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His Loneliness Will Soon Turn to Fear…. When Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina, he faces the reality of his parents’ divorce, a school full of nameless faces—and Jocelyn Evans. Jocelyn is beautiful and mysterious enough to leave Chris speechless. But the more Jocelyn resists him, the more the two are drawn together. Chris soon learns that Jocelyn has secrets as deep as the town itself. Secrets more terrifying than the bullies he faces in the locker room or his mother’s unexplained nightmares. He slowly begins to understand the horrific answers. The question is whether he can save Jocelyn in time. This first book in the Solitary Tales series will take you from the cold halls of high school to the dark rooms of an abandoned cabin—and remind you what it means to believe in what you cannot see.
The author of a dozen works of fiction, including Isolation and Ghostwriter, Travis Thrasher has been writing since he was in the third grade. His writing is known for its honesty, depth, and surprising twists. Thrasher lives with his wife and daughter near Chicago.
ValtenceMarie
Posted January 26, 2012
Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina from the Chicago suburbs as a result of his parents' divorce. Once in Solitary they are all on their own, and Solitary isn't the friendliest of places.
Then a girl named Jocelyn crosses his path, and he instantly becomes addicted to her. Her mysterious ways entice him and his life goal becomes that he must learn more about her.
As Chris beings to learn more about Solitary he learns of unexplained deaths, missing kids, and beyond strange nightmares. He knows something seriously wrong is going on in the town of Solitary, but no matter what he won't let anything happen to Jocelyn.
Ok, I found this a very good read, if you like Twilight you will defiantly enjoy this just as much or perhaps even better. Thrasher's writing style is genius, and from the first page he'd gotten me hooked. Though the paragraph breaks were extremely annoying at points.
I found Chris' fascination with Jocelyn very interesting, and that's what got me hooked why I was still reading the Preface. I did notice that the book was extremely realistic. Between the relationship between Chris and Jocelyn and everything else going on it felt so real.
The horror elements in the book were a bit scary, I had to set it down several times before I could continue reading because I was scared to see what was going to happen next.
Though I did give it 4 stars for a reason and here it is: I felt a little cheated. Probably about halfway through the book, Solitary revealed itself to be Christian Fiction. Now I have no issue with Christianity or Christian Fiction, it's just the fact that there were no descriptions indicating that it was Christian Fiction is all.
At 400 pages Solitary is a heavy read, but entirely worth it, of course if Christian Fiction is your thing. I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series.
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kellys_Mom
Posted June 17, 2011
My daughter (age 19) recommended this book to me. We totally disagreed! She LOVED the writing, the mystery, and the imagination. I cannot believe I wasted my time on it. I love mysteries...when they are solved. There were way too many details unanswered. If you are going to read the book, do not read any further. I have so many unanswered questions...WHO was the wolf/ghost figure who bit Chris and why did Chris NEVER bring this up to anyone? Who was the man on the side of the road that glared at Chris? Who was the leader of the "clan" people? Why did they form? What brought them to evil? Were those three missing kids, sacrificed? Why did they kill Jocelyn? Why was Gus such a bully? Why was his father never introduced in the book. You'd think he would be after making such a big deal out of him. What happened to Chris' uncle and why did he disappear? Who was the man creeping around their cabin and leaving footprints? What was Ray trying to do? Why was the Pastor so creepy? What did the Pastor want from Chris? Who was emailing Chris? Why couldn't someone come out and tell Chris, "There is a devil worshipping cult (was there?); stay away from so-and-so." Why did Chris' mom have nightmares? What did the weird aunt have to do with ANYTHING!!!??? Of course, I could use my imagination or my reasoning and make up the solutions. However, I think that would be the author's responsibility. Is this more interesting to the younger generation?
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 20, 2012
THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW, IF YOU HATE LET DOWNS IN THE ENDS OF BOOKS READ THIS!!!
Ok so I really liked this book in the beginning, but then at the end I was all excited because I wanted to see how Chris saved Jocelyn, but then the ending is soooooo disapointing! I hated the end and I was like really upset for a few days because I thought Chris would save Jocelyn, she was my FAVORITE and she got her freaking throt and wrists slit which killed her!!!!
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.10791835
Posted July 9, 2011
I won't waste your time giving a plot summary, but i am posting this to say you must read this book! Very few can communicate sheer suspense and terror the way that Travis Thrasher can while communicating it through such realistic and fully developed characters. I couldn't put this book down, and the twists and turns proved so shocking that i am dying to see what happens next. Since this is the first book in a series (seriously, how was that not obvious from the start?) I am excited to discover the answers that I am yearning for as the SOLITARY TALES continue to unfurl. Go ahead! Leave the porch lights on tonight. Double-check to ensure that all of your doors and windows are locked. Keep the Maglite flashlight/night stick nearby, and curl up to read this chilling tale!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 3, 2013
A book for simpletons. Traumatized boy meets traumatized girl. More trauma, then death. Continual posturing and repeated scenes abound. I gave up after the third breakup. The ending was a disappointment. Not going to continue with the series and glad that I could delete the free book from my tablet.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.elfwalk
Posted January 30, 2013
I am copying and pasting another reviewer's post because I could not have said it better: From Kellys_Mom: "I cannot believe I wasted my time on it. I love mysteries...when they are solved. There were way too many details unanswered. If you are going to read the book, do not read any further. I have so many unanswered questions...WHO was the wolf/ghost figure who bit Chris and why did Chris NEVER bring this up to anyone? Who was the man on the side of the road that glared at Chris? Who was the leader of the "clan" people? Why did they form? What brought them to evil? Were those three missing kids, sacrificed? Why did they kill Jocelyn? Why was Gus such a bully? Why was his father never introduced in the book. You'd think he would be after making such a big deal out of him. What happened to Chris' uncle and why did he disappear? Who was the man creeping around their cabin and leaving footprints? What was Ray trying to do? Why was the Pastor so creepy? What did the Pastor want from Chris? Who was emailing Chris? Why couldn't someone come out and tell Chris, "There is a devil worshipping cult (was there?); stay away from so-and-so." Why did Chris' mom have nightmares? What did the weird aunt have to do with ANYTHING!!!??? Of course, I could use my imagination or my reasoning and make up the solutions. However, I think that would be the author's responsibility. "
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 28, 2012
Didnt know this was from a guy's perspective... but it still sounds like a really good book ;)
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MsLanaK
Posted April 30, 2012
An, okay read! The mystery was such a build up but the let down was very weak and disappointing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2012
Amazing book! Took me through all emotions and reminded me of the Hope I do have. Would recommend this for any teenagers possibly 8th grade and up. There is evil in this world but when we know where our Hope is we do not have to be afraid.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 14, 2013
I thought it was to scary. If you like horrer then you will like this book. I did not like that they killed one of the main charecters. So if you fall in love with charecters easily then do not read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 9, 2013
When I bought the free book sometime ago, I didn't know it was a series. I was incredibly disappointed at the abrupt ending to an otherwise enjoyable book. Only after finishing did I find out there was ONE story over FOUR books. Now I either have to pay for the others or wait indefinitely until the library picks up the series. You have been warned!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 13, 2013
When you have no answers at the end of a book, it's disappointing. It's one thing to have answered some questions raised and bring up new ones to ponder at the end in continuing with a mystery atmosphere, it's another thing to never get answers for the main topics and only a smattering of answers to minor ones. I gave this a 3 instead of a 2 b/c I was hooked on it through the end and couldn't put it down because I wanted to find out the answers to all they mysteries but then when it ended the way it did, I got confused and felt cheated. I will probably eventually read the 2nd in the series to see if it answers the questions left untold in the 1st.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2013
It's a little scary but very interesting
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 5, 2012
A bunch of people say its bad because there is not enough answers. But seriously come on. Why to u think it is a mystery. The book was great. Will definately read others books in the series. A must read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 22, 2012
Not too bad. Something about it doesn't flow amazingly well, tho.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Starryblue
Posted July 6, 2012
I found Solitary to be extremely realistic. I thought that was a great characteristic that the book offered. As I was reading it,I found it to be spooky. The spookiness made it more interesting. The book was definitely well written and easy to read.
I felt disappoint whenever no one answered Chris' questions. Instead of getting responses he was being yelled at. I felt sympathetic toward Chris when he was not recieving any answers. Over this book was wonderful since, it combined romance, horror, and religion.
Anonymous
Posted July 1, 2012
Alot of suspense and confusing drama. Toooo long of a pause between questions and answers.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 25, 2012
This was a sleeper of a novel. At first it was slow, but after a few chapters, I couldn't put it down. A great young adult / teen read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.newbeeJB
Posted April 20, 2012
Not sure if I liked it or not...
I gave it a three star because it was interesting and I did finish it. But that said it was a bit like ground hog day... Every day was basically the same except different bully... Or the fasination with the girl. YOU KNOW there's a mystery in there some where, you just can't quite find it! About every 50 pgs or so the story starts picking up and gives you a hint of a mystery, you think, ok here we go finally... Then it's back to ground hog day. The story was interesting enough to keep me reading to see what happens,toward the end of the book it got better, but took me a while to get through. I kept putting it down, then later picked it up. Though I realise that there were elements that needed to be in the story line, I beleive that a little less repetative stuff and a bit more of the mystery in the beginning would have made it a better book. Just my honest review.
Anonymous
Posted April 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me reading and guessing. I have to agree with one of the other reviews though. I only give it a 4 because the ending is sort of empty. I wanna know the who and why. Other than that, the book was excellent.
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Overview
His Loneliness Will Soon Turn to Fear…. When Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, North Carolina, he faces the reality of his parents’ divorce, a school full of nameless faces—and Jocelyn Evans. Jocelyn is beautiful and mysterious enough to leave Chris speechless. But the more Jocelyn resists him, the more the two are drawn together. Chris soon learns that Jocelyn has secrets as deep as the town itself. Secrets more terrifying than the bullies he faces in the locker room or his mother’s unexplained ...