Monday, July 23, 2012

Review: Survive by Alex Morel

Survive by Alex Morel

Release Date: August 2, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill 
Pages: 272
Genre: YA Survival
Source: ARC
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Hatchet meets Lost in this modern-day adventure tale of one girl's reawakening Jane is on a plane on her way home to Montclair, New Jersey, from a mental hospital. She is about to kill herself. Just before she can swallow a lethal dose of pills, the plane hits turbulence and everything goes black. Jane wakes up amidst piles of wreckage and charred bodies on a snowy mountaintop. There is only one other survivor: a boy named Paul, who inspires Jane to want to fight for her life for the first time. Jane and Paul scale icy slopes and huddle together for warmth at night, forging an intense emotional bond. But the wilderness is a vast and lethal force, and only one of them will survive.

Jane has been in treatment living in a mental hospital for the past year since she tried to commit suicide. Her dad killed himself so she believes crazy runs in the family. Jane has come up with a plan. She decides that on the plane ride home she will take pills in the bathroom and finally end her life. While in the bathroom, the plane crashes during a storm. The only other survivor is Paul, the boy who was seated next to her. He is stuck in a tree and needs her to help him get down and survive.

Jane wanted to give up but when she looks around at the wreckage and sees the newly married woman who has now lost her life she feels bad. She wonders why she lived when all these other people clearly deserved it more. Paul needs her to get out of the tree so she can't give up. Paul pushes her to survive. I think that was Jane's first step in wanting to live. For Paul. Paul was sweet at times, and a jerk at times, but he never let Jane give up. He was pushy but smart.

Many of the survival stories I have read take place on an island. This one was a change for me since it took place on a snowy mountain. I hate the snow and never would have thought that you can't eat it because it causes hypothermia. I would have been scarfing down snow. lol They have to melt the snow in water bottles against their bodies. They had to find sun glasses in the wreckage because their eyes could become sun burned. I've been to the snow like twice so I learned a lot and was even googling things after reading out of curiosity.

While trying to get to a location where they may be seen and rescued, Paul and Jane grow close. They share their deepest secrets and pains with each other. Both have suffered a horrible loss and are able to relate to each other. It was very sad at times and it didn't all end how I wanted. I had tears in my eyes during many parts, especially at the end. It was a fast read but an interesting journey through the snow. A lot of difficult cringe worthy scenes, but also a few sweet romantic scenes, and some humor. It was a quick read, good for survival fans.

"I pull out my gloves and hat from pockets and put them on, wincing at the pain in my head. I suddenly have an overwhelming urge to pee. I pull down my pants and semi-squat over the snow. I start to laugh out loud. I’m alone on top of a mountain in the middle of a fierce blizzard. Peeing!"

"I’m lost. I’m going to die. On this godforsaken moun­tain, I’m going to die. Well, isn’t that what I wanted?
There’s no easy answer on my lips or in my mind.
Is it what I wanted? Is it?"

“He laughs a little at his own joke and removes his sunglasses. Baby blues, no surprise—all the jerks have them."

Rating: 4/5

24 comments:

  1. Great review sweetheart! <333 Im glad that this story has some humor as well, I was portraying it as something more dense due to its theme and the main's character past story.
    THanks for sharing!! I for sure will enjoy =DDDD

    Dazzling Reads

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    1. The beginning and end are sad but here is a lot of humor in the middle and romance. Jane's story is sad but she pulls through and becomes a strong character. I hop you enjoy it!

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  2. OMG -- I just finished this. It was INTENSE. And that ending. I mean, I knew from the blurb on the back that it wasn't going to be an entirely happy ending, but I was just going, no, no, noooooooo!

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    1. Me too! I was so sad! I was naive and hoping for a perfect ending. It was intense and gross but at times romantic. I thought Paul was great and really wanted Jane to end up with him :-(

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  3. Woah. Vivi's not one to normally read survival books, but even then, I know the average stuck-on-an-island scenario, so I'm also pleasantly surprised that this one took a different route! Sounds like a super intense read, but also a very enjoyable ride!!! Imma go check it out! Fantastic review, Jennifer! <3

    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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    1. Yeah I like stuck on an island books lol but the snow was different. I know nothing about snow. I don't do cold so I enjoyed reading it. It was something different for me.

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  4. great review....the cover definitely springs a desire for getting this book....survival books are really not my forte but maybe i'll get it next month or something

    Le' Grande Codex

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    1. I enjoy a survival story every now and then. Hope you enjoy it!

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  5. Yeah snow and cold bites! I would be scarfing down snow, too and likely have hypothermia! This sounds like a thirlling read. I just hope it ism't Donner party reminiscent!

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    1. No it doesn't go Donner party yikes! I am such a thirsty person so I was immediately thinking well at least they have water and then I find out they can't even eat it!

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  6. Oh WOW!
    Im from Texas so snow is... a myth here.
    This book sounds so amazing!

    Great review

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    1. Yeah I don't do snow. I am no good with cold so I probably wouldn't last a day. The way she kept describing her freezing finger oh no! I hate cold hands.

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  7. Sounds cold! I hate the cold! But, since it also sounds good, I will have to suck it up, put on my big girl mittens and put it on my TBR list! Thanks for the review.

    Audrey/Ink and Page
    http://inkandpage.me

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    1. I felt cold reading it lol I really really hate the cold but it was interesting since I know nothing about walking around in it.

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  8. Eating snow causes hypothermia, seriously, I didn't know that either. This sounds like an intriguing book but I think it might be a bit too sad for me. Only one of them survives.....so sad already. Great review.

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    1. I had no clue. I figured if you are in the snow and cold already what could it hurt? But apparently it will lower our body temperature even more so you are not supposed to eat it. You are supposed to try to melt it. I'm too thirsty for all that. I drink like 15 bottles of water a day lol

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  9. This sounds really good. I hate the snow and cold too... well, at least for an extended period of time. And only one of them will survive, huh? Gee, that's not ominous or anything. lol. Great review, Jennifer!

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    1. Yeah I went to the snow a couple of times and went down some hills in a sled and that was about it. When I got home I took a hot hot shower and never wanted to have to bundle up and go out again lol So I don't visit the snow often. It's probably seriously been like 10 years since I have seen snow.

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  10. If you liked this one you will like for sure This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers!! it's also on survival but with Zombies, and she's like this character! she also deciding whether or not to give up!

    I'll be sure to get my hands on this one... though I don't like the part were it says 'only one of them will survive.' hmm... I'll just have to be brave.

    Great Review [and lol, I'd be scarfing down snow with you. If we ever get stuck on an island/mountain or the zombie apocalypse, we'll probably die x) ]

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    1. Yes I really want to read This Is Not A Test! I'm buried in books so I'm not sure when but I definitely will be reading it at some point. Yeah I didn't even notice that in the description when I read it so...you guessed it I cried! LOL Always crying. I can not go without water. My friends call me a camel so screw it I'll just scarf down snow and die happy. There is no way I'd make it anyway. I have no survival skills.

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  11. Wow ! This sounds really intense. I think I'm going to have to read it during summer! (It's winter where I am)
    The book seems to have a very depressed tone. I guess I should prepare myself mentally before starting it.
    I'm definitely going to give it a try though. Survival stories can be really interesting.
    Lovely review, Jennifer. :)

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    1. Yeah I love survival stories but they are depressing :-( Oh yes probably a good read in the summer! lol

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  12. Awesome review :) Survive sounds like a very interesting book.

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