Bait by J. Kent Messum
From Goodreads:
No one is coming to your aid. We have ensured this.
Six strangers wake up on a remote island in the Florida Keys with no memory of their arrival. They soon discover their common bond: all of them are heroin addicts. As the first excruciating pangs of withdrawal make themselves felt, the six notice a yacht anchored across open water. On it lurk four shadowy figures, protected by the hungry sharks that patrol the waves. So begins a dangerous game. The six must undertake the impossible—swim to the next island where a cache of heroin awaits, or die trying. When alliances form, betrayal is inevitable. As the fight to survive intensifies, the stakes reach terrifying heights—and their captors’ motives finally begin to emerge.
Jaws + Survivor + The Hunger Games -- this is a fast paced thriller full of gore and violence, and not for the faint of heart. It reminded me a bit of TV horror movies where they didn't censor any language or bloody gruesome scenes.
I know some other reviewers weren't too thrilled with the language used (that it may be a bit offensive), but I had no problem with it since I am guessing the author was just trying to portray reality. While I am not usually into character driven novels, and do actually prefer plot driven novels, I DO wish the characters are more developed - the author provided a bit of back stories for each character, but I did not form any emotion or connection with any of them. I did not cheer for the good guys, or feel relived if something bad happened to the bad guys.
I appreciate the message of the story, but I think the message would be stronger if it was delivered by characters we care about. Or at least grow to care, even if they may not be likable in the beginning).
2.5 Stars.
Note - A copy of the book was given in exchange for an unbiased review as part of the TLC tour. Check out the other tour stops to see what they think! I tend to be harsher than some other reviewers :)
Monday, August 26th: Tiffany’s Bookshelf
Tuesday, August 27th: Book Chatter
Wednesday, August 28th: Tina’s Book Reviews
Thursday, August 29th: Simply Stacie
Friday, August 30th: Midnight Thrillers
Tuesday, September 3rd: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, September 4th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Thursday, September 5th: Ageless Pages Reviews
Monday, September 9th: Mental Foodie
Tuesday, September 10th: You’ve GOTTA read this!
Thursday, September 12th: Bewitched Bookworms
Monday, September 16th: A Bookworm’s World
Tuesday, September 17th: Literally Jen
Wednesday, September 18th: October Country
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I heard the characters just drop off dead one by one? I just won this one on a giveaway and am intrigued by the concept but I'll leave it for some light reading.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call it "light reading" because there were some disturbing scenes... but a quick read for certain.
DeleteToo bad! I'm with you, though. I prefer plot driven books, but we must have well-defined characters to carry it out!
ReplyDeleteYeah - to at least feel something about the characters you know? Either hope the good guys have good things happen to them, or vice versa for the bad guys. I think the plot has a lot of potential, but the characters need to be developed a bit more.
DeleteThanks for your honest review for the tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity!
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