Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsBook Review
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024
Five Survive by Holly Jackson - "What if I said you were the right people, in the right place at exactly the right time.”
3/5
This book was on the brink of what I was expecting but didn't meet the mark. On one hand, the story does hold your attention because each chapter ends with a cliffhanger but the text within chapters is repetitive and slow. On the other, the story takes place during eight hours but took a long time to grasp your attention that their lives were constantly in danger.
I will say that I like that the story is face paced but I often found myself wanting it to be faster, even skipping some parts that were the narrator telling the reader the same information about Red's guilt about her mother's death and how ostracized she feels within her friend group.
I also didn't enjoy that the whole story was unknowingly all about Red which I believe made the revelation anti-climatic. It was kind of an "oh that's why there's so much attention on her" moment. I wish more attention would've been shown on the other characters so when the reveal about Red being the witness comes out, it's a major shock. Speaking of Red being the witness, I didn't quite understand what the big deal was. I think if the story spoke more on the dangers of the Mafia in the town, like crimes they were known for or their "no nonsense" tactics were brought up her being the witness would've created a more feared reaction that I think the author intended.
Before I get to the characters I will say one last thing that I didn't like about this book before I get to the things I did like. Catherine Lavoy. The presented villain at the end of the book. It seemed rushed. It seemed like it came out of left field. The whole book we hear her speak once, we hear about her being a second mother to Red once or twice and then all of a sudden she's the big bad villain that killed all these people. I shocking agreed with Oliver that they were making the whole thing up because that's what it felt like, the dots were being forced to align rather than the emphany moment I assume the author intended.
Now what I liked about the book...
Red: she was the traditional outcast friend surrounded by headstrong, entitled, and selfish friends who didn't know who she truly was which gave it a cliche, comforting feeling.
Simon: Started off as the annoying character who was drunk and making matters worse and I liked how his character developed behind the scenes once he sobered up and became a small voice of reason.
Maddy: I disliked her throughout the whole book but someone has to draw the short straw of an unliked character. She was a bad friend which I think made people feel for Red more.
Reyna: The story didn't focus on Reyna until they needed her. I think she would've been a strong competitor for the main character if the story wasn't so focused on Red but she was only brought up in relation with Oliver, when they needed a vote, or her medical experience.
Oliver: I thought he was going to be the typical jock that was leadership material. That was until I saw the way he treated the people around him. At one point I thought he was going to sacrifice everyone else to save himself and I believe given the opportunity he would've. After all, he threw Red out of the RV, got Don and Joyce killed, beat up Arthur, belittled Reyna, and got his sister Maddy shot and almost let her die to save his corrupt mother.
Arthur: Probably my favorite character, even more so once the truth was revealed. It was a shining moment in the book when the truth came out. I was hoping he'd be a little more villain-esc like his brother but beggars can't be choosers. I was hoping for an evil smile or at the very least for him to kill Oliver and the group found out that way as he stood over his body.
Sniper: although an obvious psychopath, he was probably my favorite character. He was the only character that you knew what to expect from. If he said he was going to kill someone he meant it. My only wish was that he tried to build a bond with Red knowing she had the walkie. I would've loved a private conversation between them.
Overall, I did enjoy this book at parts and other parts held time that I can't get back. Despite the foreseeable twists and turns there are at least three good reasons to read this book. Is it bad that all my three reasons involve the villains of the book? Who knows, I may pick up another Holly Jackson book in the future.