Temptation: A Novel by Travis Thrasher

Temptation: A Novel by Travis Thrasher

David C Cook

I choose to read this book first, and then I realized that it was the third in a series, so I read the others first.  Now that I have spent my whole weekend immersed in this series, it is killing me that I have to wait for the last one for the resolution to the story. The series is an absorbing read, but they are definitely set in the mind of a teenage boy with teen angst and rebelliousness. 

The Surprises and Twists Continue

Chris Buckley and his mother moved to Solitary, North Carolina after his parents separated over the issue of his father’s faith. After months of pressure, Chris just shuts down. Forces to attend summer school, he believes that he is stuck when Lilly walks through the door. Then when she notices him, his angst turns to joy and he forces all the scary things out of his mind and focuses solely on Lilly. After his mother tries to commit suicide while on a drinking binge, Chris believes that he is on his own with total freedom. Behind the scenes, though, manipulation increases forcing him to open his eyes. 

In this third installment to Thrasher’s Solitary Tales, the mood lifts a little as Chris finds a new girl, but the level of evil increases. The surprises continue keeping the reader locked into the series. Still a good bet for anyone looking at the horror, suspense genre with the added benefit of a Christian slant and no blatant profanity or sex scenes.

Published by David C. Cook, April 1, 2012.

Gravestone: A Novel by Travis Thrasher

David C. Cook

Chris Buckley and his mother moved to Solitary, North Carolina after his parents separated over the issue of his father’s faith. In the first book, Chris’s life is shattered when his new girlfriend is murdered in a ritualistic killing by a group he believes is made up of the town leaders.  Every moment he feels watched. When he turns to an old friend, someone manipulates her, forcing her to leave. 

The creepy factor increases in this installment to Thrasher’s Solitary Tales, but this is definitely a bridge book with no resolution in sight. As Chris attempts to find answers, the frustration level increases. The book is scary and interesting, but since it does not have much closure, it lags a little. I would definitely recommend it for Christians who enjoy the Twilight series.

Published by David C. Cook, June 1 , 2011.

Solitary: A Novel by Travis Thrasher

David C Cook

Scary, Thriller, Rebellious

When Chris Buckley’s parents split, he sides with his mother, and they move to Solitary to live in his uncle’s cabin. In the cabin, it appears that Chris’s uncle walked out of his life without taking any of his possessions. At school, as the new kid, Chris attracts attention of girls and the resident bully, while strange things go on all over town. When he meets Jocelyn he looses his heart, but she suggests that things are not what they seem. 

This book is written from the point of view of a teen-aged boy, making it seem as if the reader falls into his life and thoughts.  Chris is full of anger at his mother for her constant drinking and his father for his method of pushing his faith. Chris is definitely not someone who follows others easily. The gloom of the town hangs over the whole book, as Chris tries to find answers and save the girl. Interesting read, but definitely the first step in a series. There is no resolution of what Chris believes. This would be good choice for those who enjoyed Twilight, as the feeling is similar, but with a Christian bent.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by David C Cook on August 1, 2010.