REVIEW: Hurt, by Travis Thrasher



Hurt: A Novel (Solitary Tales Series)
Published 2013



 When Chris Buckley first encountered the mysteries of creepy Solitary, North Carolina, he had little idea how far he would fall into the town’s shadows. After losing the love of his life, Chris tried to do things his way. He hunted answers. Then he gave up trying to find them.

But now Chris comes back to Solitary knowing there’s a purpose for his being there. As he watches his place in a twisted and evil bloodline become clear, Chris waits for the last battle—and wonders who will be left when he finally makes his stand.

I'm kind of ticked with Travis Thrasher right now. This is the end of the Solitary Tales series. I've read the other 3 books, but I wasn't ready for Chris's story to end.

That being said. Good, good book. It's a genre I didn't realize existed when I started the series (Christian Horror--whoda thunk it?). But, I suppose (being a Christian, myself), even we need some horror fiction in our lives that's not full of foul language or explicit scenarios.

Hurt is a nice wrap up to Thrasher's series. It all does come down to a neat package, but after 4 books and a story line that keeps you guessing, a neat package is a good way to end. There is an overlying message, but it's not overt or "in your face." To liken it to a movie experience, it's a Denzel Washington movie---there's a message, but you get so caught up in the story, you don't realize you're also "getting" the message. This 4th book has more of the message than the first 3, but again, it's a closure book, it had to be a little heavier.

Characters are interesting, and I have to say I find some of the "bad guys" a little more developed, though I think that it helps you to identify more with Chris and the "good guys," because you really could be more like the good ones than the scary ones.

All 4 in the Solitary Tales series will be on my school library shelf. I also think this could be a good book study series with a church youth group.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from David C. Cook through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.