Genre: Thriller
Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Pages: 352
Publisher: Ballantine Books
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“Three ordinary people risk everything for a chance at redemption in this audacious, utterly gripping novel of catastrophe and survival at the end of the world, from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man
Hannah awakens to carnage, all mangled metal and shattered glass. During a hasty escape from a secluded boarding school, her coach careened over a hillside road during one of the year’s heaviest snowstorms, trapping her inside with a handful of survivors, a brewing virus, and no way to call for help. If she and the remaining few want to make it out alive, with their sanity–and secrets–intact, they’ll need to work together or they’ll be buried alive with the rest of the dead.
A former detective, Meg awakens to a gentle rocking. She is in a cable car suspended far above a snowstorm and surrounded by strangers in the same uniform as her, with no memory of how they got there. They are heading to a mysterious place known to them only as “The Retreat,” but when they discover a dead man among their ranks and Meg spies a familiar face, she realizes that there is something far more insidious going on.
Carter is gazing out the window of the abandoned ski chalet that he and his ragtag compatriots call home. Together, they manage a precarious survival, manufacturing vaccines against a deadly virus in exchange for life’s essentials. But as their generator begins to waver, the threat of something lurking in the chalet’s depths looms larger, and their fragile bonds will be tested when the power finally fails–for good.
The imminent dangers faced by Hannah, Meg, and Carter are each one part of the puzzle. Lurking in their shadows is an even greater threat–one that threatens to consume all of humanity.”
My Review:
IT 👏 IS 👏 SO 👏 GOOD 👏 This book is full-throttle from the very start to the very end.
It is not for the faint of heart. It’s nail-bitingly gory and I loved every minute of it.
The Retreat is eerie and ominous. The sense of foreboding is ever-present. We know something unusual and terrible is happening as we slowly uncover the secrets lurking in every corner.
The interconnectedness of these three plots unfolding is crazy clever.
The situation of the world is apocalyptic, and this setting is expertly crafted. I was completely immersed.
You’ll feel every terrifying, desperate, nightmare-inducing moment deeply.
The plot is brutal and wracked with carnage. The setting is claustrophobic. And the surprises will leave you screaming inside.
This is survival horror in a world at ruin at its finest.
We have an eclectic cast of characters, each in unique circumstances. Their comedic relief is golden, with witty dialogue, quirky personalities, and hilarious inner monologues.
I can’t even begin to describe this story to you, and I won’t even try because I went in with no expectations and I’m glad that I did. This story was all the better for it, more gritty and severe.
The Drift is my favorite thriller to date, and easily one of my favorite books of all time.
All the stars for this one, I can’t say enough good things. I’m obsessed and I highly recommend it to any readers who want something truly dark and devious.
I don’t know how I’ll ever find another thriller to compare, but I will definitely be checking out this author’s other books!
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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