Review: PERILOUS by Tamara Hart Heiner

From the beginning I could see Heiner knows the behavior of high school girls well. She shows their bonds in friendship but also the cattiness within these bonds. The girls felt real and concerned with what most fifteen-year-olds care about: school, boys, friendships, and maybe a little family (on a nice day).

One nice element of the story was a detective’s point of view. When the girls are kidnapped we get to track them alongside the detective. He’s a likeable guy who loves pickles and his wife.

For me, the story was crisp, and concisely written. Complaints? I would have liked Jaci’s inner thoughts flushed out better: she prays randomly but I have no idea if these are last ditch effort prayers or if she truly believes in God. If so, I’m curious if this trip has strengthened or threatened her faith. This would have helped me to see her character arc better. Or if not her faith, I simply needed to know what made Jaci tick.

There were a few “convenient” scenarios, including randomly running into relations out of state and randomly running into an FBI agent who can help, but Heiner’s skill with the English language and constant suspense helped me feel less bothered by such instances.

Finally, the cover. It’s a great picture—truly artistic. But I don’t feel like it captures the mood of the story well. It’s a YA story and should be represented as such. The cover made me think I was reading a dark, psychological thriller, when this story is lighter and younger than that.

I recommend this book for tweens up to sixteen or seventeen who like suspense but would be freaked out by true psychological thrillers or horror.

Visit the author at tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com to learn more from a truly gifted person and outstanding friend. She's running TWO contests including a KINDLE giveaway, so jump over to her blog fast. Finally, she's smokin'. I'm not into chicks but this girl is just too cute. :)