REVIEW: Black Ice

Black Ice, by Becca Fitzpatrick
To Be Published October 7, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: young adult suspense
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 5 STARS

(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?

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

BLACK ICE took me out of my comfortable little box in which I regularly put myself. It wasn't labeled as a "romance" (although, there is some of that in it) or "paranormal". It was strictly a suspense novel set in the mountains. Perhaps it was the cute beanie boy on the cover that called to me, or the fact that I'm a big fan of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush series. Perhaps, too, I was simply ready for something fresh, new and different. In any case, my expectations were not only met, but exceeded; Black Ice was fantastic.

Britt is ready to spend spring break during her senior year of high school backpacking in the Tetons with her bestie Korbie, enjoying the cold mountain air and trying to forget her ex, Cal. Instead, through a series of unfortunate and unexpected events, Britt is stranded in the mountains in a blizzard with two killers who have taken her hostage. Things are not as they seem with anyone she comes in contact with, though, and her experience forces her to look at them and herself with different eyes.

Britt was someone I could relate to. She's spent much of her life getting help from others. She'd like to think of herself as strong and capable, but with some reflection, she realizes that others have always carried her along. It seems as if Cal dumping her (in such an awful way, too) was her wake-up call, and this trip into the mountains with Korbie is the springboard for the remaking of Britt into a truly independent young woman. I loved that about her. She might still be upset about her breakup and hung up on Cal, but she's not allowing that to stop her from changing the things about her that she doesn't like.

I loved the mystery surrounding Jude and his true motives for being on that mountain. Becca Fitzpatrick's pacing was excellent. Small bits of his story slowly came out at the right moments to keep me always interested, yet still in the dark. Although, it was clear from the beginning that he was harboring some serious secrets and that none of his actions, at least at first, could be taken at face value. The moments when he and Britt were alone were my favorites, though, because in those moments, I knew we were seeing the real Jude, and wow - I love that guy.

The suspense in Black Ice was off the hook. The pure survival aspect of having to trek miles in snow with little to no food and tons of crazy scary wildlife kept me riveted. Who needs zombies and vampires when you have real life grizzlies and timber wolves?? Then, add on to that the constant questions of who REALLY are the bad guys, and you have the makings of one incredible story. Becca Fitzpatrick pulls no punches - people die in Black Ice. Quite a few, actually. It made the story all the more real and exciting.

If you're looking for a new and different kind of YA book, look no further. Black Ice has it all - suspense, danger, excitement, and yes, even romance.