The Long Weekend Review

Monday, December 6, 2010


Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive? This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night.

Taken from GoodReads.

The Long Weekend follows the story of Sam and Lloyd, two friends who find themselves in a very scary and very dangerous situation. Sam just started at a new school and was fortunate to find a good friend in Lloyd – someone he can joke around with and not feel like the new kid. One weekend, when their plans go awry, the two make the mistake of getting in a car with a stranger without thinking and the longest weekend of their lives begins. They’re taken to an old secluded mansion and separated from one another, left to the mercy of the sinister stranger. Can they make it out alive, or even in one piece?

I was invited to review The Long Weekend by author, Savita Kalhan, and I couldn’t resist. I have a penchant for mysteries and thrillers, and when they’re in the YA genre, I’m sold from the get-go. Despite being written for a young adult audience, the author tackles an extremely sensitive and chaotic topic, merging it with beautiful prose and vivid imagery to keep the story and madness alive. I’m not lying when I say this book gave me the chills more than once. Though Kalhan is delicate in her wording for the audience, it’s no less scary or creepy.

What I found most amazing about The Long Weekend was how perfect the voice of 11-year-old Sam sounded. It felt very tangible and both Sam and Lloyd’s fear was perfectly depicted. Nothing was overdone or overplayed, so the subtleties in the story really rang through and heightened the suspense. The boys go through a range of emotions from worry, to surprise, to potential excitement, to downright fear, matched well with the pacing to keep the flow of The Long Weekend going throughout the slim book (it's a quick read). I was on the edge of my seat throughout, rooting for both Sam and Lloyd because I really got inside their heads.

All in all, The Long Weekend was a fabulous read. I give it a firm 5 out of 5, and I’d have to say this is one of the most underrated books I’ve heard of in a while, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I would recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who like horror, realistic fiction, and contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

34 comments:

  1. Wow! I love the sound of this one. I've read another great review of it recently too, so I think it's one for the wishlist! I love a little bit of horror, and I really like the cover of this one too. Great review! :)

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  2. Ohhhh this does sound creepy. Being at the mercy of a stranger has always been something that has petrified me, so this will give me chills as well I'm sure. Fabulous review as usual Melissa, I hadn't heard of this one before so I'm glad you shared!

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  3. I enjoyed your review. This one sounds scary. I'm looking for lighter books right now, but I'm definitely adding this one to my TBR for when I'm in the mood for horror. Thanks!

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  4. This is why I love reading book reviews...there are so many books I wouldn't have known about otherwise. Thanks for the review and recommendation....! :)

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  5. Look at that cover! It's haunting! I think this is the first review I read on this book, so I am really glad that I did. Seriously sound so good!

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  6. I love mystery and this book sounds fantastic! I'll definitely be adding this to my TBR.

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  7. This sounds so good. I love the cover. I am definitely adding this to my list. Thanks for the review.

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  8. Sounds frighteningly good! Great review :)

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  9. This is definitely something I have to get my hands on. Thanks so much for the review!

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  10. Ooh, it sounds creepy... but the right mixture of creepy, it seems. Great review. =)

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  11. This sounds excellent! Thanks for an enjoyable review

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  12. Wow...I definitely get the scary factor from the cover there...spooky! Storywise...sounds like it has great potential. Will certainly have to seek this one out one day soon....thanks for sharing!

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  13. Look now, giving it a 5 and I who had already decided it was not for me ;) Lol, must re-consider

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  14. This book sounds great (as is the review)...
    I will have to give it a go, typically I am not a horror reader, yet with it being YA, I can probably manage it!
    :)

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  15. This is the first I hear of this book. It sounds fantastic!

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  16. Not only does it sound like a great book but I also loooove the cover!

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  17. 5/5? Wow... sounds like a winner. You really make it sound like a great read. I'll have to check it out!

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  18. Gah! Hold me, Melissa! From the little that you revealed, the movie Mystic River was instantly called to my mind. One of the little boys gets into a car with a stranger because he believes the guy was a police officer. *shudders* It was a great movie, but completely heartbreaking.

    I can't even imagine how one would approach such a topic as this delicately yet still believable. This book definitely sounds like something I would really enjoy. Adding it to my wishlist.

    Thanks, Bee! ;)

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  19. Sounds awesome! Added on my list!

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  20. Thanks for the review!! I love to find new books, specially if they are so good as you said. Just the cover gives me chills!

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  21. UH-OH this sounds to creepy to pass up...but Im trying to stay in the fun light stuff for Christmas so maybe dark and wintery Jan will have to wait for this one...:D

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  22. I must go add this to my wishlist. I love me a good creepy read and this one sounds like it fits the bill perfectly. I've never heard of it either, so that makes me even more intrigued. I'll be looking into this one and hopefully picking it up soon. Thanks for the review!

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  23. Fabulous review! I'm too much of a chicken for books like this unfortunately =\ But I'm glad to hear it's so incredible!

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  24. This sounds very interesting. It's really hard to get the voice of an 11 year old right - not too young, not too old - and I'm impressed that she managed to do it.
    Sounds like a creepy story.

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  25. Wonderful review. I have this one to read and now I quite excited about it thanks.

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  26. Great review. I don't mind a good thriller. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Haven't heard of it before :)

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  27. This one sounds good! I love scary/horror! Will have to add it to my ever expanding list! :D

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  28. This book sounds great, I had not heard of it before. I also love the cover.

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  29. wow, this one sounds awesome! sounds really original!

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  30. Oh this one sounds super creepy and fabulous. I'm going to have to add this to my TBR pile. I haven't heard much about this one, so glad you reviewed and highlighted this one!

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  31. Love this review. I love hidden gems.

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  32. Wow, just the cover would have me pick it up and peek inside to see what it was about. And your endorsement has it on my TBR list. Is it out already or coming out? I'll check back here for the answer.

    Heather

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  33. This sounds like a great book. I loved reading suspenseful novels as a child (I pretty much read through everything Joan Lowry Nixon had to offer) and I think I will have to check this out.

    Great review! You have definitely made me want to read it.

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  34. Great review!! I have this one too but won't be posting my review until the end of January for a blog tour. It sounds SO good and so chilling! So happy you enjoyed it! :D

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