Run Away
Ratings22
Average rating3.6
15
Ratings22
Average rating3.6
Paige is addicted to drugs and to an abusive boyfriend. And she's made it clear that she doesn't want to be found. Then, by chance, Simon sees her playing guitar in Central Park. But she's not the girl he remembers; she is living on the edge, frightened, and clearly in trouble. Simon approaches her, beg her to come home. She runs. And Simon follows her into a dark and dangerous world he never knew existed. Now his family and his life are on the line. And in order to protect Paige from the evils of that world, Simon must face them head on. -- adapted from publisher info and perusal of book
Reviews with the most likes.
I wanted to DNF this literally from the start. I don't own the book anymore so unfortunately I can't grab the exact quote but it was what said when our MC was describing the homeless people. I believe it was just one maybe two sentences but I just got an ick. My partner convinced me to keep going in this - though he never read it. He just knows I'm quick to snappy book decisions and I had just DNF'd a previous 4 books in a row prior to this one.
So, I read it. I didn't actively hate it - I enjoyed a story line of a devoted and desperate father to find his daughter. But overall was a flat and unremarkable read for me.
this was a surprisingly engrossing read for me. it started a bit slow, and yet i was still super intrigued. and once it picked up, it REALLY picked up, so high-action and non-stop, and i really loved every second of it.
funnily enough, the overt “parental love” theme and aspect of this book didn't land with me. i didn't really feel it or care, because i have no soul and am cold as ice. but there was an angle within that, about family dynamics and bloodlines etc, that i found fully fascinating, and that's what got me. on top of that, seeing how everything tied together, what each piece meant and what it's impact was, was so expertly woven and balanced in this book, i loved that. there was a surprising amount of nuance. also fuck me that ending (some of which i saw coming, but it still didn't pull any punches.)
taking off a star because there were moments i had a hard time keeping track of all the characters, i let it slide bc i assumed it would all come together in the end. and it did, but there were a few points when i would have to pause and was like “wait who was that again” and that was a little annoying. it could have been my own headspace and engagement though.
This book was overly verbose and strange sidebars. For example, right before a big confrontation Harlan goes on a long sidebar on the science around why people think time slows down during intense moments then during the confrontation describes our characters doing just that. There was no need for the science lesson. It ruined the flow. Similar situations though out the book. I listened to audiobook and I bet you could cut an hour out and not miss a beat.
