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October 27, 2014

Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick - more romance than thrill

Black Ice
Title: Black Ice 
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Publication date: October 7, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary/Thriller)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC 
Pages: 392


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 had such a great premise. I'm a sucker for any type of thrillers.. whether psychological, murder, or mystery. Knowing Black Ice involves kidnapping and trying to escape the kidnappers, I had to get my hands on it. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing an ARC! I really like Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush saga, so I was expecting an amazing romance, thrilling fast paced plot, and likable characters. Unfortunately every single one of these points was lacking. This doesn't mean I didn't like the book, because I did. I just didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. 
 
The story takes a while to kick off.. almost 80 pages to finally continue on to the unknown, when the girls get kidnapped. I'm all for building the whole plot and storyline.. but this is a contemporary, you don't need any world building like in fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian books. Still, I was patient. I wasn't the biggest fan of Britt though. Right before the kidnapping, she had several weird vibes from the two future kidnappers but she chose to ignore every single hunch she's had. The whole time I was virtually banging my head on a wall. Also, Britt's supposed friend? ugh that is one toxic and unhealthy friendship. I honestly didn't understand Britt and why she bothered staying friends with Korbie when all the girl did was try to prove how much better she is to Britt. Once the kidnapping actually happens, that's when the plot picks up. Another plot line that picks up is the romance and dear God I wasn't on board with that at all. I really tried liking Britt and the guy but I just couldn't. So I just tried ignoring the romance (again, something I've come to automatically do in a ton of YA books).  
The big mystery in Black Ice is who the killer is. The first chapter is set several months before (in April), where you read the POV of one of the girls that ended up being murdered by the mystery killer. He (no spoilers, you find out it's a male from that first chapter) has actually killed several girls around their area in the past year. I honestly guessed who the killer was very early on and I was correct so the shocking factor didn't work for me. However I do have to say I did like who Fitzpatrick chose to be the killer, their motive, and why they killed. It was quite brilliant. I personally was a tad bit disappointed in this book because I had pegged it as becoming a favorite thriller/mystery. I do think fans of romance and ones who never really delved into the mystery/thriller books would enjoy it and love the mystery. 

6 comments:

  1. Okay, pretty much agree with every single thing you said. Like you, I did love the conclusion to the mystery, but the characters and the romance were not really my kind of thing.
    Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics

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  2. Aaaaawww, your review makes me even more wary to start this. Some of my friends loved it and some found it so-so. I guess I just have to try it myself but I'm not in the mood at the moment! Hopefully I can get to it this November. Great review as always, Juhina!

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  3. I'm very intrigued by the mystery. I'm so curious to see if I'll be able to guess who the killer is! Thanks for the review and hopefully when I pick this book up, I'll enjoy it :D

    Eileen @ BookCatPin

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  4. Three stars still mean that it's not that bad. :) I've noticed that a lot of people rated it like you - seems that hype and waiting to finally read it created pretty high expectations.
    Great review!

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  5. See, I didn't expect to like it, because I'm not really a contemporary reader, so I was pleasantly surprised by the book. But I can totally see all the things you pointed out as issues. Great review!

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  6. Aw, hugs :( I'm so sorry you had issues with this book. That is no fun. But I totally understand why you felt that way as well. I have yet to read this, and to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to at all anymore :p but I do own a hardcover of it. :) So, one day. <3 Thank you for sharing sweetie :D

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