, who pressures her into following his lead. Their bond is pushed to the breaking point, raising the question of whether true friendship can survive such intense circumstances"Five Survive is a fast-paced, heart-pounding thriller that keeps readers hooked with its relentless suspense and unpredictable twists. Holly Jackson crafts a tense, gripping survival story that explores morality, fear, and the limits of friendship under extreme pressure. While some characters may frustrate readers and the ending could have been stronger, the book succeeds in delivering an immersive, edge-of-your-seat experience. If you enjoy thrillers that make you question who you can trust, Five Survive is definitely worth reading.

I purchased this book on a whim in March 2024 because it showed up on sale and it sounded interesting. It was added to my ever growing reading list; I had no idea when I would get to it. I started reading it the last week of October. Every day I would read more than the day before, it was becoming difficult to put down.Which brings us to the night of November 2nd, 2024. I was looking forward the end of Daylight Savings Time. That extra hour of sleep was beckoning me. I planned on going to sleep earlier than normal to maximize the amount of rest my body and mind were so badly craving. I decided to pick up my Kindle to read a few pages before calling it a night.85% left in the book, still a good bit of the book left, so I should be able to read a little before I get to a point where get in too deep with the plot.I spent the next few hours reading furiously as I watched the clock eat away at my early bedtime, my normal bedtime and finally, the extra hour of sleep I was looking forward to.I should be angry, but I am not. I am so glad I picked up this book. It was a great read.The story definitely plays with the fragility of truth, and whether we can ever truly be reliable narrators, even to ourselves.This was a great, fast-paced ride. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Now, I’m going to get some sleep.